Inspiration and Imagination
These two ideas often go hand in hand.
I have a very active imagination. Always have. Since childhood, I’ve been good at imagining stories, settings, and turning the mundane into something special.
For example, I would sometimes sit in the big picture window of our home and imagine it was my starship. Other times, the swing on my swing set was my starfighter. Countless sticks became laser pistols or swords. And don’t even get me started on the further adventures my Star Wars action figures and playsets went on.
Imagination led to inspiration for me. In time, I was inspired to make up stories and share them with the world via writing. Imagination inspired storytelling, and before long I began to produce short stories and longer novels. Fantasy, sci-fi, and a few variations in between.
In fact, storytelling is so central to my being that I began to explore other avenues. Nonfiction, specifically. What began as an exercise to get me writing more frequently and regularly evolved into an in-depth philosophy.
Sometimes imagination sparks inspiration and sometimes inspiration sparks imagination. This can be incredibly advantageous. Together, inspiration and imagination can make the world a better place.
Adventures in travel
In college, I had a fantastic art history teacher. Professor Clancy had a dry humor and wit to his lectures and slide presentations that I utterly loved. Because of this, I minored in art history and took many classes with Professor Clancy.
The topic he covered most involved various forms of architecture. Most of this was medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance. I discovered an utter fascination with Gothic Architecture in particular.
Two Cathedrals of the Gothic Architecture Period got the most attention. Amiens Cathedral in France and Salisbury Cathedral in England. I sat through many a discussion and slideshow, marveling at the soaring stone, ribbed arches, delicate tracery, and colorful windows. Something about this always inspired me.
Last week, I finally crossed the ocean and visited England. During that visit, I got to see Salisbury Cathedral for myself. It did not disappoint.
Just approaching it from the car park, the massive tower drew me in. It was utterly spectacular, and I felt myself inspired.
To me, inspiration is a mix of awe, joy, wonder, appreciation, and fascination. There I was, standing in the middle of the Cathedral I had viewed through so many slides more than 30 years ago. Even as a writer, I can hardly find the words to explain the sensation of being there.
This was one of many things that sparked inspiration in me on that trip. Feeling inspired, that joy, wonder, appreciation, awe, and fascination then spurred my imagination.
Inspiration and imagination
Another place we visited was Stonehenge.
While we were kept further from it than I would have liked, and the stones were not quite as tall as I thought they’d be, it was still impressive. Who thought to take these stones and arrange them just like that, with precise direction and intent? What was the purpose?
The mysteries of Stonehenge and the unique sense of being connected to Mother Earth in that place reminded me of how I’ve felt whenever I hiked the vortices of Sedona, AZ. Like I had a deep, immediate connection to the soul of the world.
Inspiration and imagination blended as our guide – driving us to Stonehenge from Bath – explained some of the current theories on who built Stonehenge and why. That caused me to imagine a story idea. I jotted it down and suspect a future fantasy novel of mine will be about Stonehenge.
I found that Stonehenge inspired me, and that in turn opened my imagination. It felt very similar to my visits and hikes around Sedona. It was as if I was reaching beyond this world into something deeper, more meaningful, more full of inspiration and imagination.
I’m a storyteller, so I’m allowed to get poetic here.
Inspiration and imagination make the world a better place
Have you noticed how so many of the current world leaders appear to be miserable? No smiles, no belly laughs, no joy whatsoever? These people appear forlorn, angry, and cold, and many of their actions seem to be proof that’s where they are.
Inspiration is always something positive. It’s how ideas become things. Maybe that thing is a story, but it can also be an iPhone or some other tangible device. Inspiration is a spark that can smolder, then catch flame and bring about new wonders in a world that can always use more wonder.
While I look at it for good, imagination can be good and bad. Lots of people have gotten very good at imagining catastrophes and worst-case scenarios more readily than potential and possibilities.
Doomscrolling and going down similar rabbit holes are reflections of this. News outlets, advertisers, and leaders seek our attention and use the fear and uncertainty we can imagine to manipulate us.
You get to choose your own adventure
This is one reason why tying inspiration and imagination together can be powerful. It leads to more ideas for good over notions of bad.
Artists utilize inspiration and imagination to open hearts and minds. When more people are open, potential and possibility for growth and good increase. That’s how we make the world a better place for everyone.
This takes work and effort, and for the artist, it can prove quite the uphill battle. But when our leaders are miserable fucks, we need all the inspiration and imagination we can get to counter them and their ill intent. I don’t know about you, but I sure as hell prefer living in a world of abundance, potential, and possibility rather than a world of lack, doubt, and hopelessness.
Inspiration and imagination can be both created and found. All you need to do is make conscious choices for what you read, watch, and explore. The key is to be open to potential and possibility. You never know when a quote will inspire you or a cloud will drive your imagination.
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you every week, please consider this: How are you inspired and empowered to be your own authentic creator, whatever form that takes?
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