Inspiring Change: Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary
August 06, 2016
By : Inspired Woman Magazine

By Noreen Keesey

What comes to mind when you think about the word inspired? When I first thought about it, I considered things that made me feel uplifted. I focused on things that moved me emotionally. And the list of examples I came up with was pretty long, covering things both big and little. The young girl on the news who started a non-profit to help other children of service members whose parent had been injured or killed. The best advice listed by the actor interviewed in a magazine I read regularly. I’d be remiss not to mention the main character in the recent Disney movie who ignores the odds and obstacles in order to live her dream.

When I looked up the definition of inspire (I look up words infrequently enough that I don’t feel weird about it, but often enough to occasionally annoy people), I found that the definition of inspire is to fill someone with the urge to do or feel something (especially something creative). This changed my perspective a bit; rather than simply evoking feeling, being inspired involves an urge to take action.

Inspiration can be used as an impetus to action or as an excuse for inaction. Have you ever found it difficult to get started on a project, report, or event because you weren’t feeling it?  The inspiration just hadn’t hit?

Willem Dafoe said, “Action breeds inspiration more than inspiration breeds action.” Sometimes, being inspired is hard work. It comes from action, not from waiting.

If you’ve waited, and waited (and waited!) for inspiration to strike, then perhaps it’s time to try taking action. It’s ok to make it a small action. Just get some momentum. See what happens.

Maybe what would help is to shake things up a bit. Do you have the time and resources to take a vacation? Perhaps now is the time. If a stay-cation fits better into your lifestyle, then plan some changes of scenery while staying at home. Take a drive around an unfamiliar part of town or visit a new shop or two. Try a different coffee shop or lunch stop. While engaged in these new activities and surroundings, watch what’s going on around you. What are people doing? What music is on in the background? What little surprises do you run across? Become an observer and engage all of your senses in your exploration.

If time off just won’t work for you right now, here are a few of my favorite sources of inspiration:

  • Movies
  • Books
  • Ted Talks
  • Blogs (find a good one written by someone doing something you’re interested in; limit it so that you are not filling up your e-mail inbox  and your time)
  • Small locally-owned shops
  • Nature (the sunset, ocean and mountain variety…not the lawn mowing, weeds with splinters, and creepy crawly bug variety!)

Inspiration may need a little space in order to show up. Are you feeling a little overwhelmed or stressed by even the thought of time off, trying something new, or opening your awareness to inspiration? If so, perhaps now is the time to be very kind to yourself and create some space in your life, environment, and calendar. Identify what no longer serves who you are and let it go. Make some room for inspiration.

I’m looking forward to enjoying the coming issues of Inspired Woman magazine and learning about the many people in our communities who have been inspired and are inspiring others.

For now ask yourself, when was the last time you were inspired? What steps are you going to take to find (or create space for!) more inspiration in your life?  


Noreen is a leadership coach and trainer who believes deeply in the Army leadership principle: “Know yourself 201606 - Norrie - 014 printand seek self-improvement.” She enjoys reading, watching movies, and laughing with friends over a good cocktail. She is uncomfortable with small talk and is scared of moths.

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