Inspiration Point

You can see from the picture above how happy I am to have reached Inspiration Point. I love the outdoors and you will hear me talk about out west and mountains so much in this blog. However, being in the outdoors refreshes me but climbing a mountain exhausts me. I am not in the best of shape as you read in one entry and not the fondest of heights that you read in another entry so the 2 combined make it not the most enjoyable experience. This picture represents hard, work, determination, encouragement, and a little inspiration.

Inspiration point is only 7200 feet above sea level but you walk that entire amount right up into the mountain (about a 2 hour hike) until you reach a cliff that overlooks the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Park, just west of Yellowstone Falls. There were jagged edges, steep climbs and literally moments I just closed my eyes and felt along the rock walls. There were moments I wanted to turn around and go back but the partner that was with me kept encouraging me to move forward, keep reaching the heights and reminded me of the beauty that awaited me at the top. Oh, when I did finally reach the very top, my eyes were filled with beauty for miles and miles and I saw such splendor. I knew that I had reached Inspiration Point, not just because of sheer will but because someone had nudged me along and told me I could could do it- inspired me to want to reach the top and meet the goal. In this picture, I felt such inspiration to accomplish much.

Inspire is a verb. It is an action word that means you are in state of doing something. It means to 1) encourage somebody to greater effort, enthusiasm, or creativity. 2)to awaken a particular feeling in somebody. I have a plaque that I keep on my desk at CFCArts that says these exact words. Everyday when I walk into work or check in before I am off to a day of meetings, I am reminded to inspire. So much of what CFCArts has become is a community of artists who believe the very best in each other, want to see one another rise to their full potential and a haven of “you got this”, “you are so talented, keep going” and “so glad you can fulfill your dreams!”

I am a firm believer that it is so important for us to not only focus on our own dreams but to share that focus on inspiring others to reach theirs. As I grow older, nothing makes me happier than when I can have a small part in the inspiration of someone having a successful moment. It is our job to inspire others around us to believe in themselves and reach their greatest potential. Sometimes, people do not step out into the wild blue yonder, climb that mountain or just simply go for that next goal because they have not been told they could do it or inspired them to make it happen. There are times we inspire others simply by being. Our lives encourage others to take the steps they need to reach maximum potential and full heights.

Your business, art, creativity, speech, word of encouragement, or just the way you live your life may awaken a feeling that propels someone to take action and be the very best person that they can.

Rob Lott inspires me to want to read, learn, blog and be the best leader I can be…..

Dr. Sinclair inspires me to be the very best conductor I can be….

Gene Columbus inspires me to be the very best storyteller and genuine people person I can be…

My Dad inspires me to be a man of integrity and honor….

Mary Thompson Hunt inspires me to care for everyone I meet…

David Kiyak inspires me to take care of myself, be healthy and live stress free…..

Kat Gray inspires me to love unconditionally….

Nikki Hyatt inspires me to know and love God…….

Donald Rupe inspires me to see a dream realized no matter how hard the labor….

Kyle Graves inspires me to never give up on friendships you care about…

My team inspires me to be a leader, not a boss…..

And…

CFCArts inspires me to give every person a chance to use their gifts and talents and to make the arts affordable and accessible for all.

It is our responsibility to cheer others on and to help them see the greatness in them that they might not be able to realize at that point. Who inspires you? What inspirations do you have? Who have you inspired recently?

Go ye therefore into your Monday, and be an inspiration!

Much Love,

JV