This may seem like a random question, but I thought it could be an interesting one to throw out to a diverse message board such as this.

My own answer is in the following short clip from a film that has just been made about a woman who greatly inspired me, by her son.

I met her in 1989 without really knowing who she was, but I could sense that this tiny overweight woman could change the world. And she did, at least in her continent.

I hope other people will share their stories.

In the meantime, I give you this amazing woman:

when I look in the mirror each morning it's an inspiration to know I am still alive.

my art master..wonderful human being sadly killed by a hit and run driver. Very grand with great knowledge who could speak to anyone and make them feel at home...from Prince Charles to a thug in jail. Inspired me to treat everyone the same.

And my father-old fashioned Scotsman who impressed me over and over that good manners got you everywhere. He was right.

Oh yes Hedda - good manners, the most under rated but truly valuable quality of all.

JK2006 wrote:
Oh yes Hedda - good manners, the most under rated but truly valuable quality of all.

The most valuable/important human quality is compassion - empathy with (and the understanding of) the suffering of others. Coupled with the desire to relieve it.

But the most powerful human trait is...guilt.

My son.

For what he has to go through on a daily basis and for the fight he is putting up every, single, day. And he still smiles, giggles and laughs through it.

TV.....it comes in for mass ridicule when its bad (BGT, The Voice, Big Brother etc....) but certain TV presenters can eductae you from the sofa in your own house...........RESPECT to Sir D Attenborough, Sir Patrick Moore, Brian Cox et al

Ben 9 wrote:
JK2006 wrote:
Oh yes Hedda - good manners, the most under rated but truly valuable quality of all.

The most valuable/important human quality is compassion - empathy with (and the understanding of) the suffering of others. Coupled with the desire to relieve it.

But the most powerful human trait is...guilt.




I agree about compassion and empathy but I am surprised you say that guilt is the most powerful human trait because I have hardly ever experienced it.
I know it is a strong feature of some religions, so I wonder if it mostly something that is imposed on us?

For me it would be anybody who insults me, however subtly: You might think this is strange, but whenever it happens - and this is often - I spend a short period of time in reflection, to work out if the person doing it has a point. Just imagine, if we all lived in a world where nobody ever insulted anybody else, we would all stay deluded about our shortcomings in a tyranny of 'good manners'.

Bearded Jack wrote:
For me it would be anybody who insults me, however subtly: You might think this is strange, but whenever it happens - and this is often - I spend a short period of time in reflection, to work out if the person doing it has a point. Just imagine, if we all lived in a world where nobody ever insulted anybody else, we would all stay deluded about our shortcomings in a tyranny of 'good manners'.

I would be more inspired by someone who could make the same point without insulting.

steveimp wrote:
My son.

For what he has to go through on a daily basis and for the fight he is putting up every, single, day. And he still smiles, giggles and laughs through it.

Thank you for that contribution Steve.

Although my example was of someone who fought for justice and human rights, it is equally true that if we look around us we can find many people who are equally as inspiring. I bet the fact that you find your son inspiring means you're a great dad.

david wrote:
steveimp wrote:
My son.

For what he has to go through on a daily basis and for the fight he is putting up every, single, day. And he still smiles, giggles and laughs through it.

Thank you for that contribution Steve.

Although my example was of someone who fought for justice and human rights, it is equally true that if we look around us we can find many people who are equally as inspiring. I bet the fact that you find your son inspiring means you're a great dad.

Thank you. As someone once said to me, it's easy to father a child, it takes more to be a dad.

honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:

I agree .... I am surprised.... I have....
I know.... I wonder....


Honey, another human trait/frailty is the constant need for 'I'

The third person is better, one feels

Funnily enough I can never understand this fixation about NOT going on about oneself - we are each the person we know best, see most often, spend every second of our lives with. How the outside world affects us is a crucial part of life and telling others about it is valuable and interesting.

Ben 7 wrote:
honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:

I agree .... I am surprised.... I have....
I know.... I wonder....


Honey, another human trait/frailty is the constant need for 'I'

The third person is better, one feels



Yes. It does come across a bit mememe. I noticed before I posted but we are not all as eloquent as Hedda and I couldn't think of another way to say it.
However, it was your opinions and feelings that I was interested in, not my own.

JK2006 wrote:
telling others about it is valuable and interesting


Perhaps - not to them?

It depends if you believe you can learn about yourself by listening to the opinions and experiences of others.

JK2006 wrote:
It depends if you believe you can learn about yourself by listening to the opinions and experiences of others.

Or even just enjoy others opinions and experiences without relating it to yourself?

JK2006 wrote:
I can never understand this fixation about NOT going on about oneself



Modesty is another great human virtue - just allowing others to take a view on one's achievements.


And humility also helps. There is always someone better.


And people who are more right than you.

here's an inspirational 12 year old

www.upworthy.com/a-12-year-old-egyptian-...litical-genius-4?g=2

And that young Afghan girl...

Back to the initial question, I suppose my dear old mentor Sir Edward Lewis inspired me, as did Tony Hall (still with us I'm glad to say) as well as Joe Roncoroni and Ken Jones, my original producers and partners, who discovered and produced The Zombies and who taught me about morality in the music industry.