This year, 2009, I’m dedicating to paying more attention to my world, and I especially want to pay attention to the things that inspire me…I’ve been asked that a lot…through groups I belong to, from artists’ blog posts…and from the inspiration art journal that I’m making in Paulette Insall’s Inspiration Art Journal class. Now, I can tell you what my favorite colors are, at present anyway. I know what some of my favorite foods are…my favorite clothes…my favorite movies…but really paying attention to what inspires me is more difficult. I don’t pay close enough attention…is it that ADD thing? Maybe, but not entirely…because we live fast, and many, including myself, just go from one day to the next without paying much attention.
My now deceased father-in-law, whom I loved greatly, once commented to me that I needed to stop wishing my life away. I had made a comment about wishing the time would pass quickly…I don’t remember the event I was anticipating, but I do remember the comment…and it occurred to me that I did that a lot…wishing for tomorrow, next week, next month…instead of appreciating today, and living today to it’s fullest…would I take more care of today if I knew I had only one more day to live?
Webster’s dictionary defines inspiration as this:
inspiration \ˌin(t)-spə–ˈrā-shən
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions2: the act of drawing in ; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs3 a: the quality or state of being inspired b: something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>4: an inspiring agent or influence
Well, I must say I’m not entirely enlightened, and I don’t entirely appreciate everything I should, but I am trying to pay more attention, and I do want to remember what inspired me. Inspiration can come from many sources of course, and I found this video to be very inspiring…a favorite song, sung by no one I know…many musicians, many singers…no rock stars, no opera houses or stadiums, but beautiful music performed by beautiful people…without fancy costumes or makeup…no divas here…enjoy the artistic journey!
What say you?