Being Inspired

My seester, Rachel, left me a comment on my last post about me inspiring her to post her journals just like I did. First, I'm not sure if she was being serious or sarcastic...it could totally go either way on that one. Second, she called me an addict. I would like to put forth that I am NOT an addict. I am inspired. Inspired by many random things, perhaps, but inspired nonetheless.
     When something catches my attention and keeps it for a good bit of time, I am inspired. When I hear a beautiful piece of music by an artist I have never heard before, I am inspired to find more music by said artist. When I find a new tea that tastes absolutely divine, my inspiration to try new teas is reaffirmed. When I read a particular genre and in turn fall in love with the story I am reading, I end up inspired to find more books in the same genre even if I don't typically read that genre. (This usually happens with sci-fi books.) And, when a sister calls me an Addict...I am inspired to write a post about inspiration. Imagine!
     According to Free Dictionary.com, Inspire has the following definitions:

                  1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence
                  2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion
                  3. To stimulate to action; motivate / To affect or touch
                  4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse
                  5. To be the cause or source of; bring about

     Reading those definitions makes me think past the easy, fluffy post that I started off writing. I can't help but wonder if I ever truly inspire anyone. It seems that the 5th definition is probably the most usual type of inspiration. But, wouldn't it be nice to be able to claim that you inspired people in the form of definitions # 3 and/or #4? I think it would be. How many people can claim the status of #3? Perhaps our parents? Probably politicians. Hopefully the Holy Spirit.
     Are we open for inspiration? or do we keep ourselves held back. Many times it is easier to be discontent with our lives, but still refuse to accept the inspiration from others that would push us to change. It's safer to reject inspiration. But What IF? What IF we accepted the inspiration from others around us? What would change? Would be become more outgoing? More focused on the goals we've set up in our lives? More likely to take risks?
     With these questions comes a fear of mine. Change. I don't really like change, but I'm beginning to accept it and to realize that it isn't as bad as I always thought it was. My coworkers are becoming huge inspirations to me when it comes to actually looking for a new job that I will enjoy. My neighbor inspired me to finally  follow through with making those doctors appointments that I've needed to make for years now. My husband shows me by example and inspires me a little more each day to be less selfish of my own time. My sister inspires me to become a better writer. (even if, by better, I only mean that I write more often and that I write more meaningful posts.) Little by little, my inspirations are Changing my Definition of Life and I think I like it.