Devotion ~ Question #1 Inspiration

[SnoopyDances]

Let the discussion begin!

“Inspiration is the unforeseen quantity, the muse that assails at the hidden hour. The arrows fly and one is unaware of being struck, and that a host of unrelated catalysts have joined clandestinely to form a system of its own, rendering one with the vibrations of an incurable disease—a burning imagination—at once unholy and divine.

What is to be done with the resulting impulses, these nerve endings flickering like an illuminated map of thieving constellations? The stars pulse. The muse seeks to be vivified. But the mind is also the muse. It seeks to outsmart its glorious opponents, to rewire such sources of inspiration. A crystal stream suddenly dried. A thing of beauty joyless, defied. Why does the creative spirit turn on itself? Why does the maker twist all drama? The pen is lifted, guided by the shattered muse. Without discord, it marks, harmony passes unnoticed, without discord, it continues, Abel is rendered no more than a forgotten shepherd.” (Devotion, p. 1)

What inspires you?
In life, writing, work, relaxing, anything...

[nebraska]

Inspiration is a big word and it covers a lot of topics for sure. And I am not entirely sure how I would define inspiration. It can be something as simple as a lecture that makes me believe I can do something by telling me how to go about it. It can be someone or something I admire and desiring to replicate it in my own life. Or it can be a swelling in my heart when I see or hear something beautiful.

In trying to get my home/life organized FLYlady's instruction inspires me.
In creating scrapbook layouts or cards I am inspired by color and pretty papers.
Johnny Depp inspires me in many ways -- his grace under pressure, his creativity, and maybe most of all his belief in following his own drummer.
Michael Jackson inspired me by the way he dressed. I have always admired the confidence it must have required to wear some of the unique clothing he chose.
Sometimes music inspires me.

Inspiration is probably surrounding us every day if we just look and pay attention.

[fireflydances]

I guess I would define inspiration as a flash of energy. We absorb things all day, all week, etc. On the surface, we are not particularly thinking anything, but below the surface the brain is making connections, linking bits of thoughts, a sudden image floats or wanders past. And then something slips in gear and an idea emerges. Really is quite stunning the way the brain works.

Because I write I do spend a lot time attempting to finagle bits of impression into ideas, which then are slowly refined into plot. It is a very weird thing, inspiration. Like an enchantment. The mind drifts, the idea pops.

[Theresa]

I am inspired when I play a beautiful hymn or praise song at church.

Seeing a colorful sunset, or a bright rainbow shining after a huge rain...or a still landscape in the woods, or a meadow filled with flowers or just anywhere.

[stroch]

For me,inspiration comes from making connections, chaining ideas, or letting one stimulus provoke multiple possibilities. I follow the threads, and the whole materializes. If that makes any sense.

[SnoopyDances]

I'm finding inspiration very difficult to come by these days so I was interested to see everyone's answers.

There are many things I enjoy, but those don't necessarily inspire me to action or maybe they do and I don't realize it.

I love music more for mood than inspiration. I play different genres depending on how I feel or the type of work I'm doing. I find it relaxes me and keeps me focused. It also calms me when I'm upset and cheers me up when I'm down.

I often pet sit for friends and I do appreciate the unconditional love of a dog, especially when he/she is plopped down into a stranger's home and left there for a week or more. By the end of that week, we are best friends.

Working in my garden makes me happy and I feel at peace with the world.