Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms but for me nothing is more inspirational than nature and people. Sitting in my overstuffed chair in the living room and seeing a leaf blow on the lawn, hearing a babbling brook nearby while I sleep when camping, the grey and green hues of stone as I hike a mountainside... All of these move me deeply. All of them were created for me to enjoy. Just as I'm inspired by nature, I'm moved by the people I encounter. In college I recall getting very hurt and angered by something someone said to me. What did I do!? I went back to my apartment, cranked up the band Skillet in my earbuds and drew with charcoal for a few hours. Art is such a healthy release.

Thankfully, most of my interactions with people that put a fire in me for art are not negative! My son is a great inspiration to me! When we lived in our adorable central Washington home, he and I began a "Thankfulness Tree" on the hallway wall. We would regularly add the things that we were thankful for and it helped us keep our hearts focused on the good. Alas, we were heartbroken when the home sold and we had to paint over it. I have pictures somewhere but I'm currently unable to locate them. Once we moved, Ian and I began a portable tree, seen below. This 2'x3' canvas we started the first day we moved. You will see on the close-up that we have things like the names of friends, favorite movies, our pets, girl's night, teams we've been on, and "salmon & bear" (a game we made up together).

We have move a lot in the past few years and this tree has moved with us each time. We have a goal of at least adding one thing each week. I encourage you to find ways to remember too. Ways to remember the amazing things that have happened in your life ~ so that when life hits another rough spot, you have them to remind you that it is merely a hard spot but that you will get through... again. This weekend I will be attending a celebration of life for a very special person who lost hope and took his life. He lost sight of all the wonderful things in his life, all the ways that he brought joy to others. Suffering from Robin Williams Syndrome, he was the one who brought joy but did not have his own. Suicide devastates so deeply. Find ways to reach out and show yourself how good life can be even when you're too depressed to ask for help.

Well, I didn't know that this was the turn my blog would take but there it is. Apparently someone needs to read this. I look for inspiration. Sometimes my mundane day-to-day life is so busy but I deeply appreciate seeing a robin sitting on my back fence while I'm cooking dinner, seeing lovers walking hand-in-hand down the street or the smile of a dear heart. Find inspiration. Find outlets. Find reasons to keep going.