Inspiration - Who Would You Invite To Your Fantasy Dinner Party?

Following a video I posted on my blog, I got to thinking about some deep things including life and inspiration.

The video was of a dog, saving the life of another dog who had been hit by a car. Seeing this clip reminded me of how wonderful and special life on Earth is.

Animals can teach us a lot about how to live, but I do meet people regularly who genuinely inspire me too.

People I know, and have known, who have had awful experiences, but continue to live, grow and nurture others, inspire me. I have been lucky to know a lot of these people.

It makes the trials and turbulent times I have experienced in my own life, easier to deal with and to process.

These people shine as an example to me. I take strength from them.

We all experience difficult times, and how we deal with them and how we learn from them, help us be who we are. Someone once told me that we have to leave Heaven, and come to Earth, because if things were perfect we would never need to learn or grow. "Growing" can often be painful, but there is a reason for it.

A purpose.

I won't list private people who have touched my life, but I do hope they all know how they have affected me, and how I carry them forward with me.

True leaders inspire me. Regardless of their position in life, true leaders, for me, are people who are emotionally and mentally centred and focused. They know themselves. They interact with the world and other people impeccably, in the best way they can. They show courage. They stand for what they believe is correct.

People who inspire me are passionate, creative, confident, honest and transparent.

A few days ago, friends at work were speaking of who they would invite to their ultimate dinner party. Many names were mentioned, some actors, singers and a journalist or two. I haven't ever really thought about this before.

Who would I invite?

Three was the proposed number of fantasy dinner guests. Three isn't enough. It just isn't, not once I got to thinking of all those interesting, talented and inspirational people in the world.

I think I would like to invite Oprah Winfrey, Cher, Shirley Maclaine, Aleister Crowley, Dawn French, Will Smith, Bruce Willis, Florence Nightingale, Nigella Lawson and many many more...

Recently I heard of a book being published, covering Oprah, apparently revealing unsavoury details of her life. I don't care.

To be a black woman, in America, in the era she hails from, and to be probably the most powerful woman in the world, is AMAZING.

Okay, so maybe she has told a few fibs, and maybe she hasn't. But it would be great to have the chance to try and discover what makes the woman tick, over dinner.

Cher is fascinating. She looks like an interesting person, before you even hear her speak, or sing, or before you hear any of her life. She made the step between music and film, and did a grand job doing it. She is the epitome of cool. Perhaps, after a few glasses of wine, she would also perform a hit or two.

That would be so special!

Shirley Maclaine, half sister of Warren Beatty (and so practically royalty), is not only in some of my most favourite films (for exmple - Steel Magnolias), but is also an expert on aliens, the CIA and all things other-worldly. She is gorgeous, and would be a welcome guest at my fantasy dinner.

Aleister Crowley is a dark character, known as "the most evil man" by some. He was said to have a keen intellect, in addition to having much knowledge and skill in the occult. A conversation starter, to be sure.

Any excuse for a seance.

What dinner party could be complete without the beautiful Dawn French. Clever, talented and apparently a genuine and warm lady. I could pick her brain on how I could try and be funny. If Dawn knows anything, she knows "funny".

Will Smith and Bruce Willis would both have to be on my guest list. They are both particularly handsome men (eye candy!!) and I love their work.

Love it.

From Prince Of Belair and Moonlighting, to Men In Black and Hudson Hawk, to Independence Day and The Sixth Sense, I love all that they produce. They would be most welcome.

Florence Nightingale would be a good choice too. The lady that inspired the profession to which I now belong. I could ask her about the time she heard the voice of God, telling her she was to serve humanity, and about how she views nursing, as it is today.

Would she be pleased? Would she be disappointed?

To make the whole evening completely wonderful, the heavenly Nigella Lawson would be invited along, as both a guest and as the chef, catering for our evening.

I find her shows and books speak to me, and, even as a gay man, I find her very sexy. Very sexy!

Who inspires you? And who would you have at your fantasy dinner?