Inspiration

   Inspiration?     How can we corral that sometimes illusive and all important component ? 

Coincidentally I read two blog posts this week on inspiration.  Both are very good, and a reminder that 1) inspiration is Everywhere and 2) Play when stuck.

Michaela Cristalio writes in For the Creators blog that inspiration is actually EVERYWhere, we have simply to look for it.  That is so true!  Apparently, the problem is that we forget to look.  We must be intentional about looking,  especially when we need some inspiration. Go for a walk; take a hard look at the "ordinary" objects; and see if they just might be trying to get your attention for a bit of inspiration.  Thank you, Michaela, for that reminder :-)  It's too easy to only see our frustration or even fear instead opening our eyes wide. Keyword here is "intentional." She says:

"Being inspired, at its core, is about being curious for life no matter what it throws you. There’s inspiration to be found on the sidewalk outside your house if you look. The problem is we often don’t."

Then along comes the Unstuck blog.  It's a wonderful resource, and the post this week was "How to PLAY your way out of a stuck moment."  Who doesn't like that option?  With permission, here is a preview:

• "But actually, play is all about flow. It puts our brains and bodies into a joyful place where things just click. And that’s when magic can happen. This playful state of being can have amazing benefits in life and work:

•  Play fires the brain, revealing patterns and creating connections that drive creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

• It’s a social glue that helps us bond, learn about, and better understand each other.

• It helps us grow, emotionally and intellectually, from birth onward.

•  It eases stress, helping us live longer and keep our minds sharper."

The article goes on to an interview with Dr. Stuart Brown, and expert on the subject, yay! He has even founded The Institute of Play.  Unstuck even gives you a printable tip sheet with ideas for play, in case it's been too long since you've tried it :-)

Of course, one of my favorite forms of inspiration is "retail therapy." However, if you are blessed to live in a small town like me with limited sources of shopping, the world is at your finger tips with your internet connection.    Pinterest is a good source to spark an idea, and have you found ISSUU ?"A world of magazines. For FREE."  Don't get lost there, get back to work on your art now that you are inspired!  Get that notebook out, jot away, and note all references for each idea.

You should read the blog articles mentioned for more inspiration. And...here they are!

How to find inspiration in anything
How to play your way out of a stuck moment

Go forth, look, play, and be blessed!  
Vicki