THE STRUCTURE OF INSPIRATION

What authentically and healthily inspires is what puts spirit into you so that you stretch forward, set more ambitious goals, aim higher, believe more in yourself and others, devote more effort and energy into a “big wild audacious hairy goal.”

In writing that, I need to issue a warning—It is possible to be inspired in an unhealthy and neurotic way. Think Hitler. Think about any cult leader, like Jim Jones. Think about the fanatic jihadists who are misusing Islam and those being “radicalized” to kill people in the name of God. Talk about sick! Similarly there are people who are “inspired” by money, fame, domination, control, etc. So yes, even something as good as inspiration can be misused and turned into an addiction or psychosis.

Conversely, inspiration is healthy and authentic when it brings out the best in people, when it is ecological and does not ruin health, finances, relationships, etc. It is healthy when it contributes to the whole and not just a few individuals.