Ive been participating on this forum for about two weeks now. To say that Im impressed with the diversity of philosophies & the civility with which each of you communicates your opinions is putting it mildly. Im learning, Im thinking, Im feeling, Im scratching my chin  all provoked by each of you.

In other words, youre a good bunch of eggs.

Now that the preliminary sucking-up is out of the way, I wish to present each of you the opportunity to reach just a little bit more deeply into your innards & share with us - who inspires you?

Teacher? Parent? Holy man? Artist? Entrepreneur? Author? Sportsman? Neighbor? Town drunk?

Gimme one, gimme a dozen. Tell me whom, when, where, why you look to this person with deepest gratitude for the example they set.

Lurkers, stop sitting on your hands! Click on the Contribute an answer button. Type your thoughts in the box provided. Click the Submit button. Do it now.

Thank you in advance for your contributions.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 24, 2000

Answers

Bingo1,

I'll bite. Who inspires me? Well, for the last six years it has been my child on a daily basis. I am learning at my age to look at the world in a different view from him. He shows me the simple pleasures in life. He shows me that with love, there is hope from humans after all. He shows me how to get rid of the stress that my daily job provides me (and that is plenty of stress).

How could I not be inspired when he looks at me and tells me he loves me for no reason whatsoever? Or gives me a hug just because? With him, I am having a wonderful experience of youth all over again.

With all that said, how could I not be inspired to be all that I can be, if not for myself then for him? He is starting to become more independant now, playing more with his friends. But every day, we spend special time together doing things like reading, fishing, or even playing in the garden or the water. I just love the Why questions. He makes me think, and I in turn, make him exercise his brain as well.

There have been others over the years, but nothing quite like him.

-- (Sheeple@Greener.Pastures), May 24, 2000.

Great question!

It's odd but the first person that popped into my head when I read this was John Wooden, and I'm not even that much of a sports fan! I guess that it's seeing all the crap about that buffoon Bobby Knight (I live in Indiana) and all the other overpaid cry-babies that inhabit the world of professional and collegiate athletics. Wooden, arguably the most succesful basketball coach in the history of the game, was and continues to be a very humble and dignified man.

Mostly though, people who inspire me are the ordinary people who take all the adversity that life can dish out and still thrive. Children fighting cancer, special olympians, elderly people that are still vibrant and full of life. And finally, my wife inspires me most of all. Anyone who can put up with me, hold down a full-time (60+ hour per week mainframe programmer), nurture and care for every stray animal in our downtown neighborhood and still be the kindest and most outgoing person that I've ever met, can't be anything but inspirational!

-- fwiw (a@b.c), May 24, 2000.

Inspiration [to me] includes all experiences, therefore includes all life forms with which we've had contact. Drunks are good. [grin] I had a neighbor once who came over only when she was drunk. She would sit for hours and share details of her life. I learned a great deal from her. If you've never read Studs Turkel's Working , it's a great read from 1972. People come in SO MANY forms. We so oftentimes judge them by their education, occupation, or appearance that we fail to avail ourselves of their knowledge.

When I lived in Chicago, I would oftentimes miss my commuter train ride home and have an hour to "kill" before the next passage. There was a small bar in the train station, and I tended to gravitate there if I weren't actively pursuing a read that might encourage me to instead sit on a bench, nose in book. Depending on the hour, I would invariably run into a woman who waitressed in the loop and would stop at the small bar for a drink before heading home. She was a fascinating woman, and once we got to talking, I could easily miss my next train, as well as the one after that. Was she a drunk? Probably. For all I know she could have been a prostitute. Was she an inspiration? DEFINITELY. Was she a greater inspiration than the father I loved so much or the children I love so much? How does one quantify inspiration? It comes from the oddest of sources at the oddest of times.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 24, 2000.

Sheeple, what a great word picture you painted! I don't intend on reproducing, but if I could be assured the experience would be like yours, I might consider it.

fwiw, John Wooden! I didn't expect to see his name on anyone's list. Coach Wooden is one of the truly unsung heroes of sports. Role model deluxe. He coached during the turbulent 1960's and turned out men of substance, not just basketball players, while at the same time completely dominating college basketball just as the Boston Celtics had a stranglehold on the NBA title. Great surprise choice!

Anita, you are too good to be true. I'll stop there before I embarrass both of us. ;^)

Time for me to prepare supper for the wife. And my girls. Check back later.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 24, 2000.

This is an important question and I am chagrined that I can't answer it. There are many people that I admire but I can't think of anyone who inspires me. I am troubled by this; like maybe there is something wrong with me. An uninspirable person! Yuck!

So, someone I admire......one of many; off the top of my head. John Callahan is a cartoonist. Maybe some of you know his work. He has published several cartoon books and was kind of "in" about 10 years ago. His cartoons appeared in prestige magazines like Harper's. His drawing style is childish. I remember when I first saw his work--it was funny but I thought "shoot, I can draw better than that". (I was in a cartoon phase 10-15 years ago).

Turns out that Callahan doesn't draw so well because he is a partial quadriplegic. As a young man, he was in a car crash and since then has been in a wheelchair with no use of legs and limited use of arms. He is now at least 40. Maybe 50, time skedaddles.

In addition to the disability, Callahan is a recovering alcoholic and a recovering Catholic and divorced. These sources, plus a distaste for the politically correct, define his humor. Crip jokes, crip sex jokes, 12 step program jokes, RC jokes, alchoholic jokes are common. It's fair to say he is into black humor.

One cartoon that I thought was a classic showed a nun (in full habit) walking on a sidewalk. She was wearing dark glasses; ie, she was blind. Leading her was a..........seeing-eye penguin. I think that a cartoon with no dialog that makes me laugh out loud is brilliant.

Yeah, I'm a crip too so I am prone to favor him. I should check out his present work. It's been awhile and I could use some politically incorrect belly laughs.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), May 24, 2000.

Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) inspires me: no matter how bad things get around our office, it's a comfort to know that at least one of "our kind" escaped. (Yes, I know Scott's degree is in business, not engineering, but he UNDERSTANDS cube culture).

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), May 24, 2000.

If we're going to go off into inspiring cartoonists, Gary Larson is DEFINITELY my favorite. I've been receiving his "Far Side" calendars as gifts for years. When he took a year-long break, I thought, "You can't DO THAT to me."

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 24, 2000.

I would have to say Rosa Parks, an ordinary woman who obeyed her conscience and found the courage to refuse tyrants.

-- KoFE (your@town.USA), May 24, 2000.

"cube culture" - LOL I love it.

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), May 24, 2000.

There is a small handful of people by whom Im inspired.

The first person in my life I truly looked upon as heaven sent was reggae legend Bob Marley.

I had dropped out of high school & was working at a gas station circa 1982 or 1983. One of my co-workers, a guy who collected junk televisions & painted scenes on the picture tubes, popped in a cassette tape during a shift, called Rastaman Vibration.

Now I had been a regular pot smoker for several years. It mellowed the angry young man just enough to keep him out of jail. It also provided him lessons in introspection, concentration, altered states of consciousness, & an awareness of different rhythms of life - within & without. But I had never heard Bob Marley or reggae music.

One listen to Rat Race, Rumors of War & my heart exploded. The reggae beat hooked up with my heartbeat  one heart beating as two. Later, as I became familiar with Bobs accent, I understood the lyrics & realized this man sang to me of my life, my feelings deep within. He wrote songs unlike any Id ever heard before. Songs of a warrior, battle-weary but ready to go again:

I Know Many a time I sit and wonder why, this race so very hard to run. Then I say to my soul take courage, battle to be won. Like a ship thats tossed and driven, battered by the angry sea, yeah! Say the tide of time was raging, dont let the fury fall on me no,no, no!

When I say to people Bob Marley saved my life Im not kidding. His words, music & example of strength, courage, compassion, forgiveness, on & on & on, provided me with a reason to carry on through years of despair. To this day I shed tears with every listen. Tears of joy & pain.

Thank you Robert Nesta Marley. Jah! Rastafari!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 24, 2000.

Bingo:

As an entertainer, Tracy Chapman has a similar effect on women. Even though I've never been in an abusive relationship, when I hear the songs in Crossroads, I'm greatly "moved." This is not to say I don't appreciate Bob's works. I certainly DO. They're both great artists in that they convey a message to society through their songs.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 24, 2000.

Formatting!?!?!

I Know from Confrontation

Many a time I sit and wonder why, this race so very hard to run.

Then I say to my soul take courage, battle to be won.

Like a ship thats tossed and driven, battered by the angry sea, yeah!

Say the tide of time was raging, dont let the fury fall on me no,no, no!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 24, 2000.

Whatever moves ya, whatever grooves ya, it's all right by me!

I'm not a casual listener to music but I did hear a song or two by Chapman many years ago & it definitely struck a chord in me. Accoustic guitar, right?

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 24, 2000.

For entertainers, hands down....TINA TURNER...

What a COMPLETE woman. Legz and all!!! She showed Ike how to survive as Gloria Gaynor put it.

Go Tina.

-- consumer (shh@aol.com), May 24, 2000.

Bingo 1,

Ive had the pleasure of attending two summer reggae fests in Jamaica during the 70s. If you can be inspired on mushroom tea then I was definitely an inspired fool for sure. Not many folks are aware of the roots pertaining to the Rastafarian religion. Although started in Africa, it is commonly associated with the black Jamaican culture. There was an Ethiopian King called Haile Selassie in the first part of the last century. You have seen pictures of this guy in his pure white and gold military uniform, full white beard, decked out to the nines with medals galore, and astride a magnificent white Arab stallion. The poor blacks considered him the true God of their race and many of them ended up in Jamaica as cheap labor. King Selassies given name was Ras Tafari. The rest is easy. BTW, Ras had no idea what the fuss was all about and you can learn more by visiting this site.

http://www.rasta-man.co.uk/religion.htm

A big fat ole spliff sure sounds good about now!!

-- Ra (tion@l.1), May 24, 2000.

Who inspires me? Honestly?

First, those who struggle.

For example, my daughter. She did not choose to struggle. She simply endures physical limitations that I do not know how I could endure myself. She can't talk. Can't walk. Can't feed herself. Has frequent seizures. And most of the time she is at the mercy of people who barely understand her and do not often try to. Yet, she has an indomitable spirit, after 14 years of constant struggle. I should call her Mahatma Elena, because she has a Great Soul.

Which brings me to others who struggle. I am deeply inspired by the early labor organizers and strikers, who endured in ways I cannot fathom. They had little education. Were treated as virtual slaves. And taught themselves how to overcome.

I am inspired by the black slaves of the South who ran away from their masters in spite of all the powers arrayed against them. I am inspired by Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner. In later times, I am thoroughly inspired by Rev. Martin Luthur King, Jr.

I am inspired by the Irish, my forebears, who struggled against profound oppressions from the British that few Americans even know about. The outlawing of their language, their churches and their schools. The wrack-rents of absentee landlords. Endless labor, late marriage and starving children. Yet, they have fought back relentlessly for 500 years. And they finally won back 3/4 of their sovereignty, out of sheer determination and cussedness.

I am inspired by Mark Twain for both his humor and his indignance.

I am inspired more than anything else by wild nature. I include both plants and animals (even insects), just for surviving and for somehow creating great beauty as a byproduct of just being themselves. I expect humans to spawn the occasional beauty. That nature does so, unasked, unconsciously, and abundantly just amazes me.

That is not all, but it's a good start.

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), May 25, 2000.

Brian, your posts are something I have often found inspiring..

-- (I like@Brian.lots), May 25, 2000.

Ditto. Brian, if you're not a writer, you should be.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), May 25, 2000.

My choice may seem too obvious, but I would have to say my mother. Always a spirit of strength, humor and sweet, sweet kindness, I can only hope to become even half the gentle soul she was. She has been gone for 5 years, but I still think of her almost daily. If I am able to become even half the person she was, I will be an amazin' woman!

-- Dory (crtwheel@eburg.com), May 25, 2000.

George Hamilton- Famous for doing nothing. No talent, rarely works, and a good tan to boot, sans melanoma. He inspires me to sit around the house and eat corn chips in my underwear under ultraviolet light. Eventually, talent agents will come knocking at my door.

Monica Lewinsky- Narrowly avoided choking to death on a blunt instrument, and has parlayed that into millions, while losing weight at the same time.

Ed Yourdon- Used minimal knowledge coupled with poor information gathering abilities and made a few shekels by piecing together a comprehensive book on Y2K while hedging at the same time. Was pretty much right on the money, except for telecommunications, government, healthcare, supply chain, oil, education, utilities, banking, and other issues. For $19.95, he selflessly supplied us with good fire- starting material in case an actual power outage occurs. I now fully grasp the meaning of the word "shill".

Liberace- Inspired me to not be like Liberace.

AndyEOD2000- By his absence, inspired me not to run away like a scared little girl when I am wrong about things.

Pat Boone, Tony Bennett, Joan Rivers, Old Git- should have run away many years ago. They inspire me to not leave things in the oven too long, as they get dried-up, crinkly, and unsavory, which is OK if you're cooking Ore-Ida Waffle Fries, but for anything else is unacceptable.

Rip Taylor- Anyone with a moustache like that whose career is based around throwing confetti and lasts for over over 20 years has to have some redeeming value, doesn't it?

-- CJS (cjs@noemail.com), May 25, 2000.

Lars, I doubt theres anything wrong with you as you suggest (somewhat tongue in cheek?). It is obvious through your posts that you are a thinking individual who looks at himself critically and has the nerve to write about what he sees to a bunch of cyber-strangers. It is those who cant and wont look within that make me nervous! I hope you take your own advice & seek out Callahans latest work.

KoFE, cant argue with Rosa Parks. She is a symbol for right action combined with courage. And rightly so.

Ra, Im well versed on the roots of the Rastafarian faith. I attended community college after cleaning myself up back in the late 1980s. I took a course in African-American Literature & my end of term paper was on Bob Marley. I did much research on his background & obviously his spiritual base played a key part in his music. I love their name for God - Jah and the use of I and I in place of me, we & them. Also, I like the idea that Selassie had very little clue that he was their Godhead even though he claimed lineage from King David. Dont forget the role Marcus Garvey played in the early movement. My spliffing days are long over, Ra!

Dory, most of my friends growing up came from one parent homes, as did I. Often the single parent wasnt worth much. Therefore I feel just a little envious when someone mentions a parent as being especially inspirational to them. You were blessed! And know shes still with you, love isnt extinguished just because the body is.

CJS, did you have to mention Andy? Hes a bad character Id just soon forget! Thanks for the morning laugh. Please post a few more. If anyone else wishes to add to CJSs list, please feel free to do so.

Brian, thank you for mentioning a few of those who contributed to the ending of slavery in the United States. Those who hold our founding fathers up as god-like need remember slavery is part of their legacy.

Mahatma is a title of which few are worthy. It sounds as though Elena is one of those few. It is obvious to me Elena has been blessed with a father who loves her beyond all manner of quantification. God Bless you both.

It should give each of us pause, when we are set to flame someone, to remember we know little of each others life situations. We all bear crosses of one sort or another, perhaps each only as much as we can handle. Nevertheless, lets try to give each other the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.

It reminds me of the incessant ragging on Cherri by Ray last year to produce an essay as she said she would. Ray vilified Cherri, accosting her day after day with vicious personal attacks. Turns out Cherri was taking care of a family member with cancer & had little time for anything else. When she revealed this information I suggested Ray owed her an apology. This icon of compassion told me it was just an excuse on her part!

Please correct me if Im wrong Cherri. And sorry about dredging up bad memories. The above example stands out in my mind as typical of the blind, cold-hearted way some folks operated last year.

Great responses people. Please keep them coming!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 25, 2000.

Another of those who served to inspire me was Mohandas K. (Mahatma) Gandhi.

I write often about the tool of introspection. I find its use to be invaluable. Gandhi taught me the value of this practice. Anyone who has read his autobiography knows the Mahatma wrote of himself as if he were the embodiment of Capone, Stalin & Hitler all rolled into one! He used introspection as a surgeon excising tumors of impure thoughts, words & actions.

The epitome of humility was the Mahatma. Faced with indignities visited upon him by the British authorities, Gandhi returned ill treatment with compassion. Gandhi spent more than a decade of his life imprisoned by the British in both India & South Africa for the crime of speaking his mind, for imploring the ruling governments to treat all as citizens with equal rights.

The Mahatma wielded tremendous power through the love of the Indian people  Hindu & Moslem, Christian & Jain alike. He preached & practiced ahimsa, non-violence in thought, word & action. He raised an army of millions with but a word. An army he raised, armed with courage & unwavering belief in the Mahatma as a man of integrity. Thousands died for the cause  liberation of India from British rule.

I encourage each of you to rent the movie, Gandhi. It will fill your hearts with love & compassion, and fill your minds with thoughts of right action.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 25, 2000.

Lars graciously said:

>> Brian, if you're not a writer, you should be. <<

I am proud and happy to say that I am a professional writer, specifically a technical writer.

It is the only niche I know of in the writing profession that is consistantly and reliably well-paid. Other writers may strike it rich, but they are far more likely to languish without recognition. By contrast, we tech writers all earn good (though never spectacular) wages.

The main trouble is our subject matter is usually as dull as dust and the deadline pressure is almost as constant as in journalism. So, as a writer, I've got to break out and live a little on the sunny side of the street. That's why I contribute little pieces of writing to various places on the Internet. It's cheap fun and an easy audience.

But I digress from the main topic...

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), May 25, 2000.

Who are you calling easy?

-- flora (***@__._), May 25, 2000.

Inspired by:

Participants in long distance runs always inspire me, as I watch them striding by there is really no bigger rush of inspiration for me. Watching little kids run cross country is a bit like it too.

Michelle Akers, 2 time world cup winner, 2 time olympic gold medalist, fights chronic fatigue syndrome to perform at the top of the women's soccer world.

William Wallace, whenever I watch BraveHeart.

Stephen Donaldson, novelist, someone must be inspiring him to write such good books.

Reggae note - try Lucky Dube from South Africa, his greatest hits 'Serious Reggae Business' is a good starting point...it may inspire you.

Half serious half busting - y2k debunkers inspired me back in '98 and '99. (Still clicking on that bookmark for BFI just in case)

Thanks for listening,

QuietMan

-- QuietMan (quietjohn2k@hotmail.com), May 25, 2000.

Bingo1,

You are correct and don't be sorry about the memories. I am greatful for the time I got to spend with my Mom before she died, although at times it was difficult to see her go through the pain she suffered. I have one especially good memory that I think about whenever I get depressed, I was tired and lay down next to her in her hospital bed. She tucked me in and kissed me good-night like when I was little.

I spent my time doing what was important, Ray never could understand his demands were not. Thank You for understandng.

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), May 25, 2000.

Albert Schweitzer. Jane Goodall. Mother Teresa. The Humane Society. The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS).

The Hunger Site. LINK

-- Chicken Little (panic@isover.now), May 25, 2000.

Also the Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and National Guard personnel who risked their lives to save hundreds of others during the Floyd crisis here last September. Some of these people lost their own lives in the effort to save others.

Let those who question "The Powers That Be" talk all they want; "The Powers That Be" saved the lives of people I know personally, and asked nothing in return.

That inspires me.

And for those who want to talk junk, about the jack-booted thugs, etc.: "your opinion don't mean nuthin' till you've walked a mile in my moccasins".

When you can re-create what Floyd did to us here, and live thru it yourself; then I'll start list'nin. But not one moment before :-)

-- Chicken Little (panic@isover.now), May 25, 2000.

Brian,

Aha, I am not surprised. Maybe you will enjoy this true anecdote. I am a former engineer with GM. Once I was reading a technical paper from Japan. It was written in Japanese and had been translated to English by a Japanese writer. The paper referred many times to an engine's crank shaft. The funny thing to me was that the Japanese translater always spelled the word "crank" as "clank".

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), May 26, 2000.

I guess I'm not going with the flow here but *I AM* inspired by this country's founding fathers.I'm also inspired by random acts of courage and kindness by anyone.Another source of inspiration to me are the people who make something out of nothing ie.inventors,writers,musicians,carpenters/craftsmen and those that have acquired the skill to make a perfect margarita; )

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), May 26, 2000.

I am going to wade in here with the sappiest, yet sincere answer:

My kids public school music teachers.

Last night I was transported into a world of feeling and expression, through pieces created over time - and from differing places, yet expressed through the spirits who will shape our future.

To see them led by someone who has fire & vision themselves, well, it just kind of renewed my faith in the human spirit.

This was the final performance together for many of them, some kids will graduate & venture out into the world now. It was bittersweet...

During stage changes, a couple of Jazz bands had time to stretch out. A drummer played with phenomenal textures and colors...sheesh...to see a bunch of 17 & 18 year olds work with such intensity...look out - no brakes!

-- flora (***@__._), May 26, 2000.

Many years ago (I think in the late 1980's) I read a newspaper article about a 76 year old Philadelphia man who was working in construction, wielding a sledgehammer. If I recall correctly, his name was Clifford Ewbanks and he had been retired from working as a chemist. He had devoted much of his spare time over the years to improving both his mind and his body. His supervisor on the construction job (who always had trouble filling positions) was quoted as saying that no one working for him could maintain the pace of Mr. Ewbanks over several hours. The supervisor also said that he teamed any new hires with Mr. Ewbanks in order to see if they were serious about working.

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), May 26, 2000.

Capnfun:

YOU inspire me. Your stand from the beginning in this new forum regarding censorship was inspirational, as was your orientation to life as expressed on the suicide thread. Simple acts, large meaning.

I am inspired by this nation's founding fathers, patriots and those who carry on the same spirit today. I am inspired by those who live and die for truth, and for what's right, whether it be justice or mercy. I am inspired by acts of courage and principle.

I am inspired by people of confidence, competence and art, and by people of heart. I am inspired by those who plan and succeed at the long cold struggle and those who respond to the short hot fire. Kudos, kudos to all of you who share the threads of heroes.

-- Normally (Oxsys@aol.com), May 27, 2000.

Bingo1,

Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott is my hero...

(snicker)

stalkin' the kitty...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), May 28, 2000.

I actually had to think about that for a minute, Dog.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 28, 2000.

It has taken me so long to answer this, because I could not think of any one or any thing specific that was an "inspiration" to me.

I was trying to think of who has inspired me over the course of my life. I suppose there have been teachers and famous people and relatives and colleagues. But I can't nail down one single thing I've done that was the result of an inspiration by someone else. I know how that must sound to you, because I know how that sounds to me -- completely vain and self-centered.

But it's not. I realized that I am inspired to certain degrees by everyone and everything around me. I can't pinpoint any specifics; there are so many. For example, my SO inspired me (long before he was my SO) to not be afraid to reveal my feelings in print; that I didn't always have to be so "business-like". He's been my inspiration for so many other things as well. My family (and this is going to sound so rude, but here it is) has inspired me to be NOT like them in many ways. I had a teacher in HS who inspired me to ace test after test.

I've had friends who've inspired me to do things better. I've had "famous figures" inspire me to speak my mind and stand by my convictions. I've had complete strangers inspire me to look inward and toss away the burdens I had been carrying for way-too-long.

I've been inspired by the people on this and other fora in too many ways to list.

That's the way it is for me; I'm constantly being inspired by my surroundings on a daily basis. It's how I've grown and how I will continue to grow. It's when I stop paying attention and listening to others and my surroundings that I will be dead and there will truly be no hope for me.

-- Patricia (PatriciaS@lasvegas.com), May 28, 2000.