Hi inspirations!

How are you doing today? I thought now is a good time to do some reintroductory posts, so the next few blog posts will be reintroducing to some and properly introducing to others what this space is. I thought I would kick off with an updated version of a post that I wrote in 2019: What does "Pursue:Inspire" even mean?

(See the original post here: https://www.pursueinspire.com/blog/pursue/what-does-pursueinspire-mean)

You have probably landed here either because you are part of the newsletter crew, you’re connected on Instagram or you’ve somehow stumbled across this place by other means. No matter how you’ve made it to this post, welcome!

You may wonder why this platform is called PURSUE:INSPIRE (aka P:I). I’ll explain using two sources: the origins of P:I and the dictionary. So grab a beverage and get comfortable!

The P:I Origins

When I started P:I in May 2014, it was off of the back of a personal blog I had begun sharing some of my style faves from fashion weeks, as well as some modelling work during university. After I left, I didn’t manage to bag a Chemistry job and wanted to see if I could navigate back to my main career passion of “Fashion” so I decided to document my journey of pursuit. That I did, sharing continuing modelling work, learnings from short courses at Morley College and V&A museum and making style sets on the old style Polyvore (the closest thing to it now is URSTYLE. I haven’t made any sets in at least a year or two but click here for a flavour of what I used to do.) A heart desire behind the sharing of the journey was hopefully to inspire one person to go for the dream they always had no matter their background, current educational status or skill set, and in turn for them to help others along the way.

I really thought I would be in a fashion/style-related field by now. I worked as an intern for an upcoming luxury brand, leant some designs to a friend who was also starting a different fashion line, volunteered at Africa London Fashion Week and continued to pursue modelling. I took part in a business training programme and tried to develop a product I had been working on which didn’t really grow any traction. That was all in the midst of general life. However, I find myself not working in Chemistry, or even in Fashion, but in the Church which is the last place I thought I would be back in (but I love it).

Though my journey hasn’t looked like I wanted it to, I have been learning 1) to trust God in it all and 2) to be flexible, open to and discerning about the opportunities that come my way. Some opportunities are just what you need!

The Dictionary

Let's look at the definitions of each word “pursue” and “inspire”, and the use of the colon too.

Definition of Pursue

To follow or chase (someone or something);
Seek to attain or accomplish (a goal) over a long period;
Engage in (an activity or course of action).

Definition of Inspire

Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative;
Breathe in (air); inhale

Use of the colon

"A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence" (Grammar Book).

Now even though "pursue" and "inspire" are not clauses, I'm going to call them clauses for the benefit of my explanation haha! The words "pursue" and "inspire" can stand independently of one another, but I believe also work interchangeably. Why? Because I totally believe that the latter goes with and explains the former in relation to the purpose of this blog.

I want this platform to equip and encourage readers to pursue life to the full and also inspire others to do the same. I want people to know their passions and dreams and chase them... sensibly and with wisdom. I also want us to remember that even though we may not know it, there is always someone we are influencing. Whether it be a family member, a friend or a child, there is someone who watches us for the sake of hope in their own lives.

As our path to the visions and dreams (God has given us) is followed and chased, the person witnessing our progress should be filled with the urge to go for theirs. We are to give rise to inspiration in others by what we do.

Just like our lungs expand to inhale as much oxygen as possible for our bodies to be satisfied by the oxygen moving around our bloodstream, if we were able to help someone expand their mindset and inhale enough confidence to satisfy their goals, imagine the new lease of life they would have. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying change your lane for someone else in the hope you'll help change their life or to satisfy them, but instead run in such a way that you may bring hope and inspire someone to go for theirs.

I know in this day and age of Social Media, it seems like only a select few are known as "Influencers". Can I tell you something? We are ALL influencers whether we realise it or not. Some people will look at your journey and say "Oh wow! It worked for them so it can work for me too!" At the same time let's make sure we're following the journeys of other who inspire us so that we too are able to expand our mindset and inspire enough confidence to satisfy our goals.

I hope you found this post helpful! Stay peaceful and blessed.

What does "Pursue:Inspire" mean? 2.0