Inspired!

Last night I had the opportunity to see one of my very best friends accept an award for Excellence in Education for what she's done as a middle school social studies teacher.  During her acceptance speech, she captivated the audience with an allegory of the teaching profession.  Heading into last night, I knew that whatever she was going to say during her acceptance speech would be awesome.  See, my friend is incredibly intelligent. She's witty. She's a fantastic writer. She takes pride in her job.  She loves history.  She thrives in the spotlight. And, she's good; she's very, very good.

As it turned out, it was not one of those well-written speeches delivered by a person who's an amazing speaker, which she is, but has no substance.  And yes, she had a very receptive audience; it was filled with a mix of education professionals who love what they do and people who love their educational professionals and were there to support them.  However, I think you would've had to have been made of stone to not feel inspired during her speech - it was packed with substance.

It's not that I felt as if I wanted to run right back into the teaching profession, even though as a former educator, I felt myself connecting to those amazing moments when you really get things right.  It was the passion she spoke with about the awesome responsibility she has and how much she loves what she has the opportunity to do each day.  Her message was yet another reminder to me that no matter what you're doing, you need to do it with fervor, and no matter how big or small someone else might deem the task, what's really important is what it means to you.  Yes, there will be ups and downs - after teaching together for four and a half years and a friendship that has spanned almost ten - I know she's had her share, yet her passion for what she does helps her roll with the punches when times are tough. 

I left the award ceremony last night feeling inspired, and it's a feeling that lingered as I woke up this morning.  I realized that I have people in my life who are passionate about what they do; it's just that with everything that goes on in our lives, sometimes it's hard to see.  

Like every other emotion, inspiration is contagious.  I have been "afflicted" by this feeling of excitement and hope, and I feel good about what I get to do today.  I am excited for the what the future holds and the opportunities that will come with it.

I have been inspired.