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My inspiration comes from the joy I feel when I awaken every morning and realize that I am still alive. It comes from the birds outside my window who awakened much earlier than me and from the morning fog hanging heavily over the fields. It comes from the sun which will surely make an appearance later in the afternoon and from the southern breezes which blow softly through my open window.

My inspiration comes from a cartoon in the newspaper, from the sound of the mailman's cart, from the ringing of the telephone and a long, interesting conversation with my daughter.

It comes from the hello of a neighbor, the smile of a store clerk, and the woman I met at the cleaners who complimented my new haircut. It comes from my grandson's birthday card, my son's good report card and my husband's never ending love and concern.

It comes from the hard working landscaper who keeps my flowers blooming and the dishwasher repair man who takes off his shoes before he comes into my house.

It comes from the love of my family, the nurses and aides at the nursing home where my mother lives, and the meter reader who thanks me profusely for the bottle of water on a hot summer afternoon. It comes from visiting a new place, tasting a new food and buying a new, smaller pair of pants. It comes from memories of a happy childhood and remembering family vacations. It comes from mastering a new card game, winning at Monopoly or solving a crossword puzzle on a lazy Sunday morning.

It comes from wakes and funerals and weddings and baptisms and the joyous celebration of my anniversary.

My inspiration comes from many different directions. It comes when I least expect it to and it never announces its coming. I may be in the middle of ironing a blouse or washing my hair or tying my shoes. I stop and it is there. Inspiration doesn't tap me on the shoulder and say "here I am." Its just there behind me, next to me, in front of me, deep inside of me. It comes softly sometimes but other times it makes me stop in my tracks and tells me to simply accept it.

We are all inspired everyday. We don't need soft music, poetry or an awesome sunset to inspire us. We just need to wake up every morning, be thankful for another day and look around at our world.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Parker.
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