I was watching a show recently about a decorator who was renovating her entire home. One of the rooms she was renovating was her home office and while she was putting the finishing touches on the room she pulled out an old portfolio from when she was 18. She commented that even though she’s gotten older and some her ideas have changed she frequently goes back to that portfolio for inspiration. And that got me to thinking-what do I draw on for inspiration?

For as long as I can remember I have loved to read. Books were always a way for me to escape and climb into another world. Sometimes that was a bad thing. For instance looking back I probably shouldn’t have been reading romance novels at the age of 14 but most of the time reading allowed me the opportunity to learn more about the world and about myself. Even to this day, when I read, I find myself drawn into the world that is presented on the pages and that has always given me sparks to fuel my imagination.

Creativity in general also gives me inspiration. Creativity in music. Inn dance. In life. I am in awe of how a person can have a single thought and a few months, weeks, years later that thought has manifested into something tangible. It is only by the grace of God that it’s even possible. To know that we were created in the image of God who created this world leaves me speechless. He has touched us and allows us the ability to bring beauty and light and hope and joy to people’s lives.

How many times have you been feeling anxious or unsettled and turned on the radio just when your favorite song was playing? Or you walked past a garden filled with beautiful flowers and literally stopped to smell the roses? Or a smile came across your face remembering a line from your favorite movie? I don’t know about you but I am very grateful we have creative beauty in our world.

So what do I draw on for inspiration? I draw on the world and I hope you do as well.