What Inspires Kids Today?

by Arietta Xylas

One of the reasons the topic of inspiration is such an interesting one to discuss is because you will rarely ever hear the same answer twice. What inspires us is based on who we are and what we have experienced throughout our lives.

When first asked what the word ‘inspiration’ meant to him, George responded, “Inspiration is like a small flame. It can easily go out as if it never existed, or it can become a massive fire. That all depends on the person who's inspired and whether or not they pursue that inspiration to its fullest potential.”

When you are inspired to make a change to better something, whether that be yourself or something else, you should act on it. I find that being inspired to do something often changes your perspective and helps you grow as a person since you begin to see things around you in a new, brighter way. Even if you are unable to do something directly, the mere fact that you want to and think about it is often enough to change the way you think about certain subjects.

The topic of passion is also one that is very fascinating because passion often makes up the core part of a person’s personality. Their passions often reflect in most of what they do and it is one of the reasons that individuals are so unique. We each have our own set of passions that makes us recognizable as ourselves.

When asked what he was passionate about, George replied, “I'd say I'm passionate about a variety of things including music, video games, but I feel my main passion is film. Since I was a child, film has been a medium for me to escape reality and embrace fantasy through various different characters and worlds. I was able to learn life-changing lessons, whether through a superhero, who could crawl up walls, or a toy who felt a sense of responsibility to help his friends, no matter the cost. These experiences, I believe, have shaped me into the person I am today through the impactful art of filmmaking and storytelling.”

The impact of art in all forms is one that should never be looked over. From when we are young, we are exposed to so many different films and television shows. With this exposure, we are often exposed to our first ‘role models’ in the characters we see, whether they be cartoons, live-action, fiction, or nonfiction.

When asked about who inspires him, George responded, “Besides the obvious answers of my parents, I briefly mentioned in the previous question two fictional characters that have taught me lessons, which were Spider-Man and Woody from Toy Story. I wouldn't say my inspiration is limited to just these two, but I'd say they specifically have inspired me from a young age to be a better person and always care for others, even if it conflicts with my own personal desires at times.”

The characters we see on the screen, no matter our age, often teach us to be better people or give us inspiration into the people we want to be. As a child, shows like The Wild Kratts gave me a fondness and curiosity for wildlife that I may not have gotten without seeing those characters care for animals with such passion. Many core parts of our personalities now were shaped by the art mediums we consumed when we were younger, whether that be films or literature. The power that such things have in shaping us is a testimony to their importance in our lives.

To finish off the interview, George left us with this, “I'd like to work to encourage everyone's passions and inspirations, as I feel many are discouraged by a variety of sources and ultimately not pursue what they love. For me, I feel my passions and inspirations are encouraged by the same medium that created them. I know for a fact, however, that I'm fortunate to say that because many don't feel that same for their specific passions. I feel a lot of people would greatly appreciate and benefit from a sense of encouragement as it would allow them to maintain a motivation to keep going.”

With that, always remember that if you enjoy something and it makes you feel like the best version of yourself, follow your heart and do what you love. Do not listen to those who make fun of you for your interests. We all have different things that bring us joy, and what is interesting for one person is not the same for another. Treat others with kindness and do not discourage people from doing the things that they love and enjoy. When we work together and encourage those around us to be the best they can be and to be themselves, we can make the biggest difference.