inspiration

I like to be productive. I like to cross things off my list. In fact, to make myself feel like I'm accomplishing things, I occasionally finish a task and then write it on my list so I can cross it off. But sometimes, I lack inspiration. And when that happens, I get little done.

I like to be creative. I like to take a blank canvas and make a piece of art. I like to restore, build, sew, cook, and create. But sometimes, I lack inspiration. And when that happens, I make nothing original.

I like to learn new things. As a student for the last 16 years, I decided to continue learning post-graduation. By asking questions, observing things around me, and trying it out on my own, I like to learn. But sometimes, I lack inspiration. And when that happens, I despise learning something new.

This hasn't been the case lately, though. Inspiration has filled my soul and I'm indebted to Universal Sports, Fritz's, and Pinterest.com.

I played sports all throughout highschool and college but wouldn't consider 'athletic' as an accurate adjective to describe me. But when I watch Universal Sports, I feel like I'm tight with Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Phil Dalhausser, and Todd Rogers. This diverse, and oh so entertaining sports channel makes me feel like a super athlete. To try out my skills I've learned over the summer by watching this station, I took my parents to the tennis courts to play a little game. Let's just say the racket is much heavier than it looks on the television. And after a horrible first fifteen minutes, I decided the only way to hit the tennis ball with any umph was to grunt loudly as I swung the racket. The following day, I decided I was an avid swimmer. Sadly, the 22 people at the pool can testify I am not a swimmer, unless it's in less than five feet of water. Tomorrow, I may take the canoe out to practice my rowing.

I like old stuff. Especially if that old stuff is someone else's junk that they're trying to get rid of at a reasonable price. Case in point, Fritz's old furniture/consignment shop. The smelly, vintage treasures hidden in the old school building made me jump and click my heels together. I returned home with a real treasure chest filled with real treasures and the inspiration to renovate and decorate.

In an effort to organize my inspiration and share the creative juices that flow so swiftly, I made an account with Pinterest.com. If it weren't for the slow internet at home, I would potentially spend hours a day pinning different things to my boards of favorite recipes, style, and craft ideas.

Inspiration...that which inspires. To inspire is to produce a new idea. Inspiration makes me hope. Inspiration makes me dream. Inspiration says in the face of drudgery and complacency "no". Things do not have to be as they always have been. People can learn new things. Furniture can receive a fresh coat of paint. A new song can be written. Life can be breathed into dry bones.

I'm rejoicing for these moments of feeling alive and creative. I'm grateful for that which inspires me...to create, dream, forgive, build, learn, and hope. May you find inspiration in the vast creativity around you.

surprises

I don't really like surprises.
When we were little, sister #3 used to surprised me. It would begin at bedtime, with sister #3 running up the stairs to hide in the hallway between our bedrooms. I would whine, yell, and cry because I knew what was coming. As soon as I walked up the stairs and turned the corner, she would surprise me. With a boo, a growl, or a grabbing of the foot...always resulting in me screaming at the top of my lungs. Sister #3 would double over, laughing hysterically while I ran down the stairs to tattle.

I don't really like surprises. That is, until yesterday.
I received a package in the mail yesterday. It was white and smallish, with messy boy handwriting addressed to me. There was no return address. Curiosity got the best of me, and I ripped open the package. There, in white tissue paper sat a movie. But not just any movie: my beloved movie, Up...the one I have been looking for since October. What a surprise! After months of complaining to and blaming my roommates, I now have my movie. Whether or not it's the original matters not to me...I have watched it almost two times already. And it's better than I remembered. So thank you mystery person for mailing me Up.

Surprises can be awful, but they can also be really good. The suspense of a thriller movie that pushes you to the edge of the seat with your fingers ready to cover your eyes at a moment's notice is exhilarating. The anticipation as the five year old tries out the bike without training wheels for the first time is delightful. The marriage proposal that the girl isn't expecting is beautiful.

Life is freckled with surprises. And although they often make me cringe because I realize my lack of control, they make me celebrate because I realize I'm not in control. It's freeing to know that things aren't always going to go the way I plan. The only thing I can do is expect surprises along the way.

One of my favorite quotes comes from my favorite movie, Dan in Real Life...
“I want to talk to you about the subject of plans… life plans and how we all make them, and how we hope that our kids make good, smart, safe plans of their own. But if we’re really honest with ourselves, most of our plans don’t work out as we’d hoped. So instead of asking our young people, ‘What are your plans? What do you plan to do with your life?’, maybe we should tell them this: Plan… to be surprised.”

So may you take a deep breath today and accept the fact that things may not go the way you'd like them to go. May you rejoice in life's little surprises. And may you write in your planner  'plan...to be surprised'.

mr.colon

I think reality shows are dumb. I cringe at the thought of wasting evenings week after week following these individuals who will be forgotten by the time the new season begins. And even though I love music, I don't like reality shows like American Idol. And I would never ever ever vote for a contestant on a show. That's like sinking down to a level I would never recover from.

But I'm coming clean and finally admitting this: I watched The Voice. And I loved it. And I voted for a contestant. Once.

Whew, it feels good to get that off my chest.

I don't care that he's the older, more mature version of Justin Bieber...his swagger, white teeth, and oh so smooth voice have enchanted me. I don't care that his last name is the same as the last part of the digestive system. And I don't care that he's old and married. He has the voice of an angel and my ears are happy today.
And some lyrics from his new single reminds me of my God. It is He who puts my broken pieces back together...stitch by stitch.

"And I'll give you all my pieces broken

In your hands, there's nothing that you can't fix

My heart is frayed, my scars are open

So put me back together now, stitch by stitch

Put me back together now, stitch by stitch

What you say, without words, resuscitates what was numb inside

So repair me, every thread of me, 'cause you're bringing me back to life

I'll be okay, 'cause you heal me..."