The Inspiring Profundity of Total Strangers
Have you ever heard a song and felt like the person who wrote it “got you”?
While we’re thankful for the people we’re close to who help us learn and grow, there are individuals we may never meet who can have an enormous impact on us.
Authors and musicians often offer unique ways of seeing the world, expressing emotions, and exploring ideas that we might not encounter in our daily lives. They can challenge our assumptions and open us up to different viewpoints.
Their work can make us feel understood, less alone in our experiences, and provide an outlet for feelings we may struggle to express ourselves. Their work can ignite our own imaginations, sparking new ideas and inspiring us to think more creatively in our own endeavors, whether art, problem-solving, or simply how we approach life.
Through their stories and melodies, they tap into universal human experiences—love, loss, joy, struggle, hope, sorrow ... even humor. This can ignite a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves and remind us of our shared humanity.
Cultivating gratitude—even for intangible influences—and acknowledging the positive impact of strangers (creators we've never met) on our lives can benefit us in meaningful and lasting ways. As a bonus, the creator generally ends up with a devoted fan who contributes to the creator's success.
In essence, the creative strangers who inspire us enrich our lives in countless ways. They help us feel more deeply and see the world with fresh eyes. Recognizing and being grateful for this profound impact, even without a personal connection, acknowledges the valuable contribution these people make to our individual lives and to society as a whole.
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
~from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Your action prompt for today comes from changemaker Unyong Kim
Practice of invocation:
Invoke those whose energies inspire, move, touch, you. How? Think about them each morning and as needed when you feel most alone.They could be people, beings, animals who are living or dead, historical, fantastical, mythical, fictional. These energies and inspiration are a real presence and experience in our lives, that shape our reality. Create your Dream Team to be with you in your life. Artists, writers, musicians, activists, leaders, ancestors, icons, your beloved late dog, spirit animals.
Who do you want on your Dream Team?
Find out more about Unyong through her interactive Stress Burners Facebook page