When inspiration hits, grab on and don’t let go. Open up the
tap and let it flow. Find an outlet and let it out. These ideas, inspiration,
energy is a response. It can be conscious, subconscious, internal or external
but it comes for a reason. They only visit for a season. A few minutes, a week,
several months and when it is gone, it is gone. Nurture it as you would a
delicate flower. Tenderly, fleshing out the stem and petals then touching on
the nuances. Texture of the petals. The glint of light off of the stem at this
angle but not that. The nuances of color. The temperature of the stem. The
delicate look of the petals. The graduation of color from the center of the
flower to the outside. The bright pop of yellow from the stamen. The delicate
dusting of pollen. The lure that makes one question what lies at the center,
down the delicate yellow brick road into the center of the flower where the
nectar is pooled.
These variables and this inspiration is fleeting. It is one
of the more fragile things in life that we are blessed with experiencing and it
must be honored or it will be lost. We are taught to hide this. Not overtly but
in the subtle nuances of culture that affect us. It is taboo to react to music
with our bodies. We should not react because it is weird. We should not express
ideas that are contrary to the popular opinions or the thoughts of the experts.
The truth is…that it is only the rebels, those bold enough to hold onto the
faint flame of inspiration, that are willing to throw their bodies in front of
the winds of the popular to protect the glimmer and use everything they are to
nurture the idea, to feed it, to create a culture that values inspiration and
provides fertile ground for them to sprout, to burst into flames.
Ideas are one of the only powers we are gifted with at birth
that have the potential to drive massive change in the world. It is not
intelligence or effort, but inspiration. Inspiration followed by intense,
intentional perspiration to see them through to fruition. At that point, they
must be validated. Not every inspiration will go somewhere productive and that
is ok. We must first recognize inspiration and learn to nurture them…
Step Next is the vetting process. The idea is now more robust. It is a small campfire that can sustain itself. We have champions around us that see the idea for what it is and eagerly seek to vet out its merit. As idea factories ourselves, we must recognize and persevere through less than stellar receptions. We must boldly hold our own and push through to develop a vetting process that embraces and values the things we hold most dear. The reason for “our” existence. As an individual, as a company, as a church body, as a non-profit, activist organization, team or couple. The values we intentionally embrace are the only things we have to stand against everything we do not intentionally embrace or turn away.
Life is fragile. Ideas, more so.
Turn that music up. Dance to your own beat. Tell the world
to fuck off. Be inspired. Dream bigger. Partner up with other dreamers.
Dreamers unencumbered by should and should nots, emboldened by rebel peers and
world changers. FUCK THAT.
