Between Inspiration

Inspiration - definition 1a: "Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity." *

This is the definition I normally use when making such statements as: I've got no inspiration, I lack any inspiration, or I ain't got no more inspiration. Today I'm doing a lot of busy work, avoiding the reality that I am uninspired, unmotivated to do anything painting related. That said, I've learned not to let this bother me too much; there are plenty of other things that need to be done around here, and a person can't be inspired all the time. This is the theory I'm going with anyway, and I have some thoughts to back this theory.

First, if a person is always inspired, is that person inspired or is that just the norm? Hmmm. Second, inspiration comes out of those times when we're uninspired; downtime is the ground crew that maintains the launchpad . . . and inspiration is the rocket preparing to launch, of course. ["cringe" what a horrible analogy] Finally, looking at definition 6:

Inspiration - definition 6. "The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs." *

Inspiration is dependant upon expiration, and vice versa. In and out. Going up and going down. Inspiration and . . . expiration [uninspiration?]. Linguistics aside, there is much to be said for balance. Balance is good. [too much of a good thing, and all that] We need to be inspired and motivated, yes, but we also need times of reflection, times for sharpening the saw, times for rest.

Ecclesiastes 3 TNIV

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

* The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved March 17 2006