Living inspired lives

In researching the meaning of 'inspired," I found the explanations to have the common denominators of 'having a divine influence' and 'breathing in or inhaling.' Living an inspired life would therefore be related to choosing actions that are guided by a connection to something beyond ourselves. I tend to associate inspiration with the arts. I think of painters, sculptors, and composers as being inspired to create something of incredible beauty. They take in or inhale the source of all that creates beauty in the world and, in turn, use that energy to manifest their own interpretation of that that beauty is. I see that beauty as what elevates our own spirit when we behold it. Yet inspiration applies not only to the artist, but to each of us who are open to receiving that energy from without and acting in ways that elevate those around us. Perhaps we are inspired to take on a project that provides food or shelter for those in need. Or we volunteer to assist by giving of our time and efforts following a disaster. People may be inspired at any given moment to do what is within their scope of being to share the unique gifts they have been given to raise the spirits of others. Think of ways that you have been called to do so. When was the last time that you felt inspired?