Inspiration comes in many forms from many sources. Source: hrrrthrrr.com via Heather on Pinterest
What inspires you?
This question was posed to me by the talented Liv Rancourt who graciously tagged me in the “Be Inspired” meme. In turn, I am to share what inspired me to write the novel I am currently working on as well as give a shout out and a tag to those who inspire me. Because my work-in-progress is just that – in progress – ย I can’t really share much about it as Liv was able to do in her post (read about her inspiration for her awesome book, Vampire’s Deadly Delight,ย hereย and then go buy yourself a copy), I will instead break the rules and share what has inspired me lately.
I’ve come to the realization that inspiration can come in many forms and in surprising ways. It can also come when you least expect it, when your attention is focused elsewhere. Inspiration for me lately has come in little moments that jolt me out of whatever distractions my mind has preoccupied me with and into the present moment.
I began jotting down these moments in time several weeks ago when I felt like my life was spinning out of control and nothing I was doing was helping rein it in. I was so focused on what was going wrong and what wasn’t feeling fair and what wasn’t working that little else was able to get my attention.
Then I got sick of hearing all of those thoughts in my head, got sick of feeling sorrowful and down, got so utterly sick of being stuck in that dark, sad place.
So, I started thinking about those times when just for a moment everything is really good or perhaps scarily close to perfect. Those moments that make you stop and take it all in and think, “In this moment, everything is o.k.”
Time to pick myself up and notice the good around me. Source: sumikoshop.blogspot.com via Tami on Pinterest
Times like that moment when you wake up and the coffee has just finished brewing.
That moment when the endorphins kick in during your workout and you feel like you could go on forever.
That moment when the sun is setting and you watch as it slowly dips below the horizon.
That moment when someone you haven’t seen in a long time says with sincerity, “How is it you look younger every time I see you?”
That moment when you emerge from your hotel in a great city, ready to start exploring.
That moment just before a storm begins, when the air is full of electricity and the sky is an ominous shade of dark.
That moment when your child accomplishes the thing she’s been struggling with for a long time and smiles at you in triumph.
That moment when someone says to you the very thing you needed to hear but didn’t know you needed to hear it.
That moment when you realize for the next several hours you have the house all to yourself to DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.
That moment when you can think of nothing you’d like more than to turn up the music, dance like there’s no one watching and then actually do it.
That moment when you’re in the car and your favorite song comes on so you put the windows down, crank it up as loud as you can stand it and sing along, almost convincing yourself that you sing as well as the people coming through your speakers.
That moment when you and your friends discover something so outrageously funny and you laugh so hard you have tears streaming down your face.
That moment when you meet a new friend and realize that even though you can be shy, you feel completely at ease chatting it up with her.
That moment when you’re eating the most divine gelato you can find in your corner of the world while watching your favorite actor in your favorite show.
That moment when you’re watching your favorite actor on the big screen in a play and you realize two hours has passed without you thinking about anything but the story, the talent, the acting, and candy bar you’re munching on while doing so.
That moment when your bone-tired, weary body climbs in between the freshly laundered, lavender-scented sheets and you crack open the book you’ve been dying to get back to all day.
I have also been fortunate to be inspired by some wonderfully creative, intelligent, amazing people. There are so many that’s it very difficult to narrow it down to a readable amount here. I want to acknowledge that I am also inspired by my family, friends, and colleagues all of the time even though I’m only listing a small handful of fellow bloggers. Take a moment and wander over to these fabulous blogs to see what I mean:
Sherri Martin-Hutchins: Live Wonderstruck is the name of her inspirational blog. Be sure to check out her weekly interviews in which guests share what leaves them feeling wonderstruck.
Sherry Lachelle: At her Fabulous 50’s blog, Sherry writes about the many travel adventures she has taken. Check out her amazing photographs – they inspire me to get out my suitcase and start packing for my next adventure.
Kim Griffin: Forever, For Now kinda makes you think a bit, doesn’t it? Inspiration can come from looking at things in many different ways and I’ve found that to be true when reading Kim’s posts.
Barbara Forte Abate: She writes with such beautiful prose that seems so effortless that it makes me want to write just like her when I grow up.
Now it’s your turn – what moments have you had lately that made you pause and take notice? What moments struck you as poignant even as you were experiencing them? Who or what inspires you? Sit, have some tea and share. I’d love to hear from you!
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Sherry Isaac said:
Absofantawesomistic moments that touch me where I live, Tami. How can I choose a favourite from your list? Have to pick the storm, because I recently witnessed the power of a thunderstorm kick into turbo gear over Lake Superior.
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Tami Clayton said:
Thanks, Sherry. “Absofantawesomisitic” is my word of the day, no wait – the week! The month! If I only could pronounce it… ๐
Storms fascinate me. It’s one of the things I miss about living in the midwest. Here on the west coast in the valley between two huge mountain ranges we don’t get as many of them. And because they’re so rare, I’m drawn to them even more.
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livrancourt said:
This is the second time I’ve tagged you in a meme, Tami, and the second time you’ve blown me out of the water. What an awesome post. I want to print it off and put it up where I’ll see it every day, to remind me of all there is to appreciate in this life. Thanks so much for posting!
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Tami Clayton said:
Thank you so much, Liv! Truly. I was touched and so honored that you tagged me to begin with.
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Sara Walpert Foster said:
What a wonderful way to turn around feelings of sadness and despair. I will need to remember this when feeling low, then I can either write my own or simply read yours which encompass so many moments that show the beauty that exists amidst the chaos and pain.
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Tami Clayton said:
Thanks, Sara. It takes effort sometimes to be in the moment and appreciate it for what it is rather than focusing on what could be. Moments like that are kind of like the gentle slap on the cheek that gets me out of my head and into the present.
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S.M. Hutchins said:
This is beautiful. I can almost feel each moment you’ve listed. It’s been a while since I’ve had real gelato, but in a few weeks I will be in Italy once again- can’t wait! Thank you for mentioning me in your inspiration list. That in itself is one of my moments. The moment you realize that someone read and appreciated something you wrote. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Tami Clayton said:
Thank you, Sherri. You’re blog is so lovely and inspirational.
So jealous you’re going to Italy soon! Have lots of gelato for me. ๐
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Mike Schulenberg said:
Wow, what an amazing list of stuff, some of which would undoubtedly match items on my own list if I had an official one written out and everything. There seems to be a surprising lack of Benedict Cumberbatch on it, though ๐
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Tami Clayton said:
Thanks, Mike! Ah, but BC did make it into the list – twice! I just didn’t call him out by name. I figured I do that enough already. ๐
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Gloria Richard Author said:
I am so glad today was my catch up with all the blogs I’ve been missing day..
What Sherry said…only spelled correctly. She’s missing a vowel. I leave it to you to find it.
Please don’t read my lack of comments a reflection of my lack of interest in the [what Sherry said, again] of your blog.
This post rocked!
Now back to writing forward to finish my WIP and hoping to vanish the hag — inner editor, Gracie.
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Tami Clayton said:
I am also glad it was your catching up with blogs day because you’ve been sorely missed in the kasbah, Gloria.
Thanks for the kind words and I hope you were successful in ridding yourself of the hag. ๐
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Barbara Forte Abate said:
Today was one of those days–heavy duty, over-the-top, crammed so tight it’s now swelled over into “one of those evenings.” And I was just about to surrender, sit down and start swilling straight from the bottle of “woe is me,” but thankfully I decided to do some catch-up on an entire day of lost blog reading first.
Oh,and what a THRILL to come across this beauty of a post! Your list is a feeling groovy, joyful reminder of those remarkable moments which are too easily lost if we’re not paying attention or pitifully bemoaning all those things in our lives that are less than perfect. While I do love every gem on your list, a particular favorites is one that never fails to set my heart to singing, “That moment when someone says to you the very thing you needed to hear but didnโt know you needed to hear it.” Absolutely! It’s the stuff that nourishes the soul.
And, hey, Tami, THANK YOU most sincerely for putting such a stunning trophy on my mantel. Honored, foolishly grinning, hugely appreciative. Only, please don’t grow-up! You’re so very charming just the way you are ๐
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Tami Clayton said:
Aw, thanks, Barbara! You’re one of those people who say the things I need (and love) to hear. I’m glad I could give back a little to you on a tough day. ๐
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marcia said:
Tami, that post was a Zen experience…I feel spiritually fed! Thank you!
P.S. On the flip side, my stomach is growling loudly because Lori the cook was out again today as you know, and although spiritually satiated, I am starving with hunger!
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Tami Clayton said:
Thank you, Marcia. You crack me up. Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am that we share an office?
You really must be starving to mention it here in the comments section. It’s a good thing Lori is returning tomorrow. I’m not sure you’ll survive another day without our dear cook. ๐