I admit, I don’t consider myself as particularly creative. I’m not gifted at drawing; no matter how hard I try, it seems that even my stick figures come out crooked! I burn water so I’m clearly not a good cook, and I can’t carry a tune to save my life. I write this blog each week, but sometimes I run out of ideas no matter how many resources I look to for inspiration. If my creative muses fail me, why do I need them?
The original muses were said to be the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. Artists would pray to these Greek goddesses for inspiration. During that time, artists believed that creativity came solely from some of these goddesses; they did not believe that creativity came from within the self.
These days most of us are not praying to the daughters of Zeus for inspiration. I might be wrong in that assumption, but for arguments sake let’s just assume that I’m right. If we’ve abandoned turning to the gods for creativity, what does inspire us to do what we do?
I don’t believe that inspiration is only for artists, I believe we all need it for nearly everything we do. An artist may find inspiration in feelings, whether it be sorrow, joy or even anger. They may find inspiration in nature. I have friends that get inspiration from wanting to provide for their families and I know entrepreneurs that work their butts off to grow their companies and provide a path of growth for their employees. I know folks that get inspiration from fear, others get it when they exercise or meditate or just breathe. There are many ways to get inspiration; in fact, maybe some of you get it from this blog! Or maybe you are just ‘mused by it, which is just as inspiring for me ?
Whatever your source of inspiration, and whatever that inspiration pushes you to achieve, keep acting on it, no matter what. The only muse you need to please is the one residing inside yourself.
“Fool,” said my muse to me. “Look in thy heart and write.” – Philip Sidney
Have an inspirational weekend.
Vijay