Through conversations with my momma friends, who used to write actively on their blogs, we have realized that many of us lost the inspiration to write consistently. Many of us have expressed how busy we are, how blogging is different now, and how we often lack the inspiration to put our fingertips in a meaningful way to the keyboard.
CAN YOU SAY RELATE MUCH?
A couple of weeks ago, as I was listening to DC Comic Artist, Harvey Tolibao, share his story about how he found his career of illustrating, I realized a few things. In fact, because this is a blog post about inspiration, I will share a few things that have inspired me, as of late…
Condensed and Concise
Forgive me for grouping all of these things together, but I will be honest in sharing that I TOO, have had trouble getting my thoughts out to share with all of you. Shucks, maybe it’s been so long, that some of you have not visited in a while because you see my inspiration in sharing something personal, and meaningful is also lacking.
Perhaps, it’s better this way, since many people don’t also like reading blogs that much anymore and so much of the content we look for nowadays revolves around videos, VLOGS, summaries , and listicles that take only minutes to read instead.
So where have I found inspiration in the past few months?
Best Buddies and being COMMITTED
So much of what drives me to keep doing more, are the smiles and the laughs that I enjoy when I’m with my Buddies. I say MY Buddies, because I love all of them and want so badly for everyone to feel accepted, and loved, and supported in what they do. Having some kind of ownership, or responsibility in creating activities for them reminds me of the commitment I know I must uphold.
So Harvey taught some of our buddies tips, tricks and techniques to illustrating, nurturing imagination, and harnessing inspiration when it hits.
Harvey reminded me of a fact that I know very well. If you want to get good at something, and if you want to pounce on the opportunity of inspiration when it hits, you have to be committed. Truth is, I have so many commitments to my family, my business, my husband, my kids, and myself, that blogging and writing has fallen to the wayside. I used to try and write every day. Hopefully, I can go back to this soon. Establishing a routine will certainly help me find my blogging mojo again…
The inspiration that comes from being with my buddies is pretty simple. I just have to see how a simple act of friendship and kindness can turn around the whole day. And this happens often when I’m attending chapter functions with Best Buddies Philippines.
My Kids
Because two of my kids are in college, they also have their own social lives. They have their schedules and commitments they have to honor. Gelli is always in need of my full attention, and because we don’t have a dedicated yaya for her, I realize this is another challenge to writing when the inspiration hits me. I cannot just sit down and focus on my thoughts because most of the time, I’m doing 4 things at once.
This is why, when we have all of our four kids together on a Sunday, for LUNCH at Makati Shangrila, I get excited. It’s when I get to watch them interact. Hear their laughter. And enjoy the time we recently made for each other during THE COOKOUT.
A couple of weeks ago, we enjoyed a long leisurely lunch in one of our favorite places and I found myself taking notes. Taking notes on how my older kids are FRIENDS. They genuinely like each other (sometimes) and of course, they all care for Gelli. It reminds me of God’s goodness when I see them together like that (not fighting) and laughing, and of course, enjoying the sumptuous buffet that Circles Event Cafe has leveled up with new items and features.
I take notes on the kwentos (stories) they share with one another, and with me and Nino. The stories Miguel comes home with from school, the tests that Gia might be studying for, and the games that Diego recounts which he played and scored. Gelli doesn’t have many kwentos right now, BUT she does come home with statements. She shares that a classmate may have cried. Or that someone shared her snack with her. Or that Teacher said “No, no, no.” In this case, all of us wait patiently as she DOES finish her stories and usually, we marvel at her growth in conversation.
Quiet Moments
You know what happens when I get to observe? I get real quiet.
When I am quiet it means I can listen. Not only is it important for me to listen to my kids, (You can’t listen if you are the one doing all the talking.) it’s also important for me to listen to Him.
My friend and I were talking about inspiration and when it comes…and when God speaks to us…Sometimes, we just have to be still…
I love these opportunities that I have to listen to Him.
I have learned that sometimes, God speaks to us.
Sometimes He whispers.
And when I’m stressed or overwhelmed, I remember to just stay still. When I’m still, I can observe. When I observe I remember to be grateful. When I’m grateful, I can hear Him. And when I can hear Him or see His work, then I am, once again, inspired.
Music
When I was younger and had my own room (now I share a room with Nino and often times share a bed with a little one) and I always had music playing in my space.
As I got older, music became a way I could identify and express my feelings. From the angsty verses that I would scream out when Alanis was talking about the irony of life, to winding down with classical music by Pachabel when I knew I needed to get some studying done. The soothing, rhythmic, methodical nature of classical music muted out all the other noise inside my head and allowed me to focus.
So, depending on my mood, I will play gospel, classical, folk, or even R&B. Each of these types of music inspires me in different ways to do different things. I love that a song can bring me back to a wonderful moment that I have frozen in time…it’s like that sometimes. Like our sense of smell…the memories we associate with these things are deeply rooted and vivid.
This is one that has been on repeat lately in the house. It’s is happy music. Grateful Music. Reassuring Music that let’s me know I’m on the right path and He is there with me.
Quick Clean Up
Sometimes, when I’m overwhelmed, it’s because my space is overwhelming. Meaning, there is kalat (a mess) everywhere. It could be kalat from deliveries, or Gelli’s mess because she forgets to pack away one thing before starting another, or it could be Miguel’s paints and art materials from the night before.
Doing a quick clean up and putting things in their proper places, ALWAYS helps me refocus my efforts and sharpen my mind. When it’s messy, I tend to get foggier and cannot concentrate because I’m looking at all of the other things that I know, need to be put in their proper place.
I think this also relates to the whole Tidying Movement.
Sometimes, it really is just that much easier to focus when your space is neat and free from clutter.
When you are tasked to do something and looking for inspiration, what do you do to focus your energy?