Inspiration Comes from Living

My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living.

Anais Nin

What inspires you?

Perhaps it is seeing someone else – someone you love or just someone you’ve ‘met’ on twitter – accomplish something great.

How about witnessing someone overcome adversity of some kind.

Or maybe it’s the sheer beauty of nature and how it reminds us that life is great and we should make the most of it.

I love the quote from Anais Nin about how inspiration comes from living. It sums up in one sentence how living life to the full leads to finding inspiration and motivation to do more. Absolutely.

It is a well known fact that we are unlikely to find inspiration by sitting down facing a computer screen and willing it to come. I know that is the worst place for me if I am wanting to be creative. I could sit staring into the abyss that is my monitor for hours and not come up with anything interesting. For those of us who have a day job based at a computer in an office (with no windows!), this can be a bit of a problem. But away from work I have no excuse – I can get up and walk away from the screen, to either go and do something productive elsewhere in my house, or to head off outside for some fresh air.

At the weekend I went for a wander up on one of the trails close to my home. I live in the middle of Lincolnshire, barely above sea level (I think it’s technically five metres above), and the trig point at the top of the hill is at just 86 metres. Even without mountains or lakes or the sea to look at, the views from the cliff edge over Lincoln, Hykeham and towards Newark are rather stunning on a sunny day. At this time of year the Rapeseed is in full flower, the green fields are bright and healthy, the cows are active and the Spring lambs are bounding about. It’s wonderful.

I was reminded of this quote as I stood taking a few photographs that this is what I need to feel alive. And when I feel alive, inspiration hits me right between the eyes. I might have to sit still to actually write, or make good on that inspiration, but first I need to allow it to flow.

Life is all about the journey. Don’t just sit there… get out and make the most of your life. Inspiration will follow.

Inspired by the BEDM topic for today – workspace.