Wednesday, October 1, Inspired

Post 1286, Day 274 of 2014
- 1,370 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

What inspires these Daily Comments?

Most of the time, the source just bubbles up from inside with no cited source (as in, 'This thought brought to you by that spider web you almost walked into when you were twelve.'),

Here's the main thing, though. Inspiration is only useful/interesting if certain conditions are met.

For starters, you have to pay attention - inspiration is that tree in the forest: If it falls without anyone to witness, it didn't really happen, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Then, it needs to be acted on, even if that action is thinking about it, reflecting on it, or using it as a point of departure (my personal favorite).

My writing and my music playing are both inspired (not in the critical sense, I'm not boasting). They both come as a direct result of my setting myself up in a situation where I am open and have the intent to act.

I invite inspiration to come to me. I know there are situations that are conducive to my being inspired to play, dance, write or move.

When you invite inspiration to dinner, all you have to do is set the table, and inspiration shows up.

But that's one side. The other side is necessity. When you're in a situation where you have to pull some inspiration out of your ass, when your 'normal' preparation is inadequate, and you have to do something, then instead of setting the table and inviting inspiration in, you issue the challenge: Show up or allow me to fail.

This is what I've found: Since inspiration is your inspiration, that is, it doesn't come from without (all metaphors aside), inspiration can be summoned. All it takes is trusting it, which is to say, all it takes is trusting yourself.

And that isn't easy, but it is worthwhile.

This is why I go to open mics. To put myself in situations that allow me to exercise this trust in myself, that inspiration will come, and allow me to play music I am intellectually unprepared to play. Inspiration, it turns out, likes the challenge of sink or swim situations. Inspiration can swim.

It doesn't always work, but it is never for lack of inspiration. And here's the real secret: If you enjoy it, and show that you enjoy it, whether it works out or not, the audience and the other musicians, seeing your smiling face, accept that everything is okay.

Which it always is. Then, everybody relaxes. It's okay.
 

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 Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:          207.2 lbs

Previous Weight:         207.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:       - 0.0 lbs

Diet Comment

Holding.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Quest bars.

Lunch
At Ling-Ling's Chinese Buffet and Grill:

Brussels sprouts, kimchee, and, from the "Mongolian Grill", my go-to dish: pork and chicken with cabbage, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and broccoli.

Dinner

A cocoa-hemp-kale protein shake (almond-coconut milk, kefir, kale, large organic egg, whey powder (24g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, fermented coconut water, chia gel, celery, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 72+ oz.

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!