Inspiration vs Aspiration

We live in an “aspirational” society. Aspiration and ambition could be good things but often drive people crazy. Aspiration refers to material things you can possess. Inspiration refers to immaterial things you wish to be. When you choose “have” versus “be”, you set yourself up for disappointment and frustration. No matter how nicer car or bigger house you will buy, there will always be some better ones you could have and don’t. It’s the famous “greener lawn” stereotype and, as with many stereotypes, there is some truth to it.

But if you shift focus and perspective, and choose to look for inspiration instead, you’ll have a garden of discoveries at hand. You are what you are by essence, sure. But you also grow into a new person day by day, depending on what experiences you have. What you do counts. How you do it, even more. What you eat, what you read, what you listen to, but also how you look around. The way you listen and observe and learn. The way you interact with others.

It’s like nature. A plant will bloom earlier and more bountiful depending on what nourishments she will receive. You are the gardener responsible of you own blooming. Look for inspiration, and you will become an inspiring person as well. And the best part of gardening yourself is that it is the most creative task you can imagine. Instead of consuming, you will be producing. And your “work” will produce something—a new and better you—that will give you the same satisfaction an artist gets form his/her work. You’re your never to-be-finished masterpiece. You are a life-project that will never end. Not even death will interrupt this creative project because you will live in the legacy you’ll live behind. Isn’t that just GREAT?

Comments

[Serafina]

Aspiration doesn't just apply to material things. You can aspire to become a better person. Why do you think the word means only "aspiring to own a Porsche"? If this is a sample of your writing, I'm not intrigued.

[gloria]

Right. You can aspire to be a better person. An inspiring person. And that goes back to what I meant, given my obvious enjoyment in playing with words and stretching them to extremes. But you need a little humor to play along.

[Leah J. Utas]

Interesting take on finding joy --inspiration--in what you do.

[Rick]

Aspiration is the first step to receiving inspiration, it is the drive towards change or perfection. There are three aspects to every solution; what, why and how. Aspiration shows you 'what' and 'why' and inspiration shows you 'how'.

[sildenafil]

excellent grouping for decades it has always been producing music first, thanks for the excellent blog topic and always live red hot chili peppers ...!!

[atv]

Serafina, true you can 'aspire to be a better person' but nobody 'inspires to own a Porsche.' Capisce?
Lovely little article that's not too winded or aspirational. ;)