I work at a creative public relations agency with creative people who encourage creative thinking on a daily basis. But some days, I get sucked into a non-creative vortex. Sometimes, I simply don’t feel inspired and I don’t have the mental or physical energy to get inspired or be creative. Yeah I know, not exactly a mental state conducive to my job. I am sure many other professionals across various creative industries feel my same pain on occasion. So, what’s the common cure for the uncreative, uninspiring doldrums?
Some may listen to music to get inspired, while others may scrounge up enough creative juices to pump out a blog post (or journal entry for those who haven’t entered the blogosphere yet!) Some may hit the gym to give their creativity a jolt, while others may read.
SIDE NOTE: if you’re looking for inspiration in the form of a book, I’d suggest reading Eat, Pray, Love. I’m about halfway through and I think it’s phenomenal!
I, on the other hand, and being the sap that I am, turn to words in the form of quotes. I have collected many quotes through the years, and while cleaning out drawers this weekend, I came across one of my favorite quote books that I had tucked away and forgotten that it even existed. The title is simple: be. There are hundreds of ways to “be” in life, but I thought I would share a few quotes from the book that have helped refuel my creativity and inspiration.
Be First To achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought – Tim Robbins
Be Proactive Whatever you are meant to do, move toward it and it will come to you – Gloria Dunn
Be Excited The minute you begin to do what you really want to do, it’s really a different kind of life – Buckminster Fuller
Be Amazing
It is up to you to illuminate the world – Phillippe Venier
Be Strong
We define ourselves by the best that is in us, not the worst that has been done to us – Edward Lewis
Be Different
Don’t go with the flow, you are the flow – Sugi Tanaka
Be Positive
What you find in your mind is what you put there. Put good things in there – Mary Ford
Be Hopeful
I haven’t a clue as to how my story will end. But that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars – Nancy Willard
Be Confident
Look the world straight in the eye – Helen Keller
Be Spontaneous
Live nutty. Just occasionally. Just once in awhile. And see what happens. It brightens up the day – Leo Buscaglia
Be Yourself
Simply the thing that I am shall make me live – William Shakespeare
And the quote to sum it all up…
Grandma Moses said it best, “Life is what we make it, always has been and always will be.”
Got any other quotes that help pull you through the blah times? Do share 🙂