And it was my doing. I simply didn't have anything to say. Yes, thee were times when it came down to the deadline and miraculously something inspired me to write. There were so many weeks I didn't think I would have a column. Then, on the last day, invariably something would happen to remind me of life's intricacies; but not last week.

 

Sure, I could have done a "celebrity death" column but I only had a few ready - not enough to do a complete one. So, I didn't do one at all. Missing my first column has made me think about the process and inspiration, specifically.

 

Most of the time, I just have to live life and inspiration finds me. Yes, I am aware of how things blend with the past and human endeavors. This helps keep me focused on when circumstances may fit into a column. Some times, it is so easy, I could do one every day but usually, there is only one experience per week worthy of consideration.

 

And I can't miss it if I am to believe I'm a columnist. (Talk about pressure!)

 

I understand that some are good meaningful columns and some....well, not so much. But I always believe in what I'm writing. There is truth in each one even if I'm not conveying it very well.

 

One never knows when inspiration is going to hit. I have trained myself to be aware of it but that doesn't make it happen. All I can hope for is to notice it when it's there! Inspiration is a funny thing.

 

Perhaps, it is my editor, Allen Rich, who said it best, "Columns can only pour out when the inspiration is there and that isn't anything anyone can rush."

 

It is comforting to have an editor who understands writing; that's not a given.

 

How is one inspired anyway? Of course, there are emotions attached. Usually, it is personal for me. The inspiration fits into some set of feelings I've had in the past. The inspiration matches with a circumstance or is easily relatable to one I've had.

 

It is easy to say that inspiration is hard to explain. But it is! For me, time seems to stop and an idea is put in my mind as I am going through my day. It has happened often enough that I can notice when it's coming on. Yes, sometimes, I will miss it altogether but I will realize it immediately after the incident or comment.

 

It is almost subconscious; I believe part of it is. I feel the seed of the idea planted and I instantly understand the outcome - the moral or lesson of the inspiration. All I have to do is fill in the part between the seed and the blooming flower. That's when the writer in me takes over. The creative juices flow - and I'm off to the races!

 

Usually, I like the way the column turns out. Sometimes, after rereading it, I realize it wasn't so good after all. Not the inspiration, but the construction and writing. I use it anyway because I know this is what I'm suppose to have written, however bad or incomplete.

 

I do know that there is no inspiration without emotions. Love, hate, anger, greed and all the rest are part of the fuel that feeds why that particular event means something to someone. Inspiration opens the door to that place very few get to go. People in true love have it all the time because love is the strongest emotion. It brings all the other emotions together and inspiration is the key.

 

Inspiration is more than just an idea one develops into a story or a painting or a song. Anyone can be reminded of or think of an idea and write or mold around it. No, inspiration is the "how" you write; the "how" you mold or sketch. It translates the emotion into another media. When you are inspired, you feel. You know the sensation of strong, positive emotions. And sometimes, you soar............

 

This is why you see so many books and works of art dedicated to a spouse or other loved ones. The author or artist "feels" that person led them to inspiration to do the work. That place of inspiration is truly divine. One can only go there in rare instances and once there, leaving is not acceptable.

 

Of course, inspiration comes in many forms. Some are intense, while others float around you like guardians of the muse. Many times, all I need is a germ of an idea but that gets those juices flowing. And before I know it, I have a great column for you to enjoy.

 

It is easy to get caught up in life's logistics. Pick up the kids, go to the store, take son to soccer practice are all time consuming, attention demanding priorities of our lives. We have to do them but also remember that stopping  - if only for a few moments - to listen for inspiration is the best one can do to really feel alive. Even if all it does is put a smile on your face and lower your blood pressure, then it is worth more than life's riches.

 

As for me, I get the smile and the steady BP; but I get a column in there, too.