A sudden good idea or feeling that motivates you to create or do something. It can also mean someone or something that strongly encourages you.
From Latin 'inspiratio' meaning 'a breathing into', from 'inspirare' (to breathe into), from 'in-' (into) + 'spirare' (to breathe). It once carried a religious sense, as if a divine power breathed ideas into a person.
The word literally ties ideas to breathing, as if creativity were air being blown into you. That’s why inspiration often feels like it arrives from ‘outside’ you, even though your brain has been quietly preparing it for a long time.
Women have often been cast as muses providing “inspiration” to male artists and leaders, rather than recognized as creators in their own right. This framing reinforces a gendered split between active (male) genius and passive (female) inspiration.
When using “inspiration,” avoid reducing women to inspirational objects or symbols; instead, recognize them as agents and creators. Attribute inspiration across genders and highlight collaborative creativity.
["motivation","creative spark","influencing example"]
In artistic and scientific histories, emphasize women as sources and producers of inspiration, not just as muses, and credit their original work rather than only their influence on men.
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