Stop Going Through the Motions

START
“Sometimes questioning ourselves can be the scariest part of the process because of the new answers it may lead to, and the former beliefs that may unravel as a result.”

INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE
If we trace creativity back far enough, it often starts with some form of inspiration. An initial spark that gets things going. Some people seem to get this spark on demand while others only feel creatively motivated once in a blue moon.

So our question for today is, where does inspiration come from and how can we tap into it consistently?

Inspiration can be sparked by the most unexpected things: a relatable lyric from a song, a conversation with a stranger, a beautiful sunset. There are infinite sources of inspiration in this big world of ours. Inspiration can be found in any of the millions of things and people we pass by every single day. Most people only find inspiration in extraordinary art and unbelievable accomplishments. But the real key is training your eyes see the extraordinary, take it in fully, and then look beyond it to also see beauty in the basic things that everyone else looks over.

GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS..
The good news is: anyone can do this! You don’t need to be some off-the-walls creative genius to find inspiration. Everyone has the capability of appreciate mundane things.

The bad news (maybe not bad, but tough): it’s going to require some work. It’s going to require actively seeking out a new perspective. And that typically involves taking time to sit with something for a while, taking it in with a clear mind. It also requires being vulnerable enough to question all your preconceived notions. Sometimes questioning ourselves can be the scariest part of the process because of the new answers it may lead to, and the former beliefs that may unravel as a result.

In our modern society where everything moves so fast, time is the most valuable resource that most people don’t have or just aren’t willing to give up for anything that doesn’t immediately deliver a return on investment. But the practice of opening yourself to inspiration is a muscle that gets stronger with repetition over time: the skill of not just looking at things, but actually seeing them deeply and intimately. And strengthening this muscle pays off tenfold in the long run if you’re patient enough to stay the course.

This presents us all with a worthwhile challenge for this week: Stop going through the motions. Operate consciously, not absentmindedly. Slow down. Look at things a little more deeply. Talk to the person that you usually don’t give the time of day. Challenge yourself to see a thing, person, place, or concept in a whole new way.

If you pay attention, you might learn something.