Inspiration

“To live a life of reckless abandon.” – Elisabeth Elliot

There have been moments throughout history where an individual has brought forth an idea so revolutionary that it will undoubtedly cause a paradigm shift in the minds of society. Copernicus, Pythagoras, Galileo. Names that dared to blaze a trail to challenge the status quo of their era, regardless of any repercussions it may be associated with. Among this prestigious list is the scientist Charles Darwin, who famously penned the Theory of Evolution after he visited the islands of the Galapagos. A place where I was fortunate enough to explore. I can see how Darwin would have been fascinated by the vast array of flora and fauna that the islands have on full display. Seeing these things through his scientific lens must have elevated his scientific research onto a whole different level. There is just a quality so ethereal, even magical, about the islands that I believe served as a catalyst for him to develop a world changing concept. Although a birthplace of an idea naturally comes from within, a spark must inevitably serve as a catalyst to initiate the creative process. Originating from a small mental seed in his mind’s eye that would slowly be transcribed onto pen and paper. The continuous observation and analysis of the data he collected to further provide support, which would eventually lead to the formation of his theory. It all started with the aura that the islands exude. I can attest to that feeling. I too felt energized just being surrounded by such an environment. A spark of inspiration flowed through me evidenced by the amount of writing that I was able to do throughout my stay. Prior to my visit, my writing has been on an indefinite hiatus. The root cause is still unknown to me why I no longer worked on my craft. Lack of inspiration. Difficulty allocating time. Regardless of the many reasons I justified as I look onto the blank pages of my journal, they would all come to be excuses. As time progressed, it would prove to be harder for me to get out of this mental bog. I was looking for a spark to lift me out of this mental miasma. The islands provided that. Sunrise writing sessions seemed effortless as thoughts and ideas flowed freely from pen to pad. A reinvigoration of the soul. That’s the power of placing oneself into an environment that fosters the type of energy that one seeks. A creative surge was the outcome of my experience, but anyone reading this can find the spark that they too are looking for. Although I journeyed to a location that was far from home, one doesn’t need to go to such distances to experience the same thing. Taking the time to listen to your inner thoughts and following the guiding light of where to go next is what’s most important. It’s far too easy in today’s society to have that voice drowned out by all the noise and chaos of the everyday. Don’t let it. The world needs more people that are inspired more than ever. The possibility of their life’s work to provide a positive impact for generations to come. My writing is of far less magnitude than the Theory of Evolution, but I believe it might provide that spark for someone to pursue their dreams; to live a life of reckless abandon. Whenever the call for adventure beckons to our soul, it is up to us to answer the call just like Darwin did all those years ago.

Play

“This is the real secret of life -- to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” - Alan Watts

What does it mean to play? It’s not a question that comes up often in our day to day life. A distant concept that many of us have forgotten as we move further into adulthood. Yet, it is something in need of reflection more and more in this modern world that we all live in. The daily minutiae can easily envelope one’s psyche and put us in perpetual auto-pilot. A system insidiously designed to ensnare us into a life of habit and protocol leaving our souls devoid of meaning and passion if we let it. However, we are not cogs in a machine; rats in a race. We are beings that have in us an innate desire to vigorously pursue personal challenges under the guise of play. Allow it to come to the surface and embrace it once again just as you once did during childhood. Don’t allow the internal critic to suggest that play is trivial. What might seem to be unimportant on the surface might have deep intrinsic meaning for that individual. Even if there isn’t a deeper purpose, the act of play is analogous to the objective of dancing. The philosopher Alan Watts said that the goal of a dance isn’t to reach a set destination. The enjoyment is in the movement and all the nuances that accompany it. A fitting metaphor on how to approach life itself. Therefore, go and venture out of your comfort zone and explore vast mountain ranges with childlike curiosity. Meander through valleys at your heart’s content. Blaze a trail if there isn’t a path already set before you. Dance under the sea of stars with reckless abandon. You will eventually meet other individuals along the way on a similar path. Welcome them in and share that journey together, embracing all the ups and downs inevitable with any great adventure. Enjoy the time you have with one another, share stories, engage in conversation, and listen to the laughter echo through the air. While this experience can oftentimes be ephemeral in nature, it will quickly become a memory that you will cherish and look back on fondly. All of this is to ultimately be part of the human experience. To play is to be human.

Magic In Those Pages

Be the hero of your own movie. - Joe Rogan

I sit, once again, to start my daily writing session as another day of experiences has come to a close. As I write in this semi-empty common area overlooking the setting sun, I take notice of a commonplace item found in many hostels. Books. The assembly that lines the shelves or piled on top of the many coffee tables around the room is an amalgamation of the hostel’s own collection as well as travellers leaving their own books behind for others to read. A popular backpacker tradition is to exchange books that they have brought on their trip for something that has been left behind by someone else, which explains the wide variety of genres available to peruse from. Granted, there are always a couple of classics that are almost always present in the mix including Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild to name a few. As I look at the mass of paper and ink, I find myself thinking that for some reading these stories may have been the basis of why they set out on their trip in the first place. It was the piece of literary inspiration that they needed to set the gears of travel in motion; the push needed in their soul to venture forth into the great unknown. There is magic in those pages; an aura that radiates inspiration. At what point of their journey did they choose to part ways with their precious tome? No one but the traveller really knows this. A separation of an object that may not have outlived it’s usefulness to the owner, but left behind in the hopes of inspiring others as they have been inspired. The act of leaving something tangible only having gained something intangible in return. It may also signify an end for their metaphorical search. The end of their journey has come just like the protagonists in the books that they cherished. Although the book may have had a conclusion, this is all but an illusion. The book of life still continues on with the traveller writing their own story as they progress towards their own personal journey. While it may not yet be transposed onto paper, the story that is being transcribed in the annals of time will surely have a similar ability to inspire. As I watch the last rays of sunshine disappear into the vast blue yonder, I ask myself. What story will I leave?