People who inspire: are you on the list?
Last fall I watched my brother-in-law Fran compete in the Ford Ironman. It was held in Madison, Wisconsin on a rainy and windy day. The triathlon involved a 2.4-mile swim in rough Lake Monona, a 112-mile bike ride over the Wisconsin hill and valley, and ended with a grueling 26.2-mile marathon run.
Fran finished the race faster than he thought in a time that qualified him to compete in every Ironman in the country. This is not only surprising in itself, but doubly so considering Fran broke her hip just a year ago. He also had an accident when he was a teenager, so one leg of him is much shorter than the other; he uses a shoe lift to compensate.
Fran is an inspiring person, for sure, but you know who else inspires me? Ordinary people living life to the best of their ability. Here are my top ten picks of world-class inspirational people who don’t get the proper recognition they deserve:
1.) People who apologize for a wrong they have done and mean it. (I am also inspired by people who accept the apology and mean it too.)
2.) People who recognize that there is a problem but instead of complaining and blaming, they offer solutions and are willing to carry them out. These people are great teachers.
3.) People who use every ounce of their God-given talents without bragging and always striving to improve.
4.) I am overwhelmingly inspired by people who are not the “best” at what they do, but who always give their best no matter the circumstances. Failure is not in his vocabulary.
5.) People counting their blessings. They enjoy what they have little or much and know how to be satisfied. These people have peace of mind because they are not trapped in the endless torture of always needing more. They enjoy everything, but they need nothing; there is a difference.
6.) I am inspired by people who stop at a kid’s lemonade stand to buy what amounts to warm sugar water. They are the cheerleaders for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
7.) People who take a leap of faith and do what their hearts tell them inspire me a lot. It’s not easy for people to do what feels right, especially if it’s something that goes against popular opinion, family, friends, co-workers. This is undeniable courage.
8.) Good listeners who are non-judgmental In fact They inspire me. What a wonderful gift of compassion. They are the world’s hope for peace and sanity.
9.) People who stop to help change a car tire, especially if it’s cold and rainy. Total heroes!
10.) People with a great sense of humor. They put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. When I’m with someone like that, the weight of the world, at least for the moment, is lifted off my shoulders.
Much inspiration can be found everywhere, but especially from others; I could go on and on with examples. Our job is to notice and apply in our own lives the inspiration fostered by this great and growing legion of “Ironmen.”
Copyright 2007 – Maria M. Bauer. All rights reserved throughout the world.
