I’ve been thinking about the word “inspired” a lot recently, in thanks to the people who voted this into the Average Advocate’s new tag phrase. According to Merriam-Webster, one of the definitions of the verb inspire is “to breathe . . . into or upon” or “to infuse (as life) by breathing.” So I’ve been pondering what breaths life into me.

I am inspired by my Family and friends. When I see them do something which seems so impossible or amazing coming out of these little people. Or when they need me. Of course, usually I take care of them because its my job as a family and friend . But sometimes I can’t help but give them all my attention because I am inspired.
The moon. When I was nineteen or so, I thought God told me He gave me the moon. Yes, I know I just weirded a ton of you out. Whether that is because I believe in God, or because I believe He gave me something which is obviously not mine (so you think) it doesn’t really matter. Because every time I see the moon swelling up in a clear night my heart catches and I feel love submerging me, whispering that it will be okay. In these moments sometimes I loose it, weeping because something like the moon, a present to me, is still stable in our imperfect world. Inspired.
Of course, I am also inspired by jealously. I am inspired by my friends. My family. Kindness. Love. Autumn and sex and laughter and ice cream and good stories and the ocean and visiting new places, meeting different people, and seeing first-hand where something shook the foundations of history, causing culture to shift.

Being a generally creative person, I’m especially inspired by art (on screen, canvas, music or dance). That is fundamentally why art even exists- to express and then inspire.  
#MYADVOCASY
#GOODINFO
#INSPIRE