One of the things that life has taught me is this: Inspiration does not have to come from someone who’s famous or someone who has achieved something big. Inspiration comes from every one we connect with. More often than not, inspiration has come to me from the people I meet every day. I don’t even have to know them to receive a life lesson from them. I’d like to share four of my sources of inspiration today from my ever-growing list.
Inspiring stories: They Inspire Me
The children I see every day – the uninhibited laughter and their sincerity – simply being the way they feel. If they are sad, they cry. If they’re happy they demonstrate it with affection. They get over things quickly and do not hold grudges, most of the time. Love is all they seem to need. Love attracts them like a magnet. They are ready to hug and they teach us to make every moment count. And now, I am friends with the ones I see on a regular basis. Little scoops of joy.
My cable guy actually deserves a dedicated post. I admire him for his serene attitude, always polite, always courteous. From the day, ten years ago, when we started using his cable service, I’ve never once seen him ruffled. Pensive, at most. But never a rude word, never gets worked up, quick to apologize if we complain, and always responsive.
I don’t know how he does it. When he comes to collect the cable money, he remembers to follow-up on whatever we chatted about on his previous visit. If Vidur’s exams were on – he would ask how they went. Point is, he would remember. He always calls back if he is unavailable when we call. Always. That’s not a trait we associate with most service providers. He always comes through when he promises something, or at least keeps us updated if there is a delay. Sury teases me, saying that I am probably the only customer who spends the time of day with him – but 10 years is a long time to stay consistent and that’s what I am impressed about. His is not an easy job, out on the field tackling crazy customers and playing middle man between the cable company and the user – yet he is always kind and never irritated. He definitely inspires me and is an example of worry and anger never solving a problem. Definitely one of my heroes.
Then there is my roadside Grandpa. I have known him for 14 years now. I see him every day. I carry him food and clothing every other day. He lives by the roadside, and has marked himself a spot outside the church. He inspires me by his presence and making me realize that all my problems are trivial and temporary. If he can survive like that, anything is possible.
And it is not just people who inspire me. The pigeons who have occupied my verandah inspire me, too. What was once a space lush with flowering plants and an almost-kitchen garden is now layered in pigeon shit in patches. Every other day, I scrape it off and wash the place with disinfectant. Yet they won’t leave me alone. They are certainly not afraid of me. No amount of “Shoo-shoo” gets me even a look from them. I suspect they think I am cleaning the place so they can mess it up again. Their constant coo-ing used to drive me nuts…but now, if I don’t hear it, that drives me nuts too. After all, do they not give me, a work from home Mommy, constant company? I like their persistence. We share a love-hate relationship. And I kind of like it. They don’t take no for an answer, you see.
Finally, I have a constant source of inspiration inside my house. My son. Always ready with a hug and a smile, no matter what. I may have scolded him for something or even – gasp! – yelled at him. But he stays serene, reacts lovingly with an “I’ll do it, Mummy, don’t worry!” Never talks back to me and firmly believes that I am justified in my actions, probably because it is quite hard to get me irritated. We just don’t sweat the small stuff! And if he has upset me, he’ll immediately compensate with a couple of unexpected household chores! What a win-win!
I’d be crazy if I did not make a very special mention of YOU, my dear readers, who visit my blog every day to read what I have to say. You’ve no idea how it fills my heart with gratitude to see your insightful and encouraging comments. Thank you! ♥
With love,
Vidya
Inspiring stories I read today – please do visit them!
Touching Lives by Shailaja
One Stubborn Lady Chasing her Dreams by Eli
♥
An inspirational post indeed! Very thoughtful and thought-provoking.
This made for such a heartwarming read, Vidya. True, inspiration doesn’t have a schedule, it can strike us and dazzle us anytime, anywhere. 🙂
Vidyaaaa how do you always do it…make me feel so good. Thank u! your posts are truly inspirational filled with so much love, hope and positivity! The cable guy reminded me of our plumber. They have such tough jobs but never complain, do they? And your son…hugs to him! Love!
A lovely dedication to people who have influenced and inspired you. How sweet of your son to help you. That’s adorable.
Like you, I get inspired by the extraordinary acts of ‘ordinary’ people.
“Always calls back if he was unavailable” is a very rare trait these days. It’s a trait I value very highly.
You know what? For what you do for that old man in the street, you are my inspiration…
You are a generous lady to remember the ordinary people except your son of course and find the good traits in them that inspire you.You are blessed.I liked the post
Hats off for that inspiring post, Vidya ! 🙂
Its a truth, that every single thing around us inspires us in some way. Love your analysis 🙂
For being inspired by everything, you are our inspiration 🙂
Vidya you have completely cast a spell on me.You have such a strong vision to spot love and inspiration in the smallest of things/persons around you. They are truly blessed!
Quite interesting and inspiring this one, Vidya.. Loved the cable guy’s part. People like him make this world a better place. And like doc Roshan said, really inspired by what you do for the old man 🙂 Oh yeah.. loved your Beatles tee too.. 😀 quite an apt one – I can see ‘Let it be’ written there and I read that in Sir Paul’s voice.. 😀
Thank YOU, Vidya:-) I haven’t followed you blog for long, but I see that your writings inspire ME. And this post is no exception: from your son, to the roadside grandpa, kids and pigeons… Beautifully written and very moving to read – and truly inspirational:-)
All through the posts that have arrived for this prompt I have seen the central thought being inspiration is all around us and here you have taken it so many steps forward and emphasised it in all aspects 🙂
Vidya, your post is so sweet and inspiring on its own. The old man by the church, the cable guy and the pigeon, family and friends; love this collection of people who inspire you.A person’s writing reveals a lot and you my dear friend are a beacon of inspiration and motivation.Fabulous post.
P.S.- I am smiling while submitting my comment 🙂
You inspire me 🙂
The inspiration we derive from our day to day lives is far greater than inspiration drawn from legends!
The ordinary-so extraordinary.
Of all the post that I have read till now , you are the only person who has made a special mention of your readers. It’s so humbe of you to mention their presence on your blog. Vidya , we are lucky to read your inspiring posts and I REALLY mean it. The roadside grandpa and the little scoops of joy are a source of joy. Your little one of course needs a BIG mention.
I love how you never miss the little things, Vidya – you inspire me! ♥
Inspirations can definitely come from anywhere, Vidya. Very warm post like always 🙂
Thanks!
Yikes those pigeons..I hate them too. The one thing I don’t miss about Mumbai is the pigeons and crows 🙂 Such a heartwarming post Vidya. Nice to read about a kid who does not talk back, hope I can do as good a job at raising my kid too.
Hi Vidya
Very inspiring. We all need to take the time to appreciate all the wonderful things happening around us. How often we forget the importance of even the simplest of things. We grumble when things are not going right and forget the times when all goes well.
We worry, we over react and get upset, if we just calm down and let the beauty of everything shine through. Life always works out it we let it.
Mary
**And it is not just people who inspire me. The pigeons who have occupied my verandah inspire me, too.***
Of course. I am not surprised by your love of every. living. thing.
I love you more than the pigeons in my bird feeder this very moment. XXXXXXXXXXX
Cheers to your cable guide! 🙂
It amazes me that what inspires a lot us doesn’t cost anything and also makes us happy. 🙂
“Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.” – Democritus
Sigh!! Your post made me smile.. 🙂
You are a beautiful person Vidya and I’m glad I know you! ♥
Awesome article Vidya…Truly, now it opened my eye to look for something inspiring within me and around me everyday… thanks once again
Inspiring post, Vidya. It’s an education to see how you seek inspiration in everything:)
[…] I spoke about my roadside Grandpa in a previous post? Well, this lady joined him one day, three years ago. She just settled in with him on the roadside. […]
I love how you find the good in everything and everyone around you Vidya. You have such a wonderful heart and thank you for sharing it with me 🙂
Very inspiring people…and had to laugh at the pigeons. They are annoying rather than inspirational for me personally but they don’t give up!