In those moments when we've felt inspired by someone or something, we can feel like everything suddenly makes sense, and we're motivated to take on the world. Inspiration is a powerful force that can go far beyond us to transcend generations, cultures, and boundaries. When inspiration hits us, it can feel like a spark igniting creativity, fuelling innovation, and propelling us toward a bright future. Just as you were once inspired by someone, you too can be the source of inspiration for others.
I can hear your humble protests to that statement. But just take a minute to think about how all day, everyday we interact our environment and the people around us - our housemates, family, fellow-exercisers, dog-walkers, our barista, our work colleagues, local shop owners, the bus driver and so on. Any one of those interactions holds the potential to be inspiring because humans can be inspired by humble things. Allow me to run a few examples by you:
morning sun on a spider's web that has caught a few drops of dew overnight
a fellow driver across peak-hour traffic who makes eye contact and smiles
a quiet moment of solitude carved out of a loud, busy day
Nan and Pop's 60th wedding anniversary
the imperfect-yet-perfect patina of age on antique objects
the smell of fresh bread or coffee
your favourite childhood book
a wise saying that strikes a chord with you.
Feeling inspired yet?
I had been a mother for nearly a decade before it finally dawned on me that I was a role model for my children. Why did it take so long? Because I didn't see my self or my wisdom as anything special that someone else should be inspired by. But then I realised, whether we intend to be an example to others or not, others are seeing us everyday as we move through our lives - warts and all.
So what if inspiration has a compound effect, rippling through time and touching countless lives?
Understanding the Compound Effect of Inspiration
When we're talking about money, the compound effect is the interest that gets paid on an investment that increases the value of the investment and therefore further increases the interest payment in the next period. You get paid interest on your interest. Similarly with life choices. We can make tiny choices over time that produce significant results. When applied to inspiration, the compound effect becomes fascinating. Small acts of inspiration compound to create a ripple effect.
The Initial Spark
Imagine a young artist attending an exhibition. The artist takes in a breathtaking painting, captivated by its colours, brushstrokes, and emotion. That moment becomes her turning point connecting with her passion for art.
The Ripple Begins
Full of inspiration our artist gets to work and starts creating, sharing her art online, and participating in local art events. These pieces are viewed by others and her dedication inspires friends, family, and strangers who stumble upon her online gallery. They, too, pick up brushes and start painting.
The Second Generation of Inspiration
One of those inspired individuals is a teacher. He incorporates art into his classroom, encouraging students to express themselves through creativity. One of these students discovers their own talents and pursues an artistic career. Another becomes an art enthusiast, supporting local artists and attending exhibitions.
The Ripple Spreads Further
Zooming out, the ripple effect continues. The artist’s work inspires a filmmaker who creates a documentary about her journey. The documentary reaches a global audience, inspiring aspiring artists worldwide. Art schools see an increase in applications, galleries host more exhibitions, and art appreciation becomes a cultural norm.
Generations to Come
Fast-forward a few decades. The original artist has passed away, but her legacy lives on. Her paintings hang in museums, alongside the masterpieces she once admired, inspiring new generations. The ripple effect has multiplied exponentially. The teacher’s students have become renowned artists, educators, and curators. The filmmaker’s documentary remains a timeless source of inspiration.
The girl who wanted to go to school
Malala Yousafzai was born in Pakistan, on July 12, 1997. Malala’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was an education activist and he defied convention through his determination to allow his daughter and other girls educational opportunities that only boys would traditionally receive. As a teacher running a girls’ school in their village, he instilled in Malala a love for education and learning.
The Taliban seized control of Swat Valley in 2007, imposing strict rules including a ban on girls attending school. When Malala was 11 she wrote a blog under a pseudonym detailing her life during the Taliban's occupation. The following summer, journalist Adam B. Ellick made a New York Times documentary about her life and in 2011, she received Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize. Malala rose in prominence, giving interviews in print and on television, advocating for girls' rights to education and was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by Desmond Tutu.
In 2012, Malala was sitting on a school bus when a masked gunman boarded and asked her to identify herself. He then shot her on the left side of her head. Miraculously, Malala survived and woke up in a hospital in Birmingham, England.
Malala and her father founded the Malala Fund with a mission to ensure that every girl could access quality education and choose her own future. In 2014, at the age of 17, Malala became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her story has resonated globally, inspiring countless people. She continued her education, studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University while maintaining her advocacy for girls’ rights.
Today, Malala travels broadly, meeting girls who fight against poverty, child marriage, and gender discrimination to attend school. Through the Malala Fund, she invests in educators and activists, amplifying their stories and holding leaders accountable.
The example Malala's father instilled through the simple act of running a village school, the love that Malala had for learning, the act of speaking up, the simple act of sitting on a school bus. These are not such extraordinary actions. But given the time and the context, these everyday acts propelled an ordinary girl into a global icon of courage.
Practical Exercises for Cultivating Inspiration
If you've ever been unsure of what inspires you, or who your inspirations have been over time, start by observing. Take a few moments during your day to note down any moments of inspiration—whether it’s a quote, a song, a conversation, anything. Reflect on how these moments impacted you, how they made you feel, and whether they drove your actions.
When you’re inspired, share it. Share your day with your family over a meal, write a blog post, create art, or simply tell someone how they’ve influenced you. You never know who might catch that inspiration and where they might run to next.
Be open to unexpected sources. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and can hit when you're least expecting it. You might be surprised by a random conversation, you might hear music in the apartment next door, or you might stumble upon a book or story that stays with you.
By staying curious and receptive in life, we invite inspiration into moments that might otherwise just be everyday events. Inspiration multiplies when shared. Your humble actions, your everyday life might already be someone else's source of inspiration. And that person could be the person who changes the world.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” —Pablo Picasso
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This post is remarkable. It held my attention because I myself am an artist, published writer, and author. Your post is so inspiring. I really enjoyed reading it. I will have to catch up on reading your other posts because I have been gone for a while. It’s good to be back writing and sharing. Looking forward to your next post. Happy Mother’s Day🙏🏾