What do we need most – Inspiration or Motivation?

We all hope for something good as the new year begins, better salary at the job, or just keeping the job this year, hoping that the kids do better at school, our savings increase, the DOW stays positive and moving upwards and overall peace everywhere. Most of us hope well and plan for the year ahead. But sometimes things don’t go right, something happens that puts you in a low gear and hope is not all that positive. We do not feel like planning and even though we want to there are not much positives on which we can base our new goals for the future.
What do you do in such a situation? You need inspiration and motivation to begin anew or to build a re-energized plan for the future. Move on we must.

What is inspiration?
According to the dictionary: Inspiration is –The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates;
or
Inspiration is arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity.
Where does it come from?
Inspiration can come from within, through change in environment, through others – friends, family, teacher or even those you don’t know but have inspired you through their work or teachings. And sometimes you really have to strain hard to find when you are feeling low. But whatever it takes, find time and strive hard to seek inspiration because it is one essential fuel that can have you rising to new heights from down in the dumps.
Sometimes just a few well-said words from the wise and the erudite can are what we need to brighten the day. Here are some that I want to share with you:

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”
— Karen Ravn

“Every noble work is bound to face problems and obstacles. It is important to check your goal and motivation thoroughly. One should be very truthful, honest, and reasonable. One’s actions should be good for others, and for oneself as well. Once a positive goal is chosen, you should decide to pursue it all the way to the end. Even if it is not realized, at least there will be no regret.”
— Dalai Lama

What is motivation?
Motivation is when someone or something prompts you to an action or energizes or stimulates you to a goal or object.

Where does it come from?
As inspiration, motivation can also come from within, from a change of environment or through others.
There is a subtle difference between the two but either of these can invigorate action if you welcome them wholeheartedly.
Sometimes we do need a spark to ignite us and do your best this year to be in search of such a stimulus wherever you go or just when you find some time with yourself alone – inspire yourself and motivate yourself to an action or cause above and beyond yourself. It adds more meaning to life and adds a sparkle to our self. But wait, do not hold off any action in wait of inspiration or motivation, always remember that action precedes both of these – if you act well and in time there can be nothing better and even an action can inspire and motivate you to do better and carve a new path that you had not thought of before. Think about it.
Action is perhaps larger and more inspirational and motivational than inspiration and motivation alone.

I appreciate your time to share your thoughts – What has inspired or motivated you recently?