If we get out there trying to be inspirational, then we probably

“If we get out there trying to be inspirational, then we probably won’t be.” Thus spoke Brendan Hunt, the actor and writer whose work on Ted Lasso has kindled laughter and hope across the world. In this seemingly simple line lies a profound wisdom—a truth that the ancients would have recognized well: that genuine inspiration cannot be manufactured, for it is born not from the desire to shine, but from the courage to be sincere. The more one seeks to appear noble, the more one drifts from the essence of true greatness. Inspiration, like light, cannot be forced; it must flow naturally from the soul that lives with honesty and heart.

To understand these words, we must first see what Hunt meant by them. In the story of Ted Lasso, he and his fellow creators sought not to preach, but to portray kindness, humility, and perseverance with simplicity and truth. They did not set out to be heroes or philosophers—only storytellers of ordinary men learning to do extraordinary things through compassion. And yet, because they spoke from authenticity rather than ambition, their work became a source of inspiration to millions. Hunt’s wisdom reveals this paradox: that when we stop trying to be inspirational, and instead live our values quietly and earnestly, we often inspire the most.

This truth reaches far beyond the realm of art and entertainment. It touches the heart of all human endeavor. The ancient Stoics, such as Marcus Aurelius, taught this lesson long ago. Aurelius wrote that virtue should never be displayed for admiration, but practiced for its own sake. “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be,” he said. “Be one.” The man who strives only to appear virtuous is a hollow shell, but the one who acts rightly without thought of praise becomes the light others follow. So it is with inspiration: it is not a performance, but a byproduct of truth well lived.

History, too, offers its testament. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who never sought fame nor idolization. He did not march for glory or speak for applause. He lived simply, walked humbly, and followed his conscience. Yet because of this, his quiet persistence moved nations, his words stirred empires, and his life ignited the spirit of freedom across continents. He never tried to be inspirational—and that is precisely why he became so. His actions, pure in motive, transcended the man himself. The lesson is clear: authenticity births inspiration, not the striving for admiration.

Hunt’s insight is also a mirror for our modern age—a world obsessed with display, where people strive to be seen rather than felt. Many wish to inspire, yet few are willing to live the kind of honest lives that make inspiration inevitable. We craft images, speeches, and slogans, forgetting that true influence arises not from performance but from presence. The tree does not boast of its fruit; it simply grows, nourished by the unseen labor of its roots. Likewise, the most inspiring lives are those quietly tended in truth—where deeds speak louder than declarations.

There is also a deeper spiritual echo in Hunt’s words. To “try to be inspirational” is, in essence, to chase the shadow rather than the light. The ego seeks recognition, but the soul seeks meaning. When we act from ego, our efforts ring hollow, for they are self-serving. But when we act from love, purpose, and sincerity, even our smallest actions ripple outward with quiet power. Inspiration, then, is not something we create—it is something that happens through us when we live in harmony with our highest truth.

So, my child of aspiration and humility, take this wisdom to heart: do not try to inspire—try to be real. Be kind because it is right, not because it is noticed. Pursue excellence for its own beauty, not for applause. Let your actions, not your intentions, speak of your character. If you live with integrity and compassion, inspiration will follow as naturally as dawn follows the dark. The world needs not more speeches, but more souls who live what they believe.

For as Brendan Hunt reminds us, the truest inspiration is effortless. It is the light that shines from a life lived with purpose, not the torch waved for attention. Therefore, live honestly, love deeply, and labor quietly. Let your sincerity be your strength. And though you may never set out to be inspirational, your life will become a story others whisper about in reverence—a flame that kindles the courage of those yet to find their own.