Sometimes inspiration occurs in the ordinary moments of an ordinary day and we only realize it’s happened when we reflect at the close of that day or a memory flashes days, weeks and even months later. It’s the signs of our times that has us always waiting for that bright and shiny something – whether it be the latest technology, the grand gestures or the viral bit of news or gossip travelling around the globe at lightning speed – you know the kind of thing or information that if you don’t have or aren’t up-to-date with, you’re seen as coming straight out of the dark ages.
But every now and then a moment, day or week surprises me and I’m delighted to discover that I’ve not become totally immune to those flashes of beauty or inspiration. It’s heart-warming to know I can still find inspiration and joy in a simple lunch with a friend.
Today my partner and I caught up with a friend who is going through a serious health challenge. We started out talking about how he was going to get through this challenge and without meaning to we ended up in fits of laughter as we tried to come up with ways he could reach a fund-raising goal by manipulating his illness to illicit sympathy and therefore donations. Once we jumped on the laughter band wagon, we couldn’t stop and most of the lunch was spent with tears rolling down our cheeks – thankfully not tears of sadness or fear, but the kind that just spills over from excess, deep-belly laughter. This friend sent me an email straight after lunch thanking me for one of the best lunches and most fun he’s had in a long time. And I felt inspired by his ability to appreciate the moment, despite the voice of gloom lurking around in the form of his illness. It was so good to read his parting sentence which said something along the lines of “how can I not want to get better after a lunch like what we just shared”. I am reminded yet again that laughter is indeed the best medicine.
