Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Ready, set, action!

by Kim



 "We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing.
Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action."
~ Frank Tibolt


Oh boy, where to start . . . 

I can only say that in the last few months I have found this to be so true, only I didn't realize it until just now upon reading this quote.

With my son's illness, my normal activities and points of action have been severely interrupted and replaced with doctors appointments, hospital visits and testing. On a weekly basis for the last . . .ten weeks. Any time left has been filled with feeling tired and overwhelmed.

I have found it hard to maintain the same level of inspiration when my child is battling a chronic disease. And my notebook, full of previously inspired writing and ideas, just hasn't felt right for sharing when it's not what is in my heart at the moment.

But I'm pretty sure that while I have been stressed and worried and feeling like I have nothing in the way of ideas that my mind has still been busy at work. Still taking everything in. Waiting. For just the right time to let it go. 

There is a saying that nothing comes from nothing, and if that's true then something must come from a whole lot of stuff that builds one idea on top of another one when we aren't watching. When we are too tired to pay attention. Until one day it overflows into our thought process at just the moment it's supposed to.




In fact I'm sure of it . . . 

It happened a couple of weeks ago when Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday prompt was black and white (with maybe even a hint of color). And to be honest, even though I may not be as completely engaged, it has been important to me to still stay  "connected" on-line as I feared I might just drop into a big black hole, which would be so easy to do and harder to find my way back. I have been so amazed and overwhelmed by the support of so many.

Anyway, as I started to think about black and white I thought even more about all the shades of grey in between and how it related to photography and to life and the words just spilled out spontaneously and I saw and felt a glimpse of my writing again (if interested you can read it here). Maybe I wasn't completely lost after all..

"Action always generates inspiration." Yes, the act of engaging is what eventually creates the inspiration we all seek in our various crafts, in life really. Had I waited to pick up my camera because I felt inspired, it would have sat in my bag for the last ten weeks. I've been hard on myself because I've wanted to do it all, to keep up . . . but really, who does it all? I think that is something "they" made up for TV viewing purposes ( darn that June Cleaver ).



So I think the moral of the story quote here is that I am realizing I have more control over my inspiration than I thought.. . .that sometimes there may be a delayed reaction, but I only need to put one foot in front of the other to find it.

Of course this has me thinking about what "inspiration" IS . . . and some questions about art and its audience, hmmm?

 "Man built most Nobly when limitations were their greatest." - Frank Lloyd Wright



13 comments:

Jeanne said...

A beautiful post Kim and a subject that I have thought about many times! Think you are doing an awesome job putting one foot in front of the other with the stress that you are having in your life right now. Hugs to you!
By the way, this is an amazing monarch shot. I just love it. A hint of what is to come!

Sherri B. said...

Your words completely resonate with me...I've had my own stress lately and my creativity has come to a screeching halt. Your encouraging words make me realize I still need to make the attempt to let myself be creative in spite of my current challenges. Thanks, Kim - I agree with Jeanne, it's amazing that you're still sharing your beautiful images and thought processes with us despite all you're dealing with. It's good for your spirit, and also good for those who get to read it! Sending you good thoughts today...

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

You have reached in and grabbed my thoughts. Lovely photos. Valerie

CarolHart said...

Stunning images and such a thought provoking post Kim. Thank you.

kelly said...

boy kim does that quote resonate with me as well. glad to know that it has brought you some healing in your current situation. as always...you all are in my prayers. love, kelly

Dotti said...

Such a heartfelt post, Kim. As difficult as it is to pick up our cameras to seek inspiration in tough times in our lives, it seems to always pay dividends. Nothing beats camera therapy. It seems most of the world's greatest artistic endeavors were born of heartache and sorrow rather than joy. Keep shooting and we'll all keep supporting one another.

Anonymous said...

You inspire ME Kim. You channel grace in your work. Your images are soul stirring. I just had to share your post today on my Facebook page, Sparks of Grace.

Unknown said...

Beautiful images (that black and white one is stunning). I read your post with great interest, and I do agree, sometimes we just have to pick up the camera and do something!

Katie said...

No matter how grumpy or overwhelmed I may feel during the day, whenever I pick up my camera to shoot my 365 photo, I feel this sense of calmness envelop me and this rush of energy overtakes me. Such a wonderful post, and these images . . . wow!

Carol said...

Wow Kim - if this is what you do when you are "uninspired," I cant wait to see you inspired ! These images are beautiful. I especially love the B/W. Sending hugs and prayers your way, as always. I hope he feels better and things get easier soon.

terriporter said...

I was here this morning but didn't have time to post a comment. Before I got back in to do that, I got an e-mail announcing your blog post on Picking Poppies so I hopped over to read that. And then it all hit home, what you are all battling, how hard it must be and how brave you all are. I agree with what has been said about the therapy of photography, how it helps in hard times. Thank you for this wonderful post,for persevering through it all and for sharing with all of us. Love and prayers still coming your way.

Sarah Huizenga said...

Great post.

AFishGirl said...

Really great to read this. Nodding a lot.

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