Allow Yourself to Be Inspired

Life is a gift and how we live it depends in large part on the influences we experience along the way. If we are blessed with great motivation and uplifting guidance, our journey will truly become one of inspirational proportion and energy.

Recently, I sat down to analyze the people and ideas that have animated my life. Shown me a path to follow. Spurred me on to work harder and move forward in a meaningful way. Never allowing me to buckle under pressure for very long.

My earliest inspirations were certainly family centered. My parents, grandparents and other ancestors whose efforts were entirely unselfish. They showed me that the key to success was hard work focused on benefiting the generations to follow. They struggled through many hardships to provide me with a better life in order to secure that my future opportunities would be better than they had. Similarly, my life is now focused on providing my children with that same opportunity to succeed and be happy. Those that came before me inspired me to do great things for my kids.

As I grew older, my educational experiences offered me an entirely new group to direct my dreams. Certainly teachers, professors and trainers can have a huge impact on one’s life.

In my situation, there were a few individuals that really lifted me to a higher level of effort. My fourth grade science teacher who encouraged my love of all things to do with the health and repair of the human body. My pre-med advisor who seemed to have more faith in my capacity to become a doctor than I did. I always have doubts. A man with whom I proudly relate is a patient of mine to this day.

I owe quite a bit to the example of my colleagues in medicine. Throughout my career as a doctor and surgeon there are many who’s selfless dedication has shown me the way to live out my calling. Some people might view the average doctor as an intellectual technician dealing in drugs and motivated by money. I am here to tell you that this perception couldn’t be further from reality. Doctors really care and have dedicated their lives to helping others, helping you! Give your doctor a call. Tell him how much you appreciate him(her). You might knock him off his chair, but your expressions will insure your health and wellbeing for years to come. They will never forget you!

Friendships certainly shape a person’s motivations. I have been lucky to have several close confidants and powerful relationships. My wife is the nicest and most genuine soul on the planet. She takes everyone’s concerns and wellbeing to heart. My father still cannot understand how I ever convinced her to marry me (he often shakes his head in disbelief at many of the things I have managed to accomplish).

One of my closest friends, a man who’s life path was completely different than mine, has been one of the most influential people in my understanding of what really matters. As a coach, he has inspired, instructed and cajoled a number of teams to greatness. His pre-game speeches can motivate a football player to run through a brick wall. As his Team Doctor, I came to know much about his philosophy and we have shared many a quiet time discussing the meaning of life and the goals worthy of our efforts. His understanding of human nature is intuitive. The way he carries out his life is model of character few can achieve. I aspire to be the man of good character that he displays everyday. He inspires my ambitions of integrity.

Perhaps my biggest inspiration comes from a man I never met. During my college years, the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and his followers, the Franciscan Friars, took a deep hold of my soul. If the great Italian Saint were alive today, he would certainly reject any such credit. As a humble man dedicated to the service of others and blessed child of God, he would absolutely give all the credit and honor to the Most High. His example of helping the poor and giving of oneself has become ever more relevant in our world today. His message, of course, is the same inspiration that Jesus provided. Francis was just trying to live his life as close to Christ’s as possible, a life of love for others. A calling motivated by the belief that all of Creation, mankind included, is a reflection of the Master Creator. And it is to be tended to with the love that has been passed down through His Grace.

This is an inspiration that I feel is worthy of all my efforts. Imperfect though I am in following, it is a call to service that motivates me daily.

The great news is that inspiration through such wonderful influences is a blessing in itself. It fills the heart with joy and compassion. It gets me out of bed in the morning and helps me sleep more contently at night. Doing for others has resulted in the most self-fulfilling experiences of my life.

In my endeavors to follow the example of God’s child Francis, my life is Graced with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. What I believe is a direct guiding light from heaven above.

I am a lucky man - Lucky and Blessed.

Inspiration is all around us. We only need to let it take hold of our lives.

What inspires you?