It’s a simple question. Yet, when asked, most people struggle to answer it in a way that truly reflects what moves them to a deeper level. Too often, we default to the easy or expected answers, “my kids,” “a sunset,” “music.” And while these are all valid, true inspiration, the kind that stirs something deep within us, that pushes us forward, that makes us want to be better—is often much more profound.
For me, my children absolutely inspire me. Like most parents, they are the reason I get up in the morning and the last thought on my mind before I sleep. They remind me daily of the importance of love, patience, and purpose. But beyond them, I find inspiration in something else, something that speaks to the very core of human experience.
I am inspired by resilience.
It’s the stories of people who have been dealt an impossible hand yet refuse to surrender. The ones who face hardship with a fire inside them, who push forward when the world gives them every reason to stop. These people don’t just survive, they thrive, despite everything working against them.
I think about people like Bethany Hamilton, the professional surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack but didn’t let it define her. She didn’t walk away from her passion—she returned to the ocean, adapted her technique, and became one of the most successful female surfers in the world. Her story isn’t just about triumph in sports, it’s about the power of mindset, about refusing to let circumstances dictate what’s possible.
Then there’s Malala Yousafzai, who stood up for the right of girls to receive an education in a place where doing so was life-threatening. She was shot in the head for speaking out, yet instead of retreating in fear, she became even more outspoken. Today, she is a Nobel Prize winner and a global advocate for education. Her courage, her unwavering belief in the power of knowledge, is an inspiration not just to women but to anyone who has ever had to fight for what they believe in.
Or consider Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs. He could have let that define his life, could have accepted a reality of limitation. Instead, he chose to inspire. He became a motivational speaker, author, and advocate for people with disabilities. He has traveled the world, shared his story and proving that joy, purpose, and success are not about physical ability… they are about mindset, resilience, and refusing to let obstacles dictate what’s possible.
I am also inspired by quiet, everyday acts of perseverance—the single mother working two jobs to give her children a better future, the teenager battling depression but getting out of bed each morning to keep fighting, the elderly veteran who continues to share his story so future generations understand the cost of freedom.
True inspiration isn’t always found in the grand gestures or the world-famous figures. It’s in the people who push forward, who don’t let their circumstances define them, who keep moving even when every step is painful.
So, I ask again—what inspires you?
Is it the courage of a survivor? The sound of an orchestra playing a song that reminds you of your childhood. The artist who spends years perfecting their craft, pouring their soul into every brushstroke? The moment a person with nothing still finds it in themselves to be kind to a stranger.
If you don’t know the answer, it’s time to find it. Too often, we get caught up in our own routines, our own problems, and we fail to see the extraordinary happening all around us. The world is filled with hardship, but it is also filled with incredible beauty, strength, and inspiration.
So, I challenge you: Step outside your bubble. Look deeper. Seek out the moments that move you. Let them remind you why life is worth truly living.
Because when you find inspiration, you find joy. And with joy comes love. And with love comes a life of meaning.
TERRY Talks 