Where does Inspiration Come From? The Giants in the Sky
There are few things in this world more powerful than a story. Whether it's someone's personal testimony, a scary tale around a campfire, or a bedtime story, stories take us somewhere. The place we go isn't some far away place; however, for many this short journey is a hard one to travel. Our imagination is a destination many have forgotten the way to. But luckily, you don't need directions. All you need to do is open a book, close your eyes, turn on a song, or pick up a pen; take the journey.
In my early years, my grandmother used to take care of me while my parents were working. Every day, before my nap, she would tell me a story. I would always fall asleep before the stories finished, but I know they continued in my dreams. I attribute my sense of adventure as a child to my expansive knowledge of fantastic kingdoms, mythical creatures, and noble knights. My favorite story as a kid was Jack and the Beanstalk. If you are not familiar with this story, on his way to the market Jack trades his cow for three magic beans. When Jack’s mother hears of the trade she throws the beans out the window in frustration. In the morning, Jack wakes up to see that the magic beans grew into a beanstalk, that he climbs high in the sky. Jack finds an enormous castle and, like any kid would do, he sneaks in. While in the castle the owner, a giant, comes in and booms these famous words.
"Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum!
I smell the blood of an Englishman,
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread"
Frightened, Jack waits for the giant to fall asleep, and escapes, with a bag of gold! Jack travels to the castle multiple more times taking many other treasures until one day when the giant sees him and chases him down the beanstalk. Jack, a speedy fellow, reached the ground before the slow giant and cut the beanstalk. After Jack cut the beanstalk, the giant fell to his death. Jack and his mother lived happily ever after with the gold they had taken.
I tell this story for two reasons. One because I love it, and the second because it is a great example of what places your imagination can take you. This story inspired my brother, cousins, and me to make up stories of heists and castle raids, which were more real to us than a video game or an iPhone app. I've been a general, leading an army of cavalry across the great plains, a ship captain defending from a raid of pirates, and a king who fought bloody battles to protect his people. When I look back on these stories I sometimes laugh, but I realize how important these adventures were. My childlike imagination took me to a place I never thought was possible, but it was a voyage I was willing to take. The second we lose our passion for adventure is the second we start to lose a part of who we are. Whether we are making up stories, or living real ones, we have to live inspired, by the child within us.
With the same ambition I had as a child, I get to jump into the next stage of my life. Urbain is company whose purpose is to create products that tell the amazing stories of the men and women who have gone before us. We want these products and stories to inspire you to go to places you've always dreamed. Start writing your story, the story your grandchildren will dream about, the stories that inspire others to be better, and do more. This life is so short; make the most of it. Now let’s go meet the giants in the sky.
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