Posted 12:20 am Sunday, February 19, 2012
What Exactly Inspires You?
If you were with me last week, you may recall my story of running into a reader who said she hadn't communicated with me in a while because she “just hadn't been inspired.” This made me wonder what inspires you, and a few responses are listed below. It is noteworthy that around this same time last year I ran a piece titled “Blah, Blah, Blah.”
Seems once the Super Bowl is over and Punxatawney Phil has predicted several more weeks of winter we need to take heart in finding something to elevate the moments. This Tuesday is Fat Tuesday for those who recognize the Lenten season leading up to Easter, so I’m guessing Cox’s Grill, Bruno’s and What About Kabob could have a run on red meat, sausage and anchovies in the next 48 hours.
Your responses on inspiration:
Your responses on inspiration:
Mr. Clyde,
I wouldn't say that these moments take my breath away, but it is very gratifying to hear that some work that I have done has helped someone else. My husband and I enumerated many active cemeteries in Henderson County and he drew diagrams that show where each grave is located.
Because it is so hard to find graves sometimes, we thought it would be helpful to older people, especially. We did this from 1996 to 2000. Since then I have done an update (2010); I had to find other helpers, since Frank passed away in 2006.
I also have compiled a book containing many obituaries, some censuses, newsletters from the surrounding communities through the years that appeared in the local paper, and a very early (1854) record of church members who came from Pilgrim's Rest Church in Alabama. This was done for the cemetery where my husband is buried.
I have said all this to come to this: When you can do something for someone else, do it. It really doesn't matter if you know when your gesture has helped others, but if they do tell you, it is very gratifying.
Betty
I wouldn't say that these moments take my breath away, but it is very gratifying to hear that some work that I have done has helped someone else. My husband and I enumerated many active cemeteries in Henderson County and he drew diagrams that show where each grave is located.
Because it is so hard to find graves sometimes, we thought it would be helpful to older people, especially. We did this from 1996 to 2000. Since then I have done an update (2010); I had to find other helpers, since Frank passed away in 2006.
I also have compiled a book containing many obituaries, some censuses, newsletters from the surrounding communities through the years that appeared in the local paper, and a very early (1854) record of church members who came from Pilgrim's Rest Church in Alabama. This was done for the cemetery where my husband is buried.
I have said all this to come to this: When you can do something for someone else, do it. It really doesn't matter if you know when your gesture has helped others, but if they do tell you, it is very gratifying.
Betty
Hello,
Love your articles and enjoyed your talk out here at Hideaway.
What inspires me? A live production from the New York Metropolitan Opera House of the six-hour opera “Gotterdammerung” by Wagner yesterday in a Longview theater. The music is some of the most magnificent in the world. You have no idea that it lasts almost six hours, you are so caught up in the story and the gorgeous music. In the last act, a woman who has been scorned has reason to sing her heart out. You are almost holding your breath as she lets her temper flare, you're hurting right along with her, and at the end, she realizes that she and her husband were duped and he still loves her with all his heart. Love conquers all, ah, they both die, but oh my goodness, you know without a doubt, they're together in paradise.
And the music soars, as does your heart. Joy beyond description.
And if that's not enough to inspire me, I go to dinner at Johnny Cace's, with six friends who shared this opera with me, have a cold beer and oysters on the half shell. We talk and talk about the opera and the singers and the oh-so-beautiful music. Inspiration indeed. Words fail me in trying to tell you what a fabulous day I had.
Judy
Love your articles and enjoyed your talk out here at Hideaway.
What inspires me? A live production from the New York Metropolitan Opera House of the six-hour opera “Gotterdammerung” by Wagner yesterday in a Longview theater. The music is some of the most magnificent in the world. You have no idea that it lasts almost six hours, you are so caught up in the story and the gorgeous music. In the last act, a woman who has been scorned has reason to sing her heart out. You are almost holding your breath as she lets her temper flare, you're hurting right along with her, and at the end, she realizes that she and her husband were duped and he still loves her with all his heart. Love conquers all, ah, they both die, but oh my goodness, you know without a doubt, they're together in paradise.
And the music soars, as does your heart. Joy beyond description.
And if that's not enough to inspire me, I go to dinner at Johnny Cace's, with six friends who shared this opera with me, have a cold beer and oysters on the half shell. We talk and talk about the opera and the singers and the oh-so-beautiful music. Inspiration indeed. Words fail me in trying to tell you what a fabulous day I had.
Judy
Since 1982, at the age of 43, I have been running occasional 5K and 10K races. Since moving to Tyler in December 1990, I have run a few (the St. Gregory fun run, the Azalea 10K, the Komen, the Reindeer Run, etc.).
I am always inspired by other runners — and not necessarily the fastest runners, or the winning runners — but, mostly, by the runners who put the most effort into just being able to run that distance. Some are cancer survivors. Some are very heavy. Few are “in perfect health” but are just trying for their best physical health. Crossing that finish line with them just inspires me, and I look for the next race available to enter. Running just inspires me.
Ruth
I am always inspired by other runners — and not necessarily the fastest runners, or the winning runners — but, mostly, by the runners who put the most effort into just being able to run that distance. Some are cancer survivors. Some are very heavy. Few are “in perfect health” but are just trying for their best physical health. Crossing that finish line with them just inspires me, and I look for the next race available to enter. Running just inspires me.
Ruth
Prizes were nominally promised for those who responded. So Judy will receive an item from the Met Opera Shop with a “Gotterdammerung” opera theme. The set of CDs for the six-hour production were so expensive they required a multiyear payment plan, so we're setting our sights a little lower. We'll keep you posted, Judy. Thanks for the lovely response.
By the way, rumor has it Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy are coming out with a Redneck parody of Wagner's famous opera called “Gitterdunnagain.” They're in negotiations with "Weird Al" Yankovic to handle the instrumentals.
The hero, a Texas cowboy is shunned by his true love and relegated to waiting for her return while munching on Lay's chips and slurping Lone Star beer, all the while taking in old reruns of “Dallas” and “Knot's Landing.” Depression renders him helpless when he concludes he is down to the last few episodes and the roof begins to leak in the trailer.
That's about all I can say about it according to the press agent. Stay tuned.
For Betty, it is really a tough one since her response involves cataloging cemetery plots. As I have yet to see a gift shop at a cemetery we will have to get creative. Perhaps a journal to record your reflections?
Ruth, as the local sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure, we will provide a complimentary entry for you and a friend to this year's race. If you will recruit two other paying participants, we will have a bigger race and the Komen people won't be out any money. Thanks for your thoughts on inspiration.
By the way, rumor has it Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy are coming out with a Redneck parody of Wagner's famous opera called “Gitterdunnagain.” They're in negotiations with "Weird Al" Yankovic to handle the instrumentals.
The hero, a Texas cowboy is shunned by his true love and relegated to waiting for her return while munching on Lay's chips and slurping Lone Star beer, all the while taking in old reruns of “Dallas” and “Knot's Landing.” Depression renders him helpless when he concludes he is down to the last few episodes and the roof begins to leak in the trailer.
That's about all I can say about it according to the press agent. Stay tuned.
For Betty, it is really a tough one since her response involves cataloging cemetery plots. As I have yet to see a gift shop at a cemetery we will have to get creative. Perhaps a journal to record your reflections?
Ruth, as the local sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure, we will provide a complimentary entry for you and a friend to this year's race. If you will recruit two other paying participants, we will have a bigger race and the Komen people won't be out any money. Thanks for your thoughts on inspiration.
