Aryn Henning Nichols

In 1984, as parachute pants landed in clothing outlets and floppy discs took the then nascent computer world by storm, the late, great Harvard biologist Dr. Edward Wilson popularized a term that recalibrated our relationship with the natural world: biophilia. Humans have an innate desire to connect to and interact with nature, Wilson surmised in his book “The Biophilia Hypothesis.” Everyone, he asserted, has “biophilia” embedded deep within their DNA. Simply put, we are hardwired to love nature.

Growing up in rural Alabama, young Wilson had ample opportunities to collect bugs and chase frogs. Deeply influenced by the biological richness of Alabama’s wild places, Wilson would go on to become one of the world’s great theoretical ecologists. His work examining the extinction of species ultimately led him to assume the mantel of ardent conservationist, inspired by nature and concerned for its future.

Perhaps it was biophilia that, in 1872, inspired President Ulysses S. Grant to establish Yellowstone as the world’s first National Park, setting the stage for a conservation movement that would lead to protection of America’s most iconic landscapes. By the early 1900s, America’s national park system was not only rousing legions of citizens to connect with wildlands, it also served as a model for the protection of nature globally. One hundred years hence, in 2008, the citizens of Ecuador voted overwhelmingly to create a new constitution that explicitly recognizes the inalienable right of nature “to exist, persist, and be respected.” Biophilia writ large?

Closer to home, “tiny” backyard experiences that play to our biophilia can also inspire. Who isn’t moved by the radiant symmetry of a sunflower, yellow-orange petals blazing against an azure sky? Likewise, a sprouting seed inspires the promise of possibility. It boggles the mind to realize a 200-year-old white oak originated from a quarter-sized acorn. Surely it is biophilia that sparks our desire to both connect to and steward nature. A mother robin feeding a nest full of bright eyed young above the front door can inspire pride. Many a neighbor has been heard proudly stating, “our robins just had babies.”

Nature is a potent tonic. It not only inspires, it’s also good for our health. Numerous studies have demonstrated exposure to nature, whether picnicking in a city park or backpacking in a mountain wilderness, can relieve stress, elevate mood, and boost the immune system.  Research published in Scientific Reports in 2022 demonstrated a relationship between birds seen or heard and an improvement in mental well-being. 

Worried about that job interview? A meditative stroll through the woods can center you. Seeking inspiration for your next artistic endeavor? Butterflies dancing across a sunny meadow will hit the spot. Feeling blue about the state of affairs? A dawn chorus from our feathered friends is just what the doctor ordered.  

Let your biophilia intuitively guide you to nature and unlock the awe and inspiration that resides within. After all, according to Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gary Snyder, “nature is not a place to visit, it is home.” 

Craig & Mary Thompson

Mary and Craig are avowed biophiliacs. They’ve launched a “local biota rescue” and can be found ferrying spiders, beetles, and moths out of the house and back into the surrounding woods using old sauerkraut jars.

Ordinary life may not feel inspiring all the time. In fact, many people think inspiration needs to jolt us out of nowhere, like a strike of lightning. But it’s often more of a spark. Sometimes we’re lucky, and that spark finds us. But usually, we’ve got to go looking for it.

When life feels boring or even downright excruciating, looking for sparks of inspiration can help shift our mindsets to a place where anything feels possible.

Finding Your Spark 

Think back to the last time you felt truly inspired. At first, it might seem random. But if you dig a little deeper there were likely some factors that created a spark. 

A spark is anything that sets you up to become inspired. It’s often paired with feelings of joy, gratitude, hope, or excitement. 

Sparks can be both internal and external. External sparks are simple: the sight of a sunrise, the sound of rustling leaves, or the feel of a warm embrace. An internal spark can include positive or encouraging thoughts and feelings. And inspiration usually flows in that sweet spot between calm and excitement. 

A spark is all it takes to light up your life. It can be as simple as a daily gratitude practice or noting your contentment, like when you savor a delicious meal, check in with a loved one, or enjoy a beautiful view.

Remember: Small things can lead to big inspiration.

Creating an Environment of Inspiration

Before everything, we must first be open to the idea of being inspired. What you believe is generally mirrored back to you. If you go around assuming you’ll be disappointed by the world, you will very likely be disappointed with the world. But if you consider that you might be inspired by the world, it’s very possible you will be inspired!  

One of the simplest ways to find inspiration is by engaging with the environment and community around you. For more extroverted types, that might mean joining a group based on shared interests or attending a community event. If that group or event doesn’t exist (and you’re feeling especially energetic), use your inspiration to create it! For more introverted types, inspiration might look like connecting with nature, watching the birds, or reading something inspiring (oh look, you’re doing that already).   

We will have more success at finding sparks of inspiration when we reduce distractions. When we are distracted, we miss opportunities to experience beauty or goodness. Imagine you’re out walking but instead of noticing a smile from a kind stranger or the beauty of a sunset, you’re distracted by your phone. We can get so caught up in routine and habit that we miss the people and places that could inspire us.

Once you tune into this act of seeking sparks of inspiration, make it a practice to be mindful of those opportunities. It’s never too late to look up and notice what is happening around you. The more attuned we are to our environment, the more likely we are to become inspired.

You are Inspired

Think about everything you have overcome and achieved in the past to get to this very moment, right now. It’s easy to assume some things happened by chance. Maybe you were given an opportunity that changed the course of your life or met your life partner in line for coffee. But consider for a moment that it wasn’t chance that led you to change, it was inspiration. 

In a 2003 American Psychological Association publication, psychologists Todd M. Thrash and Andrew J. Elliott proposed that inspiration requires three parts: evocation, motivation, and transcendence.

It is not enough to evoke the feeling of inspiration; we also need to be motivated to act on that inspiration, otherwise we just let the moment pass us by. This might be the only situation in which acting on impulse can be beneficial. That is because inspiration is often caused by something beautiful or good. And when that force combines with your natural talents or purpose, the possibility for greater goodness is exponential. 

Inspiration allows you to transcend beyond what you previously thought were your limits. You are very clearly in the driver’s seat. The most inspirational moments of your life did not happen due to chance. It was a combination of your unique insights, abilities, and decisions that got you where you are today. 

Now, think about that present version of yourself. What or who currently inspires you? How can you use that inspiration to transcend further at the next opportunity that comes your way? Allow that vision of your future self to inspire you.

Act Inspired 

Here is a fun idea: Act as if you’re already inspired. Behave as if inspiration is moving through you. What would you do? Where would you go? Who would you become? 

And when inspiration strikes (or should we say, sparks) – act on it! It doesn’t need to be a life-changing act. Sketch out a scene you can’t get out of your head. Write down a line of poetry that comes to you – then write down a few more lines. Sing or hum a tune bouncing around your head. Get up and dance when the beat is calling you to move. Go for a walk on a starry night. Call a friend. Whatever it is, let that feeling of inspiration move you to act. One step at a time, goodness will flow from your action.

Staying Inspired 

It’s unlikely that every day will feel inspiring. There may also be times when we simply do not like the person we see in the mirror. That is when it is most crucial that we take time to honor our progress, however small. A therapist can also help if a mental health condition is preventing you from feeling inspired, so that the next time you look in the mirror, you might see the spark of your potential. 

Olivia Lynn Schnur

Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Master. She writes about healing, health, and happiness in hopes of educating, inspiring, and uplifting readers. To learn more about Olivia, or to book a yoga session, visit oliviaschnur.com.  

It’s Inspire(d) Magazine’s 16th birthday! Celebrate with us by making your very own Inspire(d) birthday hat + paper pom poms! You can use an old magazine, or any other card stock / paper you’ve got on hand. Thanks for being Inspire(d)…for 16 whole years!

Gather your supplies:

• Old magazines with thick covers OR cardstock
• String
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Paper puncher
• Tape
• One extra large rubber band, or two large rubber bands (not pictured)
• Birthday hat template (click the link to download & print)

Print the template and cut out the flat hat shape and the circles.

Make sure to cut the slit mark in the template (and you will do it again on the hat you cut out).

These circles will be the templates for the pom poms!

Position the template how you want the hat to be (I wanted my gnome to be upright, thus positioned the template so he would be that way in the final product). If you’re using a patterned paper, or just plain card stock, this won’t matter.

Cut out the hat shape, using the template.

Make sure to cut into these slits so there are tabs that hold one side of the hat into the other.

Slightly fold the hat with the template still over it, and cut the slit that will hold the section with the tabs.

The cut out hat will look like this at this point (with whatever cover or card stock you chose).

Fold it around so that tabbed section goes into the slit from the top. I found it easier to insert the top part first, then sort of fold the bottom tab in and stick it through the slit, and then make sure the tabs are holding once they’re opened back up.

Like so!

Once the tabs are secured, I stapled the bottom part just to make sure it holds well.

Take the circles and trace them over a colorful interior page of the magazine (or a collection of scrap paper).

Cut out eight pages around the circles, then cut the circles out (so there’s a stack of eight pages in that left photo).

Using a paper punch to punch a hole in the middle of the groups of circles.

Cut a fringe around each stack of circles.

They will look like this when you’re done.

Arrange the circles like this: four small, four medium, eight large, four medium, four small.

Cut a long piece of string – you want it long so it will stick out and be easy to pull through the hat. I put a little tape on the end of the string so it would be easier to thread through the paper punch holes.

Thread the string through the holes in order of their arrangement (so it will be a ball shape once it’s on the string).

It will look like this! (These would also be cute in a line down a piece of string if you wanted to make paper pom pom garlands.)

Tie a knot on one side of the circles and start fluffing them up.

You can turn the circles around individually as well, so they fluff in different directions.

Tie a knot on the opposite side of the pom pom, and fluff up some more!

Time to attach the pom pom to the hat! Thread the string into the top opening of the hat. I ended up putting a small piece of tape at the top so the string wouldn’t slide down the slit.

Pull the string through the hat so the pom pom is positioned at the top, how you like it, and then pull the string taut and tape it to the inside of the hat. You can trim excess string off.

Almost there! It’s looking like a hat now! Time to attach the rubber bands so you, in turn, can attach the hat to your head.

If you can find extra large rubber bands, you might get away with using just one. I could not, and had to use two. Cut each rubber band once, and tie them together.

Staple the rubber band ends so that the hat will be positioned how you like it when you put it on your head. One end across from the other.

Ta da! An Inspire(d) birthday hat + paper pom poms! If you make one, make sure to tag us on social media @iloveinspired. Thanks for being Inspire(d) for 16 years!!!!

(wait, this isn’t how you do selfies!!!) xoxo- Aryn