Inspiratation by choice

To inspire someone means to be the force to excite, encourage, or breath life into. You breath life into someone and help them to grow, just like you would breath on a campfire, causing the flames to grow.

I have been told that I inspire others in Kung fu.  This became a huge eye opener to me as I suddenly felt as though I have had a selfish outlook with the I ho chuan. I didn't join so I could help others. I joined so that I could help myself. I have been over the top with excitement for the personal progress I've made so far. But inspiring and helping others?  That wasn't part of my plan.  But it made me rethink my plan. Sure the "I" ho chuan sounds like a one person deal, but it's not. The I ho chuan was and still is, all about teamwork. It's a conscious relationship. The meaning of a conscious relationship is when each individual person is working towards their own personal growth, BUT, they all support each other in their personal growth as well.  This kind of relationship can happen between 2 people, or a group of people, such as the 2018 dog team.

This realization made me rethink a bit about my intentions for the coming year. Yes, I definitely want to progress in a very wholesome way in my personal life, but what can I do to help others on the team do the same?  How can I support others?  I find myself thinking of this more and more, and looking for opportunities to reach out, to let people know I am here, and I am willing to help out in any way I can.  It's hard for me to just dig in my heals and take initiatives with a group like the I ho chuan.  My character is not that creative or outgoing. Something I will work on for sure.

Of course, as usually happens, my pondering went even further, and I got thinking about how this relates to some things that my life is overly occupied with right now.  Someone in my life close to me.  My own daughter. Have I failed her?  Why is it that I can inspire those at Kung fu, work, or others I associate with, but I fail to inspire my own flesh and blood.  I have heard it said that to be a great parent, it's important to be the example. Lead your children by your actions; respect, compassion, appreciation, hard working, honesty, and they will follow. They will be inspired to live their lives in a similar manner. I have believed this for years. But really, it's not always 100% foolproof.

"To breath life into". I really like that, and wish I could do just that. To see the life that once was, in a particular someone, once more.   How can one person be inspired by someone's actions, and another not be?  What drives people to be inspired and what is the missing link that inhibits some to not be? Is it motivation?  Neither motivation, nor inspiration are related to chemistry, such as stress is. I've read that it's a psychological phenomenon. In order to move forward and see what we can become, we have to sacrifice, or let go of, what we already are. Is that the key?  Is that the missing link?  I wish I knew.........Need more research.