Sources of Inspiration

Happy Sunday! As usual, today I'm cooking the traditional 'Sunday rice'. I mentioned last week that most families prepare rice for lunch on Sunday. I'm a bit excited today because I get to cook with beef. My parents don't eat red meat because of they're age so we hardly get to eat beef. I don't think I have actually had any beef since November apart from the one time I ate beef 'suya'.

Today, I'll like to talk about a problem I've sometimes had and that is the lack of inspiration. There are times when I want to work or write and I can't come up with a good idea. In those times, I feel so uninspired to do anything creative. For this reason, I have decided to do some research and put together ways we can get inspiration.

• NATURE

This is my go-to. Nature inspires me a lot. The colours of trees, flowers, the movement of the wind, the flow of the sea, the cold of harmattan, the torrents of rain, the strength of grass etc. Thinking about nature can bring forth memories you've had in different circumstances. You may remember what happened a certain day it was raining or while you walked under the scotching sun. You can use it in your descriptions, talk about how one's eyes is as blue as the sea or how someone's skin shines as bright as the sun.

• FAMILY

Family ties and experiences are always an inspiration in every aspect. Observing members of your family (blood related or not), seeing their struggles, their wins, how they are able to lift themselves up when they're down or how they make mistakes, we can learn a lot from them. Someone's journey can inspire us on what to do just as someone's failures can serve as a lesson to us

• SUNRISE

Not just the sunrise, any aspect of the heavenly bodies can be a source of inspiration. Mere looking up at the moon or sun can give you ideas to talk about like how hot or cold it feels or your skin, the colour of the sunrise or sunset, the direction of its rays, how it tends to hide beneath the clouds, how beautiful the stars twinkle etc. Staring at them can prompt ideas for you to write about.

• MUSIC

Ever listened to music that seems to resonate with how you feel? With lyrics that takes the words right out of your mouth? Melodies that gives you shivers and goosebumps. Those songs could temporarily take you away from reality and help you relive a memory or even create a new world. This creative channel can open your mind to new ideas or remind you if something you want to share

• ACHIEVEMENTS

Whether past or present achievements, they are a source of inspiration. With every achievement, there are lessons learns along the way while attaining them. You can use the opportunity to let others know how you underwent your journey, how you overcame your obstacles, mistakes you made, your message of hope and lessons to be learnt. It's also easier to draw inspiration from one's personal experiences whether good or bad.

• SPIRITUALITY

A lot of people find inspiration in spirituality. Do you take time to pray, worship, meditate, do yoga, have some quiet time, help the needy. Whatever form your spirituality takes, when you delve into it deeply, you'll feel like you're exploring a different part more innate part of yourself and your beliefs. This chanel offers itself as a source of inspiration.

• QUOTES

A lot of writers can draw inspiration from a simple quote. This is because, quotes usually have deep meanings and reflecting on the meaning of a quote can lead to an educative experience where the more we think about it, the more we understand it and are able to apply it into our lives. If you're stuck on something to write, pick up a quote and explain what it means to you.

I hope these helps. I usually draw my inspiration from nature and my surroundings. Either from events I experienced, memories and other people's experiences. Sometimes, I don't even remember them till any of the listed above triggers that memory.

What are your source of inspiration for anything?