Does everyone inspire you?

 

I have noticed that, as I view the behavior of others from the perspective of choosing courage, I can be inspired by or have compassion for almost everyone I meet.

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Do you also look for opportunities to feel compassion?

 

When we begin to appreciate that all choices that either accept and move through fear or avoid fear (in order to feel safer in the moment), are opportunities for us to either be inspired or to feel compassion and understanding, then every human being becomes a blessing in our lives.

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Courage for you is not necessarily courage for me

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In looking for the opportunity to feel inspired, remember that courage is a very personal choice. What courage is for you (in terms of a specific action) may not be courage for me (and vice versa).

 

For example, it may not require courage for me to ask a clerk in a store for help in finding an item. But it may be a choice of courage for my friend to ask for help.

 

I can recognize this and feel inspired by my friend’s courage while I ask myself, “Where is the next opportunity for me to choose courage in my life?”

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We're all "doing our best"

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Remember that if you view your friend’s choice of courage in relationship to how frightened they are, then you can appreciate every time that person chooses courage, even if they seem to play it very safe in life.

 

For the trained eye, the inspiration of courage is everywhere and in everyone.

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Identify some recent acts of courage of at least three people in your life. Allow yourself to feel inspired by these people.

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"People see God every day. They just don’t recognize him."

—Pearl Bailey

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"I have yet to meet the common man, although I have heard his name mentioned in many circles.

The fellow at my elbow in the subway is the most uncommon person imaginable.

“Ordinary” is the word much used to describe him,

but I find him wholly miraculous and I am sure he finds himself so."

—E.B. White (1899-1985, American essayist and literary stylist)

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"When nobody around you seems to measure up, it’s time to check your yardstick."

—Bill Lemley

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"Everything is holy! Everybody’s holy! Everywhere is holy! Everyday is in eternity! Everyman’s an angel!"

—Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997, American poet)