Word of the Day: Inspire
Inspiration comes in many forms and from many sources. A walk in nature, a work of art, a passing comment, a smile — All of these and more can inspire us. Typically we think of inspiration in a creative sense, as in something that inspires a creative project or idea, or in a motivational sense, as in something that excites us or inspires us to act.
What is the true meaning of the word inspire? Let’s explore through etymology.
inspire (verb) :
fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
breathe in (air); inhale
Inspire comes from the Latin in- meaning “into” and spirare meaning “breathe.” Inspirare means “to breathe or blow into.” This is also related to the word spirit.
As we can see from etymology, the word inspire originally meant to breathe into. We now use it figuratively to mean excite or motivate. When we motivate another person, we could say that we breathe life into their ideas or actions.
In Hawaiian, a common greeting word is “aloha.” Aloha translates to “the breath of life.” Greeting someone with aloha is a recognition of the presence of the breath of life in another person. Breath is a fundamental sign of life. Without breath our physical bodies begin to shut down.
Breath is also related to spirit. The word spirit is rooted in the Latin spirare, as is inspire. Spirit and breath are seen as animating forces. Breath and spirit animate our bodies with life force energy. Other words for life force energy are Qi (Chinese), Ki (Japanese), and Prana (Sanskrit.)
We can think of inspiration as the life force energy behind our ideas and creative projects. Just as we need breath to function, so do our ideas. When we lack motivation, we lack the vital energy needed to act. Inspiration is the breath that resuscitates this capacity to act.
If an idea comes to you or you feel called to take action on something, remember that inspiration is rooted in breath. Breath is a life force that animates us. You have the power to breathe life into all ideas and actions. Call on this vital life force in animating all that you are called to create.
