Acting on Personal Moments of Inspiration.

When was the last time you felt personally inspired?

So much energy and excitement ignites when we anchor ourselves in moments of inspiration.

The Power of Inspiration

Some argue that as we age, these moments happen less frequently. They claim that bursts of creative energy are fewer and further between. They believe that inspiration is stifled as we become more aware of how the world operates.

I would disagree.

Many of us internalize discouraging narratives that keep us from acting on the emotions that trigger inspiration. We learn to stifle our own creative ingenuity. Rather than be driven by curiosity or wonder, we shrink back. We discount our personal power and innate ability to drive impact and influence change. We hold ourselves back from acting on personal moments of inspiration.

In truth, the only thing that really changes as we age is that we get better at silencing our own voices. We trample on our beliefs and emotional responses before ever giving ourselves a chance to speak or act on them.

How often do we discount our voice, before ever really speaking up?

The Impact of Our Upbringing

It’s hard to believe that our voice and point of view matter if we were raised in environments where the opposite proved true. Most people grow up under the convention that they "were to be seen and not heard." This paradigm carries into adulthood. In our own way, we ensure that we are seen but not heard.

We might be easy to recognize, but we all make a point to be hardly known.

The Cost of Self-Censorship

There is an unspoken cost to this perpetual self-censorship. We pay a personal sacrifice when we opt out of acting on the inspiration that resonates with our convictions. Instead, we choose to play small.

We can tell ourselves that our contributions do not matter. We discount our voice’s ability to support, protect, and empower those who need us the most. Our silence interweaves into the pages of history and the stories that will be told for generations to come.

We can perform small, daily acts of self-betrayal by burying our heads in the sand, allowing complacency to settle in like a false sense of security.

Choosing to Act

Or we can try.

We can do something—anything—with the inspiration that catches us by storm or comes as a surprise.

We do not all need to care about the same things. We will not all be equally moved to speak on the same topics. However, if there is a conversation happening where you have something to contribute, do not talk yourself out of making that contribution.

Regardless of how people react or respond, it is your responsibility to act on that inspiration.

To do something—anything—that aligns how you show up in the world with what you truly feel about the events around you.

Every little act and gesture matters.

One act might not change the course of history, but then again, it might.

Your daily reminder that your response is how you are choosing to show up in the world.

The Courage to Respond

If any part of you feels motivated to act on information that has come to your attention, have the courage to do so.

Be inspired and respond from a place of inner alignment and purpose. Let the world decide how it will respond.

There is simply too much happening in the world for any of us to feel comfortable being silent. Every voice counts, and every act has influence.

Doing something small will always be a better choice than doing nothing at all. Align with the convictions of your heart, and never choose to opt out of the discussion.

Give yourself permission to act on personal moments of inspiration.

#PersonalConvictions #Accountability #Purpose