Inspiration is very important for the Torah, and it is what makes a person — to arouse himself to fear and love [Hashem] and to keep every good thing the way it is meant to be and the way it should be done, and to withdraw from doing any wrong.
But what should a person do if he has nothing to inspire him to be inspired, when the Yetzer Ha-ra casts slumber upon the person and does not let him awaken? But for every problem there is a solution, and with cunning you can wage war, for in the midst of Yetzer Ha-ra’s attack, the person does not remember the Yetzer Ha-tov (the Good Inclination); therefore one must pre-empt the Yetzer Ha-ra by writing out whatever inspiring, arousing thought he might need and read it [continually], or he should read books that discuss the matter that he succumbs to. If the issue is something that applies to every day, then the person should read the inspiring [notes or books] every day, and if it is something that applies only from time to time, he should read his inspiration close to the time it will be applicable. How good is a word in its time! (Mishlei 15:23).
It is a good idea to teach or tell one’s family timely inspirational thoughts, appropriate for the season etc., because by expressing the thoughts with one’s mouth and teaching them the meaning of a mitzvah and how it should be best done — or conversely by detailing for them what is sinful about something, why it is so severe and how to avoid it — you will yourself gain more insight, inspiration and resolve then ever before.
