I used to operate under the assumption that inspiration was a random, capricious, and ultimately frustrating phenomenon beyond my control, revealing itself only when it chose to do so (often at the most inopportune times!)… and if I missed recognizing it or failed to act on it, anything creative that might have emerged from it was gone for good (or at least until the next time it decided to show its face).
I don’t believe that anymore.
Oh, certainly, it can (and does) happen in that oh-so-magical way – at times – and it’s important to keep one’s eyes, ears, and spirit open to see it and use it. But don’t wait for it! By taking a far more practical (but no less creative) approach, inspiration can be actively sought at any time, on any day, through a variety of methods and strategies.
If you’ve been following Alphabet Salad for awhile, you’ll know that one of the ways I seek inspiration is through participating in photography challenges. Instead of waiting around until I happen to notice the perfect shot, I’m learning to take creativity into my own hands by using daily challenge prompts to inspire a beautiful, or clever, or inventive photo in response. It may not work every time, and the process may sound rather forced and unromantic, but I’m grateful for the way such exercises stretch my thinking and motivate me to look a little deeper instead of passively waiting and hoping for that lightning strike of inspiration to hit.
So in that vein, and without further ado, here are my responses to the latest “Photo” theme prompts for NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).
Hope you enjoy!
May 1 photo in this post
May 2-4 photos in this post
May 5-8 photos in this post
May 9 photo in this post
May 10-11 photos in this post
May 12-18 photos in this post
May 19-21 photos in this post
May 22 – Inside
NaBloPoMo May 22, 2015 – Inside
May 23 – Outside
NaBloPoMo May 23, 2015 – Outside
May 24 – Upside Down
NaBloPoMo May 24, 2015 – Upside Down
May 25 – Nature
NaBloPoMo May 25, 2015 – Nature
How do you seek inspiration?
Please share!
→ What is #MicroblogMondays?
→ #MicroblogMondays 39 linkup here!
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
May 25, 2015
Your dedication to your creative pursuits is always an inspiration to me, Laurel!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Why Get Critical Illness Insurance
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much, Corinne!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Twitter: thisyearinmusic
May 25, 2015
I totally agree with you inspiration. If you train yourself you can find inspiration anywhere.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
It’s true! You just have to look.
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Twitter: FranceneStanley
May 25, 2015
Great photos. If only we keep our eyes and mind open, we can see so much. My favourite is balled cat in a round wicker basket. Grin.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
He LOVES that basket – sleeps in it every day! So nice to work with a sleeping cat on one’s desk. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Twitter: shilpaagarg
May 25, 2015
Oh you are very creative, Laurel. I simply love the way you click photos and how you associate them with the photo prompts. Very innovative, unique and creative they all are!! The up-side down is simply amazing thought and capture 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted… What Did You Learn Today?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much, Shilpa!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
I liked the upside down photo. There is so much creativity in the idea behind placing the pins upside down and watching them from another angle. I agree training the mind can help sought the needed inspirations without having to wait for long.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
And you had the temerity to make light of my “legend” fb comment. Try looking at yourself objectively for 5 minutes. Yes, I do know it’s difficult. Or even looking at yourself as at a fellow blogger. You, my dear, rock and I won’t stand for any more “in my own mind” crap. Now, back to drooling over your photographic genius…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much, Diane – you are a good friend. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
“Inspiration will strike you sometimes, but when it doesn’t you go find it.” This is am interesting perspective, I have been putting off so much so often, blaming inspiration. Time to take things in my own hand. Thank you for the “inspiration”
Jaibala Rao recently posted… Being Free
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
You are most welcome!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Twitter: pythoroshan
May 25, 2015
Lovely pics and I do agree with the theme of this post too.
Of course, my eyes keep coming back to that pic of the nails “pointy end up” with a sense of dread!
Dr Roshan R recently posted… This is your moment, Doctors of India. Make it count…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Yes, they are rather sharp!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
A VERY INSPIRING POST 🙂 WITH SOME AMAZING PICTURES.
Thanks for sharing this with us Laurel.
Have a nice day .
Ashwini recently posted… Ash’s Hidden Talent @Write Tribe Festival of Words#4
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Twitter: iwrotethose
May 26, 2015
Inspiration is certainly all around us. It’s all about what we make of it.
Lovely pics, Lauren.
Sid recently posted… Of being ‘nice’
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
I agree – we just need to look for it and take it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
This is the first time I’ve read your blog. I’ve always loved photography and this is such a lovely post. I absolutely love the pic of the upside down tacks!!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much, Byron – glad you stopped by! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
Your upside down one is clever 🙂
I think creativity also begets creativity. Taking long breaks will make it harder to find that creativity. Writing, photographing, drawing, etc every day will keep it right there at your fingertips.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you! So very true – that’s why I’ve really appreciated NaBloPoMo.
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 39 – Creativity and Inspiration
I agree completely to what you have written. Beautiful pics actually. Loved the second one 🙂
http://drsushreedash.blogspot.in/
Sushree Dash recently posted… It Remained….
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 26, 2015
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 47
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
May 27, 2015
Lovely photos and how clever to combine different blog challenges into one! I agree that inspiration can be found everywhere, if you look.
Debbie D. recently posted… DELPHI: GREEK ODYSSEY PART V
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 28, 2015
Thank you, Debbie!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creativity and Fear
Your photos all made me smile, especially the cat. Though perhaps I should say that the drawing pins first made me wince, then smile!
Mali recently posted… What makes a good photograph?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 30, 2015
Yes, they were rather sharp!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Distant
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