Inspiration

Autumn foliage

The beauty of nature is a source of inspiration to many individuals - especially religious individuals.

Inspiration is the phenomenon of some quality, skill or power being "in-breathed" or "breathed-into" someone from outside, related to the action of spiration or breathing, from Latin spiritus breath, spirit, from spirare to breathe. The original biblical reference to inspiration is in the Book of Genesis, chapter 2, verse 7:

“

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

”

Other biblical references to the action of inspiration, guidance and influence include expressions such as "the hand of the LORD was upon me". (See 2 Kings 3:15, 1 Chronicles 28:19, Ezra 7:28 and 8:22, Ezekiel 1:3; see also Luke 1:35 and 41-42, Acts 2:1-4 and 15:22-32, 1 Corinthians 12.)

Ancient pagan peoples believed that all extraordinary powers of body and mind, both admirable and reprehensible, were bestowed (breathed into men) by invisible spirits and the gods, or were the effect of being possessed by them; some of physical strength and athletic prowess; some of mental excellence (the nine Muses); some of the passions, such as pride, lust, greed, shrewdness, cunning, hatred, vengeance and bloodshed; some of the civic virtues, such as the national or ethnic cultural identity of a whole people, patriotism, governmental authority and power, political influence, law, ethics; and some others such as friendship and loyalty, family and home, gardening and agriculture. The original meaning of a "genius" referred to a spirit-being: the genius of the nation; the genius of the emperor or king; the genius of the intellect, of philosophers, writers, artists, dramatists, musicians and craftsmen. Sacrifices were made, and sometimes prayers offered and incense burned to these spirits, in honor of their gifts, some good, some evil. For example, Roman Mercury and Greek Hermes, the Roman and Greek patrons of commerce, eloquence, and skill, of travelers, merchants and thieves.

The inspiration of the Holy Spirit guided Christian leaders as shepherds of the flock (Acts 20:28-32, Romans 13:1-2, Hebrews 13:7, 17, 1 Peter 5:1-3), giving them divine authority and ability to discern and then officially recognize those sacred "writings", those holy "scriptures", which were directly inspired by Himself, and to collect them as the Bible. See Biblical Canon. The Bible is inspired by God, and the whole Bible is the Holy Bible.

General usage of the term inspiration

The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.

See also: Genius and Brilliant and Creativity and Ideation and Brainstorming and Inspirational quotes

In general usage, "inspiration" is the term given to a sudden, unconscious increase in creative output, and can be thought of as the physical manifestation of creativity, bridging the gap between the unconscious and conscious mind. Creative ideas come before inspiration does, inspiration can be thought of as a translation process that allows creativity to be expressed coherently and economically. James Hilton] said that inspiration is "too often something nonexistent that a writer waits for when he is lazy."

Inspiration in the field of psychology

See also: Inspiration (psychology) and Creativity and Ideation and Brainstorming

In the field of psychology, inspiration is a motivational state that compels individuals to bring ideas into fruition.

Psychology of inspiration and the importance of inspiration

• The Psychology of Inspiration

• Why Inspiration Matters

• The Science of Inspiration, The Kirby Foundation

Inspirational quotes

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." - The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:24

See also: Inspirational quotes

Below are some inspirational quotes:

• Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

• "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - Saint Francis of Assisi

• "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi

• "It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

• "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." - Martin Luther

• "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

• “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” - Michelangelo

• “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” ― Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Molière), French playwright, actor, and poet

• “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” - Sun Tzu

• "Everyone holds his fortune in his own hands, like a sculptor the raw material he will fashion into a figure. But it’s the same with that type of artistic activity as with all others: We are merely born with the capability to do it. The skill to mold the material into what we want must be learned and attentively cultivated." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Lists of inspirational quotes

• 50 motivational quotes for peak inspiration, USA Today

• 200+ Motivational Quotes To Inspire You in 2024

• Inspirational quotes, Brainy quotes

• 101 Inspirational Quotes, Parade magazine

• 100 Quotes About Life That Will Inspire and Motivate You, Prevention magazine

• 100 Powerful Inspirational Quotes About Life, Success and Getting Motivated, Good Housekeeping

• Inspiration Quotes, Goodreads.com