Once in a yoga class, the teacher mistakenly advised us to inspire and expire rather than inhale and exhale.

But inspire has another meaning “fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.”

Stories that inspire

There have been several people who have inspired me over the years . As a 6 year old I was inspired by the story of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter that I remember reading about in my first Reader . This little girl’s courage of rowing out into the stormy sea fired my imagination . Here I was, mortally scared to get into a swimming pool whereas this young girl, untied her boat on a dark, stormy night and managed to save sailors who were shipwrecked!

Acts of bravery and valor hold a special appeal for me. What is it that moves a person to go beyond himself and feel passionate about a concept as abstract as king and country? What motivates people to get out of their comfort zone and work for the benefit of mankind?

What inspires an athelete to to push himself to the limit?

I think the basic human instinct to survive and move forward is what inspires one . Take the story of Robert the Bruce. This Scottish warrior was in a cave when he saw a spider try to spin a web. Six times she failed but never gave up. Till finally she did it .

Everyday inspiration

I get inspiration from everyday heroes like my cleaning lady Divya who has a smile despite her hard day. This young lady of 35 already has three children but the other day I heard that she had left her useless, alcoholic husband to bring up her children on her own. She has a hard task ahead of her – two girls to get married off and a son who has just entered high school. She is up every morning to fill up the water for the day. She gets the lunches ready and is off to clean homes, finishing off at  7.30. Then it’s a bus ride home, purchasing some fresh vegetables and  cooking up the evening meal before calling it a day.

And  hasn’t even finished elementary school. Nor does she have the luxury of a social security net. But she the guts and courage to leave a man who drank away her money and beat her on top of it . She has the strength and faith in her ability to keep her children and their future safe . So she walked out on him.

Her story is similar to that of many Indian women who are working at menial jobs – visiting homes and earning money just to keep their own home fires burning . These women are honest, hard working and cheerful. They observe religious holidays ( and we have lots! ) with clean clothes and a special treat for their loved ones.

Divya particularly is a pleasant girl always willing to give a hand .  On the days I feel down I think of her – my living example to keep on smiling ! This is my post for Day 9 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost