Monday, June 22, 2009

inspiration

(my daily inspiration)


Would it seem impudent if I turned your question around and asked What Would Wanda Do about feeling a lack of inspiration? Because I go through these periods myself, I'm quite genuine in wanting to know.


Impudent? Not at all. Actually, you are brilliant to do so.

One of the things I do is what I did--ask for inspiration. Whether I ask the divine or my friends--real time or cyber--asking for help...well...helps.

Then I practice what I call "sitting with grace and acceptance." I say practice, because sometimes this is easier than others and I fall in and out of both grace and acceptance. The point of the practice is being in the moment. It (whatever "it" one is sitting with) is what it is...for now. Whatever "it" is passes eventually and becomes something else. (This I have learned from having been on the planet for more than a half century.) I don't always like where I am in those times; however, going with the flow relieves me of struggle. I call it "surfing."

I put one foot in front of the other. I do my routine. I get up in the morning, open the blinds to let the sun in, make the coffee, and feed the squirrels. The routine helps--and so does the morning light, coffee's rich color, aroma, and flavor, and the joy of communing with sweet little rodents.

I look for opportunities to break out of the routine. If I feel like doing something I have been putting off (like going through a pile of junk mail or entering information in my accounting program) I do it. These tasks are necessary even if they don't seem creative and clearing the path opens space for other flow.

In the same vein, I take advantage of breaks in routine. Yesterday, I drove a friend to an appointment. While waiting, I worked on an art project that has been gestating in my mind for months. Then in the evening, SO attended a meeting so I had the house to myself. I cranked up the stereo and used the momentum to keep going. Without gestation, nothing is born. Viewing the "uninspired" times as periods of gestational development helps immensely.

That's what I do.

Let me know if this helps. And if you all have something to add, please do.

3 comments:

graceonline said...

Surfing. Oh, I do love that. Implies warmth and sun, being buoyed by the waves, relaxing and being held. Perfect.

Then keeping to routine, the small rituals of our lives, another way to ride the surface, remain buoyant.

Followed by diving into an old mess, clearing the way for inspiration and creativity, and perhaps most important of all, getting out of ourselves a bit to help another.

Wanda, your perspective is ever a healing one, and wise. Thank you for every word. I'm going to bookmark this post on Delicious so I can find it next time I need inspiration.

Carrie Wilson Link said...

I find a routine very helpful, too. It's all part of my "fake it 'til you feel it," philosophy.

SE'LAH... said...

I love this perspective. I so missed your inspiration on a daily basis. It's good to be back.

Being in the moment is so important. You find so much there.