New Slang Vol. 2 Issue no. 6

Guiding Lights and Helping Hands: Inspiration

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

– John Quincy Adams

For many of us, the fire in our bellies is lit by an external source. The goals we set, the paths we choose and the dreams we build are of our own making, true, but often they get a little outside help. Sometimes it’s the tiny spark of an idea whispered in our ear, other times a grand epiphany underscored by a commensurately awesome gesture from a personal hero. And, of course, there’s every other permutation in between: the role models, the legendary stories, the muses. These are the beacons that encourage and teach us.

Welcome to Guiding Lights and Helping Hands, New Slang’s call for the stories, images, music and randomness that have breathed life into our dreams.

Throughout our lives, we’ve had moments of inspiration come from countless sources. The most mundane objects and experiences line right up with the most remarkable individuals we’ve ever met, each one making its own mark on us. We draw strength and purpose from these inspirations, and as we shape our lives accordingly, we pay it all forward, giving others reason to aspire and achieve as well.

Tell us about what makes you dream the way you do. Describe the people you have called your mentors, or perhaps those who have called you mentor in turn. Recount the songs that have touched and driven you in ways that nothing else in the world has. Show us what you’ve seen, and how your vision has helped others see further and farther than ever before.

New Slang has four outlets for you: Essays (1,200 words), Show and Tell (images with captions), Playlists (up to 9 songs with supporting text/images) and our brand-new Reviews (900 words about published, produced or otherwise commercially generated material, with images and captions).

Drop us a line through newslangteam [at] gmail [dot] com!