My academic adviser is out of town today, so can someone read over my Yale supplement essay and give any last minute advice for edits? The prompt is to write about anything. Even tell me if you think it’s a bad topic. Thanks!
Inspiration (n) –
- The drawing in of breath; inhalation.
- The process of being mentally stimulated to act, especially creatively.
Inspiration. Most people know what inspiration means and feels like. But where does inspiration come from? I believe that the two definitions above are intimately connected, that the exciting of our minds occurs when we draw into ourselves an external energy that is as vital to life as the breaths we take.
One chilly November day when I walked into band, my director had the word “Inspiration” written on the board. When class started, he told us that music, like life, is nothing without emotion, and that we all had something that inspired us in our pursuits. He encouraged us to reflect on what we were inspired by, and to draw from that source to better understand ourselves as both musicians and people.
In the weeks following this discussion, I thought about what has inspired me. I have been repeatedly asked by my peers why I devote most of my free time to activities or choose rigorous courses. I tell them the honest answer: I just want to.
“But why?” they ask. “What makes you want to push your limits? We’re only in high school; don’t you want to enjoy it?”
One evening, a few weeks later, I was playing drum set in a concert for Harmony Bridge, a program that brings music to the elderly in nursing homes. Between songs, I looked out into the crowd and saw faces filled with pain and confusion. When the music started again, however, their countenances would brighten; some even began to cry. They fervor with which they thanked us emotionally overwhelmed me as I thought about how much a simple act brightened these people’s otherwise dismal lives.
Later that week, my Squadron Commander at Civil Air Patrol made an announcement. A cadet had recently been selected to attend Civic Leadership Academy, a highly selective tour of government offices and museums in Washington, D.C. That cadet was me, and among the congratulations offered, one stood out. Someone who had joined about 8 months prior came to me and said: “Sir, this week I was considering quitting CAP. I thought that there was nothing here for me, but your leadership and pursuit of excellence have inspired me to stay and pursue my goals.”
As I drove home that night, I again felt a sense of self-actualization, that I had made a difference. It was at that moment that I realized what inspires me. Knowing that my actions can inspire others has inspired me to be who I am. I want to live a life where I can help others be the best they can and inspire them to achieve greatness. I want to learn because learning excites my mind and empowers me to contribute more to society. I am inspired by my potential to make a difference in the world. What inspires you?