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Where Do You Draw Inspiration?

Inspiration is a word we hear a lot in society. Entire businesses are built around the word with even some including the word in their name. The definition of 'inspiration' is "the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative" (dictionary.com).


Tony Robbins, the most famous motivational speaker of all time, has a net worth of $480M just to tell people how to find inspiration within themselves. Another person you see pop up on social media every few days is Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee). His net worth is $160M. Mark Wahlberg, the highest paid actor of 2017 - $68M (source), created a business including the word, Performance Inspired. It seems like everyone is always searching for inspiration and it can be very lucrative, but why?

I personally find inspiration everywhere. I know this is not the case for many, so I am writing this to hopefully help you find it easier. The three people named above have all inspired me at some point in my life. Tony has a few TED talks and a documentary style film on Netflix titled, "I Am Not Your Guru" which is fantastic. He is a mountainous man that is very confident, matter of fact and honest. He explains how he's not your guru, as the title states, but still guides you to these realizations about yourself and society. Gary Vaynerchuk has a very distinct voice and uses vulgar language to help you get off of your ass and stop making excuses. He's the definition of a hustler. Lastly, Mark Wahlberg, the man does it all. His career has developed from a musician, model, international movie star, owner of a sports franchise (Cricket organization), restaurant franchiser (Wahlburgers), television producer, fitness guru, nutrition brand owner and Chevy dealership owner. I'm unsure if he's ever not working. He's a rags to riches success.


Ever since I was a child I've drawn inspiration from words. I remember being ecstatic when I'd go to the book fair in elementary school. A new book with the untouched cover and the new book smell - it couldn't be beat. I always thought how crazy it would be to create something that someone would read one day (hey, thanks!). I looked up to authors and their ability to make something out of thin air. I loved the idea of how they could steal my brain and hold it captive until the end or how a poet could create a rhythm with words that sounded like music.

I decided at a young age that I loved the idea of being a writer, but it didn't become my reality until I finally decided it was what I was meant to do when I was 19 years old. I was convinced I was going to be a doctor because I wanted to help people, but I found I can do that in other ways, and I knew I would be selling myself short. Sounds crazy doesn't it? But I knew deep down I was a creative. This all sounds nice and it is my reality, but with artistry in any sense, it is very possible to lose inspiration when working on a project. I've wrote 20+ page papers on subjects I couldn't care less about. So when that occurs, where do I find inspiration? (This doesn't apply only to writing!)


Again, I find it everywhere. I find it in my dreams, books, poems, movies, tv shows, music, dancing, nature, concerts, quotes, paintings, sports, etc. As a society we've been raised to root for the underdog so we're constantly seeing it portrayed. We want the world to be just, to be fair, for everyone to have the chance to succeed. It's inspirational when the world levels out.


It's possible to find inspiration in the oddest ways. For me, I find Sia inspirational. She is debatably the best female vocalist alive, doesn't care one bit about fame (that's why she covers her face), and is a recovering addict. But I found something even more inspiring in her music videos through this young girl named Maddie Ziegler, who was 11 in the music video for Chandelier, which has nearly 2 BILLION views. I never even knew I liked dance prior to this video. I get an odd sense of urgency to chase my goals when I watch her dance. I am mentally stimulated to do something, AKA inspired.

It is extremely inspiring to find someone accomplishing something at certain ages in life, especially when they're young. I personally know how challenging this can be. It's difficult to get people to believe in you. They don't believe you know what you're doing. Some don't believe you deserve it. You have to be a real trail blazer. It's incredibly impressive when the rookie, JuJu Smith-Schuster, dominates the NFL against grown men after being drafted at 19 years old. When Chloe Kim wins the Olympic gold medal at 17 years old. When Daymond John created FUBU at 23 to amass a worth of $6B. Contrary to this, it's inspiring to watch people not give up on their goals, such as Harriette Thompson, who ran a half marathon at 94 years old. Inspiration has no age limit.


Inspiration doesn't have to come from incredible feats. The people closest to you can be your greatest sources. Your parents may have been together since they were in middle school or high school and have made that fairytale love a reality in your childhood. It can be your siblings who chased their dreams by going away for college. It can be a friend that joined the military and is serving overseas. The sources are completely subjective.


I've always found I can find inspiration if I get my feet moving. I have to remind myself this all of the time that if I move my feet my, mind will follow. If I move then I will find ideas, I find the solution to things stuck deep in my brain, I find inspiration to create. New experiences will also bring me a stimulation. I will guaranteed find one thing to inspire me in exploration. Remember, inspiration is being mentally stimulated, so stimulate your mind!

One of my favorite quotes for inspiration reads, "When you commit to a journey the universe will take care of you". This reminds me every day to stay on path. The universe will take care of me if I stay committed. It reminds me to perform at the highest of my abilities and to not let distractions in, to inspire others and be inspired in every thing that I do.


Always remember -

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." -Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist).


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