My cardinal source of inspiration

Walking through a snowstorm is surreal. A violent torrent in a silent medium. No thunder booming, no heavy drops pattering; even the normal sounds of the world are muted. White blankets the air, ground, and the 

Today's isn't a dense storm---middling flake size and volume---but it's all blowing sideways. I should've worn a scarf and glasses. A part of me enjoys the low-stakes test of endurance. My face could go numb; I might have to turn around. But I continue forward.

Lost in consideration of freezing nose hairs, I barely notice the flash of a lone cardinal crossing the street. The red bird streaks past, pushing against the wind as though mounting a frontal attack on the storm. Part of me envies the bird, as I envy all flying birds for their natural ability and grace. I wonder what has brought it out in this weather. Mostly, I admire its tenacity in defying the blizzard in both velocity and hue.

I grab my phone to take a picture, but the bird has already obscured itself in the branches of a spruce tree. It's visible to me, but not to the camera. When I try to get close enough for a good picture, I can no longer see my subject. I frown at my inability to share this moment with others. 

And yet, here I write. 

Let this be a reminder to me. Taking a picture is a convenient way to capture a moment; by no means is it the only way. Writing it down takes more time and effort, but it's worth it. 

Inspiration is like that cardinal. It takes you by surprise. You're compelled to a heightened state for reasons you can't quite explain. And though the experience itself is confined to your own perception, you can capture the impression it leaves on you. Sharing and comparing those ideas gives us all a greater sense of connectedness. 

In this case "others" also includes your future self. If you don't capture the moments of reverence in your life, they're bound to fade. 

It's one reason I think we like holidays and traditions so much. They give us shared checkpoints. We can use them to check our progress, start or end phases, and generally reflect on our lives' trajectories. Bringing the past, present, and future together in our minds can give a sense of continuity. 

So be sure to take note of inspiring moments. Keep them in your memory by keeping them in a tangible form. And if it suits you, spread them around. Maybe someone else could use the inspiration.