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A girl with an idea starts movement

by Morris

Lying on one of the outside chairs on Coastal Carolina University’s campus was a striking blue envelope. It read, “Open when you need some inspiration.” Inside, there’s a message on a purple card, and that one reads, “There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights — the light of all lights. You matter.” It is a seemingly small gesture — to leave a kind card for someone to find. But to the person who left it there, it was an inspiration turned into reality.

The idea began when CCU senior Taylor Johnson was a resident assistant a few years ago. She noticed that some of the students felt disconnected from the University outside of the classroom. She felt compelled to alleviate their loneliness, to help them understand that they belong and that they have a purpose. She thought they needed encouragement to follow their passions. That’s where the idea of “The Inspiration Movement” was born.

“The Inspiration Movement was created for the student body with the purpose of inspiring action,” says Johnson. “It’s unique in the sense that nothing like it has been enacted at CCU. Our purpose is to connect people through love and action, joining hearts, voices and visions together, supporting and loving one another on our journeys to become the best version of their true selves.”

The Inspiration Movement is a student group that aims to support each other and other students on a personal and spiritual level. The group meets weekly to discuss plans for themselves personally and for CCU’s students. Johnson has accumulated a group of 14 dedicated members who work every day to keep the program moving.

“This past summer I read Jeff Brown’s book ‘Love It Forward,’ and it marked a turning point in my life,” says Johnson. “I contacted him, told him about The Inspiration Movement and to my surprise, he sent 48 copies of his book to CCU for free.” ‘Love It Forward’ is a collection of poetic quotes aimed to feed the human spirit.

Johnson and her group have been handing out the books to students and faculty ever since. She has also sent care packages to CCU leaaders such as Vice President of Student Affairs Debbie Conner, Social Media and Online Marketing Coordinator Brent Reser and Associate Director of Conference Services April Sager.

“It completely made my day,” says Conner. “I can’t wait to read the book and pass it on to someone else.”

The packages are filled with herbal teas, a candle, inspiring messages and, of course, “Love It Forward.”
Coordinator of Civic Engagement and Orientation Jordan Smith was one of the first to notice Johnson’s potential to impact the University. “The Inspiration Movement is housed in the Office of Student Life, and we are here to support Johnson’s movement in any way she needs,” says Smith. “We are always happy to help students start something meaningful on this campus.”

The idea has even caught on at other institutions.

“A woman from Rutgers University in New Jersey has contacted me about starting an Inspiration Movement on that campus,” says Johnson.

Since the movement’s official launch this past fall, Johnson and her team have had success stories: “I have been working with a student to help her start a book club on campus,” says Johnson. “She wanted to share her passion, and we are supporting her efforts to do that.”

Johnson also has taken her presence to social media.

“The Instagram is composed of excerpts from books I’ve read, documentaries I’ve watched, quotes I’ve found or conclusions I’ve come to,” she explains. “We utilize social media to inform the student body about us.”

Originally from Warrenton, Va., Johnson enjoys spending time in nature, writing and learning. She’s studying psychology and will graduate next year with the aim of becoming a life coach.

“The Inspiration Movement wants to express that, in a world full of people, we see you for who you are,” says Johnson. “We appreciate, value and recognize that your voice can change the world.”

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