Aspire to Inspire

Aspire to Inspire 

Wanda Paul  

Inspiring others is inspiration within itself.  Let's think about that for a moment. Have you ever given thought to the idea that you may be an inspiration to someone around you? Think about your life. What does a typical day encompass for you? Is it an endless barrage of things from the moment you open your eyes, making it almost impossible to think about anything other than what's before you?  It's easy to get bogged down with the endless everyday hustle of life but even in those moments there's still an opportunity to inspire. It's just a matter of how you approach your day and whether or not you look for those moments of inspiration. Do you? If not, you should. 

Why? You may ask.  Instead of answering that question let me give you something to think about and maybe the question will answer itself. Bryant Gumbel has a sports show on HBO called Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.  Although he interviews some of the most talented and well known sports figures around the world there was one story I saw that stood out beyond the rest. It was about a girl, she wasn't famous or well known but her story left me feeling inspired. 

Her name was Caroline Found and she was a high school student who played volleyball for West High School in Iowa. Caroline or Line as she preferred to be called was the captain and setter of the team. As I watched the interview I could see the lasting affect she had on those around her. Caroline wouldn't live to tell her story but her gift of inspiration is displayed throughout the segment and can be heard by her team, her coach and even her father.  

One evening while out riding her moped, Caroline hit a tree and died on impact, but her story doesn't end there.  The interviewer goes on to share with the viewers Caroline's outgoing personality and how much of a prankster she was. He talked about her spirit and how she was always willing to put others before herself even in the midst of her own tragedy, her mother was dying of pancreatic cancer.  

After Caroline's death her volleyball team carried with them her playful spirit, her dedication to the team and her selflessness of putting others first.  It was the fuel that inspired them and their motto was Live Like Line. It became a movement and everyone in the community embraced it. It was amazing to see how one person could infect so much love, hope and inspiration. It was a true testament of the human spirit and the ability of it to inspire.   

Caroline's story compelled me to think about my own life and how I could use everyday to be an inspiration to someone else.  So I challenge you to approach everyday as an opportunity for inspiration and go out and Live Like Line.