Inspiration

The sign for “Inspiration” in ASL is one that truly explains the word inspiration. To sign the word “Inspiration,” one begins with an open palm on each hand, slightly curved forward, fingers together with the thumb meeting the fingers at their tips. Placing both hands together at waist level, in this position, back of hand facing outwards, fingertips touching, one slowly moves the hands upwards toward the chest level. As the hands move upwards the fingers being to separate until the hands are open at chest level, fingers and thumb spread wide.

Imagine a seed being planted (hands together, fingertips closed at waist level). Slowly, the seed begins to sprout into a flower (hands moving slowly towards chest level, opening slightly as they move up).
Finally, the flower opens up in full blossom (open hands at chest level). Or, imagine a bird, perhaps an eagle. It starts as a tiny little bird and slowly grows. As it grows, it begins to spread its wings until finally it is able to fly, to soar through the sky with its wings fully opened. So too is the ASL word “Inspiration.” An idea that grows until it can spread wide and fly.

To each person, inspiration is different. It can be an experience, a word, a picture or a poem. To some, it is spiritual or abstract, while to others it is more physical or concrete. Yet, no matter what or who is at the core of the inspiration, it still evolves, much like the ASL sign testifies, to grow and blossom.

My source of inspiration is two-fold. My faith in G-d and my love of His creation inspire me on a daily basis and I find great inspiration in the pages of the Bible and the Talmud. Particularly the latter whereby I am transformed into a world of yesterday to sit and listen, to learn at the feet of the great scholars.

My other source of inspiration is my parents. As a Deaf person since birth, I have had to fight for the basic human rights that most people take for granted. I have fought for the right to attend school in my neighborhood, I have fought for the right to an equal education and equal employment. Additionally, a number of years ago, I sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a sports accident. Once again, I began to fight for the right to be treated as an equal to my hearing, walking peers.

From the very first day that I entered their lives, my parents have inspired me by their strength, their faith and their endurance. They have faced a lot of challenges and through everything they have stood behind me. They supported me, guided me and showered me with their love. Today, they no longer stand behind me, but rather, beside me. They continue to support me in all that I do and they inspire me with their faith in me, so that I can climb mountains, both figuratively and literally. Knowing that someone is behind me in such a powerful way is indeed the inspiration that stands behind me as I wake up each morn to face the challenge of a new day.

At the base of the sign “Inspiration,” G-d and my parents stand. Both inspire me. Much like you have two hands that move together side by side, in the sign “Inspiration.” In my life, my Dad is my left hand, my Mum is my right hand and G-d is the fingertips and the centre of both hands. All three are necessary to make the sign “Inspiration” and all three are necessary to continue to inspire me to be the person I was created to be - Me!

Interview Questions

======================================

What is your first memory of inspiration?

I believe my first experience of inspiration was from my Mum and Dad.  As a deaf child in a hearing school, among hearing peers, I was alone.  I fought for the right to go to school, I fought for the right to be treated as an equal. Every day, I fought for the basic human rights that my hearing counterparts received naturally, without question. Had it not been for my Mum and Dad who encouraged me to have faith in G-d and to continue fighting, I would not have come to where I stand today. My Mum and my Dad have stood behind me and supported me and inspired me to work as hard as I can and never give up. Today they no longer stand "behind" me, but rather "beside" me, and they still continue to support me in all that I do and they inspire me with their faith in me, that I can climb mountains (both figuratively and literally). And knowing that someone is behind me in such a powerful way is indeed the inspiration that stands behind me as I wake up each morn to face the challenges of a new day.

How do you find inspiration?

Aside from my parents, my inspiration comes from G-d and His creation. I love the way waves ripple over a lake and the way I feel when I am in a kayak, touching the water with my hands.

On a day to day basis, I find great inspiration in the words of the Rabbis throughout the ages. They teach about life, love, tragedies and accomplishments. I disappear within the pages and tomes of the Talmud where I can experience the wisdom of the Rabbis and sit at their feet and learn from them.

I wanted to follow up and see if you found out more about inspiration in other sign languages?

I have been doing some research and thus far I have found that most other sign languages do not actually have a particular sign for inspiration. As sign language is based on conceptual language, it is more of the concept or the situation that is signed which when translated to a spoken language would come to mean inspiration.