Linking this with the Half Marathon at The Blog Chatter, Day 6.
The Depth of Inspiration
When the chips are down (and I don’t mean potato chips), the mind doesn’t really come up with its own inspiration. It needs a push, something to motivate it.
We may need someone to appreciate us, to coddle us and reemphasize that we are the best we can be. Our creative mind does respond then. It begins to deaddict from the notion that it cannot be inspired. It exercises to regain the focus it feels is lost.
I’ve felt the effect of this personally too, for it was such a phase, and a caring friend that brought me back to writing. My gratitude goes out to him for that. Writing seems to be hard work at times, yet easily inspired at other times too. It’s kind of like journaling thoughts into fiction, or poetry, or any form I like at that time. Some knowledge was already there. Others, I learned as I wrote. As I wrote, my love for writing grew. To hear my thoughts as I wrote them down was music to my ears. It was like it was second nature to me.
The down phase slowly wore out, and optimism returned. After that, I stayed with it. No matter what else was going on in life, I prioritized writing at least twice a week, if not more often. The questioning mind returned, and it began to answer its own doubts. When it found the answer worthy, it relaxed. It sought simplicity in thoughts rather than depth. The depth then came along with it, rather than being forced. The train of thoughts felt more unique when the answers came from within. It had more value.
Just as water nourishes plants, writing (and soon after, reading) nourished my thoughts. The thoughts then looked to differentiate between writing excuse as ‘x-cuse’, and there as ‘der’. They sought to grow, for they were still raw, young, and even immature. A push at the right time by a good friend, and the zeal for writing had returned stronger than ever before. And I haven’t looked back since.
I found an e-book written by Shalini at BlogChatter Ebook Carnival. It is a collection of posts written by her during A to Z Challenge in April. The words she has written on, inspired this post. This is NOT a book review.
(© Vinay Leo R. @ I Rhyme Without Reason, 21st July 2016)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing to me are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
I think there is a grim side to creativity. When I’m the most happy, my works manage to only scratch the surface of the depths of emotions that I try exploring. When I find myself a prisoner to my thoughts, restrained and claustrophobic, i see layers and a profound understanding of why it needn’t be so. I believe in doing what it takes to find that courage and drive to write. For our words are both predators and liberators of our spirit 🙂
Very profound. 🙂 And quite possibly true. 😀 Even I write better when the thoughts are trapped by an off phase, I think, but I love to write no matter what the mood. 😀 I find it equally driving. Thank you, Katz.
Very true! I have also noticed my writing pick up when I get recognition-in form of comments and likes.Of course,we basically write for ourselves.But when someone else appreciates it,there is this shared feeling that propels you to go on.Liked your post!
Subha Rajagopal recently posted…Doreamon’s Gadgets
Yes. 🙂 I don’t mind less “likes”, but it makes me happy when someone leaves a feedback on the post. We know we are writing because we want to, and not getting a comment doesn’t change that. But it is an extra motivation to continue writing when someone cheers a post of ours. Glad you liked the post, Subha. Appreciate the feedback. 😀
Great write,
Great thought,
Great Blog….
And I echo the thought too….. the blogosphere has been a balm as well as motivational…..
I’m glad that you felt this was great. Thank you, Aruna Menon. 🙂 I hope that the blogosphere continues to be a balm.
What to say than WOW…. Thanks, you took time to read that work of mine and the way u included the entire Motivational Alphabets in your thoughts and the writing. Kudos ! You made my day 🙂
Thank you, Shalini. 🙂 I liked your thoughts on each of the alphabets too.
Written thoughts being music to the ears, how beautiful! Very true, we write no matter what but the feedback is the boosting factor. We may get praised for our work, but it is difficult to get the right criticism to help us improve. Knowing our weaknesses is as important as knowing our strengths. Don’t you think?
Dashy recently posted…The Second Childhood – 7 of #Seven Ages
Yes. 🙂 The feedback helps us to continue writing. And I don’t mean, “Nice post. I like it.” kind of comments either, Dashy. Though even those bring a smile to the face, nothing compares to seeing a comment that shows that the post, no matter how small or big, has been read. 😀 Constructive criticism helps, I agree. It makes us grow. But a commenter who always gives only criticism is a buzzkill. 😛
Writing (and reading) is a form of meditation. But, you are right we always need inspiration. I am glad you bounced back. Keep writing always…:)
Tarang Sinha recently posted…Time Cannot Heal Every Wound. BM Day 7
I am glad that I bounced back too, Tarang. It made a world of difference to me. 🙂 I definitely hope to keep writing always.
This is beautiful, Vinay 🙂 such friends are like a treasure trove which we possess. I too was brought into the writing world via encouragement of a friend 🙂
Yes. A friend like that is always good to have. Thank you, Sanaa.