Let's Get Creative: Finding Inspiration

Some people have what's commonly referred to as a 'creative spirit.' You know the type. The doodles in the margins of their notebook make our best artistic efforts look like stick figures in comparison. They can write flawless poetry with their eyes closed and recite Shakespeare without a single moment of hesitation. They have super-powered green thumbs that can make even the most stubborn plant burst into brilliant bloom. They take the perfect photograph every time, and their writing is breath-taking. You might even get the impression that they were born knowing how to waltz.

But let me tell you a little secret: You're a creative spirit, too. In fact, everyone is. Your neighbor with the questionable fashion sense who starts decorating for Christmas in June? She's a creative spirit. The guy who bags your groceries at the Super Market? He is too. Your clumsy aunt with an inexplicable fondness for garden snakes? You guessed it - creative spirit.

A lot of people assume that they have to be born with some sort of special talent to be creative, and to some extent, they're correct. Fortunately, you just happened to be born human, and humans have an incredible talent for finding inspiration and translating it into creative energy.

The problem that most people have - even people who are typically regarded as 'creative spirits' like artists, authors, and musicians - is that inspiration can be hard to come by.

In truth, inspiration is all around us. It's in the trees and the clouds and the changing of seasons and the comings and goings of people around us. I once wrote a 1,000 word essay on my neighbor's dishcloth. Most of us don't see dishrags as particularly inspiring, but for me, it sparked a chain of ideas that led to an A+ paper.

Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes all we have to do to capture some is open our eyes. Other times, pursuing that spark can be a little more tricky. Here are some tips to find what inspires you:

• Go outside. There is a world of wonder and beauty just out your front door. Take a few deep breaths. Stare at the trees. Run your fingers along the grass. Keep a look out for birds. Get down on your hands and knees and look for any interesting critters going about their lives. Listen to the sounds of your community. Watch your neighbors coming home from school or work, or gardening, or playing with their children. Let the sunshine warm your face. Lay on your back and watch the clouds. See if you can spot any cloud creatures. Observe the lengthening shadows as day turns to dusk. Look up at the night sky, and see how the world looks shrouded in darkness. Pay special attention and see if you can notice anything you overlook in your daily life, like the broken planter on the side of the garden or the crack on the second step. 
• Meditate. Go to a quiet place and just think. Separate yourself from the fast pace of modern life and see if your inner muse has anything to tell you. 
• Keep a collection of interesting, thought-provoking quotes on a document on your computer. Bookmark a few beautiful poems that speak to your heart. Take a look at some beautiful words and their definitions. 
• Download some images of natural beauty. Not everyone has the advantage of seeing nature in their everyday life, especially in urban environments. Let these photographs take you to the far-flung natural treasures of this world. 
• Listen to music. Put on some classical music and let it move you. Play a song in a foreign language and ponder its meaning. (If you're a multilingual student, don't cheat! Find music in a language you don't understand and allow yourself to feel as you listen without getting caught up in the words.) Listen to ancient music from thousands of years ago and try to imagine the life of the person who created it. 
• Look at art. If you can't visit a gallery, try taking an online museum tour. 
• Talk to an elder. Ask them about their life. Ask them to tell you their story. You never know what kind of amazing adventures they'll enthrall you with. If you have Grandparents, you might want to consider recording their stories somehow. It'll preserve your family history and you'll treasure those recordings for years to come. 
• Don't force it. Even the most esteemed creators have creative blocks. If you can't find anything that inspires you, take a break and try again tomorrow. Inspiration will find you, one way or another.