Inspiration Vs. Motivation

Inspiration vs. Motivation
It could be said that nothing happens without inspiration. If that's true, then it stands to reason that the key to motivating ourselves and others lies in finding outwhat inspires us.
Are they the same thing?
In simplest terms and at its root, to inspire is to be the cause of something. The Archaic meaning of inspire is "to breathe life into."
Some have said thatit actually means motivation, implying that they are one in the same. I believe that the two do share some things in common. There are some distinct differences, though, as the former seems bigger andmore lasting.
These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and perhaps rightly so. I would like to make a distinction, though, and not just for argument's sake. Words and their meanings canhave a profound effect on the way we think. The way we think affects the way we act and the way we feel. It's important for us, then, to ensure that we use words as tools that work for us, rather thanagainst us.
On one level, they are the same. On another level, you don't necessarily need to feel inspired to be motivated. Try this out and see what you think. How motivated would you be to get awayif you came face to face with an adult lion? You don't really need to feel inspired to start running, do you? Then again, if we take one of dictionary.com's definitions of "inspire" we get "to fillwith an animating, quickening, or exalting influence." I'd be quite animated and extremely influenced by the presence of a lion!
Inspiration is "bigger" than motivation...
On yet another level,inspiration is actually the source or cause of motivation. While you might not need to feel inspired to run away from a lion, your motivation and your action still need to have a cause.
Withoutinspiration, motivation loses some of its "mojo." I'm sure you've experienced this. Over my lifetime, I've been motivated to do many things, as I'm sure you have as well. When I was about 12 years old or so,...