Inspired vs. In Spirit: Finding Your Authentic Spark

Have you ever stood in awe of a breathtaking sunset, felt chills from a perfectly timed piece of music, or watched a story that stirred something deep in your chest? That sudden rush—that feeling like you could take on the world—that’s inspiration. It hits fast, and it hits hard. It’s the external jolt that wakes you up, shakes your soul, and says, “Let’s go.”

But then there are other moments. Quieter ones. Moments where the world fades into the background, and you’re not chasing something—you’re being something. You’re not performing, striving, or proving. You’re just aligned. Present. Flowing. That’s being in spirit. And while these two states—being inspired and being in spirit—might sound similar, they’re profoundly different. More importantly, they’re both essential if you want to lead a life that feels lit up and fully yours.

Inspiration is the spark that comes from outside. Maybe it’s a story about someone who rose from rock bottom. Maybe it’s a friend who speaks life into you. Or maybe it’s just a line from a podcast that hits at the exact right moment. Whatever the source, it pulls you out of your routine and lifts your energy.

For me, inspiration came unexpectedly on a slow afternoon. I was scrolling through YouTube, not really looking for anything when I stumbled on a video about a man who lost everything, then rebuilt a better life with nothing but determination and heart. No flashy edits. No big speeches. Just truth. His grit lit a fire in me. I grabbed my notebook and spent the next two hours planning my next project like my life depended on it. That’s what inspiration does. It doesn’t whisper. It roars.

“Inspiration is the world whispering, ‘You’re made for more.’”

But here’s the thing: as powerful as inspiration is, it’s also fragile. It flares up like a match—bright, hot, and intense—but if you don’t fuel it, it fades. That’s why being in spirit matters just as much, if not more. Being in spirit is internal. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. It’s steady. It’s what happens when you’re rooted in your values, clear on your purpose, and deeply in sync with yourself.

When I write, I feel this. Not every day—some days it’s a struggle—but then there are days when the words just come. I lose track of time. I’m not thinking about results or reactions. I’m just creating from a place that feels true. That’s being in spirit. It’s not a high—it’s a home. You’ve probably felt this too. Maybe on a long run where your breath syncs with your stride and thoughts come into focus. Or while cooking a meal and losing yourself in the movement, the smells, the rhythm. You’re not trying. You’re flowing. You’re not reacting. You’re expressing.

“Being in spirit isn’t about doing more. It’s about being fully you.”

The truth is, you need both. Inspiration is the ignition. Spirit is the fuel. One lifts you. The other sustains you. The real transformation happens when the two meet.

Let me give you a personal example of what this looks like in real life. The very creation of this site—Motivated Savages—is inspired action in motion. It began with a spark. I was in a season where I felt this deep sense that people were made for more, including myself. I kept seeing people with so much potential sitting still in their own lives, paralyzed by doubt, fear, or the belief that their past disqualified them from a powerful future. That stirred something in me. At first, it was just journaling. Then it became a collection of quotes. Then blog ideas. And finally, the decision to build this platform from the ground up—not just to share content, but to create a movement.

“Taking inspired action is honoring the spark before it goes out.”

It wasn’t about perfection. It was about momentum. I didn’t know every step of how to build a brand, write SEO-optimized blogs, or launch a store—but I knew I couldn’t wait for clarity to start. I had to begin, then figure it out. That’s what being inspired can do. It nudges you forward. But it’s being in spirit that keeps you showing up, even when the initial rush wears off. It’s what helped me stay grounded when the tech didn’t work, when the posts didn’t hit the way I hoped, and when self-doubt crept in. Because underneath the inspiration was something deeper—alignment with purpose.

“Inspiration got me started. Spirit kept me going.”

So how do you start working with both? Here are some action steps and reflection ideas to help you tap into inspiration and step more fully into your spirit.

1. Pay attention to what sparks you. Inspiration is all around you, but it takes presence to notice it. The next time something moves you—whether it’s a quote, a conversation, a piece of art—don’t just feel it and move on. Pause. Write it down. Ask yourself: Why did this move me? What does it reveal about what I value or crave right now?

Reflection prompt:
What’s one moment in the past week where you felt a burst of energy or excitement? What triggered it? Was it a person? A message? A feeling? Could it be a signpost for something more?

2. Create space to hear your inner voice. Being in spirit doesn’t happen in chaos. It happens in stillness. Build space into your day—just ten minutes—where you unplug and tune inward. Journal. Meditate. Take a walk without your phone. Let your own thoughts rise up without interference.

Reflection prompt:
When in your day do you feel most connected to yourself? What activities make time disappear for you? How often do you make time for them?

3. Don’t just chase energy—channel it. Feeling inspired is incredible. But don’t let it go to waste. Use that energy to start something that matters to you. And once you’ve started, transition into spirit by rooting it in your values. Ask: How can I do this in a way that reflects who I am—not who I think I should be?

Action step:
Choose one idea you’ve been inspired by recently. Write down how you can take one small step toward it this week—but make sure that step reflects your own unique rhythm and voice.

4. Honor the rhythm. Inspiration will come and go. Spirit stays steady. Some days you’ll feel fired up. Other days you’ll feel quiet and clear. Both are useful. Both are valid. Learn to move with what’s present instead of forcing one state over the other.

“You don’t need to chase every spark—just the ones that set your soul on fire.”

5. Create a ritual that grounds both. Find a practice that allows you to reconnect to inspiration and spirit regularly. It could be a weekly journaling ritual. A monthly reflection walk. A creative session every Sunday. Rituals ground energy and make magic repeatable.

Action step:
Design your own “Spark & Spirit” ritual. Maybe you start each week reflecting on what inspired you, followed by setting one intention that feels aligned with your inner compass.

6. Track your inspired actions. Make a list—not of goals, but of inspired decisions you’ve made. Projects you’ve started, conversations you’ve leaned into, or times you trusted your gut. When you track them, you start to trust your ability to act from that place again and again.

“The more you act on inspiration, the more you become the kind of person who follows through on fire.”

The next time something excites you, take a pause before you leap. Not to second-guess, but to connect. Ask yourself, “What would this look like if it came from me, not just through me?” That’s where growth becomes real. That’s how you lead from authenticity, not performance.

So, what about you? When was the last time something inspired you? What did it spark in you? And can you think of a time when you weren’t reacting—but simply being? Fully in your zone, fully in your spirit? Those are your clues. That’s your compass. Follow it.

At Motivated Savage, we believe the most powerful life is the one where outer motivation meets inner truth. When you combine the rush of inspiration with the steadiness of spirit, you create momentum that doesn’t burn out. You build something lasting. Something real. Something yours. And that, my friend, is how you find your authentic spark.

Let it ignite. Let it guide. Let it burn the Savage Way.

Your Turn:
Drop a comment below—your voice matters here. What’s one thing that inspired you this week? Was it a moment of unexpected beauty, a conversation that shifted your mindset, or a challenge that revealed your strength? And what’s one way you’ve felt truly in spirit lately? Maybe it was during a walk, a creative project, or a moment of clarity that felt deeply aligned with who you are.

Take a second to reflect. When did you feel energized from the outside—and when did you feel grounded from within? These stories, even in their smallest details, carry power. You never know who needs to hear that it’s okay to start small, to follow the spark, or to trust their inner voice.

Share your thoughts, your breakthrough, or even your questions. This is a space for connection, not perfection. Your experience might be the encouragement someone else needs to take that first step—or keep going when the fire starts to flicker.

Let’s light each other up.
This is how we build momentum—together. The Savage Way.