O...is for OK GO!

Tango shows in historic teatros, conversations with strangers over empanadas, and the beautiful mountain ranges of South America — if you’ve been following me on my Instagram (@ericj3ng), you’d know that I’ve been traveling for the past month, interviewing strangers and immersing myself in new environments and culture.

What sparked this journey?

Back in October, I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Seeing Ben Stiller traverse majestic landscapes ignited something in me—a craving for freedom and adventure I couldn’t ignore. A week later, I started planning. I wanted to explore, live differently, and say “yes” to inspiration.

This article is about inspiration—how it finds us, surprises us, and transforms our lives when we're open to it.

OK GO.

When Inspiration Hits

Looking back, one of the most pivotal moments of inspiration in my life came in December 2019. I was on the last day of a 10-day life coaching retreat. Those 10 days were full of deep introspection, healing, support, and love. I felt empowered, fearless, and grounded. Then, on the last day, as I thought about what I wanted to do with my life, out of nowhere an impression came to me: “Start a YouTube channel.”

It was a thought that felt both novel and old at the same time. It wasn’t loud or flashy, it was more a quiet and determined sort of feeling.

OK GO.

The Journey of Inspiration

The first couple of years of video-making were rough. I was making 10-minute short films that took 100 hours to make and garnered 100 views. It wasn’t sustainable, but the experience was foundational in helping me sharpen my skills as a filmmaker, find my creative voice, and disconnect my ego from creation.

The more I created, the more my work evolved and the more my creative vision expanded. Until one day, a thought struck me, hey, what if I just interviewed people and got their stories? Again, the thought felt familiar, a sort of, next logical step, and yet still new.

So, I set up a couple of cameras outside my stoop, stopped the first interesting-looking man who walked by, and the rest was history.

Inspiration isn’t always a lightning bolt. Sometimes it’s years of hard work and hitting walls until, when the time is right, a new idea, usually a small pivot, comes to life.

OK GO.

The Magic of Inspiration

Five years since that initial spark, my work has expanded beyond YouTube to Instagram and TikTok (well, for however long TikTok lasts). I’ve also launched this newsletter, the Kindred community, and recently began offering life coaching services. All of these endeavors grew from that seedling of an idea of starting a YouTube channel, like a garden slowly coming alive.

The Three Ingredients of Inspiration

1. Openness – Inspiration often lies just outside our comfort zones. Not so far that it’s unreachable, but far enough to challenge us. You have to be open to what Life (or God) is offering—even when it goes against your normal way of being.

2. Courage – Life doesn’t send great ideas to those unwilling to act. Inspiration doesn’t require confidence or competence, just courage. Fear isn’t the enemy—it’s often a signpost pointing you toward a deeper truth.

3. Resilience – Openness and courage get the journey started, but resilience keeps you moving. Inspiration alone won’t carry you through; you need the grit to push forward, one step at a time.

Here’ the thing about inspiration: it doesn’t just happen. It doesn’t come to those who are sitting around waiting for it. It finds those who are already in motion—those who are actively creating, exploring, healing, and growing.

So if you’re hoping for inspiration to strike, don’t wait passively. Begin tending to the garden of your life now. 

Heal what’s broken. Feed your mind, body, and soul. Plant seeds of curiosity, action, and growth. The more you nurture yourself, the more inspiration will find fertile ground to take root.

Here’s how to start:

• Heal where you need to heal. Face your emotions, your demons, your past. Get yourself right! Where are you not showing up in your life?

• Prepare your soil. Eat well, exercise, meditate, pray. Make sure the foundation of your garden is rich and nourished.

• Plant seeds. What’s calling you now? Take that writing class. Shoot that first video. Travel to the country you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Talk to that stranger who looks interesting. Read that book. Watch that TED Talk. Start small, but start.

There’s a verse in the Bible I often turn to when facing the unknown—a simple yet profound truth:

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

When you commit your life to a greater purpose and begin moving toward it, God—or Life, or the Universe—will guide you to where you need to be. Inspiration will come when it needs, but you must take that first step of faith.

And, if for whatever reason you can’t seem to take that first step, or you feel stuck, GET HELP. Find accountability partners and groups, seek out mentors, people who have accomplished what you are trying to accomplish. Man was not meant to be alone. It’s better to grow your garden with support than to not grow it at all.

And finally, don’t forget to rest and water your plants. Try to have fun through it all, and then be patient. Trust that when the light of inspiration shines on your garden, it will grow.

OK? Just go.

With curiosity,
Eric

P.S. Need help growing your garden? Whether you're feeling stuck, working through trauma, or needing guidance with creating content, I’m here to help. Email me “CURIOUS” to connect for 1:1 coaching.

P.S.S: The next Kindred zoom meeting is on Monday 2/10 at 12pm EST, use this zoom link.

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