I’ve been watching INCEPTION over this holiday break. I’m actually getting addicted to it, trying to find the alternate possibilities for explanation and “truth”. I knew I had gone too far when I was searching message boards to get in on the conversation. It’s got me thinking a lot about dreams. Now anyone who knows me is thinking, “Really, Nate? You don’t already think about dreams enough in your life? It seems like everyday you tweet something about dreaming big, inspiring a new idea, or some other morsel of information that’s far from small”. While this is all true, I am so caught up in my personal hopes and dreams, along with the patient seeking of His will. The two compliment each other very well, yet in some selfish ways become the biggest challenge of this season. As I have been writing this, I have had three separate conversations involving bucket lists, the fulfillment of childhood dreams, and considering the current seasons of life and its relation to our next steps. It’s something that I get fired up with enthusiasm about. It ignites a small spark that rarely diminishes and turns it into an unquenchable flame that keeps my mind and heart racing.
Here’s just a few ways that I’ve found myself up at the odd hours of the night, in the craziest places, and far from doing the typical. It’s in these moments that I find my deepest inspiration, aspirations, and hopes.
1. Thought-provoking music: Music can set our mind up for just about anything. Heading to run? You put in hip hop or driving force music. Summer drive? Certainly you are listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. When it comes to these ideation times, I prefer something that isn’t covered in lyrics that need to be understood or even heard. Sigur Ros and Explosions in the Sky are my biggest culprits of dream time. Also competing would be various soundtracks, symphonic orchestras on vinyl (adds a cool ambiance), and the latest addition is “Olafur Arnalds“.
2. A Unique Spot: You could be sitting upside down from your bed with the blood rushing to your head, or perhaps on the ground entirely, but with your shoes on. Try sitting on the counter. One of my unstoppable moments came this winter on the wooden steps of a retreat center while I was working a fall retreat. It was freezing outside and I had no coat on me, but I could see the darkness of the lake and the breeze was a constant reminder of how many things we fail to recognize in every moment.
3. Journaling: Writing your thoughts isn’t just for 13-year old girls. It’s incredible what taking notes after a conversation, writing out ideas late at night, or simply sketching until inspiration reaches your mind can do. My personal favorite medium is a Moleskine Cahier journal with the flexible cardboard cover. They fit in a back pocket (or for you ladies, the purse) and are easily accessible. I hope to someday have a whole shelf of these journals, reflecting on years of thoughts, idea, business plans, stories, and dreams. They come in packs of 3, so once you start using them, chances are you will give a few away and continue buying more.
4. Community: Surrounding yourself with people that have similar aspiration, goals, and dreams is possibly the toughest, but most practical way to find inspiration. Trying to come up with something entirely on your own takes a lot of time and patience, both things that creatives find difficult to manage. Find those around you who are doing what you love, or intend on doing so. But seek diversity as well. Sometimes the best motivation can come from your exact opposite. So you’re a business grad that works in Accounting? Go meet an artist or musician outside of the office. You are a teacher? Go talk to a stay at home parent. If you think you have what it takes to lead a community like this, I recommend my current read: Tribes by Seth Godin If you don’t think you have what it takes.. DEFINITELY read it.
5. Solitude: I know it doesn’t seem to make much sense to completely contradict a point immediately after making it, but bare with me. Finding solitude is essential as well, whether you are a spiritual person or simply someone who just loves to create. I could list many scientists, priests, musicians, monks, and famous authors who have written some of their finest while alone, quiet, or simply on a retreat away from distraction. While community comes as a top priority, the contentment in solitude is essential to our personal well-being, our beliefs, our creativity, and even our profession. If you’re reading my other posts, you know I just wrapped up Henri Nouwen’s “Reaching Out”. It’s a must-read.
6. Spontaneity: One of the coolest things I did this past fall was wake up at 4:30 AM and drive into the country in search of the perfect spot to watch the sun rise. I hadn’t intentionally seen a sunrise in almost a year, and it was time to rekindle that relationship. I grabbed my Bible, a bottle of orange juice, my Nikon, and a blanket. After some searching, I was able to find a large, grassy area surrounded by corn fields with a small hill that overlooked the spot of the sunrise. It was the best time of reflection and thought of my entire fall. I even managed to get some cool shots of the area, which included a rusty red park bench with the back on the ground, and a small bird bath which had been weathered and through an Ohio winter or two. Sometimes simply being able to rip out a day on the agenda, shut down the macbook (no, putting it to sleep doesn’t count), and leave the text messages and facebook updates behind is all we need to let the mind do it’s thing. The toughest part is simply being willing to embark on these adventures. I spent way too much time in college preparing for “real-life”, which at the time felt like would be my first job, making $65k, living in an apartment as seen at Pottery Barn. Looking back at it, rather than fighting to pay off every bill and over-analyze every project I worked on, I would have considered some of the alternatives around me.
More to come down the road.. I’d love to hear what elements make your creative/innovative/dreaming space? I’d encourage you to seek that out if you have time of rest and an empty calendar this Holiday season.