The Power of Inspiration

INSPIRATION can be a powerful thing. It can
keep you going when all around you cries out
"quit!" It is even more powerful than motivation,
as motivation gives you your basic reasons to keep
going--it tells you why you want to do what you do,
because motivation is based on goals. These, in
turn, may be based on necessity want or desire. But
inspiration fills those reasons with hope, possibil-
ity and enjoyment and keeps the "grind" from becoming
too grindy.

But just what does inspiration consist of? I
posit two elements: vision and mission. Proverbs
29:18 says 'Where there is no vision, the people
perish." A vision is the first step toward turning
your motivation into inspiration. A person with a
vision sees down the road. He can sense what it
will be like six weeks, six months, a year, two
years, five years and more ahead.

But how do you get a vision?, you ask. First
of all, you need to narrow your perspective. You can't
attempt to "ride off in all directions at once,"
so to speak. Try to decide what it is you are
looking for, so you'll know it when you see it.
In other words, try to have in mind some general
goals as to where you want to be six months a year,
etc. from now. These goals will not only form the
basis of your motivation but should also serve to
limit to an extent the scope of your activity.

Next, try to locate and choose an opportunity
(buisness, career or job) which you feel is right for you.
This may be easier said then done, as there are many choices
which sound good. You may come upon an outstanding one
right away, purely by chance. If so, latch onto it. But
you will probably have to pick several at first and
study the things which each one offers and try to
evaluate the potential of each one as you see it.
Settle on the one which you feel has the most
potential with the least amount of hassle (preferably
one that is totally Internet driven as opposed to
one where you have to spend time calling potential
prospects by phone).

Once you have chosen your company, stand behind
it in every way and don't quit or change your mind.
B.C. Forbes said "Without loyalty, nothing can be
accomplished in any sphere..." Think of yourself as
being in it for the long haul, no matter what. And
try to envision, based on what you know, how things
will be down the road. Keep that picture before your
mind, and never doubt. Napoleon Hill said "What the
mind can conceive and believe it can achieve,"
and the Bible says, in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen."

Once the vision is firmly implanted in your mind,
let it become your driving force. Let the vision excite
you with the possibility of its fulfillment and you will
automatically begin the next step--you are on a mission.
Your mission is to bring about the realization of the
vision. If you keep the vision in mind, you will move
forward in the mission, accomplishing enthusiastically
step by step that which is necessary to bring the vision
into reality. You will have developed a sense of excite-
ment, importance and urgency which will keep the fires of
inspiration burning in your heart and moving you ever onward
and upward.

Article written by Rev. James M. Becher, Bible teacher, author of "OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, A Novel of Biblical Times," (http://www.publishedauthors.net/james mbecher/index.html), and publisher of the bi-weekly Ezine, "Inspirational Success Tips" (inspirationalsuccesstips@Freeautobot.com)

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

In this Oct. 15, 2008 file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, right, listens to Timothy Geithner, president of the New York Federal Reserve, before speaking at the Economic Club of New York. President-elect Barack Obama is likely to name Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary in a time of intense economic turmoil as he rounds out the upper echelon of his Cabinet, a senior Democratic official familiar with the deliberations said Friday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)AP - President-elect Barack Obama intends to name Timothy Geithner, president of the New York Federal Reserve, as his treasury secretary to confront the nation's intense economic turmoil, senior Democratic officials said Friday.



President-elect Barack Obama, with money in hand, looks to pay for his order during a visit to Manny's Deli in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)AP - While President-elect Barack Obama publicly sidelined himself during congressional debate over an auto industry bailout this week, he and his top aides quietly prodded congressional leaders to find a solution to rescue struggling automakers.



Nebraska lawmakers Tom Carlson, left, of Holdrege, Lowen Kruse of Omaha, John Wightman of Lexington, and Norm Wallman of Cortland visit briefly Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, on the floor of the legislature just before the final vote of LB1, which puts a 30-day age limit on children who can be dropped off at Nebraska hospitals under the safe haven law. The bill easily passed 43-5. (AP Photo/Bill Wolf)AP - Gov. Dave Heineman signed into law Friday a bill adding a 30-day age limit to a safe-haven law that allowed 35 children — including teenagers as old as 17 — to be abandoned at state hospitals. The law, approved hours earlier by the Legislature in a 45-3 vote, goes into effect Saturday, and makes Nebraska the 14th state with a 30-day age cap. It had been the only state with a safe-haven law without an age limit.



Joerg Schoenbohm, Brandeburg state Interior Minister and current chairman of the German Interior Ministers Conference, center, opens the final day of the ministers meeting in Potsdam, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. At left is German Federal Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. German security officials said Friday they will drop their attempt to pursue a ban of the Church of Scientology after finding insufficient evidence of unconstitutional activity.  (AP Photo/Bernd Settnik Pool)AP - Germany is dropping its pursuit of a ban on Scientology after finding insufficient evidence of illegal activity, security officials said Friday.



Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay, center, shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Joel Fitzgibbon, as U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates walks past at the conclusion of a news conference on Friday Nov. 21, 2008, in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Canada. The three are taking part in discussions of International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF) Regional Command South, which is comprised of forces from Canada, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom, and the United States. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mike Dembeck)AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he would like to add significant U.S. forces to the war in Afghanistan before national elections scheduled for next year, and that grim depictions of backsliding in the seven-year-old war are "far too pessimistic."



AP - A college student committed suicide by taking a drug overdose in front of a live webcam as some computer users egged him on, others tried to talk him out of it, and another messaged OMG in horror when it became clear it was no joke. Some watchers contacted the Web site to notify police, but by the time officers entered Abraham Biggs' home — a scene also captured on the Internet — it was too late.

AP - The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday ordered a year-old boy back into the home of an adoptive couple who had to give him up months ago after not telling the biological family the woman was pregnant.

Bulgarian archaeologists work near a Thracian bronze chariot discovered near the village of Karanovo. A bronze chariot dating back to the second century AD has been unearthed in a Thracian burial mound in southeastern Bulgaria, archaeologists said Friday.(AFP/BGNES)AP - Archaeologists have unearthed an elaborately decorated 1,800-year-old chariot sheathed in bronze at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said Friday. "The lavishly ornamented four-wheel chariot dates back to the end of the second century A.D.," Veselin Ignatov told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from the site, near the southeastern village of Karanovo.



AP - Police have arrested a man suspected of leaving greasy, graphic imprints on the windows of stores, churches and schools in a small Nebraska town. A 35-year-old man was caught in the act by police early Wednesday morning, Cherry County Attorney Eric Scott said Friday. The man hasn't been charged yet, but authorities believe he is the vandal some townsfolk have dubbed the "Butt Bandit."

In this Nov. 12, 2008, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies' Quinton Ross defends New York Knicks Jamal Crawford (11) as he shoots a three point shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn. The Golden State Warriors traded disgruntled forward Al Harrington to the New York Knicks for guard Jamal Crawford on Friday. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman, File)AP - The New York Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010. Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with reserve guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.



Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (R) nods as he listens to President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Timothy Geithner before addressing the Economic Club of New York in this October 15, 2008 file photo. (Lucas Jackson/Files/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama on Friday moved toward nominating Timothy Geithner as Treasury secretary and charging the respected head of the New York Federal Reserve with helping pull the United States out of an economic nosedive.



Pedestrians walk past a Citibank branch in Singapore November 18, 2008. (Vivek Prakash/Reuters)Reuters - Citigroup Inc has begun talks with the U.S. government as its plummeting share price raises doubts about the bank's ability to survive, a person familiar with the matter said.



Leaders of the U.S. automotive industry testify at a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington November 19, 2008. From left are General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli and Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters - Detroit automakers began work on turnaround plans demanded by Congress in return for $25 billion in aid as General Motors Corp said it would cut production more and give up two of its controversial corporate jets.



Traders work in close quarters on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange early in the trading session in New York City, November 21, 2008. (Mike Segar/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. stocks stormed higher in a late rally on Friday to cap another volatile week as investors welcomed reports that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his point person to combat the U.S. economic crisis, instilling confidence about the administration's ability to take action.



A British military vehicle drives past an Afghan man in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province October 20, 2008. (Abdul Qodus/Reuters)Reuters - The Pentagon is considering a plan to send more than 20,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months to help safeguard elections and quell rising Taliban violence, officials said on Friday.



President Bush walks across the South Lawn to board Marine One at the White House, November 21, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. President George W. Bush held talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program with Chinese leader Hu Jintao on Friday, the first in a series of meetings U.S. officials hope will lead to a renewal of six-party talks by early December.



Reuters - Western nations claimed a success on Friday when a U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran passed through a key committee more easily than in the past.

People ride their bikes past Google Inc. headquarters in Mountain View, California, May 8, 2008. (Kimberly White/Reuters)Reuters - Internet search giant Google Inc is known for hosting the most extravagant holiday parties in Silicon Valley, often drawing crowds of over 10,000 and prompting some employees to post ads for party dates on classifieds Website Craigslist.



An everything-must-go sign in Coral Gables, Florida. The economic team of US president-elect Barack Obama came into view as fears mounted on the global financial crisis and more mass job cuts loomed worldwide(AFP/Getty Images/Joe Raedle)AFP - The economic team of US president-elect Barack Obama came into view as fears mounted on the global financial crisis and more mass job cuts loomed worldwide.



Peruvian President Alan Garcia delivers a speech during the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Lima. Leaders of the 21-member APEC group are to seek ways of turning back the world economic crisis as they gather in Lima amid unrelenting bad news from the Asia-Pacific region.(AFP/Presidencia)AFP - US President George W. Bush began Friday his last scheduled foreign trip, meeting the leader of increasingly important China ahead of a summit aimed at containing a spiraling financial crisis.




Your Self-Image - How Is It Working for You?

"All that you desire or require is already on your pathway, but... Read More

Each Moment Is To Be Treasured

Let us grasp and treasure each precious moment of our lives. The... Read More

It Wont Happen Again

Have you or do you know someone who has been abused or... Read More

Walking The Walk

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 14, 2003I have... Read More

Courage That Changes Your Life

"The scars you acquire while exercising courage will never make you feel... Read More

The Final Frontier

When all that you have done has not brought you what you... Read More

Opening the Heart and Exploring Beneath the Surface

Exploring beneath the surface of a reoccurring relationship issue can be tedious... Read More

Safety ? Are You OK?

Safety is an interesting concept. When we think of safety we almost... Read More

Best Friends

Do you ever need to have your batteries "re-charged", or you may... Read More

Love and Courage

To [many] work is not a gratifying opportunity to do good, but... Read More

Spiritual Bread Making

All the ingredients to make 12 loaves of bread already exist. The... Read More

Why Does it Take So Long to Slow Down

Why do we wait so long, before we start thinking about whom... Read More

Inspiration: Some Things Ive Noticed Along the Way So Far

Let's file this one under the heading of random musings and observations,... Read More

How To Have An Effortless Life

Isn't that an appealing title? How to Have an Effortless Life! Well... Read More

Fulfilling Your Dreams: The Magic Of Starting

Fulfilling your dreams will remain a mirage if you simply sit down... Read More

Life Lessons I Learned from My Cat

Even if you are not a cat person, bear with me, as... Read More

Following Through

Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24, 2003My final... Read More

Anam Chara - Wishing Versus Wanting

There is an old saying, which warns, "be careful for what you... Read More

Top 20 Love Quotations

"In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love,... Read More

Favorite Quotations... What Do They Say About Us?

Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are saying about... Read More

Inspiration: A Few More Things Ive Noticed Along the Road So Far

Here's a quote from the late great columnist Sydney Harris that I... Read More

My Favorite Movies Journal

The movies--what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! I love going... Read More

Leading a World Class Life

Every four years the world is given the gift of the Olympics.... Read More

Create Resistance or Creative Acceptance

Resistance is not a new word, but for many of us awareness... Read More

Dare To Dream

The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those... Read More

Flight Delay

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 6, 2003It took... Read More

Care And Maintenance Of The Human Hard Drive

The human brain is very much like a hard drive. If you... Read More

Entrepreneur and Mom

When I was 12 years old, I had surgery with complications. I... Read More

Charge Your Imagination (3)

As we progress into the year, it is necessary for professionals to... Read More

The Most Powerful Question Ever Asked?

What if every experience in your life is sent to you so... Read More

Turning Your Life Over To God and Trusting Him To Lead You Is Like . . . . .

. . . . . riding a roller coaster for the very... Read More

Life is a Mystery...or is it?

Being the last of three daughters, I was a suprise to my... Read More

Go Ahead, Toss the Starfish!

There is an old story that tells of a man walking along... Read More

Once in a Lifetime

A subscriber recently wrote to me and asked me to consider this... Read More

Just Say, I Love You to Those Who are...

Life is beautiful and lovable with the type of people we have... Read More

Personal Philosophy is Like The Set of The Sail

We have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair and heartbreak.... Read More

Recipe for Success

"Desire is a tremendous force, and must be directed in the right... Read More

Crossing The Line Of Fear

Oh, this is a great topic! I remember when I was younger... Read More

Stay Inspired

Two years ago I was in a wheelchair and told I would... Read More

Message From An Angel - Is It Yours ?

This is a message from an Angel. Can you relate? Is it... Read More

Who Are The Underminers?

How many of you had the experience growing up of being told... Read More

When Self-Growth becomes Self-Sabotage

Many of us invest quality time and energy into our personal development.... Read More

Adversity, What Is It Good For?

As I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting back... Read More

Sissys Show of Support

I had been fighting with the software program that I used to... Read More

Pay It Forward

My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man. His wealth... Read More

Flaming Fire Within Our Bones

Jeremiah was certainly one of the most distinguished notables of the Old... Read More

Discover The Magic Of Doing What You Love

Do what you love to do and give it your very best.... Read More