SOURCES OF MIRACULOUS INSPIRATION

Inspirations, where do they come from? Who and what inspires you?

A bright sunshine, a loud singing voice, a religious miracle, a word of praise, a smile from a companion, a pat on the back, sniffing flowers, Biblical scripture, someone giving you a hand, birds calling you in loud song as you pass their nest, graffiti on the sidewalk or on a wall, an empty comfortable chair in which to sit, a word of admiration, a prize in a contest, learning something you did not know before, answering someone's question correctly, an outfit of clothing that improves your outward physical appearance, someone saying that they need you, the first snowfall of the winter glistening pure white in a covering over an otherwise dirty street, a sunset that you see with amazing colors, a cloud formation that stimulates the visual imagination, watching a butterfly hatch out of a cocoon on a leaf, hearing a dog bark in the distance as he plays to catch a ball, the smell of fresh sea water in the air at a beach, smooth stones caressed by lake water wave after wave to polish them, floating down a winding river in a canoe, climbing to the top of a mountain, wearing new shoes, eating a good hardy filling meal, getting gifts on your birthday, going to an art exhibit, sitting on a park bench in a playground watching children sing and play on the equipment, hearing laughter that inspires you to laugh too, having caught a head cold but then recovering from it into perfect health, being able to get off a medicine because you cure yourself of an illness, dancing with others in a circle holding hands and rejoicing, celebrating a holiday, keeping a fast on a religious fast day without cheating and eating, avoiding the temptation of unhealthy habits, sending a note of congratulations to a friend who has had a success, winning a contest, getting a surprise visit from a friend, talking to a Rabbi, singing with a Cantor, walking on a sandy beach and getting your bare feet wet, increasing the amount of weight you lift in your exercise program, reading a poem that inspires you to change for the better, getting a new job, rejuvenating after a full night of sleep, falling on ice but not getting hurt, receiving a gift from someone who appreciates something you did to help him, seeing a ladybug in all its glory spread out its wings and fly off to freedom, looking into a child's wondering eyes as he learns something new, helping someone in a crisis, saving a life, feeding someone who is hungry, watching a baby take his first independent step while learning to walk, hearing a cricket beating his legs together in the night, watching a bolt of lightening light up the sky and then hearing crashing thunderous sounds, opening a window and getting a warm breeze after a brutal winter, remembering something that happened when you were under 5 years old, holding your mother's hand while she tries to walk without a cane, cashing a paycheck after you get a raise, being promoted to a more advanced level on the job, getting a new customer as a consumer for your business, stretching your leg and relieving a cramp, getting perfect normal readings on blood pressure tests, getting a haircut that makes you feel young again, reading a book that enlightens you, tapping your foot to a perfect steady beat of a favorite song, playing an instrument of music in perfect rhythm, feeling the awesomeness of G-d in natural outdoor surroundings, jumping into a mikvah pool and getting blessed, lighting a flame on a Havdalah after Shabbat and seeing  it light up your thumbnail into a flash of glistening reflection, getting a memory of a loved one on his/her yahrzeit as the candle burns into the late hours of the night, seeing someone you have not seen in years, reuniting with family at family reunion, being there for someone who is sick and then seeing them achieve complete healing, and on and on.

There will always be someone or something to inspire you, all you need to do is to try and keep trying, not to give up, to always be open for it.