When Inspiration Strikes but You Are Unprepared

Summary

Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic" explores the elusive nature of inspiration and its tendency to strike at inopportune moments.

Abstract

The article delves into the enigmatic nature of inspiration as described in Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic." The author reflects on personal experiences of waking up with a brilliant idea and well-crafted sentences, only to forget them upon waking. This phenomenon is akin to inspiration visiting when the mind is relaxed, such as during mundane tasks or when the body is engaged in activities like showering or driving. The piece suggests that inspiration often arrives when the conscious mind is not preoccupied with daily tasks, allowing creativity to flourish. The author posits that inspiration is a gentle, playful force that may not always be ready to be captured, and it often requires patience and readiness to embrace it fully.

Opinions

Inspiration tends to strike during moments of relaxation or when the body is engaged in routine tasks.
The author believes that inspiration may visit to signal its presence rather than to be immediately captured or utilized.
There is a sense of frustration when ideas are lost due to the inability to record them at the moment of inspiration.
The author has come to accept that some ideas may not be meant for them, and inspiration might move on to someone else if one is not prepared to receive it.
Listening to Elizabeth Gilbert's perspective on inspiration has provided the author with a new understanding, leading to a less disciplinarian and more trusting approach to creativity.
The author suggests that inspiration is like a "shy girl flirting," testing the recipient's readiness and willingness to engage with the creative process.

Unraveling the mystery of Big Magic

I’m listening to Elizabeth Gilbert read Big Magic — a book I think I’ll reread at least once a year for the rest of my life. Her description of how inspiration works and our responses to it are fascinating and give credibility to many experiences I’ve had with the creative life.

Recently, in the middle of the night — somewhere in that half-asleep/half-awake state — an idea for an article came to me along with several well-crafted sentences. I remember thinking, ‘I should get up and write this down before I lose it’ but my body was paralyzed under the warm blanket of sleep and refused to cooperate with my mind. You know the feeling when you’re willing yourself to move your arm or open your eyes so you can escape a nightmare but your body won’t respond.

I purposely repeated the lines in my mind and assured myself (while instantaneously acknowledging that I was feeding myself a lie) that I would remember the idea and the perfectly structured sentences in the morning.

Upon awakening, I did remember that inspiration had visited me in my sleep but — as I suspected and had experienced before — I could not even remotely remember what it was she whispered in my ear.

Why does inspiration show up when we are ill-prepared to receive her?

It seems like a cruel joke for inspiration to come at such times when the body is unable to react or take dictation. I want to be a faithful recipient for inspiration but why does she show up when there is nothing I can do to capture what she’s saying?

Well-turned sentences and brilliant ideas have come to me at other times as well — in the shower, while driving, or washing dishes. I’m sure you can relate. I once knew a colleague who, when posed with an idea or plan during a brainstorming session would say, “I’ll shower on that.” She knew that all her fresh ideas or solutions to problems came to her in the shower.

I know, technically, why this happens. Our minds are relaxed, not filled with the endless tasks and lists that our conscious self has created and labeled as “important.” Our bodies are otherwise engaged — hands in soapy water, relaxed and rested, or involved in a mundane task that doesn't require concentration.

When we perform such tasks — anything routine or perfunctory, really — it frees up the part of our minds that has to work hard to assist us. Inspiration, free-thinking, creativity, fresh ideas, solutions, and inventions can slip in and catch our attention. “Oh, hey, I see you are freed up for a moment, I have an idea for you.” It’s why Sheldon Cooper took a job waiting tables at the Cheesecake Factory when he was stumped in a critical part of his equation.

But what can we do when inspiration comes and we are unable to grab it and capture the words and ideas?

I used to get frustrated about this and beat myself up for not having the discipline to wake up and write or figure out a way to snag every creative idea that flitted through my mind. But now, listening to Liz Gilbert explain the magic of inspiration and how much it wants to be found, I think there is no way inspiration would be that cruel.

I think she is more like a gentle breeze that blows where and when she wishes. Sometimes she only wants me to know that she is near, but she has no intention (at least not yet) of being captured. I think she often tests me — like a shy girl flirting with a new acquaintance. She wants to know that I’ll recognize her, notice her, pay attention, see her worth, desire her to stay, but she’s not ready to settle in with me yet.

On those days when I’ve lost the whisper, I have to trust that inspiration will return, that she’s wiser than I am and that she’ll bring the words back to me — if indeed they were meant for me. For as Gilbert says, oftentimes inspiration visits but moves on to someone else. Maybe the idea was flirting with you but you were not prepared, or ready, or willing to receive it. She moves on — like the seeds of a dandelion puff — not meant for us to capture but simply be inspired and intrigued by.

Maybe, at times like this, inspiration is just being playful with me, flitting by to tickle my nose and prick my ears. To remind that she’s all around, to tease me so I’ll want more of her.

Ah, inspiration, you little flirt. You know exactly what you’re doing because I woke up this morning hungry for more like I haven’t in weeks! Okay, you’ve got my attention, I'm listening…but please speak clearly and slowly…and wait — hold on, let me grab a pen!