Inspiration Is Not A Four Letter Word:
Embracing Motivation And Inspiration - And The Happiness And Fulfillment They Can Bring

When exactly was it that inspiration became a bad word? When did anything or anybody espousing to inspire, provide inspiration or otherwise offer an inspirational perspective or message for the intended purpose of uplifting and motivating others to not simply accept where, or who, we are but to aspire to something immensely greater - become something to be distrusted? When was it that the concept of words and thoughts of inspiration and motivation... and even the very thought of someone striving to nudge others towards the potential for a more fulfilled, hopeful and purposeful existence somehow became something to be discredited, shunned and belittled? When was it that that society's outlook on what was positive became negative - and what was negative became expected.

Perhaps it was the result of some collective realization that if life can be lived without positive expectations - because then the opportunity for disappointment is greatly minimized. This thinking is pretty much akin to the logic that if one never steps up to the plate, one will never be faced with the dejection and disappointment of having gotten struck out. This is true. However, this mentality too foretells an existence that knows nothing of the sense of accomplishment, happiness and fulfillment that comes with the achievement of getting a base hit - not to mention hitting a home run, or winning the game. And just as telling, that mentality foretells a life that will never know the all too critical and incredible feelings of anticipation, excitement, enthusiasm, motivation, inspiration and exhilaration that comes with the feeling of truly being alive... of passionately and unabashedly engaging in the game.

I saw a news segment some time back that promised to  reveal the happiest country in the world. It seems a 'Happiness Study' of sorts had been conducted and the results found Finland to be the happiest. "Why", the reported wondered. A visit there revealed the country wasn't the warmest place... and it wasn't scenic beyond compare. The people weren't particularly well off... and neither the work environments or home lives for most were all that joy-filled, uplifting or rewarding. The people didn't particularly smile all that much... in fact, typically they didn't speak to others they encountered on the street.

So, how could Finland be ranked as the happiest country in the world? Well, as it turns out, by not aiming so high... You see, apparently 'Finlanders, given a pretty homogeneous, socialist leaning society where many basic needs are accounted for by the government and, generally speaking, the concepts of 'Haves' and 'Have Nots' simply do not apply. And thus, they tend not to be all that motivated or ambitious.

Just the opposite, their nature can best be defined as overwhelmingly content. They neither ask for nor expect meaningful improvement in the lives they are living. As a result, there's no disappointment when no improvement or increased fulfillment comes. Much like never striking out if one never steps up to the plate...

Upon realization of this, it became apparent that I'd been the victim of a bit of false advertisement. While the survey had likely identified the most content, and arguably the least unhappy - their working definition of what constitutes happiness, to my thinking, needed some major work.

The bottom line is contentment is not the same as either happiness or fulfillment. To the contrary, being truly content essentially immunizes one's psyche - making it virtually impossible for even any fledgling strain of true happiness or fulfillment to ever successfully germinate. Not exactly the kind of life I'm interested in signing up for...

Perhaps, instead you've come to believe that there are dishonest, unscrupulous types in the industry, with nothing to really offer - merely ready to tell you anything to simply make a dishonest buck. That's logic enough to avoid the whole motivational and inspirational books and tapes industry right? Well, only if the realization that there are some bad drivers on the road is logic enough never to drive, or be driven, ever again. The reality is if we were to extend that logic to all facets of our life we would likely never do, or otherwise participate in anything - since, unfortunately, life seems to have more than its fair share of unscrupulous characters - trying to make dishonest bucks.

Just like we're not about to stop driving because the need and potential reward far outweigh the risks, so too is the prism by which we should be judging our pursuit of information that could foster happier and more fulfilled lives. We should continue to be open to new information and perspectives. We should continue to be open to motivation and inspiration. For without a doubt, the need and potential reward far outweighs the risk.

In the final analysis, we can't allow our respective potential to be short-changed by fear and unwarranted suspicion. I know I won't. To the contrary, I'm going to keep seeking, contemplating and growing. I'm going to read and listen to anything that endeavors to offer motivation, inspiration or be strive to be uplifting with an open and enthusiastic attitude. And if I should run across something that simply doesn't quite fit me, I'll move on to something else. Because within every positive, uplifting, word of motivation and inspiration taken into our thoughts and psyche, there lies an ever increasing potential for a more evolved and rewarding mindset to result. And ultimately, it's consistently traveling that path that empowers the most true happiness and fulfillment to grow.

Stated more succinctly... show me a man that readily ridicules that which endeavors to offer motivation and inspiration, and I'll show you a man for whom true happiness and fulfillment is not likely in store.

Each day, be inspired - then aspire to more...

D Anthony
Author - "The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me... Once"