Inspired vs. Want what he/she has syndrome

I often ask myself the difference between inspiration and the "I want what he/she has" syndrome. If you envision one of your rooms redecorated, do you become inspired to rip out the carpet and start with a blank canvas, or just swap some things from one room to the next. If you see someone offering up a hand to someone in need, are you inspired to offer a helping hand as well. If someone has decided to start up their own business, do you become inspired to do the same? You get where I'm going with this. Did you see someone remodel and you want the "feel good" effect as well? Do you want that feeling someone else had when helping others? Do you want to feel success like someone else has?

I think in my own experience, inspiration and the want syndrome comes from the same place within us. We want to feel inspired often, it's what keeps us going and motivated. In turn seeing by examples of others triggers the "I want to feel that too" part deep inside us. It's perfectly fine to want to feel inspired through actions of others and move forward and act ourselves. We may not always act on it when inspired, but recognizing a good idea when you see it often times sticks with us. You can always act on it later, even expand on the idea if need be. But there is a moment where you might have the dreaded "I want" syndrome with no inspiration attached. The I need, need, need what he/she has may just lead to less cash in your pocket and a pile of regret.