Thursday, April 10, 2014

I is for Ideas



I have very little time that is my own to do with as I wish.  Most of it seems to be in the car.  Yet even there I find the voice in my head telling me to listen to the news and see what happened today when I know the last thing I really want to hear is more information that I will find upsetting.

I have found that taking a slightly longer route home, one with less traffic and only a single lane so my brain isn't busy telling me to switch lanes because that one is moving ever so slightly faster, in complete silence has been the best gift I can give myself.

It is amazing to me how little time we have without noises vying for our attention.

I discovered the silence by accident.  This route travels the edge of the continent and has very bad radio reception.  I had just left a noisy house and when the static started I shut the radio off, something I don't think I had ever done in this car.

I enjoyed the scenery more and then my brain started telling me marvelous stories.  It unraveled mysteries of my life and opened the door for my creativity.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to take time for yourself to do something you love.  It is also important to take moments to unplug and listen to your brain and your body.  Try it, you'll see.

This event, driving home in silence was the first time in almost twenty years that I had thought about being creative.  I was amazed at the ideas that presented themselves.

I also find ideas in songs, photos, artworks and nature.

Where do you find your ideas and inspiration?

14 comments:

  1. It sounds like it has become a kind of meditation for you. Which is a good and healthy thing. We all need a bit a time to ourselves when we can still the mind and simply be.

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    1. I did just start meditation exercises and they really do induce such a wonderful calm feeling of well being. I hadn't thought of my car rides like that but I was certainly striving for less stress.

      What do you do to relax? Living in a vacation destination I am sure people expect you to be relaxed but aside from tourists (who I always found a menace) there are stressors in everyone's lives no matter where you live.

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  2. I love your line "I discovered the silence by accident" - both lovely and so frequent! I've been thinking lately I need to start carrying an Idea Journal again. Years ago I had one and it was such a boon to my action upon ideas that knocked on my consciousness. It is like giving ideas a cradle. Hmmm. I like that.

    I'm completely with you on taking time to do what you love, too. You are a wise one, a keeper! Brava!

    Julie Jordan Scott
    The Bold Writer from A to Z

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    1. Julie, I bet you always have your phone with you and it most likely has a record option or you can install one and that has become my idea journal. Usually on my reflective drives something will pop into my head and I record it and then vet them later.

      I like cradle for the nascent ideas as well. Very nice.

      I am so glad we have found each other (okay sounds weird but no erasing right?). I shared your blog from yesterday with my writing group for us to work on the questions and focus on each other to share at the next group. I think it will be great for us all to learn what strengths others see in us that we don't.

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  3. I agree. Silence is good (and sometimes necessary). It gives room for our ideas to grow :D
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Nutchell, Thanks for visiting. I heard your last CBWLA seminar was amazing and that you were, as always, great. I'm sorry my schedule wouldn't allow me to attend. I look forward to seeing you again soon. It has been too long.

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  4. Most of my ideas come when I'm in the shower. Is that weird? I guess that's my "me" time...it's probably when I'm most relaxed. Wow, I just realized that I've come a long way from my speed showering days when the kids were little and banging on the door LOL
    ~Katie
    TheCyborgMom
    Visual Proof

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    1. Katie, Love the title of your blog. Kids are always a great source of creative ideas. They always help me see things in a different way.

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  5. People sometimes complain about silence surrounding them but when we dive into the world of creativity it becomes a blessing to churn out new stories and give life to new characters .

    Good to know about your inspiration for ideas . For me it can happen anywhere . While reading a book or a newspaper or while driving alone or while observing people.

    Good to connect through the A-Z Challenge :)
    Dr. Sushree

    http://drsushreedash.blogspot.in/

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    1. Thanks for visiting. I enjoyed your Innocence post. I find I have more ideas than I have time for sadly.

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  6. Long drives in silence are great for inspiration. Sometimes I get so lost in my thoughts, I end up lost. :) Untethered Realms

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    1. I visited your website and picked up Backworlds. I look forward to reading it once I get through the blogging challenge and my book edit.

      I used to live someplace lovely, New Hampshire, where I could go for long drives and get lost, really hard to do here in LA. There is a stop light every 50 yards and a thousand other cars.

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  7. Silence is golden, especially in our crazy world. So glad you found a peaceful route home.

    M. J. Joachim

    A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches




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    1. Thanks for visiting. I found your blog listing for blogs that need more followers. Thank you for the listing and I will start visiting others on the list.

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