Inspire and Be Inspired

June's "Abundant" theme is "inspire another".

I have struggled in the past few months with my writing. I have had so many new insights and new experiences yet somehow, the words to describe them would not come. I could not seem to adequately convey them in words. Mental images, meditative states, progress in asanas were abounding. My blog had to take a back seat to these experiences. I did not have the words.

Along came an extended phone call from my blog friend Miruspeg and her words were timely. Her own blog posting routine, her consistency, her word focus of "Balance" and daily example encouraged me. I was inspired.

Then came the end of May and an opportunity to group post again about our word. The creativity of my friends encouraged me. I was inspired.

Like Dorothy in "Jerry McGuire", "I just want to be inspired."

My inspiration comes in many forms: really good writing, beautiful art, music and photography, the commitment that someone has to a daily prayer life, a workout schedule, a nutrition schedule. In fact, I find inspiration from those who keep their personal commitments to just about anything. I find the quality of "commitment to self" very inspiring.

One individual who exudes inspiring words and actions is Michael J. Fox. His recent television special "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" paid homage to individuals who live life with a positive outlook. I don't think anyone could watch this special or finish his new book "A Lucky Man: A Memoir" and not be inspired by the way he is inspired by the human spirit himself and celebrates the way others inspire him.

So there is something to "Inspire, and Be Inspired"

If I feel this abundant about being inspired, and Michael J. Fox shares this sentiment, then maybe to experience abundance we must seek to "inspire another". You might be intentionally inspiring another in a variety of ways but I am most certain that each and every person is "inspiring another" in some way that they are not aware of.

I recently posed a question to a very close friend. "How do I help you?" The answer I received was more than I expected. This person who inspires me so much in many aspects of life has been touched in unexpected ways by me. That I might in a small way contribute to the abundant life of another is both humbling and amazing.

So, my questions are these: Can we decide to "inspire another" or do we "inspire another" by living a quality life of positive abundance and that in itself is enough? Does inspiration come spontaneously in a different form for each individual or are there qualities that are globally inspiring? What or who inspires you?

Abundance is....an unexpected gift of inspiration.