Sunday Scribblings - Inspiration

Inspiration.

Today it is in the wind that’s whipping the viburnum about, tossing her new petals with the hail that lashes my windows. Where is inspiration? It’s in movement, in moments of change. When that point of transition is spotted – from one season to another, from one emotion to another – that’s where I find my breath catches, and I want to capture the moment, the essence of that shift.

There’s the word, inspiration, and what I’ve heard of it. It has to do with breath. But for me, it also has to do with spirit. Something moves the spirit. Something catches the attention of spirit and won’t let go. It tugs at the sleeve of spirit, twirls a lock of spirit’s hair round and round, until I pay attention. Not hard, careful, work-like attention, but the kind of attention that’s easy to give, the loose, wandering attention that I might give to a summer’s sky or the flow of people past the window of a coffee-shop.

Inspiration is waiting there, like a puppy, ready to pounce out, hind-quarters in the air, front paws stretched forward, and a lolling, giddy tongue. Woof! Find me! Follow me! I have something to show you. Or inspiration comes swooping like a May-time swallow, dipping, wheeling, calling me into a new dance.

What I know is it can’t be forced. It must be cajoled a little, but not too obviously. It needs to be welcomed with a very open door, and slightly rumpled cushions on the chair I set out for it. Inspiration takes a bite of a sandwich I make for it, but runs for the hills if I try to cook it a hearty meal.

When Inspiration hangs about, life is joyful. There are whispers, and when they are followed, there are treasures. Not gold and diamonds, but feathers and the glint of sunlight on one perfect little puddle – just there, and the reminder of a memory long forgotten. Inspiration calls together past, present and magic to create what’s new, what’s special for now, for this moment, and oh, inspiration gives permission to say That, whatever it may be, and now, just now, not my words, but inspiration reminds me to share these words:

.........................Stop the words now.
....................Open the window
....................in the centre of your chest,
....................and let the spirits fly in and out.
......................................................Rumi

There will be more Inspiration at Sunday Scribblings - HERE