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6.07.2010

Inspiration.

I have been in a writing slump. A big one.

I am often inspired to write by stories of change and transformation in people's lives. I'm inspired by the Gospel going forward. I'm inspired by creativity and books and conversation and big acts of love and compassion.

Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places, but lately, I've had a difficult time finding inspiration in the writings of others. Lately, I have seen a lot of negativity, a lot of unnecessary conflict. Those things don't inspire me. They make me gloomy. Bitter. Unmotivated.

So, I'm asking you... my lovely and dear friends, where are you finding inspiration? What have you read or seen lately that has inspired you to write and create? Truly the Lord is in all things and I am certainly seeking Him out and wrestling with His changing my heart... but I have a deep craving to see and hear how He is changing you and how He is working in your life.

Tell me:
What's challenging you? What's inspiring you? What's new in your heart?

9 comments:

  1. Hi Nish - your blog is adorable and I'm inspired by your cute line drawings! Also, lately, by my little guy's growing awareness of and interaction with the world. Stacking blocks, gibbering away, saying "hi" to cars. Parenthood is such a delight!

    Thanks for the nice blog. I'm going to google friend connect <3

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  2. Taking a risk and reaching for something that I really want. Scary because I could TOTALLY crash and burn, but I'd rather try and crash than look back on life years from now wishing I'd taken that risk.

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  3. I find my heart is in my writing. sometimes I panic that I am being to open but then I remind myself I am writing for myself and for God. I have been tempted to many times to write posts that others may like but thats the easy way.

    You will find your inspiration, your heart is evident in your writing already xxx

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  4. I found my new inspiration from my church service this past week. At least a new idea that I haven't had a chance to write about yet...

    What challenges me are my goals that I'm trying to work on and achieve: losing weight, being a more Godly woman, focusing my life on Christ, and not losing it when I get flustered.

    Don't worry if you don't always have the words to write... they will come to you!

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  5. This might be too simplistic, but a new novel often does wonders to pull me out of a slump, even if I only read a few pages each night. If you're looking for a good one, I'd try any of the following:

    Gilead (Marilynne Robinson)
    The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
    Peace Like a River (Leif Enger)
    Electric Michaelangelo (Sarah Hall)

    If you need a summer blogging break, we will be here when you get back! Take care of yourself, friend.

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  6. a walk down the Willamette River with my husband and son. So beautiful. I posted pics over at my blog today, not that you don't have a beautiful river of your own to look at.

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  7. Gratitude is changing me...for realz...It's helping me to trust the heart of God in an uncertain time. Trusting him to fill in my gaps...just like he did for Moses and so many other wilderness dwellers...the inspiration will come, of this I am certain.

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  8. nish, i love taking a break from the online world and sitting and ready a novel or watching a movie. sometimes just a change of pace is perfect. sometimes seeing everything everyone is doing online it seems pointless to even put anything else out there...everything that can be done has been, etc. so, unplug and rest! :) that's what i do!

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  9. We're so busy day to day, I find quiet, nature time inspiring. Time to walk around my garden and really looking at all the flowers, the colors, the petals, the bees and butterflies. I feel inspired visually and want to recreate that beauty in cards, scrapbooks, or projects. And I feel inspired verbally--"word-ily" maybe?--to try and describe or explain that beauty in writing.

    But the quiet, alone, me-time to reflect on what I'm seeing and try to shape my thoughts is what fuels my inspiration. If there's no quiet time, I feel too rushed and busy to be inspired.

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