There is an interesting relationship between the words inspired and instinct. Both conditions both, often lead to action. However, we can act against our instincts and we can ignore our inspirations. The definition of inspiration is: the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. The definition of instinct is as follows: an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.
An instinct is an innate, internal drive to act in a species and societal manner. Birds build nests, fish return from the sea and squirrels collect and store food for the winter. A black bear will instinctively consume it's last pre-hibernation meal of moss. This allows for a non fermentation sleep. Something, long imbedded in bears, leads the bear to cease pursuing berries, and to be drawn to the aroma of moss and leaves. Human's with their self proclaimed free choice, have probably molded new instincts, but most of our instincts remain from when we were hunter gatherer's. We are drawn to the odor of a ripe peach or strawberry, yet have no innate draw to fish or other animals. We have to use fire, salt and herbs to make animals attractive to our instinctual identification of foods. Most have instincts to pursue a relationship with an opposite member of our species. Instincts to build a nest and raise a family. Women have a much longer instinctual parenting instinct, or at least this has been my experience.
Inspirations are conscious internal thoughts and impulses. As they exist in our conscious and mental processes, they are less instinctual drives, and more the free choice processes of the human species. Not all inspirations are good. Caesar, Napoleon and Hitler were inspired to try to control the world. Yet a block of stone inspired the statues of the thinker and David. The smile of the Mona Lisa, was an inspiration. Most inspirations are of a much lessor scale than world conquest or fine art. Yet, the process of living well, living a good life, pretty much demands that we attend to, and consider our many inspirations. One or more, may take on a significant role in how we choose to walk our life's journey. When destination is achieved, or proves to be too elusive, we humans can seek our new paths, follow different inspirations, or pause for reflection, meditation and prayer.
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