July 15, 2008

Lost Creativity and Inspiration

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:31 am

Can we talk about . . .

inspiration.

Over-organization has taken me.

A week of little things, tiny things, and chasing about has put my organizational mind in control — creativity has temporarily gone missing.

I spend a silent conversation with a cup of coffee, wondering why I’m stuck with some sort of boring, straight-in-a-line, ordinary run-of-the-mill, deadly, cliche thinking. I try for the switch to turn on the electricity, but the current is more static than energy.

I pick up a pencil and start listing — literally and figuratively. Things to do are what I start writing. I put the pencil down and check around for something more rewarding.

Then I look out the window to catch that first second of sunlight spilling into the harbor.

Light-spilling-into-the-harbor-by-Liz-Strauss


It’s a light going on. It’s a sparkle of ideas set out before me.

Inspiration shows up just when I need it.

What a relief that is.

Who, what, where has inspired you lately?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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14 Comments to “Lost Creativity and Inspiration”

  1. July 15th, 2008 at 6:44 am
    Jamie Harrop said

    Hey Liz,

    I’m still in love with the wonderful view you wake up to each morning. :)

    Over the last week it is my new blog readers that have inspired me. I’ve found many new friends who are all bouncing their motivation, inspiration and positivity off me. It’s wonderful. :)

  2. July 15th, 2008 at 7:57 am
    Ricardo Bueno said

    Hope.

    My godfather used to say, “never settle for anything less than the best.” Eliminate all limiting beliefs and foster your creativity and knowledge to excel in all that you do.

    With hope, and focus on everything that’s positive in our days, it’s easier to see the road ahead and work on accomplishing what we want.

  3. July 15th, 2008 at 8:03 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Jamie!
    It’s fun to share the view with you this way. I find myself not taking it for granted as I once did.

    New people on the blog are the best inspiration! Yeah. Wonderful!

  4. July 15th, 2008 at 8:33 am
    Cath Lawson said

    Hi Liz - the thing that has inspired me most this week is yesterday’s post on remarkablogger. It’s about how blogging helped save his business from death.

    I love reading that kind of thing. It reminds you that anything is possible if you don’t give up.

  5. July 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
    SpaceAgeSage said

    I’m inspired by my online research as I find and StumbleUpon sites on personal development. Just yesterday, I learned more about those self limiting beliefs and how to overcome them that Ricardo mentioned. Two best notes from yesterday:

    1) When we try to change ourselves by effort of will, we do violence to ourselves.
    Reason? If we don’t address our inner messages and stories that contradict our desired change, we end up in a battle between the two.

    2)Instead of seeing the world through 3 or 4 negative viewpoints (Ex: “My job is a hell hole.”), pick one good thing about the job you can sink your teeth into, (Ex: “I like helping junior staff improve.”) and for one month do something every day to make that an even better situation. Pick something new every month.

    (This came from a Google Speaker series, but I didn’t get the speaker’s name.)

    It motivates me to see people embracing ways to better themselves and the world.

  6. July 15th, 2008 at 9:23 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cath,
    Michael is an inspiring guy. I hope you get a chance to meet him. His post at remarkablogger was a great one. I agree. :)

  7. July 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Ricardo!
    Great to see you! Your grandfather was a wise man. Focus and positivity not only keep us inspired, but tend to pass on the feeling.

  8. July 15th, 2008 at 9:26 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sage,
    Thanks for bring a way for us to inspire ourselves. You’re good at inspiring great thinking.

  9. July 15th, 2008 at 9:37 am
    Ulla Hennig said

    I found Twitter very inspiring. I’ve got the feeling that I learn something every new day.

  10. July 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ulla!
    I’ve been inspired by the people on Twitter too!

  11. July 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am
    --Deb said

    I just wanted to add that, while inspiration is obviously important, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to spend a day or so doing organizational things instead. If your brain wants to organize, let it. Sometimes, if you’ve been too creative for too long, you need a chance to get the more practical things under control again. I mean, filing and such isn’t exactly exciting, but it can be satisfying in its own way.

  12. July 15th, 2008 at 10:48 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Deb!
    No, my problem definitely was too many days of organizing things had organized me all up!! :)

  13. July 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
    Cath Lawson said

    Liz - if I get to move to Canada - hopefully I’ll be able to come to Sobcon next year. I’m guessing it will be a lot closer than the UK. So hopefully Michael will be there.

  14. July 15th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Cath!
    That would be VERY cool! Fingers crossed. :)

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