Inspiration

According to the Online Webster’s Dictionary inspiration involves the supernatural to move or guide or breath or blow upon and to exert “an enlivening or exalting influence…” in order to draw forth or bring out.

Wow, that’s a pretty tall order, thank goodness (or goddess if you prefer) there are muse to help out here (of course we are the supernatural – just ask us!).

Lately, Irene hasn’t felt overly inspired and who can blame her?

The mortal world is pretty scary right now. Stress is one of those factors that can counter-inspire even the heartiest mortals.

Add in some other distractions such as elections, email and some self-saboteurs like a bad case of “the shoulds” and any mortal can find their link to inspiration blocked.

It’s not because we muse go away, we are actually around all of the time (remember that incredible idea you had in the shower awhile back?), blowing and drawing inspiration.

No sometimes there’s just a mountain of stuff between us with no communication link.

We may be divine and supernatural and more but the whole system requires an open channel of communication between us and we are only permitted to go so far, the mortal has to do their part too.

So what’s a mortal to do?

Get out of your mind!

Say what? Go crazy in a different way. Clearly, whatever you’ve been doing isn’t working so shake the brain.

Do something different.

Take a walk. You walk every day? Good for you! Take your walk in a different location or at the very least, change directions!

Look up and notice things, people and the scents around you.

Smell. Breathe deep and taste your world.

Listen to a different type of music.

Change up your stimulus. Put a different station on the radio, close your eyes and let your body find the beat. Feel the energies gather and when you can’t stay still, bounce your toes, wriggle your bootie, and move.

Move your whole body. Dance!

Involve your taste buds. Go to a restaurant you’ve wanted to try or cook that recipe your friend sent you. Indulge yourself with a new flavor of ice cream or coffee.

Notice what happens to the food in your mouth. Swirl it around like wine.

Now, write about your experience!

Put your pen to paper and take action.

At first the words may not flow with inspiration (you did bind, gag and banish your inner-critic didn’t you?).

You may need to repeat these steps a few times but I promise, if you get out of your head and open the channel of communication and engage in the action of writing your muse will come through.

And seriously, be sure to have something to write with and on when inspiration strikes.

I can’t tell you how often we muse wham you mortals in the shower (no apologies for the inconvenience) and you guys can’t be bothered to drip out and write this great stuff down! It’s darn right insulting!

Resisting Reluctance

Resisting and Reluctance to write can be a huge problem.

But it doesn't have to be.

I sometimes find myself really wanting to write and simultaneously avoiding it. Know what I mean?

It’s not even like I’m telling myself, “I should”, nor is it that life throws in some obstacles that keep me from writing. Sure that happens but its not what my recent bout of inactivity is.

No, occasionally, for any number of reasons, I flat out really want to write but also really don’t want to. It’s a confusing place to be. And it's where I am right now.

Usually I’m not exactly sure why I’m even in such a quandary when I’m in the thick of it and I don’t even believe that there is a consistent reason. I think the reasons for the dilemma change and that these are usually easier to understand in retrospect.

Sometimes the reason is my ideas are still percolating internally. Driving, gardening, or beach bumming tends to help the perc along.

Other times, my brain is truly scattered with static. Perhaps the clutter has swamped me or perhaps other stressors nag at me stealing the writing away.

And perhaps, like others, I have a fear of success mixed with an equal dose of fear of failure.

And yes, there are those times when the problems are not that deep at all. I’m just busy spending my energies doing those millions of things that a mom has to do.

So in retrospect (having taken some action, I can say retrospect), I believe my recent lack of activity is all of the above. And although my lack of activity clearly demonstrates a problem, I’m no closer to locating the source, I am closer to a solution.

As things often do not happen in isolation, I’ve had a lot of things chipping away at me and I flat out haven’t written.

But this doesn’t have to be a problem. In fact it isn't a problem now.

What I have on my side is a history of writing. I know I can recreate the writing habit. And the habit of writing will put me back on course. Sure, I’m likely to have some off days, but the habit will carry me through. I tend to write virtually every morning – except on occasions when I’m in a writing quandary like this, and even then, I write – even if its just to forward email.

Grant, I may not publish every little thing I write, I will have more to choose from.

Just writing these exploratory passages, I think I now know where the source of my quandary is – and it’s not an unusual one at all for writers. I’ve a story I want to tell, but I’m unsure about committing it to a public forum such as this.

I may have to get it down in a private way, allow it to stew for a while, simmer a bit longer and rewrite it a few times before I release it, but she’s there, ready to break free.

And my problem is solved - by activity! In this case, writing, which once again proves that the cure for inactivity is activity. Just do it already!