Great Lives Inspire but Soon Back to Usual Grind
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (28397)
Singapore
July 19, 2021 9:37am CST
H W Longfellow wrote the famous lines:
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time”
We have had great lives that inspire us all through our history. There are many unsung heroes too who sacrificed and died so that others may live and in peace.
However, our memories are short and may be getting shorter! Great lives are becoming rarer with none in recent history. At least, they fail to catch our attention leave alone inspire us; and, if at all, for the wrong reasons!
However, there are a few who inspire us still in their own way. They chart new paths for a better future. The world’s richest person inspires as his wealth has not weighed him down to earth. Jeff Bezos will be flying to the edge of space within hours following Richard Branson’s trip.
They are new age heroes willing to take risks with their lives even rather than making doubly sure to enjoy their wealth and power by staying in their comfort zones.
For me it is more about Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded”, because it will be more easily achievable by most lost as we are in our daily grind. We can stay inspired too by doing what is within our reach.
What inspires you to punch above your weight?
Image: Reaching Higher image from Pexels
8 people like this
7 responses
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
31 Jul 21
Yes in the end, it is back to the same business of being human
2 people like this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
20 Jul 21
I know both quotes very well, because I was an English major. So true. There doesn’t seem to be many true heroes these days, just the unsung heroes going about their daily lives.
I have no fault with Branson and Bezos. I say Good for them and more power to them. At least they are not like Trump.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28397)
• Singapore
20 Jul 21
Yes, some stay in our minds once we come across them.
I like your posts and comments as they are sharp and to the point - you do full justice to your background!
We can draw the right lessons from anyone who charts a new path that makes us think of the endless possibilities. They have reached the pinnacle of achievements here with nothing much to prove except inspire others.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23744)
• Australia
19 Jul 21
Great lives do not really inspire me.
They move allow me to expand my mind, to see how great people could live in this way.
I am never inspired to follow them, but I am curious as to why they have lived like they have lived.
Some "great" people try too hard to be great, and only just end up grating us with their greatness.
Real greatness seems to be in a league of its own, retaining love, humility, and compassion, for all, within itself too.
Even the life of Jesus Christ does not inspire me. I know that true inspiration must well up in myself from myself, but those lives, well-lived, do act as a sort of example, not for us to blindly follow, but as to what we can be ourselves, if we become inwardly inspired too.
I guess, though, inspiration, is a funny word, and if a great soul's life can help me to fire my own fire up more, that is some type of an inspirational connection to that life too, I guess.
So, I have come full circle here then.
I started off thinking that great lives have never inspired me, but when writing my thoughts our here, I have come back to feeling that in some ways, they probably really have done so too.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (23744)
• Australia
20 Jul 21
@Shiva49 Yes, sometimes, we do not really know our own thinking, until we explore it more as I did there too. I thought I thought in one way, but when I prodded myself deeper, I found that really I think in the way that you were saying too.
My mother's life inspired me with her endless faith, to go on through struggles, and pain. She clung to her belief in the creator, and her belief, I hope, has pulled her through now to his side.
Some tales of the great masters do inspire me in different ways too, to be like them more, to also write up such an inspiring story here, like theirs was, and to get some enjoyment from my life, and my writing too.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28397)
• Singapore
20 Jul 21
You are ready to take a u-turn and that is inspiring Steve, a good quality to have.
I know a few who will never admit to their faults and, worse, palm them off to others!
I like to keep an open mind and draw inspiration from common folks more. Those around me here not having even a bank account, forget even a house of their own but living a contented life.
Contentment leads to happiness and also laziness! I would say whatever floats our boats!
I am more inspired by doers than talkers and the quiet ones that reach out without a rustling noise even.
They should be living at the behest of our Creator who is the greatest quiet achiever. He inspires and is holding us up. Forgive them for they know not what they do - is his refrain as we try to drag him into our narrow pursuits and thinking - my God will whup all others when there is only one creator. He is not going to fight with himself!
1 person likes this
@innertalks (23744)
• Australia
20 Jul 21
@Shiva49 Yes, it is good to recall some good memories like that.
I recall some unusual meetings that I had with great people, but in different settings.
I knew a martial arts master slightly from taking a few Kung Fu lessons from him, but I was surprised when I saw him in my chess club, just as an ordinary person, playing a game of chess.
This master, Wiliam Cheung, was the one who taught Bruce Lee, and he is still going strong at 81 now.
1 person likes this
