Inspiration can come from the oddest sources. My favourite episode of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer was on television late Friday night (go ahead laugh it up). It is the musical episode called "Once
More With Feeling". There were two
quotes towards the end of the episode that I thought would be perfect for Motivational Monday. I am going to
share one of them with you today. The
quote is "where there is life--there is hope". Pretty profound for a science fiction show,
wouldn't you say?
Now actually, I didn’t take it for granted that the quote
was original to the show so I went looking for the source. Apparently, the expression originates in Ecclesiastes
and is based on the Latin proverb “Dum
vita est, spes est” --while there's life, there's hope. However, where it comes from isn’t as
important as the meaning it conveys.
While you still have a single breath left in you, then there is chance
for change. Today though, I am not focusing
so much on the message of the quote but rather on where inspiration comes from.
Inspiration can be found in many places. It can come from our own imaginations or from
the world around us. You just have to
start looking. Our senses play a huge
part in our inspirational journey. We
can be inspired by things that we see, things we hear, things that we touch. We can even be inspired by the way something
smells. So if you are looking for
inspiration, interact with the world around you. You never know where your next idea may come
from.
When you come across an idea, write it down. I used to keep a journal where I would cut
things out from magazines that inspired me to create. These days I keep most everything in folders
on my computer. However you choose to
store the ideas that encourage you, make it a system that works for your own
lifestyle. The more organized you are,
the easier it will be to find the things that move you and get the creative juices
flowing again when you are stuck for ideas.
Inspiration is not just about helping us with our creativity though. Sometimes, we need a little extra
encouragement to help keep us motivated to get through the day, a project or
another complexity we are facing in our lives.
During those situations, I find it best to turn more towards nature and
the wonders of the world around you or to the thoughts and words from others
(i.e. quotes). It doesn’t matter what it
is, just find something that you can grasp onto to help you navigate your way
through the difficulties.
Whether it is in your personal life or your professional
one, continue to look for things that inspire you to be better & do better
every single day. It won't be easy but
nothing in life ever is. You'll need to
work at it. Try an idea out, play around
with the concept in different ways.
Sure, you'll probably be frustrated but that is part of the
process. You need to go down different
alleys, knock on a few doors, and even get turned away until you finally come
to your destination. The key is to never
stop trying.
So, where do you get your inspiration from? I’d love to know.
Before I go, here is your motivational quote for this week.
If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.
Until next time,
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believe that I am safe in using it here in these designs and offering it
to all of you.
If
you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found
in the copyright tab at the top of this page. I have included a quick
summary below.
If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.
Quick summary of Terms of Use:
- Do not claim the image as your own.
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References:
Author Unknown. (2009). Latin Proverbs: Motivational Latin Proverbs. Available: http://latin-proverbs.com/phrases/while-there-is-life-there-is-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.
Author Unknown. (2012). while there is life there is hope. Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/while-there-s-life-there-s-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.
Meindl, Anthony . (2012). Where Does Inspiration Come
From?. Available:
http://www.dailyactor.com/2012/11/acting-advice-where-does-inspiration-come-from/.
Last accessed 25th November 2012.
“Once More With Feeling”.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer. UPN. Much More Music, Toronto,
ON. 23 November 2012.
Rose, Gene. (2008). Where Does Inspiration Come From? .
Available:
http://governmentcommunicators.blogspot.ca/2008/04/where-does-inspiration-come-from.html.
Last accessed 25th November 2012.
Xerri-Brooks, Sally. (2012). Where does inspiration come
from?. Available:
http://sallyxerribrooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/where-does-inspiration-come-from/.
Last accessed 25th November 2012.
