People sometimes ask, “What’s your muse? I could more easily tell them what’s amusing. What’s amusing is that I’ve never thought about a muse.
I’m not talking about the English rock band, Muse. And this post isn’t about any of the nine muses or goddesses of Greek or Roman mythology.
Muse also means to ruminate on something. When I think about the word, ruminate, I always picture a cow chewing grass. Cows ruminate their food.
But people ruminate on ideas and thoughts by thinking about them constantly.
I try to reflect on the past to learn from mistakes. But I try not to ruminate or brood over the past. It’s depressing to muse, ruminate, or brood over past disappointments. It cripples creativity, slays ingenuity, and kills new adventures.
So, this is as good a time as any to consider what things give us a lift or shot-in-the-arm.
Of course, I have a muse. Doesn’t everyone? But I call it creative influence or inspiration.
What’s your muse.? What charges your batteries? What’s the source of your artistry?
The muse I’m writing about is a personification or person who motivates or is the source of inspiration. It can be a person, place, thing, or even a guiding spirit or power.
What or who motivates you?
Many artists credit their muse for creativity and achievements. And it isn’t unusual for a craft, hobby, or occupation to be a muse.
My husband’s muse is gardening and yard work. Working in the sunlight, soil, and open space reduces his stress and nurture his spirit.
When I get stuck writing a post, I like to go for a short drive to reboot and re-energize my creativity.
Many people’s favorite song may be their muse.
Like different strokes for different folks, different muses stimulate creativity and soothe.
A muse can be a role model or someone you look up to and learn from. A musician’s muse is often another musician.
It is easier to identify your muse when you know who you are. I don’t mean knowing your name and family ties.
What tickles your creative fancy?
What makes the impossible seem possible?
What frames your dreams?
What’s the origin of your epiphanies?
Find the answers to these questions and experience your muse. Take the up elevator. Get out of the weeds and find the passageway to your dreams.
Communing with nature can be a great muse. As a matter of fact, this is one of my preferred muses.
Listen to the birds’ sweet melodies and smell the flowers.
All work and no muse can’t be fun.
Your muse keeps you in a good place. A good place is a place of inner peace and happiness.
My inner spirit is a guiding force that keeps me positive with a can-do attitude. A positive attitude is a creative place.
What checks your feverish disappointments?
What cultivates your spiritual, physical, and emotional gardens?
You can find creativity and solace in your muse.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliott