Chasing Inspiration
Because that’s basically what we do when we start anything artistic. And let me say that this idea applies to so many… any of the arts; architects, auto builders and customizers, designers of our infrastructure, you get the idea. Let’s find out what the internet thinks inspiration is –
– the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Or my favorite – INSPIRATION meaning: 1. Someone or something that gives you ideas for doing something:
Omg. It was like no one wanted to, or could, define it. I fully expected to find the one that said, “That moment when the light bulb comes on over your head.” Finally I asked chatGPT –
Inspiration is a complex and multifaceted concept that involves a combination of psychological, emotional, and cognitive processes. At its core, inspiration can be understood through several key aspects:
1 Trigger: Inspiration often begins with a trigger, which can be an external stimulus (like a piece of art, nature, or a person) or an internal realization (like a new idea or a sudden insight).
2 Motivation: It generates a strong desire or motivation to take action, create something new, or achieve a goal. This motivation is usually accompanied by a sense of excitement and enthusiasm.
3 Creativity: Inspiration is closely linked with creativity. It often leads to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking that were not previously considered. This creative spark can result in artistic expression, problem-solving, or innovative solutions.
4 Emotional Impact: The experience of inspiration is often emotionally uplifting and can lead to feelings of awe, admiration, and a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
5 Transformation: Inspiration can lead to personal transformation, influencing one’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. It can prompt individuals to pursue new paths, make positive changes, and strive for self-improvement.
6 Purpose and Meaning: When inspired, people often feel a heightened sense of purpose and meaning in their actions. This sense of purpose can drive sustained effort and dedication toward achieving a vision or goal.
In essence, inspiration is a dynamic and energizing force that propels individuals toward growth, creativity, and meaningful action. It is an essential element in personal development, artistic expression, and the pursuit of innovative ideas.
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Thanks, chat GPT. Finally, some clarity on my subject today. I especially like its number 4… “The experience of inspiration is often emotionally uplifting and can lead to feelings of awe, admiration, and a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.” Yes! Now we’re getting somewhere.
We start with an idea, sure, maybe even a plan. Then we start. As the beginning of our project begins to take shape, there’s usually a time when our piece, rough though it might still be, begins to speak to us. Sometimes we forge ahead, wanting to see the result of our initial idea for the piece. But sometimes, we stop and hear a voice say, “what if we…” Or perhaps, “Oh look, that is suggesting this, and it might be more interesting, though it’s different from my original idea.”
I’ve done the “what if we.” What that tells us is that, subconsciously, I’m already not working alone, that there is someone else, something else feeding my attempt to create something new, something different. For centuries we’ve been calling that something “our muse.” I’ve been aware of the muses for a long time, and have written about them but never took them seriously. However, perhaps I was listening and responding to my muse all along…
So you know, the Muses,( Mousai) were the Ancient Greek goddesses of music, song and dance, and the source of inspiration to poets. Later the Mousai were assigned specific artistic spheres: Kalliope (Calliope), epic poetry; Kleio (Clio), history; Ourania (Urania), astronomy; Thaleia (Thalia), comedy; Melpomene, tragedy; Polymnia (Polyhymnia), religious hymns; Erato, erotic poetry; Euterpe, lyric poetry; and Terpsikhore (Terpsichore), choral song and dance.
Ahh, those crazy Greeks. And while I never pictured my occasional “inspirations” to be brought to me by of a beautiful Greek goddess, still I have no problem with that concept. (Naturally.) I’ve always known there was “something” assisting me creatively, whether I was working for fun or under pressure. My muse, if I actually had one, treated me very well and was wicked consistent in being there when needed.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”. Picasso
Yes, Pablo, that would seem to be the case, but I’ve read somewhere that we sometimes (whether accidentally or on purpose) clear a space in our mind, then the inspiration for something we want to create comes rushing in, sometimes in nearly completed form.
Sounds a little like magic, doesn’t it? And it would surely feel like magic, except that our egos usually jump in and claim it as its own special brilliance. I know this because I’ve experienced it both ways, and after the Buddhists got through with me, I have been experiencing inspiration as a truly magical happening that is far beyond explanation.
My particular ego takes no credit for any of my good work, and it gets none. I know that my occasional flashes of inspiration come not from me, but rather through me. Sorry, ego. My abilities, such as they are, lie in my willingness to receive inspiration and translate it to a tangible form… perhaps the real meaning of what the artist does.
Might I be admitting here, that yes, I use a muse? Ha. It’s far more likely that a muse is using me. One thing I’m sure of… it’s best not to try analyzing her museness too much. Over the years I’ve found that there are certain elements in our existence that seem to operate better when left alone, without any tedious analysis. Many of those elements are not going to be understood to any degree anyway, so it becomes a wise choice to not question, but simply live with, and appreciate, their mysteries. (“Women come to mind here…) And besides, curiosity really can kill the cat.
Which brings me to this – chasing inspiration is one sure way to not receive it. For inspiration is like enlightenment… it’s totally illusive as long as you seek it. Only when you don’t expect it, don’t wait for it, will it come to you. Maybe.
My headline for this post should have read, “Chasing inspiration, one sure way of getting writer’s block.” Yup, writer’s block, that horrible (and often imagined) state of mind where nothing comes to mind, and that little niggling fear that slides in simply exacerbates it. People who suffer from occasional writer’s block are usually trying to force their creativity, driven, perhaps, by a hard deadline, an important assignment, or even just their own impatience.
I never experienced writer’s block, and I’m not sure why. It’s kind of weird, actually, because I worked under a lot of unrealistic deadlines. That’ll happen when one is dealing with ad agency execs who aren’t considerate of how long it takes us to make them look brilliant, only that they look brilliant by their deadline.
So often my biggest difficulties lay not in trying to do the very best work I could for a client, but rather dumbing down my instincts for quality long enough to polish the turd they’d given me to complete. Yes, that’s a sad commentary for any line of work, but I was, after all, a jingle writer in their eyes, and that was my choice, my fate. It’s like the prostitute said, “Say what you like, but the money was good.”
Those times were offset, thank god, by other creatives, like Mac Kirkpatrick, who always told me, “Do anything you want, just make me look good… and make sure there’s a French horn in there somewhere.”
I’m sure that any sort of consistent inspiration one might receive almost has to come from doing what they love. If Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.” Then I suggest this – “Inspiration can exist when we love what we’re doing.” And being good at what we’re doing is an important element to all that, as the better our skills are, the more options we have as to which way to go with them. I have a feeling that inspiration loves capability, and confidence.
I have wondered, at times, where natural ability ends and inspiration begins. What a totally useless thing to wonder, and occasionally my muse pinches me, reminding me that she’s running this show after all, and that any attempt on my part to analyze this wonderful and somewhat magical relationship is doomed for failure.
I get it. Check, Charlie. Roger, Wilco.
Hulse out
