by Alesha Sinks | Jul 6, 2013 | Blogging, Just Me
In my last post, I explored the delicate art of working to create, find, collect, and revisit things that inspire you. Many of these things are also things that relax and refresh my mind, soul, and body, because I am most inspired when I am calm and happy.
I ened with a challenge…”create your own list.”
But I thought I would share at least some of my list with you, as a reminder for me and…as inspiration or new ideas for you.
To Search:
Find a space that is full of light – capture it
Find a moment when he least expects it, and surprise him with a kiss
In the middle of crazy, stop and just sit…be still in your mind or pray/mediate
Talk a walk, a hike, a run and look at the nature – you’ll always find inspiration
Singing worships songs and allow the praise to open up your heart to God
Journal about anything…nothing – you’ll discover wonders
Ask questions
People watch
Sit still, close your eyes and focus on your other four senses
In busy place search for little, forgotten things that others pass by
Slowly taste what you are eating or drinking – make it like the first time again
To Collect:
Pick a theme and fill a Pinterest Board
Collect thank you cards, birthday cards, letters, and pictures on a cork board
Buy and use body wash and lotion of the same scent
Buy and wear matching undergarments
Write a Gifts List – a collection of thanks
Save articles and blog posts that inspire you
Write down favorite quotes in a journal – keep adding to it
Ask friends for new recipes to try
To Revisit:
Look back through past blog posts
Flip through your wedding scrapbook
Go back to a beautiful place that you frequent – make it a routine
Scroll through your old pins on Pinterest
Look through your favorite Instagramer’s photos
Read old notes, love letters, or birthday cards
Browse your own photos on Facebook – let your past inspire your present
Remake a favorite recipe, but give it a twist
Reminisce with a family member
To Create:
Add little decorations to a shelf
Put a candle in the center of the table
Pre-serve food and make it look pretty on the plate
Tidy your nightstand or the top of your dresser
Fluff the pillows on the couch and refold the throw blankets
Take a long, hot bathtub with a good book
Plan a coffee date with your husband, best friend, or mentor
Organize and clean a messy drawer
Put clean sheets on your bed and fresh towels in the bathroom
I would love to be inspired by your lists. Leave your ideas or unique items that are on your list in the comments below.
Be blessed
<3
by Alesha Sinks | Jul 2, 2013 | Blogging, Just Me
Inspiration. I’m learning that it’s like a glorious adventure, this searching to be inspired. Its full of steps and missteps, always exciting yet not devoid of work.
Work?
Ironic right? Isn’t inspiration supposed to be that thing that some people have and other don’t? That thing that strikes randomly and you capitalize on or forfeit?
Nope. At least not always.
True, there will be times of feeling overly inspired and creative where I simply can’t get it all out, and there will be times where my creativity runs so dry I feel cracked in pieces.
And from watching those bloggers (and reading their books) I have learned…
…that’s where the work comes in.
Search for Inspiration
a photo
a view
a book
a song
Collect Inspiration
a vase of flowers
a poem taped to the mirror
a Pinterest board…or ten
a pretty picture hung
Revisit Inspiration
a moment to gaze out the window again
a hour to flip through that album of photos
a week to reread that book
a slow pause to give that kiss
Create Inspiration
a few minutes to reorganize that drawer
a morning to decorate that bookcase
a few seconds to scrub those mirrors
a hour to soak in that bathtub
Search for inspiration in the form of beauty.
Beauty formed in a such a ways that causes something deep inside to stir, that the closer you look the wider your eyes open and the quicker your breath catches in your throat.
Find it.
Breathe it in deep.
Breathe it in slowly.
Breathe it out even slower in thanks to God for this wondrous, mysterious gift of beauty He has given us.
Let Him move you so you can then move mountains.
Let this beauty push you into the arms of the Beautiful One, because as you see His beauty, your longing will be to allow Him to recreate that beauty in and through you.
And finally…
Use your inspiration.
And enjoy it thoroughly. Allow the results to spur you on to more. Allow the results and the process of your creativity to become part of your inspiration process.
I can’t tell you what is inspiring.
I can’t tell you want is beautiful.
I can’t tell you what is refreshing.
Make your own list.
Experiment.
Try new things.
Repeat what works.
Discard what doesn’t.
And when those things that worked so well to inspire and refresh you seem to suddenly grow stale…perhaps you’ve left out the source of creativity and beauty. So go back to Him. Thank Him. Spend time with Him. Remember that those things that refresh you are gifts from Him.
Sisters, be refreshed and inspired in Him, though Him, and through the gifts He has given. Then breathe in and let the breath that pours back out be fully of laughter and joy and beauty.
Be blessed
<3
by Alesha Sinks | Jul 2, 2013 | Blogging, Just Me
Inspiration. I’m learning that it’s like a glorious adventure, this searching to be inspired. Its full of steps and missteps, always exciting yet not devoid of work.
Work?
Ironic right? Isn’t inspiration supposed to be that thing that some people have and other don’t? That thing that strikes randomly and you capitalize on or forfeit?
Nope. At least not always.
True, there will be times of feeling overly inspired and creative where I simply can’t get it all out, and there will be times where my creativity runs so dry I feel cracked in pieces.
And from watching those bloggers (and reading their books) I have learned…
…that’s where the work comes in.
Search for Inspiration
a photo
a view
a book
a song
Collect Inspiration
a vase of flowers
a poem taped to the mirror
a Pinterest board…or ten
a pretty picture hung
Revisit Inspiration
a moment to gaze out the window again
a hour to flip through that album of photos
a week to reread that book
a slow pause to give that kiss
Create Inspiration
a few minutes to reorganize that drawer
a morning to decorate that bookcase
a few seconds to scrub those mirrors
a hour to soak in that bathtub
Search for inspiration in the form of beauty.
Beauty formed in a such a ways that causes something deep inside to stir, that the closer you look the wider your eyes open and the quicker your breath catches in your throat.
Find it.
Breathe it in deep.
Breathe it in slowly.
Breathe it out even slower in thanks to God for this wondrous, mysterious gift of beauty He has given us.
Let Him move you so you can then move mountains.
Let this beauty push you into the arms of the Beautiful One, because as you see His beauty, your longing will be to allow Him to recreate that beauty in and through you.
And finally…
Use your inspiration.
And enjoy it thoroughly. Allow the results to spur you on to more. Allow the results and the process of your creativity to become part of your inspiration process.
I can’t tell you what is inspiring.
I can’t tell you want is beautiful.
I can’t tell you what is refreshing.
Make your own list.
Experiment.
Try new things.
Repeat what works.
Discard what doesn’t.
And when those things that worked so well to inspire and refresh you seem to suddenly grow stale…perhaps you’ve left out the source of creativity and beauty. So go back to Him. Thank Him. Spend time with Him. Remember that those things that refresh you are gifts from Him.
Sisters, be refreshed and inspired in Him, though Him, and through the gifts He has given. Then breathe in and let the breath that pours back out be fully of laughter and joy and beauty.
Be blessed
<3
