About Someone Who Inspires Me

“Greatness always inspires you to be great” – Debasish Mridha

Whoever inspires me does so not by being famous, rich, or huge in any way, but by being extraordinary in the smallest way possible.

And mind you, I really had to think about this one before I came to an answer… Because I was thinking too famous, rich and huge when all I needed to do was look into my heart – or rather over my left shoulder.

#4 – Write about someone who inspires you:

Before I get to the main point, I feel I should tell you about something funny that happened a few weeks ago: my favourite singer held an online concert and I got a ticket. Woohoo!

The show started and I was as excited as if I was a child given carte blanche in a toy store!

As the show progressed, however, I felt an uncanny sensation creep up on me… I wasn’t enjoying myself! Sure, the man was giving it his all in a nearly empty theatre (COVID-19, remember?) and I concluded that perhaps that was what was itching me: the lack of interaction with his public (which is where he usually truly excels, by the way).

But it wasn’t until he went from playing the piano to playing on the piano that I really started to feel annoyed.

It’s that moment when you catch yourself staring at the clock wondering how much longer when you realise something’s really off.

That something got a name when Mr. Favourite Singer got off the piano, hit two keys and then got back on the piano. It caused me every bit of strength not to turn off the show and I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth for days after.

For about a week I felt confused: what happened? Someone I’ve been a fan of for years has suddenly disappointed me? How?

The answer is: when he was on the piano wriggling to and fro, I saw something that caused me to lose a bit of my faith in this man: insincerity (remember my pet peeves?). He was doing this to please a big audience, not because it was actually making his show better – it wasn’t, it was a farce. A gimmick.

Where I, in my head, had portrayed him as my role model for integrity and authenticity, I suddenly saw through the madness of this man’s performance. My head lost an inspiration and gained a little void (don’t worry, I am all over it now. No longer a fan, but I can still enjoy his songs).

So when this writing challenge topic popped up, I had to think twice (or ten times, more like) to find someone who inspires me in such a way, that I feel it every time I think of them. I was pondering on this for a while, while putting on my socks, then randomly turned my head and spotted a photograph I keep in my room:

My inspirations ❤

My grandparents ❤

How could I be so silly to look anywhere else, when I’ve had the two most extraordinary people to have ever been alive right here in my family? I needn’t look on any stage or search in any corners but those of my own heart to find the two people who always make me smile and strive to be better – even if they’ve been gone for nearly twenty years each!

My grandfather is my big hero. He was a construction worker, just like my father (his son). During the Second World War he was ordered to help build a concentration camp here in the Netherlands, where the only thing that separated the workers from the prisoners was a fence.

During lunch time, my grandfather (and some others) would secretly either give his lunch away to or share it with the inmates, at risk of being caught and put on the other side of the fence himself.

My grandfather was a small man in stature, but a big man in heart – he hated injustice, just like I do. He’s also the reason why I called my business after my (our) last name: because I am extremely proud to carry it.

My grandmother was the kindest person on the planet and the World’s best grandmother EVER. I don’t care what you think of yours, because I know mine was the very best, it’s a fact! Her kindness was unlimited – and unmatched! There’s never been anyone like her ❤

Sometimes I wish I was a little more like my grandmother… But I’ve got her chin, so there’s that 😉

These people inspire me, because I would literally give everything I own, no doubts or questions asked, to be able to spend just one more minute with them. At the same time, they fill me with pride because I can say they were with me. They were a part of my life and are still, because they drive me to believe in myself, to try my hardest, to be kind and giving, and brave.

And down to earth.

Because for me, no one, not even a big artist dancing on a grand piano, however extraordinary, can match my grandparents’ greatness.

 

 

 

 

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Who inspires you? Let me know in the comments or take on this challenge yourself – let me know if you do! (You can find the original and full challenge here)