This blog entry was written for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) It is written for writers, but it can just as well hold merit for anyone who needs to "get ir done"!
What Inspires Us
I’m making an
assumption here, but I believe we all need to be inspired by something when we
first put pen to paper – or fingers to keys, as the case may be. Whether it’s a
deadline looming, the proverbial sunrise making it’s entrance on a new day, or
simply wanting 30 minutes of alone time with a cup of tea to ponder ideas,
there is always something that pushes us forward to write. Whatever it is, there’s
usually a je ne sais quoi moment when
the light bulb goes on. And when that happens, it’s awesome. However…when the
light bulb is dim or has no electric current running through it, what is a
person to do? Stick their finger in a socket? I think not.
If you are one
of the lucky ones whose brain turns on like a switch, and your fingers begin
tapping across the keyboard like a woodpecker searching for bugs on a tree,
then kudos to you. I, on the other hand,
am more like a sloth making his way up a tree trunk in search of a new branch
of leaves. In the end, it doesn’t really matter how we get there, as long as we
get there.
I have two
things that work for me. First I ask the Lord to give me guidance and wisdom
everyday, whatever task I am facing. Then I set about doing it. Seriously, if I
have something to write that needs done I go into military mode or Nike mode.
You know, just “get it done”. I sit down
and I don’t let myself get up until a spark of an idea has grown into a
full-blown fire, even if it’s a sloth like fire. I will steal slightly from the
US Postal Service Creed. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night
stays this courier from her swift completion of her appointed round. And, if I
may add, even a bladder full of hot tea!
This course of action may not work for
everyone, bit I’ve found through the years if you look for excuses to not “get
it done” you will always find them. I am not talking just about writing here. I
am talking about everything in life. From cleaning windows, to picking up fall
leaves, to making a date to go ice-skating while you still can. If you put off life until a moment inspires
you, then you may miss the inspiring moment. And life is full of them. I just
recently cleaned my kitchen windows only to look up and catch a hummingbird
hovering, it’s wings beating around 80 times per second, staring back at me. Wow.
I stood motionless in wonder at Gods
creation. If I hadn’t made an appointment with myself to get the windows done
look what I would have missed. Everyday, every hour, every second is full of
God galvanizing moments that should not only spark writing ideas, but should
ignite a love for the life the Lord created for us, dirty windows and all.
Kim, I found the perfect "tonic" for a good night's sleep... I have read your post, listened to God for about 15 minutes, prayed and listened to the song below "Amazing God" and now I'm off to bed. thank you. Ellen Newbold
ReplyDeleteCurrently sitting in the lab pretending to be scientist and wondering how on Earth I am going to be able to figure out how to run this cortisol assay without ruining my samples on my own. Your blog was a great reprieve to remind me to stop looking for distractions from my lack of understanding be like the little engine that could by continuing to plug away!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous, Thanks so much for the comments. You, and all who take a moment to respond to an entry, do my heart good. So glad you like the song,too. I can't help but sing along (only with my dogs as audience) every time I listen to it.
ReplyDelete