Why isn't inspiration the opposite of expiration?

[cosmolinguist]

A jewelry box I didn't recognize was sitting among the clutter on my dresser. I opened it to discover a necklace I then remembered being given by my parents for Christmas this year. I remember thinking it was strange.

It's strange because it has a cross on it. I have tons of such jewelry, and it doesn't get worn much (even taking into account the fact that I'm not that interested in jewelry and often neglect to take mine with me when I go to such places as Morris or Manchester or Mankato).

While I'm not that fond of Christianity these days, I am fond of my parents and they got me this nice silver chain (I like silver) with accents of Black Hills gold (I like the Black Hills, too), so I put it on. I can feel it under my sweater now. When I notice its presence, it's not God I think of, but just my mom and dad.

I am not religious, but I am sentimental. (It's getting worse, in my old age.)

Comments

[elkabong.livejournal.com]

does it count if your inspiration has expired? :)

[cosmolinguist]

I guess that's a chance I'll have to take.

[dawgdays.livejournal.com]

Your old age? Oh, puleez! :)

[cosmolinguist]

Hey, this is the oldest I've ever been! That seems pretty old to me. :-)

[angel-thane.livejournal.com]

Why isn't inspiration the opposite of expiration?

For the same reason that Congress isn't the opposite of progress... oh wait, nevermind. ;)

[stealthmunchkin.livejournal.com]

Actually, inspiration *is* the opposite of expiration, if you look at the original Latin root. Both come from (I think) spirere, to breathe - to be inspired is to breathe in, while expiring is to breathe out, metaphorically (you're breathing in an idea from the outside, and breathing out your last breath). Spirit actually also comes from the same root.

[cosmolinguist]

The connection between them never occurred to me until last night when I was trying to go to sleep.

[ihavemanyskills.livejournal.com]

Sweet, very sweet...