Etymology of “inspiration”: 1) immediate influence of God or a god,  2) to fill (the mind, heart, etc., with grace, etc.)  3) to breathe (see spirit)

Last week my father and I shared a birthday bash in Las Vegas. Our way of celebrating, was to see 3 Cirque du Soleil performances in 2 days: “O,” “La Mystere,” amd “Zumanity.” It was amazing. It got me thinking about inspiration, and what we can actively do to invite the creative spark into our lives.

I found the performances profoundly inspiring on many levels: the physical prowess of the performers, the sheer artistry of using one’s body to create such beauty, the elegance of the staging, the drama of sets, lights, and amazing costuming. The show “O” involves a swimming tank under the regular proscenium stage, so that sometimes the water is open and visible, sometimes it is a hard surface supporting all kinds of action. Things would dive into the water that I never saw again – don’t ask me how! So much mystery, elegance, artistry, ability, grace, agility – it took my imagination on a fantastical journey of delight.

I looked up the etymology of the word “inspiration” (above).  I believe inspiration is all around us, all the time. What activates its influence on us is making the space and the intention to let it in. Determining to listen to its message, to breathe it in, to allow it to affect us and spark our creative selves. It means making space for “the Muse.” This requires setting aside time and attention.

Julia Cameron, in her wonderful book The Artist’s Way, gives a series of assignments designed to promote the recovery of our creative selves. One of those assignments is the weekly “artist’s date.”  The assignment is to go on a date with your creative self. No one else is allowed to come along. You can go anywhere, do anything – the point is to follow your creative urges, to feed that child-like spirit of awe and excitement. I went to my favorite Seattle Nursery (Swanson’s) over and over again, when I actually did the assignment. I found it tremendously challenging to set aside time just for me to have fun, without it being for anyone else’s benefit. (Big School of Service obstacle!)

Just as it is hard to work on your business while working in your business, it is hard to work on our lives while in our lives. Vacations are the obvious place to do this, but the intent of vacations is to leave life behind, not work on it. Hence the enormous value of workshops. You step away from your life, and get to see it from a different perspective. Workshops are perfect for breakthroughs, “aha” moments, making new plans, designing new endeavors.

If you’ve been reading this e-zine and have been thinking you might enjoy working with me in a more intensive format, I have the perfect opportunity coming up: “Creating on Purpose: Relax, Connect, Allow, and Create,” a 3-day intensive designed to nurture your next creative project.  Be it your Signature Talk, your book outline, an innovative marketing plan, or a refreshed vision of how to live further into your Life Purpose, I will provide the sacred space for your heart and soul to align, and to tune into your creative self. Stay tuned for more information – save the dates: July 12-14.

Coach’s Challenge: The bottom line in overcoming Resistance to creativity and forward motion in life, is discipline. It means you must block out time on your calendar, and show up for it. it got me thinking about inspiration, and what we can actively do to invite the creative spark into our lives.. Fly a kite. Visit the pet store, an art gallery – whatever calls you. This is excellent ground to practice overcoming Resistance – breaking the habit of quitting or procrastinating the steps required to carry you in the direction of your soul’s calling. Let me know how it goes!

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Lindy McLaine, of www.wecansoar.com, helps people in the second bloom of life pinpoint their Life Purpose and create the best possible lives they can imagine. She is using her creativity to attract a community who responds to today’s challenges.by stepping up to the plate and into their gifts, while believing in each other and themselves.