#AtoZchallenge (2018) I is for feeling Inspired

My theme for this challenge is “feelings” of a sexagenarian and the influence of social media.

My tema vir hierdie uitdaging is “gevoelens” van ‘n sestig-plusser en die invloed van sosiale media.

English (Afrikaans below):

Inspired: aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something. What is it that inspires a person to climb a mountain, start a new business, create a piece of art from recycled goods, write a book, travel around the world?

It is the same as asking people what it is that motivates them to act the way they do. An inspired idea is not always suggestive of divine inspiration, as some people will have it. Oftentimes, inspiration is sought and found in the more mundane everyday life – a random act of kindness, a word spoken in jest, an unusual cloud formation in the sky, a crisis averted, an eye-catching color, a perceived danger.

What is it that makes a person aware of these inspirational “triggers”? I believe that walking through life with eyes wide open (figuratively speaking) is the answer. Be aware of what is going on around you, take notice of how society or the environment react to a given set of circumstances. Use your senses to experience life.

The role of social media: Social media can be a great educator if you are able to differentiate between information that has no merit and the exchange of knowledge that imparts an understanding of a subject. I am in awe of people who have the courage to publicly disclose irregularities and to convey specialist knowledge. There are also those who do nothing more than to criticize and whinge on social media, but I try to overlook that. I’d rather be inspired by those who try to solve problems and open doors. Today’s emoji: 🤪

Afrikaans:

Geïnspireer: aangespoor, entoesiasties, of spiritueel beïnvloed om iets te doen. Wat is dit wat ‘n persoon inspireer om ‘n berg te klim, ‘n nuwe besigheid te begin, ‘n kunswerk te skep uit herwonne goedere, ‘n boek te skryf, deur die wêreld te reis?

Dit is dieselfde as om mense te vra wat dit is wat hulle motiveer tot ‘n sekere optrede. ‘n Geïnspireerde idee is nie altyd suggestief van goddelike inspirasie soos sommige mense dit sal wil verduidelik nie. Dikwels word inspirasie gesoek en gevind in die meer alledaagse lewe – ‘n toevallige daad van barmhartigheid, ‘n grappie, ‘n ongewone wolkformasie in die lug, ‘n krisis wat afgewend is, ‘n opvallende kleur, ‘n dreigende gevaar wat waargeneem word.

Wat is dit wat ‘n persoon bewus maak van hierdie besielende “snellers”? Ek glo dat om met oop oë deur die lewe te gaan (figuurlik gesproke) die antwoord is. Wees bewus van wat aangaan rondom jou, let op hoe die samelewing of die omgewing reageer op ‘n gegewe stel omstandighede. Gebruik jou sintuie om die lewe te ervaar.

Die rol van sosiale media: Sosiale media kan ‘n goeie opvoeder wees as jy kan onderskei tussen inligting wat geen verdienste het nie en die uitruil van kennis wat begrip van ‘n onderwerp moontlik maak. Ek het groot ontsag vir mense wat die moed het om ongerymdhede in die openbaar uit te wys en om besondere kennis oor te dra. Daar is ook diegene wat niks meer doen as om op sosiale media te sit en kritiseer en kla nie, maar ek probeer om daarby verby te kyk. Ek laat my liewer inspireer deur diegene wat daadwerklik probeer om probleme op te los en deure oop te maak. Emoji vir vandag: 🤪

Read all my entries for the #AtoZchallenge (April 2018) here.