Random Methods of Inspiration in Your Daily Life

We all need inspiration in our lives. You don't have to be a writer, a poet or some artist in order to have the need for inspiration. And you most certainly don't have to be surrounded by beautiful muses or have to escape to a deserted villa in the English countryside to find your thoughts either (although that would most certainly be a pleasure). There comes a time in all our lives when we find that we suddenly have to call upon our creativity (or lack thereof), and when the moment comes, we are often left wandering aimlessly searching for the inspiration which will fuel our creativity.

Language is a powerful tool for expression and communication, and I often find great inspiration stems from random words. I'll hear a particular word, whether it be from a song title or a word that just seems to jump at me from the pages of a book, or I'll hear someone use it and I'll just know. One word can have a thousand different meanings, and everyone interprets things differently. To one person the word "love" represents youthful innocence and fairytale romance, to another the same word can mean unnecessary pain and foolish naivety. Certain words have inspired me to write articles, novels, and poems. I even started my own newsletter that I send out to all my associates. I can't say which word will work for you, you'll just know. For myself, a word like "jetsetter" is extremely inspirational. I think the reason is because I relate to the word, and call these images come to my mind. Take 3-5 seconds, close your eyes and picture whatever images you can related to that word. In the case of "jetsetter", I imagine first-class flights to exotic locales, tall glasses of champagne, Louis Vuitton luggage, and whirlwind romance. And that's thinking off the top of my head! Think of how much deeper and more detailed I can get from there. Chances are, the more images you are able to picture, the more inspirational the word is going to be for you.

Colors are also another extremely inspirational form. A color itself can represent so many things, from what a nation stands for to an array of human emotions. For instance, red is good luck in China, it is also used to symbolize wealth, prosperity, good fortune, love, heat, and a bad temper. A color alone can define an entire empire, just look at Tiffany & Co. Their aqua-colored bags represent the epitome of quality luxury and are the key to a woman's heart. They symbolize romance, courtship, turning points in life and accomplishment. Color can inspire one's mood, which is why Feng Shui consultants recommend painting certain rooms one color while painting other rooms a different color. For instance, you wouldn't want to have an entirely black living room because it would symbolize darkness and depression. And you wouldn't want to have a bright orange bedroom because that would represent intensity and high energy, and you don't want that in a room where you are trying to relax and get to sleep.

Images are another way of finding inspiration. For one person, a unicorn would be an image that would inspire thoughts of fantasy, magic, and adventure. For someone else, a palm tree represents the epitome of relaxation and peaceful comfort. It can be one image or a series of images that inspires you. Why do you think so many designers these days feature a trademark symbol on the tags or labels of all their products? Most likely that image was the root of their inspiration and represents the essence of their brand in many ways.

A certain song can also create inspiration for one. I find that when I listen to lounge/electronica type of music, my mind is most open to communication and I rarely encounter writer's block. And certain songs just bring images to mind. I close my eyes, lean back and listen to the entire song, breaking down every line and creating my own music video in my head. The song "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5 is one of the most incredibly inspiring stories I've ever heard. From the beat to the words, I just imagine myself free on a sunday (which is my day of relaxation) doing all kinds of fun and careless things, such as falling in love, walking around aimlessly and surrounded by good friends having a good time.

Location is probably the most important factor in inspiration. I'm not saying you have to fly to Tahiti in order to get your inspiration, but you should at least try to assimilate a few aspects of that location into your life to get closer to your inspiration which you seek. Say you are thinking of a tropical destination but are just having too much trouble picturing it. Pop in Jimmy Buffet's cd and listen to the track "Margaritaville", pour yourself a pina colada and stick a colorful mini-umbrella in it, and look through an island travel magazine. Instantly, you'll be taken closer to the destination of choice. There are people that decorate their homes much like the environment they find inpsiring. If you ever came to my house, my bathroom instantly makes people feel that they are in Fiji or Tahiti, from the tropical plants to the color of the deep turquoise bath towels to the realistic and tropical shower curtain. And I always feel relaxed in there and can't wait till my next shower!

And remember that you can't force yourself to find inspiration. You'll find yourself having one of those "ah-ha" moments when you least expect it, and that is when you will find the most clarity. When you try so hard to find something you most often disappoint yourself, but when you just let go, relax and let life happen naturally, you'll find that thoughts and ideas just flow through your mind gently. Meditation is a great way to open your mind, let go of negative and tiring thoughts and free up space in your head for fresh ones. Taking yourself out of a stressful situation when possible is another great way to relax your mind and prep it for inspiration mode. Remember, the less effort you put in and the more you just relax and allow your thoughts to come to you, they will in due time.