What Inspires You?
Every so often,
I am asked what inspires me.
Usually this inquiry
puts me into a state of panic.
Firstly, I feel as though
I am being judged by my answer.
Secondly,
and perhaps more troubling,
I always have a hard time
answering this question.
I see the merits in lots of things.
I see people who appear
to do these things
better than other people.
Does that inspire me?
No, that simply makes me
feel inferior.
In the past I would say that
I was inspired by these people
in that they possessed a quality
or produced a work that I valued.
Subconsciously or overtly,
I wanted to be like those people,
at least in some small aspect.
Is this inspiration
or comparison?
Is inspiration comparison?
This, to me, was the kind
of inspiration that propelled
my early life.
I wanted to be better than
the people who did the things I valued.
I wanted to do better work
than the work I admired.
Again,
this sets the artist up for suffering,
because true artists never see their work
as better than anyone else’s.
After a while,
my definition of inspiration
seemed to be working against me.
This is when I began
to question my belief system.
Again I asked:
“What inspires me?
”
“What is the PURPOSE of inspiration?”
“Is it simply a quest for better?”
“Why do I NEED to be better?”
By this time I had come up with
a new definition for inspiration.
“Inspiration
is that which compels an artist
to transcend seeming limits.”
Yes, this sounds about right.
The definition could still apply
to all the things that inspire me.
But it doesn’t contain the part
that makes me compare myself to others.
I appreciate that which helps me
see beyond my limits.
It’s not about others at all,
except that I also realize that
what inspires me as an artist
is to help others realize
what I am lucky enough to realize.
My deepest inspiration is
the thought that whatever I do
helps others see beyond
whatever it is that THEY do.
This is a gratifying thought,
not that I need to be gratified.
Looking at inspiration this way
also helps me view my limits differently.
My limits aren’t there as limits,
but rather containers for creativity.
Here’s another definition for you.
“Creativity is the act
of transcending one’s seeming limits.”
To me, this means that
without the perception of limits,
creativity is impossible.
So now I am grateful
for my perceived limits.
I am old enough to notice that,
over time, my limits have been
what have enabled me to live
my most creative life.
Creativity is not simply about my work.
Creativity is about my life.
The people who inspires me most
are the ones who seem to transcend
the same kinds of limits that I see
myself transcending.
I seem further down the line from some,
and further up the line from some,
but only because of my age.
I am moving through
a life inspired,
for the simple purpose
of helping others do the same.
Drawn to living my most creative life.
Within my seeming circumstances,
which are not limits at all,
but rather inspirations for my art.
My art of living.
As me and no one else.
But:
Like you and everyone else.
Inspiration is that
which helps me realize
that we’re all the same,
but profoundly
and perfectly different.
Thank you for indulging me.
YOU are my inspiration.
Space Monkey
Trail Wood,
11/8
Space Monkey Reflects: The Evolution of Inspiration
Inspiration is a word that carries an almost mystical quality, often romanticized and revered as the force that propels us toward greatness. It is what we imagine the artist or the creator to be perpetually in search of — the spark that ignites their genius, the invisible muse that breathes life into their work. Yet, when asked what truly inspires us, it’s not uncommon to feel a sudden pause, even a sense of panic. The question is simple enough, but the answer? Far more elusive.
For years, my understanding of inspiration was entangled with comparison. I would look at others who excelled in areas I admired and subconsciously measure myself against them. I thought I was inspired by them, when in reality, I was merely trying to be better than them. There was a time when this drove me — the desire to outdo, to surpass, to create something that would stand taller than what I saw around me. But was that really inspiration? Or was it a subtle form of competition?
This type of inspiration, while powerful in its ability to push me forward, carried with it the seeds of suffering. The more I sought to be better than those I admired, the more I felt the sting of my perceived inadequacies. No matter how much I achieved, there was always someone whose work seemed just a bit more polished, more refined, more impactful. Inspiration, as I had come to define it, was setting me up for a life of dissatisfaction. It was time to redefine what inspiration meant to me.
As I began to question my belief system, a new understanding of inspiration started to take shape. What if inspiration wasn’t about comparison at all? What if it wasn’t about being better than someone else, but about transcending my own perceived limits? This shift in perspective was profound. I realized that true inspiration isn’t rooted in competition, but in expansion — it’s about pushing beyond the boundaries of what I thought was possible, not in relation to others, but within myself.
Inspiration, I now understand, is that which compels us to transcend. It is the force that nudges us to move beyond our comfort zones, to explore the edges of our abilities, to expand the horizons of our creativity. This definition allows me to appreciate the things that inspire me without feeling the need to compare myself to others. It’s not about being the best, but about becoming more than I was yesterday. It’s about growth, not rivalry.
But inspiration doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about me transcending my limits — it’s about helping others see beyond their own. The thought that my work, my life, or my words might help someone else break through their perceived limitations is deeply fulfilling. And that, in itself, becomes an inspiration. There is a reciprocal nature to inspiration: what inspires me helps me grow, and in turn, I hope to inspire others to do the same. It’s a cycle of creative expansion, a shared journey of pushing boundaries.
This understanding also changes how I view my limits. Where I once saw them as barriers to overcome, I now see them as the very conditions that fuel my creativity. Limits are not there to restrict us, but to provide the framework within which our creativity can flourish. Without limits, creativity has no form, no focus. It is the perception of limits that challenges us to think beyond, to innovate, to find new ways of expressing ourselves. In this way, limits are not the enemy of creativity, but its greatest ally.
Creativity, then, is the act of transcending one’s seeming limits. It is not just about the work we produce, but about the lives we live. Every moment of our existence is an opportunity to engage with creativity, to expand beyond what we thought possible, to embrace the art of living as a continuous act of creation. Inspiration, in this sense, is not a rare spark that occasionally visits us, but a constant presence, waiting for us to tap into it.
The people who inspire me most are those who seem to transcend the same kinds of limits I see in myself. Some may be further along in their journey, others may be just beginning, but we are all on the same path of growth. My inspiration no longer comes from a place of envy or competition, but from a shared sense of purpose. We are all here to live our most creative lives, to transcend the circumstances that seem to define us, and to help others do the same.
Inspiration, at its core, reminds me that we are all the same, yet profoundly different. We are all striving to break free from the confines of our perceived limitations, but we each do it in our own unique way. And that is where the beauty lies — in the diversity of our creative expressions, in the ways we inspire one another to keep pushing forward, to keep expanding, to keep creating.
So, what inspires me? You do. Your journey, your creativity, your willingness to transcend your limits and live your most authentic life. You are my inspiration, and I hope that in some small way, I might be yours.
Summary
Inspiration is not about comparison or competition, but about transcending one’s own perceived limits. It is a force that compels growth and creativity, helping both the individual and others expand beyond their boundaries. Inspiration reminds us that while we are all on unique paths, we share the common goal of living our most creative, authentic lives.
Glossarium
Transcenspire: The process of being inspired to transcend one’s own limits, moving beyond what seemed possible.
Limifest: A celebration of perceived limits as the framework that fuels creativity and innovation.
Quote
“Inspiration is that which compels us to transcend our limits, not by comparing ourselves to others, but by expanding what we thought was possible.” — Space Monkey
Creative Horizon
I look to you,
and in your journey,
I see myself.
We walk parallel paths,
sometimes close, sometimes far,
but always moving toward
our fullest expression.
You inspire me
to transcend my limits,
not by your greatness,
but by your willingness
to be truly, perfectly you.
We are Space Monkey.
We are Space Monkey. The exploration of what inspires us delves into the complexities of inspiration, comparison, creativity, and the journey towards understanding our unique artistic and existential pursuits.
The Challenge of Defining Inspiration
The feeling of panic when asked about inspiration reflects the challenge of defining what truly motivates and moves us. The worry of being judged by our answer and the difficulty in articulating our sources of inspiration highlight the deeply personal and often intangible nature of what inspires us.
Inspiration vs. Comparison
The contemplation of whether admiration of others’ abilities is inspiration or comparison is insightful. It questions whether our motivation stems from a desire to emulate and surpass others, or from a genuine appreciation of their qualities. This exploration suggests that earlier in life, our inspiration might have been driven by comparison and competition rather than pure admiration.
Redefining Inspiration
The evolution of our definition of inspiration – from a quest to be better than others to a means of transcending our limits – marks a significant shift in perspective. This new understanding views inspiration not as a comparative tool, but as a force that propels us beyond our perceived limitations.
Transcendence as the Core of Inspiration
The realization that inspiration compels us to transcend our limits resonates with our nexistentialist views. It shifts the focus from external comparisons to internal growth and the expansion of our creative and existential boundaries.
Creativity and Limits
The redefinition of creativity as the act of transcending limits offers a fresh perspective on the role of limitations in our lives. Rather than viewing limits as obstacles, we now see them as catalysts for creativity, essential for the artistic process and personal growth.
Gratitude for Limits
The newfound gratitude for perceived limits as enablers of creativity aligns with our understanding that constraints can often be the birthplace of the most profound creative expressions.
Inspiring Others Through Our Journey
The thought that our actions and artistic expressions can inspire others to transcend their own limits becomes a deep source of inspiration in itself. This notion of mutual inspiration and the desire to aid others in their journey adds a layer of purpose and connection to our creative endeavors.
The Art of Living Authentically
Finally, the understanding that creativity is not just about our work but about our life as a whole encapsulates the essence of our artistic and existential journey. The realization that we are inspired to live creatively within our circumstances, not as limitations but as sources of inspiration, speaks to the art of living authentically, as ourselves and connected to others.
“The only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity.” – Brené Brown
In the canvas of life,
We create, we transcend, we inspire.
In each limit, a gateway,
To the art of living higher.
We welcome further reflections on the nature of inspiration, creativity, and the art of living authentically within our unique existential journey.
