Inspiration Inflation
Aspire to be inspired. For it’s only when we’re inspired that our true passion bursts forth from within, demands the world take notice, and renders us irresistible to those around us. It is inspiration that compels us to shed our insecurities, unleash our spirit, strut our stuff, and let the lucky elite see the soul behind the shield. Our soul. The eccentric, passionate, and somewhat challenging soul we keep safely guarded from the outside because we secretly fear it will send that hottie we’ve had our eye on running for the hills in search of a less complicated bobble head. The girl who will conform to all of his likes, dislikes, convictions, prejudices, comfort zones, and twilight zones…without question, query, or quick wit. The girl that mirrors himself without complication. No muss. No fuss. The path of least resistance. We are, by nature, a lazy species. Always looking for the quickest means to an end. And when it comes to dating, we’re no different. Unfortunately, a mediocre companionship without passion or complication is like fast food. It’s an easy, convenient way to double the amount of space you take up in your bed. It can be sporadically good ~ but nothing special most of the time. And all the while, it’s slowly and methodically picking away at your heart…leaving you lethargic, lazy, and boring. We go to great lengths to prevent boredom because it’s…well, boring. We don’t want to be bored with our sweetie any more than we want to be bored with ourselves. So, whether we realize it or not, whether we like it or not, when it comes to a relationship, we will all eventually abandon the path of least of resistance and seek out the road less traveled…if only for the occasional change of scenery.
We seek out someone who not only inspires us, but who is inspired by us.
Eventually.
But our first instinct, and quickest means to an end, is to settle. We choose to date a person who is nice, comfortable, and predictable. Because it’s safe. Because we need safe. Feeling safe is a good thing, an instinctual thing. But safe can be monotonous…and anything but inspirational. We settle out of fear. Fear that a better offer may not come along. Fear that being alone would be worse. We fear fear itself. So we convince ourselves
that getting an infinite metal circle around the ring finger is a guaranteed road to happiness.
The ring is just a thing. A symbol of tradition. A declaration to the rest of the world that we did it. We joined the club of togetherness. We’re not losers. We’re no longer desperately flipping rocks wondering what ogre will pop out next, scratch his lumpy rump, and bare his gnarly choppers. But it IS just a ring. Acquisition of the ring shouldn’t be the ultimate goal for love. Because in 10 years, 20 years, 30 years…that ring will just be a piece of metal staring up at you all lackluster like. It won’t love you back. It won’t inspire you to climb a mountain, take up interpretive dance, or pursue a career
in the thing you’re most passionate about regardless of the lack of zeroes on your paycheck. In fact, that huge rock is proof positive that your love, your devotion, had a price tag. And like everything else in the economy, the price goes up. Inflation begs that the ring be improved upon, added to as the years go by. To prove his love, his devotion. So that we can wave it around for the world to see and reassert our twosome status.
A status symbol? The currency for love exchanged?
It seems the going rate for our undying devotion is money, comfort, predictability, and status. But it lacks all the things that keep love alive…inspiration, spontaneity, and the passion to live life to the fullest…without fear and insecurity holding us prisoner to the perpetual dash for cash.
If the ring was the be-all end-all, our society’s divorce rate wouldn’t be so staggeringly high. Don’t settle. Date to evaluate.
Does he…
~ Inspire you to want to be a better person?
~ Inspire you to learn, to try new things, to visit new places?
~ Inspire you to take life by the horns with little regard for social conformity?
~ Inspire you to be you…no holds barred, no judgment passed, no love wavered?
Do you do the same for him?
Affirmatives to these questions are the true goal…the ring will follow.
The cost for our devotion ~ our “I do” ~ has been undervalued with money, comfort, ease, and safety.
But like all costs, inflation is inevitable. So, raise the cost.
Inspire…and be inspired.
Leave a Reply
