Inspiration: The Journey of a Lifetime

By Michael Delaware

The word 'Inspiration' derives from Latin and literally means to: "Breathe in and be filled with spirit of the gods". It refers to any influence that drives one to inhale, enliven and animate oneself in a way to infuse this sensation of 'supernatural influence' and experience 'spiritual motivation' as a result, and this could be said to be 'inspiration'. Inspiration impels artistic creation, spiritual illumination and endurance of the soul.

This book is about the exploration and finding of inspiration in life in many corners of the soul. It is about knowing where others have found inspiration, even when there seems to be no hope. It also is about finding the light of inspiration, and sharing it with others to build a brighter tomorrow.

In this book you will discover the following:

- How does one find inspiration when they seem to have lost it?
- Where does one find new ideas?
- How can artists re-inspire themselves?
- Where has mankind for ages found inspiration?
- What is the benefit of inspiring others?
- How can pursuing inspiration in daily life illuminate one's outlook on life?
- How does one find inspiration, even in bad times?
- What is the relationship between imagination and inspiration?

This book is designed to inspire you to take on the challenges of achieving your goals and open new doors that will help you 'breathe in the spirit of the gods' in your life for real, and realize that you are capable or more than you have allowed yourself to consider possible. It is about finding your dreams and realizing them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Delaware
• Release date: Oct 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301501595

Michael Delaware

Michael Delaware is a Phoenix, Arizona native who now resides in Battle Creek, Michigan with his wife Margarita. He also lived in Georgia for 15 years before moving to Michigan. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Council of Residential Specialists, and the Michigan Association of Realtors. He is also an active member of the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors where he was awarded 'Realtor of the Year' in 2010, and served as Board President in 2011. As an author, his works include numerous non-fiction books on real estate, sales management, marketing and other self-help topics. He has also written and published fiction stories for children all independently published by the: ‘If, And or But’ Publishing Company.

Book preview

For Ollie Mae Thomas

September 8, 1913 - November 22, 2003

One of the most inspiring

and wonderful friends I have ever

had the pleasure to have known.

What is the origin of the word we have come to know as inspiration?  Where does mankind find inspiration?  In one composite question of two parts, we discover the subject of this book.  To begin, let's look at the word 'inspiration' and its origins.

The word inspiration comes from the root word in Latin 'spirare' which means literally: "to breathe".   The word 'Inspiration' means to 'breathe in' as opposed to its counterpart 'expiration' which means to 'breathe out'.  In theological terms, 'Inspiration' literally refers to: taking in a supernatural truth and influences which then qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth.

In other words to "Breath in and be filled with the spirit of the gods".  Any influence that drives one to inhale, enliven and animate oneself in a way to infuse this sensation of supernatural influence and experience spiritual illumination could be said to be inspiration.  Inspiration impels artistic creation, spiritual motivation and endurance of the soul. 

With this understanding, one can see that inspiration can be driven by many influences. Throughout this book, we will examine many aspects of such influences that mankind discovers and receives inspiration from.  We will look at such areas of life as art, music, nature, family, relationships, religion, spirituality, the heavens, imagination and many other direct and indirect sources of inspiration that causes one to 'breath in' and 'inhale the spirit of the gods' or the magic of the universe itself.  We will also look at ways to find inspiration when you most need it.

One could perhaps write an in depth thesis on this subject we know as 'inspiration' as part of this introduction, but instead the context of this book is where the great exploration is.  I have chosen to keep this introduction brief, rather than diverge into an analysis beyond this initial clarification of the flight path for this adventure.

Consider this book a journey into that inner breath of life itself, and those things that compel mankind to venture forth and create a greater tomorrow.  In doing so, we may open some doors to new yet unexplored inspiration within your own spiritual realm for an even greater understanding of the universe.

Extraordinary men and women have created extraordinary moments where history takes a giant leap forward in understanding and awareness on the backs of these individuals.  We come to realize the joy that what we previously only imagined is somehow achieved.  That mankind must dare to dream and there is no substitute for perseverance and hard work, and yet one comes to understand that it also takes team work as well.  We are all in this together.  Through all these advancements we commend the great achievements, and at the same time we cannot forget the sacrifices made to make understanding and utilization of the outcomes of those achievements possible. 

Great thinkers of ages past have lit the flame and passed on knowledge, and somewhere along the line other great individuals take and expand upon the extraordinary with their own fuel and at times catapult these discoveries to a whole new stratosphere.  Such is the progress of mankind.  Such is the magic of inspiration driving an individual and as a result a culture to a new plateau. 

In this book we will explore some of the many inspirations of man, and in all hopes pass along the spark and inspiration to dream a greater tomorrow. 

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

These inspiring words will leave one pondering the true nature of sharing wisdom and knowledge to others, as well as inspiration.  To pass on the flame of inspiration to another costs one nothing in the grand scheme of the universe. 

To pass on the spirit of inspiration to another takes just a moment, perhaps no longer than it takes to light a candle, but it can be a flame that burns for a lifetime.  Moments of inspiration are all around us.  They exist, just like moments in time.  Also like moments in time, they can pass one by if one is not alert enough to breath in the warmth and flames of their inspiration.

Finding inspiration requires tuning into the infinite potential that is all around us, and being willing to pass along that flame to warm the spirit as part of one’s continual existence.  The more one inspires others and lights the candle of their inspirations, the brighter one’s own universe becomes.  The shadows of uncertainty and doubt are driven away by the light cast from the candles of wisdom and inspiration.  One can also reach out and touch the light that is out there, quite often remaining untouched, seeking but to share their flame for those who choose reach for it.

Imagine one is in a great hall filled with unlit candles.  One lights a candle, and the room seems less dark, but shadows still linger in the far reaches beyond the circle of light. One lights another, from the original candle, and the room seems brighter.  Repeating the process of passing along the light to other candles, soon the room can be glowing with the candle flames of hundreds, or thousands, and with each new flame there is more clarity.  This is what inspiration is.  The more one seeks it out, the more one discovers there is more to light, and the better one sees the world around oneself.

Consider that we all have an infinite number of unlit candles in our souls, and perhaps the more one lights the candles of inspiration, the brighter things become and the better one can see.  Understanding is the candle lit by inspiration, and knowledge is the byproduct of exploration and examination driven by the flames of inspiration. 

On the reverse, one can also perhaps envision there being some who fear candles being lit in the great hall, and prefer that individuals remain in the shadows.  Fear could be said to be driven by fear itself, or from many other reasons beyond the scope of this book.  It suffices to say that there will be people who fear the candle in the dark, just as there will be many more who feel its warmth upon their soul.  It is the latter that is whom this material was written for.

There are two separate ways to look at the candles that are around us.  The first way is to consider that the flames will burn you, and cause you harm and the heat will be unbearable, so one should fear it and never aspire to try it out by lighting one’s own inner candle with it. 

The second way is to view the flame as perpetually rising skyward to the heavens, providing warmth for the cold spaces in your soul and giving you the light of clarity allowing you to do more with your life. 

The first way is the way of darkness, and shadow.  The second is the way of brightness and light.  It is up to you to decide which to choose.

Let us continue to explore inspiration as a subject, and point the way towards the unlit wick and perhaps even provide the initial spark now and again. The continuance of passing along of the flame to future candles to further brighten your life is entirely up to you.  It is you who can avail yourself of its illumination to better your own life.

We have o’erpast the limit of this darkness, Dawn breaking forth again brings clear perception.  She like a flatterer smiles in light for glory, and fair face hath wakened to rejoice us. - Rigveda, Hymnn XCII ‘Dawn’ 1700-1100 BC

Man's understanding of the importance of harmony in life can be traced back to ancient China or even the Vedic hymns of Hinduism.

There are four 'Vedas' which comprise the 'Vedic hymns'.  They are the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the fundamental texts of Hinduism. They have also had a vast influence on the religions of Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.  The Vedas contain ancient hymns, incantations, and rituals from the origins of India dating back 10,000 years.  This subject of ‘harmony’ is very ancient.

When