“To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.”
~ Tony Dorsett
(image: Nine Muses dancing with Apollo, by Baldassare Peruzzi)
You wake up. You had a great night sleep. You’re humming a song. The coffee has never tasted so good. The sun is out. You drive somewhere and hit every green light. You find a great parking place. You sit down to write (or maybe garden, take photos, played with the kids). Everything is in flow. You know the kind of day I’m talking about? This is the day where nothing can bring you down and everything you need to do is done. You’ve been visited by your Muse and been inspired!!
We all need inspiration. When you’re inspired, anything is possible. When you’re inspired, you are in flow. You don’t just need inspiration if you’re in a creative job.
No matter what our job, whether it’s creative or not, we all work and live better on the days when the cares of the world drop off and we’re in sync with life.
I love the literal definition of Inspiration from ancient Greek to “breathe in the spirit of the gods”. Greek and Roman mythology explains that all creativity came via a Muse. 
There were nine Muses, all daughters of Zeus. (image: Muse reading a scroll, the Louvre)
• Clio – the muse of history
• Euterpe – the muse of flute and musical instruments
• Thalia – the muse of comedy and science
• Melpomene – the muse of tragedy
• Terpsichore – the muse of dance and poetry
• Erato – the muse of the lyre and love poetry
• Urania – the muse of astronomy
• Polyhymnia – the muse of sacred songs and the art of mimic
• Calliope – the muse of epic poetry and eloquence, and the superior muse
The Muses inspired writing, art, the sciences, song, theater, dance and mathematics. They breathed creativity into mortals from the gods.
In modern times, inspiration is an influence which results in creative work or in productivity. The muse is considered the mysterious source of inspiration found somewhere deep inside us, somewhere within our spirit.
Each of us has ways to become inspired and get our juices flowing. Last week I wrote about slowing down to do some of the things I loved after an electricity outage. I took a mini vacation which I’ve continued to do this week. I’ve complied a list of ways to stir your inner muse and get inspired:
1. Success stories – I love TED videos. My favorite TED is called Gratitude. You can also find these stories on youtube and by watching movies.
2. Inspirational and motivational quotes – This is a biggie for me which is why I put together a book of quotes (The Zen Mama’s Book of Quotes) and I put at least one inspirational quote a day on my Facebook page….for myself and for my readers. I also recommend ZenSational Living’s Facebook page.
3. Books – There are so many inspirational books. Here are several that should be on your shelf:
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch – for following your dreams
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran – for beautiful prose
Mitten Strings For God by Katrina Kennison – for overwhelmed mothers
Peace Is Every Step by Thict Nat Hahn – for mindfulness in life
4. Blogs – I read many inspirational blogs! Here are just a few that you will love:
Positive Provocations
Awake Create
Simple Mindfulness
Powered By Intuition
The Bold Life
The Self Improvement Saga
The Possibility of Today
Going A-Musing
5. Nature – Often it sounds cliche to find inspiration in nature but I love to watch sunsets, sunrises, light hitting a mountains, the sounds of water either in a stream or ocean tide or looking at the little things in nature like shells and flowers. This morning I went outside in the sprinkling rain and breathed in the spring air. Use your 5 senses when you’re in searching for inspiration in nature.
6. Music – We all have music that stirs our souls. Music is a big part of inspiration!
7. Exercise – There is nothing like getting your blood flowing through exercise. It amazing how after exercise your mind becomes fresh again.
8. Art - I find great inspiration in art and photography. I love museums or art galleries for just this reason. And I love creating my own art through my photography or just making a project with my preschoolers. If you’re interested in creating your own photography, please visit Some Girl’s Website for her “how to” photography series.
9. Your passion - When you’re working at your life’s work/passion, you often find it easier to feel inspired.
10. The amazing people in your life – I’m inspired by by people I know and some of the amazing things they’re doing. I’m inspired by children I teach and the wonderful way they see the world as creative and wondrous. I’m inspired by conversations my children and husband. I’m very much inspired by YOU, my readers.
I have my own story of inspiration! This story is my muse for this post!! A friend, Julie, gave her friend my book, HOW TO BE A ZEN MAMA. Her friend in turn and gave it to her yoga teacher. Now her yoga teacher reads passages each week to her attendees. They laugh, get teary eyed and are inspired. In turn, I’m inspired by them. This is my “pay-check”, my muse and my inspiration to continue writing. It’s the business I’ve always wanted to be in…the “inspiration” business.
By the way, inspiration is not a one time deal. I believe you need to be creating and giving inspiration daily.
Have fun being an instrument for creativity. Maybe you’ll be an inspiration for others!
Where do you find your inspiration? I’d love to hear below!
Want The Zen Mama’s Blog delivered to your email? Just enter your email below. I promise never to share it.
Hi Betsy,
What a great post. I’m heading over to watch the TED video on gratitude. It’s a great way to start my day!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Thanks Tess,
I know you will LOVE the gratitude video since you’ve posted such great inspirational videos on your blog! It’s right up your alley!
[Reply]
Betsy..
A rich, informative and beautiful post….am earmarking to come back to. Will watch TED video tonight on gratitude.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Thanks Fran! I know you will LOVE the gratitude video since you’ve posted such great inspirational videos on your blog!
[Reply]
Love this post and love the TED videos. Also love many of these blogs you listed and will make it a point to stop in at the rest. Thank you for including my facebook page, you’re a doll.
As for the day you described at the top of your post… I was having a day JUST LIKE THAT today. It’s now 11:51am and the bottom just fell out. But you know what? I just don’t care. Something will come along to reinspire me. (Actually, I think this post just did). I’m not letting the negative engulf me. Too binding. It’s sunny days for me. (even when it’s overcast).
Love ya Betsy!
Sheila
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
I have to include your Facebook page because I continue to be inspired by it. I could just repost your fb posts and I’d get even more likes, I’m sure. So sorry about the day being changed. I think I just got an email update about this. I’ll head over and read. Keep your head up!!
[Reply]
My mornings pretty much start the way you described, Betsy! And your inspiration list could very well be mine!
And of course, I always have my son to inspire me! Thanks so much for including my blog in your list – I am honored!
Great post!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Vidya,
I have no doubt that your mornings start out this way! You are such a positive person. I think that even thought we have a continent or two and an ocean between us, we are very much alike!! And it’s my honor to have your site on my post!!
Thanks!
[Reply]
Lovely Betsy!
I love the theme and the photos you chose.
Thank you for linking to me too.
xoxo,
Angela
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Thanks Angela! You’re always an inspiration to me!!
[Reply]
Music – check. Nature -check. Exercise – check. Photography – check. Being with people and feeling happy – check. Love TED now I need to take a look at that video. It’s all good. First time reading your blog…love it…♥
Encourage one another.
Elle.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
So glad you have so much inspiration in your life, Elle! I know you will love TED. And so glad you are here at Zen Mama! I’m really happy to have you as part of our positive community! I’ll be checking out your blog in the morning!
[Reply]
Love this! You are always an inspiration and your quotes pop into my head often. Thank you for the ways you’ve inspired me to be a better mom and person… You are so appreciated! (And thank you for the shout out!) Love, Michelle
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Thanks Michelle! I always love to read your blog but your photography series is very inspiring! I’m making many facebook photos with quotes now. So I’m understanding a lot more about stock photography and am getting closer to submission. (What’s holding me back???)
[Reply]
Pingback: Five Tips On How To Embrace Forgiveness
Being in the natural world is what speaks to me most, except I take photographs with my mind, not camera. I just watched the beautiful TED talk you linked and plan to send it out to family and friends if they need a lift. Thank you! Of course, my daughter inspires me and all the children I met who have faced cancer or other life-threatening illnesses to teach me a bit about what it means to be HERE.
Another thing that inspires me more and more – the well of the inner landscape. Going inside for a few moments to listen, see, know I am one with all that is. Honoring life cycles of solitude and togetherness.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Erin,
So happy to see you name here! So glad you watched the TED video. It’s amazing isn’t it! I feel like I need to watch it once a week. Wow, children who face cancer are very inspiring! I’ve only known a few and they have such courage. I’m glad you mentioned the “inner landscape” because it made me think that I left meditation off. I’m always forgetting to do it as well. Thanks for the great reminder.
[Reply]
I love your description of being visited by the muse–waking up, humming a song, the coffee tastes great, the sun is out, and you hit every green light!
My muse always comes when I’m in bed, comfy and relaxed. I get a moment of peace and the lightbulb goes on.
Great post. I’m off to check out those TED videos.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Love your description of being in bed comfy and relaxed… I took your advice and here I am in bed, answering my comments! After doing that I’m going to read my book and fall asleep after the first paragraph! Ahhh, nothing better!! Thanks for your inspiration… and you will love the TED video!
[Reply]
Pingback: 5 Steps to Accepting the Beauty of Change « *POSITIVE PROVOCATIONS*
I guess today YOU are my muse! This is a wonderfully inspiring post. Love the definition of inspiration and the list of muses. I always loved Greek mythology. Inspiration is all around us if we pause and look. It can be something grand, like art, something beautiful, like flowers, something mundane, like dust bunnies. (No kidding, I wrote a post once after vacuuming about dust bunnies of the soul.)
I love TED talks. I don’t know the one on gratitude, so thanks for that. I’ll make some tea and watch it.
So glad to have discovered your blog. My kids are all grown now, so maybe I’ll be a Zen Nana!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I am honored to be your muse, Galen!! And I love the idea of a Zen Nana. I have 10 years (at least) until I am!! I’d love to read your dust bunnies post! You’ll have to send me a link. But I agree that inspiration doesn’t have to be for something grand… it can be!! And you’ll love the gratitude video!! It’s beautiful. I did a post this fall only for this video. Glad to have you as part of our positive community and would love to stop by and see you blog as well!!
[Reply]
What a lovely post Betsy! I’m both grateful and inspired.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Thank you Shaeri! So glad you came by!!
[Reply]
When my mind is going a million miles a minute but I want to focus on my passion (writing) and tap into my inner source of inspiration, I start with a walk outside in the woods, followed by some deep breathing and yoga. After that, I’m a new person with a clear mind and a relaxed body – ready to focus and enjoy.
Thanks for giving me some more great ideas to tap into that spring of inspiration Betsy!
[Reply]
Betsy what a fantastic piece you’ve written here. Love the ideas and thoughts. I just stumbled across this when I was about to send you a facebook message. Funny thing is that every time I talk to you (like the other day in the preschool) I feel happier. I have always enjoyed being in your presence. How perfect that you have become a zen writer/author.
[Reply]
Besty: I love this post and what you said about inspiration. I totally agree with you that it is an essential part of the day and I often drop by your FB page to get some inspiration:) Thanks so much for mentioning the Possibility of Today.
[Reply]
I just started a book called the Artist’s Way – it’s supposed to help with discovering your creativity. So far? i love it.
[Reply]
Inspiration can come form so many places. I find it in God, meditation, running ideas past my sons who have a different perspective of the world than me, being outdoors and being thankful and open to the blessings in my life!
[Reply]
Hi Betsy,
Love this post! Goes to the heart of inspiration. Of course the list of bloggers you mention are amazing. Great list of ways to stir the inner muse. I agree, that some days, it all seems to be happening just as it is supposed to, so if we can keep those feelings going, our life can be full of all possibilities.
[Reply]
Great post, Betsy. Going to check out a few more TED videos tonight.
[Reply]
Pingback: Sleep Hacking | 21-Day 4:30am Early Rising Challenge
Darling Betsy,
This post is super awesome! So full of inspiration…that I feel inspired just reading your list. I often find that my little book of quotes(now on my phone) is great on the go company to keep me motivated in those especially trying times
I love your ways here…and am so humbled that you my dear zen mama are inspired by my blog…me happy and blushing right about now
Sending you lots of love and glitter,
Z~
[Reply]