What does it mean to be inspired? And why can inspiration be so difficult to find sometimes?
Inspiration starts with the individual. It’s a choice. Being inspired isn’t a luxury, it’s a responsibility. It’s something that needs to be fostered and cultivated. When someone allows themselves to be inspired, they will be inspired.
Inspiration doesn’t have to be an elusive thing that people strive to catch, and it doesn’t have to be induced by substances that alter consciousness. Simply notice — inspiration is everywhere, ready to be experienced.
There is no excuse for a lack of inspiration. Inspiration is always more active than mere appreciation. Appreciation is the start of inspiration, but it must be acted upon to develop into inspiration. It’s the little things. When someone doodles, listens to music, goes on a walk, reads a book or drinks some tea they are doing things they appreciate, and inspiration can be found in them. When people step away from places they normally seek inspiration from it makes them think a bit differently, and they might find inspiration in the most unlikely place.
Inspiration can be found in the familiar and unfamiliar. Psychologists Todd M. Thrash and Andrew J. Elliot found that inspired people were more open to new experiences, and reported more absorption in their tasks. To become personally inspired, the best thing someone can do is set up the optimal circumstances for inspiration, according to their research.
Inspiration is the beginning of creativity. The artist breathes in the inspiration, and exhales creativity. From Latin, the word “inspiration” literally translates “to breathe into” from the Latin verb inspirare.
Many people believe that in order to create, their inspiration needs to come from an original idea — something no one has ever thought of before. However, when we look at the creators of the most amazing art, inventions and ideas, we find the opposite.
To an extent there is truly nothing new under the sun — ideas build on ideas. “Copy, transform, combine” is a solid formula for artists. The essence of creation, in all endeavors, is a chance for connections between ideas and facts that were previously segregated to be established. There’s practically nothing new, but that’s OK — there are plenty of opportunities to recreate old things in a new way. This is inspiration.
When inspiration is found, the next step is turning it into creative expression. This isn’t always easy either. When people find themselves in situations where creativity is forced without adequate time for inspiration to develop, such as a work environment or school, their creativity can be stifled. A blank canvas can be very intimidating, but when someone gives themselves limitations they find the appropriate recipe for a delicious, creative project.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
Ultimate creativity isn’t found when someone thinks about every possibility in the world — it’s when they think about one possibility and make it a reality. By starting with one sentence, two colors of paint, three musical chords and four dance steps — the simplest of things — people begin their creative project on a solid foundation, a nice strong foundation like an old castle.
People need to make time, find space, be consistent and have the intention to find inspiration by doing, working, trying and living.
Andrew Brand can be reached at [email protected]