I just finished CHILDREN OF GOD, the amazing sequel to Mary Doria Russell’s, THE SPARROW. Russell’s use of language, her depth of storytelling, and her unforgettable characters filled me right up, not only with a sense of longing when the story was finished, but with a desire to stretch beyond my own perceived limitations as a writer.
This epic story, in all its horror and glory and complexity, allowed me to step back in time for awhile, back to when I was just a reader. Before intimidation had wormed its way in. Before I knew the mechanics of good writing or the structure of a well-plotted book. Before the writer’s critical lens had fitted itself around my brain.
Isn't it tremendously satisfying to find that...thing...(whatever it is) that sparks your soul? You know the spot - it's down in the center of you where light and life and poetry and inspiration live. It's the place that fills up when we experience awe.
I love that place of wonder! And I love it when people share the things that inspire them most, so I've put together a little journey to share with you my own sources of inspiration and I hope you'll join us in the comments for a good discussion about what sparks you.
A few things that inspire me...
Poetry
Pictures & Art
Quotes
To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong. – Joseph Chilton Pearce
Dwell in Possibility. - Emily Dickinson
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Mahatma Gandhi
Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment. – Rumi
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. – African Proverb
Movies
…The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot… (Carl Sagan)
Give up defining yourself - to yourself or to others. You won't die. You will come to life. And don't be concerned with how others define you. When they define you, they are limiting themselves, so it's their problem. Whenever you interact with people, don't be there primarily as a function or a role, but as the field of conscious Presence. You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are. (Eckart Tolle)
Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. (Thich Nhat Hanh)
Music
If I ever feel the light again
Shining down on me
I don't have to tell you
How welcome it would be
I felt the light before
But I let it slip away
And I just keep on believing
That it'll come back someday...
-Beth Orton, It's Not The Spotlight
Broken bicycles
Old busted chains
With busted handle bars
Out in the rain
Somebody must
Have an orphanage for
All these things that nobody
Wants any more
September's reminding july
It's time to be saying good-bye...
-Tom Waits, Broken Bicycles
(and so much more)
So what sparks and fills you up, killer friends?
7 comments:
Children of God is the only book I've ever literally thrown against a wall, because I got SO upset during one part. Then I got up and began ranting about how anyone could do such a thing--and to her own character! LOL And this was before I became a writer.
Great post, Joann! I think what fills me up most is nature - a sunset, a flower - just seeing things that occur without the help of human beings gives me a sense of amazement.
Cheese.
Oh wait, no, that was the answer to yesterday's question...
Seriously though, this is a GREAT post. I'd have to say watching someone talk about what they're passionate about (assuming it's not something I find offensive).
I'm a big fan of the television programs Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley on PBS (not sure whether Smiley is national). They treat their guests (doesn't matter if they're actors, scientists or politicians) like they're more sound-bites (a luxury they have because there are no commercials)and let them talk about what's important to them.
What fills me? Unconditional love. This was a beautiful, thought provoking post.
My children, writing, beautiful things and the smell of timber:) These things all fill me - in different ways, but that's the beauty of it!
Love this post, so many beautiful thoughts!
What fills me up? When I read something and it gives me hope for humanity... When I hear a piece of music and it reminds me of what peace must be like... When I meet a perfect stranger and they touch me like my own blood...
That's what fills me up.
Jai
Wonderful, thoughtful post.
What fills me up are friends, family, laughter (lots and lots of laughter) and... sports. Seriously, sports. I love watching people put it all on the line. Somebody has to win, and somebody definitely has to lose, but they want it so bad they go for it anyway, even though the defeat can be devastating. It's incredibly inspiring to cheer an underdog to victory, which I guess is why there are so many sports movies made!
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