The Power of Inspiruption
When was the last time you heard or read something that shot a powerful bolt of inspiration through you? Maybe there was a quick turn of your head to listen closer, or a rapid eye-race back a few paragraphs to assure what you read still rests on the page. For me, the disruption to my train of thought is so sudden, the only words to bounce the walls of my mind are, “Wait. What was that?”
My arms tingle, my mouth goes a bit dry, and I scramble to grab a pen and capture what I mentally took in. In that instant, I feel a heart-to-heart connection to the words, the person sharing them, and the intention for which they are offered. Then, after silent recalibration, everything I thought about a certain subject shifts.
I call this experience an inspiruption. I am inspired to such a degree that my whole sense of what previously made sense is now disrupted.
No doubt I experienced these kinds of sharp-turn realizations earlier in life. Teachers, authors, friends, bosses, even conversations overheard in strange places, pinged me to reconsider things.
Yet never with such intensity than the inspiruptions that led me to gather up the courage to put down my (hopefully) last glass of wine and pick up my first healthy and full fork.
Once in the arms of recovery, I heard the words that to this day can send a shiver through me. Someone looked me straight in the eye and said, “Yeah, me too.”
That small sentence is, perhaps, the single most important recovery blanket of hope and comfort for anyone in recovery. When the sentiment is wrapped around someone filled with fear and doubt and shame, what happens next is an inspiruption of profound measure. The body language cannot be mistaken. Facial muscles relax, shoulders drop, and fists unclinch. I’ve seen this happen right before my eyes and, for me, is nothing short of a miracle in motion.
Many moments of inspiruption have occurred since the day that reaction was mine. These days I surround myself with people and pages that wake me up, pull my breath, or push a tear beyond the walls of my pride; all indicators that more light must shine on a subject subconsciously left dim.
If I chose to disregard these moments of inspiruption, the opportunity for change might be lost. I’ve come way too far and gone through way too much to start denying what is undeniable.
This is why I strive to keep my ears and eyes on guard in preparation for the next moment of inspiruption. Practical experience proves that when they arrive, what I do next is sure to powerfully change me for the better.
A Moment to Breathe
What came to mind when you considered my initial question? Did something happen as a result of that moment of inspiration? Were you overcome with excitement or startled by fear? If the latter, my suggestion is that when—not if—this happens again, take a deep breath and allow yourself to peak around the corner. What awaits might be a solution for something you never thought possible. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences as a result of inspiruption here or as you share this post via your favorite social media site.
Alison's Insights 
Inspiruption is a common occurrence for me now that I’m sober. Before, I simply brushed off the moments as something cool, but as nothing I *really* wanted to follow. Now, I’m listening to the moments a bit more intently. Thanks, as always, for your super writing and compelling thoughts!!
Thank you, Dan. Yes, I agree. Those of us in long-term recovery really do pay attention to the wake up calls. I believe this is because we learned why. I truly appreciate you as a loyal reader and strong connection to the power of the written word.
Oh Al, one of your best. “Inspiruption” should be in Webster’s! You know sometimes when I share my ispiruptions with normies, they think I’m crazy and reading too much into whatever it was. Thank goodness for all of us who speak the same language.
Thanks Claud! Wow, wouldn’t that addition to Webster’s be something! Like you, I’ve seen those looks of confusion from others who don’t understand what’s possible when an inspiruption taps their shoulder.