Did you know, the word inspiration dates back to the 13th Century and initially
meant “immediate influence of God.” In Latin it means to be “in spirit.” I love being inspired!
Having worked in human resources and public service roles,
I have been inspired by many people. One story has remained with me ever since
I heard a young man speak at Arizona State University. Our Human Resources team
attended a dinner where corporations could meet newly graduated engineers. A young
man gave a speech that evening that left everyone in awe. He was raised by his
Mother in Cabrini-Green in Chicago. His Mother promised him she was going to
get him out of that environment. She did and that evening, we got to meet him
and his Mom (who was about to finish her degree, also). After his speech, there
was not a dry eye in the room. I’ve often wondered where he’s at today.
I can also think of a woman I worked with in behavioral
health who was debilitated by depression. Her role in society was to prepare
people for natural disasters; she set up role plays for numerous employees from
the state/local governments. She had done this so intimately that after they
played out their roles, she suffered from what would most likely today be deemed
post-traumatic stress disorder. I was inspired by her courage as she took steps
to climb up and out of the rubble of this non-reality
nightmare. I also admired the tremendous effort she made on behalf of our
community.
When I worked with students who were blind or visually
impaired, I was inspired by their immense courage – learning to get from a dorm
room to a class was a huge feat. One day, I came across a student who had lost
her way. As she felt the ground with her cane, it didn’t appear that she
realized she was standing at the precipice of about 20 steps leading downward
to the campus Library. With her back to the steps, I knew I needed to get to
her quickly so she wouldn’t take a step backward but was hesitant to yell to
her for fear she’d step backward toward my voice. I was grateful to reach
her in time. The courage, stamina and will it must have taken for these
students to meet each day totally inspired me.
While working with high school special needs students, I
was inspired by one of our students who had a learning disability. He played
the cymbals in the band and always marched next to a drummer who cued him when
to clap his cymbals! During high school, he got a job at our local theater
greeting people and taking tickets. No matter who he met, you would think he
had known them for life. One day, I chaperoned him to a skiing outing with his
physical education class. As we waited to get on the ski lift, he began to chat
with a man ahead of us. He held such a beautiful conversation, I figured he
knew him, so I asked him. He said “No, I just wanted to wish him a good day on
the slopes!”
I have a cousin, Lisa Marie, who has always inspired me,
too. She also has a learning disability; however, she has always found work and
is always very excited to meet new people. She greets her neighbors and knows
every bus driver and mail carrier. She enjoys being a “social butterfly” and
most every Friday attends a group session where she and her friends enjoy a
meal or dance or do creative projects. She continues to keep a very busy schedule
and exudes love and care wherever she goes!
These beautiful souls of inspiration light our world each
day with bravery, courage, love and amazement. I liken them to butterflies in
our society – they gently and quietly spread their love and beauty throughout
our world each day to provide joy wherever they light.
When you do things from your soul, you feel
a river moving in you, a joy. (Rumi)
Looking out my kitchen window!
