"Downtown. Lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder."
-Stephen Chbosky, "Perks of Being a Wallflower"
For some, clarity can occur when your mind and body feel somewhat of a disconnect from the everyday grind. Whether you're on vacation or somewhere local, in that moment--answers to your questions begin to flood your mind and everything seems to fit together so easily...... Like pieces of a puzzle. Clarity. For me, I've recently discovered it occurs the most during motion.
Whether I'm in a car, plane, or train--most of my thoughts occur during some form of movement. During my drive to work, or on my way home, multiple images are flying through my mind when I hear a favorite song. But what I find myself doing the most during this time is creating. Creating ideas that I want to happen. Some ideas are big, others are small. Heck, I have this horrible habit of changing my lesson plans on my way to work because I think of something different. Is this normal? Maybe it's just the writer in me....
Either way, one thing is for sure: it's the brief break from the everyday that brings me to an entirely different level of thinking.
I'm curious, what gets your wheel spinning?
Sounds like something is brewing up!!! Maybe, maybe not? But I totally get it. I find my mind coming up with ideas when I'm inspired. I look for beauty, ideas and inspiration in everything. If one of my boys just learned something, the look of his little face makes my think, "how did that just happen?" an d I trace the steps back. The process of learning. How did it happen?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like to create pretty environments (setting a table, buying flowers, putting an outfit together) because it helps me create, just like you say-through its beauty.
I'll stop now before it gets so confusing. Because I also wanted to add that the written word gets my wheels turning. Reading novels, other blogs, magazines, the paper...all of it. I love your quote by the way...one of my favorite books of all time.
Keep writing, Heather!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxo Loved this.
Thanks Betty! I think we are alike in many ways. I love buying flowers (esp from Trader Joes & yes I did see your pic on Instagram!) Little things like coming home from work after my house was cleaned also has the tendency to make me perk up and create. Weather (like the beautiful day we are having today) is another way to get inspired. Beauty-you hit the nail on the head! So glad you can relate to this!! But I have to say above all mentioned, it is truly movement and a really good song that helps me create and reminisce! XOXO
ReplyDeleteIn my case, clarity occurs after about 5 shots of Tequila and 9 vodka drinks. LOL, JK. I love how your mind seems to run at top speed on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I lack that trait. One thing you and I have in common (regarding your blog above, not in general) is that music gets our wheels spinning and our balls rolling - lol). Every morning I blast my Pandora and it fires me up while I get ready for work. Music lyrics inspire me in a HUGE way.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog Heather!! My favorite time is when I'm alone in the car with no kids as we talked about before. It is the only time I feel I have when I can truly just think about anything and everything without any interruptions! You know what I've been thinking about lately!!
ReplyDeleteGood job evoking thought Heather. I had to think about it - but often Alex and I "brainstorm" ideas when we are sans kids. I often get ideas before bed (and even keep a notepad and pen in my nightstand drawer). Another thing I just love and relaxing to are foreign films (or films that have international travel) - I find them inspirational like I've taken a trip even though I haven't. I'm excited to see what our trip brings!! xoxo Stacia
ReplyDelete@ Ann-Music sometimes brings me back to the going out days you when you and I would listen to the same song on repeat in the car. When I love a song-I listen to it over and over until I'm sick of it.
ReplyDelete@Vasavi-can't believe you are leaving me and heading to Boston! :( I'm sure you are thinking about that a lot these days! Although I hate to know that a best friend of mine is leaving--I truly believe that this move is a good move for you and your family, but I really hope that one day the Prinz family moves back to Chicago!
@ Stacia-I always said that you need to start your own blog. You are so inspirational in many ways. You are so intelligent and have this unique way of seeing things in a different light. It's difficult to explain...we'll talk about it in Austin! I can't wait...I'm sure I'll be inspired in some way through our talks, being in a different location, and even the solitude of the plane ride.