Strength in Reflection

Ten days ago, I got an email from the States: my spiritual father, Sam Soleyn, had suffered a heart attack and was fighting for his life. Thankfully, he pulled through and was released days later. But it reminded me how fragile life is. A week before the heart attack, we’d spent over an hour chatting online. He was in perfect health. Then—boom.

This incident, combined with recent events in our nation, got me thinking about life and what truly matters. I’ve been fortunate to always have a spiritual father—someone to look up to, someone who speaks into my life, holds me accountable, and inspires me.

These people are special because they don’t want anything from me. They only have my best interests at heart. They care, wanting the very best for me. They inspire me.

The Real Meaning of Inspiration

The word “inspire” comes from Latin “inspirare”—to “blow into, breathe upon, excite, or inflame from within.” The dictionary defines it as “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.”

Here’s the interesting part: people who inspire us often don’t know they’re doing it. Inspiration differs from motivation—motivation is emotional and temporary. Motivational talks have their place in business, politics, and sports, but we need something more sustainable. We need people who inspire us regardless of our emotional state.

What Doesn’t Inspire

I’m not inspired by people who only talk about themselves, use foul language around children, make hollow promises, or display arrogance and ego. I’m reminded of the Italian proverb: “At the end of the game, the king and pawn go into the same box.”

I’m not inspired by any isms—racism, sexism—or fundamentalism of any kind, especially religious. I’m not inspired by people who make excuses, do nothing with their lives, or refuse to take personal responsibility.

What Does Inspire

I’m inspired by nature’s beauty—sunrise, sunset, mountains, the bush. By people of integrity who speak truth no matter how difficult. By congruent people where what you see is what you get.

I’m inspired by those with values and principles who live them every single day. By people who’ve suffered hardship, loss, and pain yet still get up and go to work. By those who go the extra mile, genuinely care, and make a difference.

I’m inspired by couples who love each other and model that for their children. By books and films like “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” By Christ’s life and those who reflect it. By great leaders, living and dead.

I’m inspired by athletes like Makazole Mapimpi and Siya Kolisi who grew up in poverty, many without parents, yet make us proud today.

And music—intelligently written songs with layers of meaning, instruments played to perfection, voices that touch your soul. Deep spiritual moments that “blow into, breathe upon, excite, inflame from within.”

It’s Not What We Do—It’s Who We Are

We don’t try to inspire people. That’s not the goal. We live life in a way that hopefully inspires others. It’s not something we do—it’s who we are, how we behave, how we treat others.

There’s no seven-step formula to become inspirational. It’s an entire manuscript—your manuscript, my manuscript, written by us through how we live.

May we inspire not just each other, but others out there. It’s not a choice—it’s who we’re called to be.