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"
A N A R T I S T W H O
W A I T S F O R I N S P I R A T I O N
I S W A S T I N G T I M E .
"
David Walker
"
H O W Y O U I M A G I N E
T H E W O R L D
D E T E R M I N E S H O W
Y O U L I V E I N I T.
"
David Suzuki
" T H E G R E A T E S T
G E N I U S E S
S O M E T I M E S
A C C O M P L I S H M O R E
W H E N T H E Y W O R K
L E S S.
"
Leonardo da Vinci
" Y O U C A N' T P L A N F
O R
A S E I Z U R E O F F E E L I N G ,
A N D F O R T H I S R E A S O N
I P U T E V E R Y T H I N G
A S I D E W H E N
I A M I N S P I R E D.
"
May Sarton
" P
R A C T I C E I S T H E
C U L T I V A T I O N O F
T H E M I N D A N D
T H E H E A R T. "
Thich Nhat Hanh
" T H E B E S T I D E A S
C O M E W H E N Y O U
A R E R E L A X E D
A N D A L O N E.
"
Michael Gelb
" A R T D O E S N O T
C O M E F R O M T H I N K I N G ,
B U T F R O M
R E S P O N D I N G .
"
Corita Kent
" W
H E N T H E S P I R I T
D O E S N O T W O R K W I T H
T H E H A N D,
T H E R E I S N O A R T . "
Leonardo da Vinci
" T
H E S O U L B E C O M E S
D Y E D B Y T H E C O L O U R
O F I T' S T H O U G H T S . "
Marcus Aurelius
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I like these definitions and find them instructive.
Inspiration does seem to come from outside of myself. And when the conditions
are right, being inspired is as simple as breathing. I feel excited
which I think is an important quality of inspiration.
However, seeking inspiration is probably a waste of time. For me, it
is like attempting to lure a cat into my lap. The more I try, the less
likely it is to happen. Instead of seeking inspiration, I think I need
to recognize and honour inspiration as a process, create a space for
it to occur and to nourish it .
This does not mean that I wait for inspiration to occur. The work has
to be done so I have to move ahead whether I feel inspired or not. It
is a trap to think that inspiration is necessary to do good work.
Instead, I try to create the conditions for promoting the process of
inspiration. I recognize that there is a natural rhythm to my work.
It includes focussed work followed by time for incubating what I have
done while I rest or engage in some other form of self-care and then
I go back to work again.
Inspiration often comes in the off time from my work and usually when
I least expect it. My usual time is about 4:00 AM. I wake up, filled
with excitement, which is my indicator of inspiration. The solution
to some puzzle suddenly becomes clear or a niggling shadow comes into
focus. How does this happen? Clearly, it seems that my best ideas come
when I am not actively seeking or waiting for inspiration. I have done
my work and inspiration is a benefit, not the other way around.
I believe also that I must be present and mindful to invite inspiration.
Waiting for or seeking inspiration places it in the future. According
to the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, mindfulness is the energy to
witness deeply what is happening in the present moment, both internally
and externally. With that awareness I notice that there are countless
possibilities for inspiration.
Although much of my creative work is a reflection of my own internal
process, I am increasingly aware how much I am inspired by where I live
and by the relationships that I value. How I interpret and manifest
my inspirations is the hard work of being an artist.
Here are some things I do to foster my creativity and invite inspiration:
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