Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 8, 2025
WHO INSPIRES YOU & WHO DO YOU INSPIRE?
My Sunday question: Who Inspired you at the different stages of your life: youth – emerging adulthood – mid-life – senior or elder years? In what ways did Inspiration change your achievements or help you to face and over-come challenges.
What or who is an Inspiration to you? Art, a painting, museum, street artist, a PBS documentary? Music, songs of youth, days of Woodstock, from a play or concert of long ago or recent? Mentor, a teacher, a guide, someone you worked with, learned from? Speaker, a conference, a worship service, a funeral, you attended, what was said that shaped your life?
In what ways have you said or expressed how important this person or event, or place has been in your life, whether long ago or current time? If you have not done so, will you do so now? Has someone told you how significant you have been in their life?
In The Oaks, was a retreat center in Black Mountain, N. Carolina. Jim, forever my Mentor, would schedule 20 campus ministers for 4 days together in January of each year. Our days at The Oaks were a combination of a little planning, fall debriefing, faith and friendship strengthening…and many a fireplace and game of volleyball.
I was Inspired at Family Support Services as women spoke at civic clubs and churches of domestic violence within their family, often generational. Each shared painful life experiences and life lessons learned on their path to safe living for themselves and their children.
Grief and loss is a powerful part of each of our lives, whether first experienced when young or in older life. I continue to be Inspired as youth, individuals, families, and grandparents at Hope & Healing Place told their stories, of loss and missing, and how each gained strength from each other as a family and life events continued.
Inspiration can motivate the creative spirit within each of us. An Inspiring person, event, or experience can sustain our belief in the goodness of life and the persons and family in our circle or village. The arts and the sound of music can represent these Inspiring persons, places, and events.
So, share your Inspiration and may your Inspiration Inspire others both today and for the decades to come. We never know when the magic of the creative spirit will be received, applauded, encouraged, and sustained. On this Sunday, may the creative spirit of Inspiration be with you all.
Roy, thankfulness for all who Inspired me early on and even now
Mrs. Ross was my fourth grade teacher who was funny and smart. She saw something in me and cast me in a play, forever cementing in my mind that I could use my voice! She was a gem from public school in Midland, Texas, and I am still grateful that I knew her.
…and still living off that early blessing and youthful encouragement. Not only your voice but also your strong spirit and values. So, thank you Mrs. Ross for gifting Sandra and now she gifts all of us.
Most of my inspiration came from the teaching field. Mrs. Whitehead a music teacher at my high school made me believe enough in my singing talent that I could make a career in opera. She taught me after school for virtually pennies and encouraged me to keep trying even when my dream was thrashed . My voice teacher in college, Mr. Wright, showed me there were many ways to use my talent even if it wasn’t exactly what I envisioned. Any individual that makes you believe in yourself is an inspiration. Thank you Roy for reminding me of these wonderful mentors.
Our teachers become our encouragers and supporters.
The message would be we don’t do so alone.
We are connected with others and that is good for us all.
The Mrs. Whitehead and Mr. Wright’s of our history made us who we are today.
RB
You inspire me Roy. The people who comment on this weekly letter inspire me. Good people who remain engaged, tell their stories, and call for the best from their fellow humans inspire me. Withdrawal, apathy, and nihilism seem a natural effortless outcome to the struggles we face. Those who feel like giving up prompt sympathy in me. I understand how hard life can be. But those who steadfastly refuse to give up, they inspire me.
Lifting and holding each other up is part of who we are together.
I enjoy and appreciate sharing the table with you as congregation leader, father, pilgrim, and more.
We have more to be together…..I am ready as family and calendar encourage us to do and be. RB
As I read this letter on inspiration, I can say that in all the areas of art, music, speakers and mentors many came to mind! It is hard to find one but I think that the one that set me on the path of being me was my pre-k teacher. Sadly, I do not remember her name. What she did for me was hold me on her lap. She made me feel safe until I did not need her lap anymore. That inspired me to know that I could do just about anything and that like Mr. Roger’s said,”Look for the encouragers They are always there!” That has been true my whole life. I think that I too have become an encourager and that makes life amazing !
Great letter, thank you
Beth, you are in all ways an encourager. I am the better for you being so with me over decades and now as Senior Editor of the Sunday Letter. There is no me without you.
Yesterday I participated in celebrating a 90 yr old’s birthday. One inspired person after another gave a tribute to her. Climate change activities were prominent. My own contribution. Since she procedes the pope in ahe by 20+ years i suggested she onfluencr th pope. Happy thought, for sure!!!
A thoughtful and fun add on story.
Celebrations are harder to stumbled over the days so good for you and your peers…..RB
In high school, Coach Morris was the inspiration in the development of exceptional track athletes. There were no requirements to join the team other than that of having a desire to do your best. We loved and cherished him as he molded us into a winning team.
He also molded you dear friend into a winning person and spiritual friend. We all have had wonderous coaches and motivators.
You be good people and honored to in a chair next to you……..RB
My mother’s strength inspires me. At 101 years young with God’s mercies, she awakes every morning and counts her blessings for family and great friends, inspire of aches and pains she always strives to be of service to others with phone calls of thinking of you, offering to help with their tasks, such as gardening, folding clothes or riding shotgun on day trip errands. I hope to be an inspiration to others as she is for me.
Billie, comforting words from a true friend and peer.
Yes. Elizabeth is up energy and motivated to be helper to all.
I am glad you notice the smal touches of a life well lived.
And there is more for us to be and do together….and we will. RB
Many, many. But here is one I carry forever from my Dad: “Don’t judge other peoples’ priorities. X/O
And, if you will do so, take a pause, take a breath, before doing so,
And, then consider if doing so was worth the risk of friendship…..