Aspire

Several words derive from the Latin word spirare, meaning "to breathe." One of these words is "aspire," whose primary meaning is "to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal."
(Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary) Synonyms are "ascend" and "soar."

The dictionary provides a sample usuage -- aspired to a career in medicine.

I seldom hear this word used. How about you? It's not a difficult word to understand. Hospitals have aspirators. Linguists and vocalists are aware of aspirations. Lungs need to be aspirated and such aspirations can be good or bad. However, to "aspire" is something else.

There is something transcendent, perhaps sacred, about the act of aspiring. To aspire is to desire to go beyond the ordinary. The norm is not good enough. What is acceptable for the masses causes the aspirant to fidget and want more. Those who aspire draw energy from the challenge to do something special. The regular is too routine. The exception(al) is the lure.

Spiritually, I believe God breathes upon and into us the desire to aspire. There will be clear deterrents to those who wish to aspire. Why? Because there is a morose seduction from those who desire to not rock the boat. To aspire will inevitably disturb the status quo who prefer predictability and patterns over territory not yet traversed. To aspire is to threaten. Yet, if one believes in the premise that those who aspire are breathing in the Spirit of God then one should discard anxiety produced by naysayers and shoot for the stars. To do otherwise would be to opt for complacency, rather then heeding the call from God to seek and soar. The goal is not comfort, but discernment of direction. Aspire.

Do What It Takes

Admit it. Every one of us has a dream. That dream is not extracurricular, but essential to who we are. Each one of us has a story as to how the dream became a part of who we are. Cherish that conception. Consider it a gift from God. A gift not to be wasted, but cultivated and deserving of the utmost dedication. Do not let a negative world suppress your joy at striving to achieve your dream. You're worth it and so is the dream.

The next few posts will briefly explore words derivative of the Latin word spirare, meaning, literally, "to breathe." Please consider checking in daily this week to reflect on how God is breathing upon you the gift of dreams, the gift of purpose, indeed, the gift of life. Deep, cleansing breaths!