If you look for it, the internet is full of inspirational quotes and pictures and videos. More often than not, those quotes and pictures and videos are passed around, hopefully, by people who feed on them like crack. Crack that makes them feel inexplicably good inside.
The practice of passing around large volumes of media that is intended to be inspirational bothers me. Not because I have a problem with inspiring messages. And, definitely not because I have a problem with inspiring people.
I have a problem with people who use inspirational messages for a momentary, drug-like high.
You see, inspirational messages can make you feel good. Their effects are instantaneous. But, inspirational messages are intended to be more then a quick fix to take the edge off of life.
If you pass around feel good messages to make yourself feel better--or in an effort to make others feel better--you have missed the point.
Inspirational messages are meant to inspire. They are meant to change people. To encourage people to live a higher life than the one that they are currently living.
And, frankly, those changes can't be made if a person is too busy sifting through high volumes of inspirational content (or pictures of kittens) looking for a desperately needed pick-me-up. Changes made one at a time. With focus and determination. And dedication.
As the Avett Brothers so carefully urge, "Decide what to be, and go be it."
And, as Harvey Danger warns, "You die by what you live by."
If you live by fluff, you will die by fluff.
So, choose your inspiration carefully. Let it sink deeply into your soul. And, go do something about it.
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