In a particular moment of weakness, I found myself struggling to find inspiration staring at a white page on my computer screen.
That's when inspiration came crashing down on me from above like a ton of bricks. After relieving myself from the pile of debris, inspiration itself seemed like a topic worthy of commentary. Where do we get it? Why do we get it? How are we inspired to persevere day after day?
Last week I interviewed a man who has spent his entire life without limbs, born with no arms and no legs. Chris Koch was preparing to climb nearly 2,000 steps to the observational summit of the CN Tower. If that doesn't inspire you, what the hell does?
People love conflict, and what gets our blood really flowing is someone overcoming that conflict. I don't mean conflict resolution. We love seeing people set up obstacles that are beyond conquerable, only to see those obstacles swatted aside like the mild pests the heroes of our world make them appear to be.
I've always loved the story of Terry Fox. I don't remember much of my early childhood, but I do remember having a Terry Fox shirt that I just loved. Sure, my attachment had less to do with the one-legged man running daily marathons across one of the widest countries on the planet and more to do with the dude with the awesome robot leg, but I feel like Fox and I have always had a special bond since.
Everybody needs inspiration in their lives. It isn't simply for the writer searching for a muse or the artist hoping to find one more image compelling enough to recreate.
We need inspiration to get our tired selves out of bed in the morning.
These don't need to be big, sweeping things that make our spirit soar. I get out of bed because I'm inspired by my work. I get to chat with people like Chris Koch and learn about people's stories every day.
If ever there is a time I don't feel inspired, I deserve a good slap in the face. There's never any shortage of people with incredible stories and speaking with them, hearing about their struggles and successes is a great way to fuel the tank.
And it isn't just wildly handicapable people who inspire. Last week I spoke with Nancy Zeleny about Challenge Day, an event at the Estevan Comprehensive School that empowers teens to make changes in their lives and seeks to foster a community of respect.
For some people, high school is a horrible experience. If you went through those four years problem free there was at least someone you knew who was living the worst years of their lives. I knew those people.
The week before that, I spoke to members of the Sikh community and learned about how they are integrating into the Prairie lifestyle. Hearing about a minority group making lives for themselves and doing great things in our community makes me feel pretty warm inside. People are doing things together to make lives better throughout our community.
I get inspired every week. There should never be a lull when it comes to inspiration.
Not everybody speaks to new and interesting people each week as part of their job, but there are many other sources of inspiration. Find something to set your heart on fire.
If you find yourself uninspired, just look out the window. It's fall. The season is changing, and our surroundings are as colourful as they will ever be. Watch the sunrise or, if you're like me, probably just the sunset. Be inspired.
