When you’re looking for any kind of inspiration, you need go further than yourself. That’s what my friend, blogger Jennifer Rochette Koshak believes and she shares some inspiration with us today:
The Universe is Not Outside By Jennifer Rochette Koshak of UnfoldandBegin.com
Did you ever sit down to create and then a couple of hours later looked up surprised at how far you’ve gotten? Inspiration. What a wonderful feeling of connection to your work. On the other side, have you ever tried to create and then sat there, not moving because you couldn’t think of anything? Blocked. It’s such a dirty word. I’ve felt the ecstasy and agony of both situations.
If the latter is more of your experience than the former, then you’ve fallen into a trap. The trap of believing that inspiration is something that is outside of yourself. Something that you can’t control. That’s it’s some type of divine push coming from outside of you that allows you to create. And worse, you believe that you must wait for these moments and think that you can’t create without them.
Rubbish.
Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter. You are a mirror reflecting a noble face. The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; Everything you want, You are already that. ~Rumi
You are divine. The inspiration comes from you. From inside of you. Not outside. Your divine inspiration is nothing more than you accessing what is already inside of you. If you are only writing when inspiration “happens” then you are missing out. That is nothing more than inspiration forcing its way to the surface because you’re not trying to access it yourself. There is so much more inside of you just wanting to come out. If only you would give it a chance.
If you want to know how to access your own divine inspiration then pay attention because this is an important step: Get into the habit of writing every day. (Or painting or singing or sculpting or whatever your creative outlet.) Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Too easy? But the truth of the matter is that all you need to create is within you. Your job is to find a way to bring that out. Just waiting for it to happen isn’t the right answer.
Think of a fisherman at sea. He doesn’t wait for a fish to jump into his boat. He’s casting a line or throwing out a net and bringing it back in. Sometimes there is a fish there, sometimes just junk. But he doesn’t stop. Not if he wants to eat. He throws his line or net back out and tries again. If you want to create, then you should also be casting out that net each time you sit down to write or start to paint. Don’t wait for the inspiration to jump into your boat. Just start writing. Sometimes you will bring back junk. Maybe even more junk at first. But the more you sit down and work, the more you will start accessing that divine inspiration that is inside of you.
It’s there. Just before the surface. Waiting for you. What are you waiting for?
Thanks, Jennifer! My inspiration came from within, too, and the result was my new business, A Healing Spirit. I hope you’ll come over to see what my internal search found– and sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of the home page, or like my Facebook page.
It is so true that we need to go deeper within. Often we get distracted by the things outside of us but more often than not, our true inspiration and change comes from deep within!
Yes. Keep casting the net. I say writing, even if it’s crap that will never see the light of day is better than just staring at an empty page. Don’t wait for the perfect sentence. Write a crappy one or just write the same word over and over. At least you’re writing.
It’s easy to get frustrated when you hit a block, but it makes those moments when inspiration strike that much sweeter. I like the idea of jumping into your creative outlet every day. That surely helps keep the inspiration to flow more frequently.
I know it can be frustrating, but it’s better to continue writing, even if you think it’s all crap because you never know where it will take you or what goldmine you might uncover.
That’s a really interesting thought to ponder on. I guess when you think about it, it all comes down to you. Inspiration will always be there, you just have to know how to access it and how to use it to your advantage.
I am always surprised at what I can do when I force myself to sit down and write. I always think I need something to spark inspiration, but when I force myself to focus, I can always muster up something. It is so important to create a routine and just keep working.
Such a beautiful truth. It’s hard sometimes to draw inspiration, but when it does it, there’s no stopping it! Sometimes it pops up at the weirdest times 🙂
I love this so much! It can be so hard to find your drive and source of inspiration – but when it works out, it’s the best feeling ever. I needed this today – such a great read!
This article is giving me all kinds of feels of my first semester in College, I was referred into my College’s “Scholars Program” something that had never been offered to a freshman, my writing class was filled with older students who all seemed so together. Our professor would have us write for five minutes straight at the beginning of every class.It was a habit I kept even after that class, but have been so removed from lately, I really need to get back into it, what a great reminder. (I also love that Rumi Quote by the way!) 🙂
I think it would be so nice to have the ability to just sit down and write. For me, it’s hard to come up with something on paper. I appreciate those who love to do so!
I surprise myself about how much actually comes out of me when I write. It flows out I’ve found that walking every morning helps. That’s where I get my best ideas.
Yes, you need to seek it within and just keep trying to plod through. Write whatever words are coming out. They are rough drafts for a reason. Editing what you write is not the inspiration part, it’s the polishing part. It’s important to keep them separate.
I have been taking note of all the bursts of inspiration I have been getting. Sometimes it is weird that you get a writing prompt just by noticing a blade of grass. Thanks for the great read today.
Yes, it’s fun noticing what inspires you. Every Friday, I post a creativity prompt and usually it’s just a picture, sometimes a first or last line from a book or even a quote. But I like the picture ones the best.
What a great affirmation. I know I fail to do so, but just to acknowledge that I am a child of God, I am unique, I have the power to create, to inspire, to love. Thanks for the reminder, Carol. Always a great read everytime.
Sometimes we think we are just walking human skin beings and nothing is within us. We need to give ourselves more credit that we have the power to create powerful things!
In my case, I need a stimulus from outside worlds first such as a person, event, an idea, a concept, a book, a painting or a work of art etc. Then I make connections to my own experiences and ideas. I’m an extrovert and that’s how extroverts function better.
Yes, I use a lot of different things for inspiration like quotes or events. I post a creativity prompt on my blog every Friday and usually, it’s a picture meant to get the creative juices going.
Oh, this is so beautiful! I have never thought of the universe that way. The opening quote by RUMI is so powerful. I am so moved and feel so inspired by this.
I have mixed feelings about the writing every day aspect here. I have seen areas where it works, when I am thinking creatively. But when it comes to journaling I just feel defeated all the time by it. Not sure why.
Writing every day doesn’t mean you have to journal if journaling doesn’t work for you. Just practice writing. That’s all you’re doing, practicing your craft so you can get better at it.
Hi Jennifer! I so agree with you. When I first got serious about being a writer about 25+ years ago I read Julia Cameron’s book “An Artists Journey” and as you know she suggests doing “morning pages” for exactly this same reason. And yes, I’m here to say it works. I do morning pages 5 days a week and it shows me that I can ALWAYS find something to write about NO MATTER WHAT. Most of it isn’t that great but I can always write and that has served me so very well. My inspiration comes with from within and is ENDLESS. Thank you for this reminder. ~Kathy
Yes I see what you meant when you said we are alike! And that Rumi quote at the start is so spot on. Discovering the creative universe inside me changed my whole life. As you know, I take care of my elderly parents (with my sister and our husbands) and as you will know from your own situation, that means having high demands on our time. So that internal universe is really important for keeping me sane because it means I can create while sitting in waiting rooms, finding inspiration in whatever is around me instead of wasting those precious hours. I have had some very strange looks from people when I have been wandering around corridors taking macro pictures of the most mundane looking objects or marks (such as tea stains!) because of what I will turn them into later. Or listening to conversations going on around me and making notes. It’s changed my reaction to yet another appointment somewhere from “oh no, more time away from my work!” To, “I wonder what I will bring back from this!” Wherever we are, we always have our imagination to work with – even in a totally dark room. A great post Jennifer, the more people who discover where the universe really is, the better this world will be.
Thanks for your feedback Gilly. I use photos as creativity prompts, so I know the weird looks when people see me taking pictures of a string or a solitary leaf on the ground. When I was in the Harry Potter world at Universal Studios, I was taking closeup pictures of walls and doors to use as backgrounds for my Pinterest pictures and header photos.
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When you’re looking for any kind of inspiration, you need go further than yourself. That’s what my friend, blogger Jennifer Rochette Koshak believes and she shares some inspiration with us today:
Thank you for having me guest in your lovely blog.
Yes! Creativity must come from inside of us but we do have to turn it on.
Yes! We have to light the way and not wait for it.
I don’t always know where I draw inspiration from, but when it happens I always appreciate the boost.
It truly is inside of you. You are the neverending well that you’re drawing from.
This is beautiful and the sort of inspiration that I needed after feeling down from a day of sickness yesterday. thank you.
Thank you. I’m so glad that it inspired you.
This is so true. It all starts on the inside!
Yes!
This is such great inspiration! I sometimes find myself waiting for it to strike and not having any luck.
Don’t wait, just start. It’s like digging a well, you just keep scratching away, removing the dirt until all the water starts to bubble up.
This is lovely! Sometimes I don’t know where I get my bursts of inspiration from but I have learned to go with it when it strikes! 🙂
Thank you.
These lines of Rumi are so true. Inspiration lies within us.
It is so true that we need to go deeper within. Often we get distracted by the things outside of us but more often than not, our true inspiration and change comes from deep within!
Yes, we need to go deeper and we need to keep working at it so that it will naturally flow.
I get writers block sometimes and it’s frustrating. I just need to keep casting out that net.
Yes. Keep casting the net. I say writing, even if it’s crap that will never see the light of day is better than just staring at an empty page. Don’t wait for the perfect sentence. Write a crappy one or just write the same word over and over. At least you’re writing.
It’s easy to get frustrated when you hit a block, but it makes those moments when inspiration strike that much sweeter. I like the idea of jumping into your creative outlet every day. That surely helps keep the inspiration to flow more frequently.
I know it can be frustrating, but it’s better to continue writing, even if you think it’s all crap because you never know where it will take you or what goldmine you might uncover.
That’s a really interesting thought to ponder on. I guess when you think about it, it all comes down to you. Inspiration will always be there, you just have to know how to access it and how to use it to your advantage.
Yes! The inspiration is you. It’s always there and your job is to help it find the light of day by continuing to “prod” it out.
I am always surprised at what I can do when I force myself to sit down and write. I always think I need something to spark inspiration, but when I force myself to focus, I can always muster up something. It is so important to create a routine and just keep working.
Exactly. A routine is important. I am a morning writer and am writing by 6 am most days, sometimes earlier. But the key for me is writing every day.
My father always told me, you’ve always had it you just have to realize it. I love when inspiration hits!
Your Father is a smart man.
I can relate to seeking inspiration from inside yourself. I think we can all go through periods of feeling uninspired too!
Such a beautiful truth. It’s hard sometimes to draw inspiration, but when it does it, there’s no stopping it! Sometimes it pops up at the weirdest times 🙂
What beautiful words of encouragement! Just when I needed a bit of inspiration!
Thank you. I’m glad it found you when you needed it.
I always enjoy a good positive inspirational read. Inspiration and creativity sometimes are hard but taking a break helps.
These are really great lines of inspiration. I think that inspiration and creativity does come from within us.
I love this so much! It can be so hard to find your drive and source of inspiration – but when it works out, it’s the best feeling ever. I needed this today – such a great read!
Thank you. Just keep working at it regularly and inspiration will find you.
This article is giving me all kinds of feels of my first semester in College, I was referred into my College’s “Scholars Program” something that had never been offered to a freshman, my writing class was filled with older students who all seemed so together. Our professor would have us write for five minutes straight at the beginning of every class.It was a habit I kept even after that class, but have been so removed from lately, I really need to get back into it, what a great reminder. (I also love that Rumi Quote by the way!) 🙂
I am a firm believer that writing every day gets you into a place where inspiration will come forth on a more regular basis.
I think it would be so nice to have the ability to just sit down and write. For me, it’s hard to come up with something on paper. I appreciate those who love to do so!
Creative inspiration is inside of you no matter what art form you specialize in.
I surprise myself about how much actually comes out of me when I write. It flows out I’ve found that walking every morning helps. That’s where I get my best ideas.
You have found what works for you to get the inspiration flowing! Walking is priming the pump for you.
I have those days when the words don’t come, when I just can seem to get it done. But this reminds me to seek within for inspiration.
Yes, you need to seek it within and just keep trying to plod through. Write whatever words are coming out. They are rough drafts for a reason. Editing what you write is not the inspiration part, it’s the polishing part. It’s important to keep them separate.
I have been taking note of all the bursts of inspiration I have been getting. Sometimes it is weird that you get a writing prompt just by noticing a blade of grass. Thanks for the great read today.
Yes, it’s fun noticing what inspires you. Every Friday, I post a creativity prompt and usually it’s just a picture, sometimes a first or last line from a book or even a quote. But I like the picture ones the best.
What a great affirmation. I know I fail to do so, but just to acknowledge that I am a child of God, I am unique, I have the power to create, to inspire, to love. Thanks for the reminder, Carol. Always a great read everytime.
Creativity seriously is found in so many places. I love when I have a bit of inspiration and drive just push me.
we are all star stuff! i love to think about where the molecules that comprise my body used to be… maybe a distant galaxy several billion years ago…
Yes, I almost used the quote from Neil deGrasse Tyson about being made of stardust. Instead, I’m using it in a different post.
Yes! Being creative isn’t always about waiting for it to strike, sometimes it’s *creating* and then watching what happens.
Exactly. Sometimes you just need to write or paint or make and see where the process takes you.
Sometimes we think we are just walking human skin beings and nothing is within us. We need to give ourselves more credit that we have the power to create powerful things!
Walking skins. What an image! How can we be walking skins when we have the whole universe inside of us?
In my case, I need a stimulus from outside worlds first such as a person, event, an idea, a concept, a book, a painting or a work of art etc. Then I make connections to my own experiences and ideas. I’m an extrovert and that’s how extroverts function better.
Yes, I use a lot of different things for inspiration like quotes or events. I post a creativity prompt on my blog every Friday and usually, it’s a picture meant to get the creative juices going.
Oh, this is so beautiful! I have never thought of the universe that way. The opening quote by RUMI is so powerful. I am so moved and feel so inspired by this.
Thank you. I appreciate your feedback and glad that this connected with you!
I have mixed feelings about the writing every day aspect here. I have seen areas where it works, when I am thinking creatively. But when it comes to journaling I just feel defeated all the time by it. Not sure why.
Writing every day doesn’t mean you have to journal if journaling doesn’t work for you. Just practice writing. That’s all you’re doing, practicing your craft so you can get better at it.
I try to get my inspirations from inside…my best thoughts come from me. Loved this post!!
Thank you. I really appreciate your feedback.
Hi Jennifer! I so agree with you. When I first got serious about being a writer about 25+ years ago I read Julia Cameron’s book “An Artists Journey” and as you know she suggests doing “morning pages” for exactly this same reason. And yes, I’m here to say it works. I do morning pages 5 days a week and it shows me that I can ALWAYS find something to write about NO MATTER WHAT. Most of it isn’t that great but I can always write and that has served me so very well. My inspiration comes with from within and is ENDLESS. Thank you for this reminder. ~Kathy
I agree. Morning pages are fantastic and what helped me to build a habit of writing.
Yes I see what you meant when you said we are alike! And that Rumi quote at the start is so spot on. Discovering the creative universe inside me changed my whole life. As you know, I take care of my elderly parents (with my sister and our husbands) and as you will know from your own situation, that means having high demands on our time. So that internal universe is really important for keeping me sane because it means I can create while sitting in waiting rooms, finding inspiration in whatever is around me instead of wasting those precious hours. I have had some very strange looks from people when I have been wandering around corridors taking macro pictures of the most mundane looking objects or marks (such as tea stains!) because of what I will turn them into later. Or listening to conversations going on around me and making notes. It’s changed my reaction to yet another appointment somewhere from “oh no, more time away from my work!” To, “I wonder what I will bring back from this!” Wherever we are, we always have our imagination to work with – even in a totally dark room. A great post Jennifer, the more people who discover where the universe really is, the better this world will be.
Thanks for your feedback Gilly. I use photos as creativity prompts, so I know the weird looks when people see me taking pictures of a string or a solitary leaf on the ground. When I was in the Harry Potter world at Universal Studios, I was taking closeup pictures of walls and doors to use as backgrounds for my Pinterest pictures and header photos.