Finding inspiration, no matter what

Inspiration is the key to creativity and the secret to enthusiastic living. It puts us in the flow of creative energy, filling us with gratitude, wonder, and even awe. It makes work a joy, focuses our energy and attention, and motivates us to keep going even when circumstances are exceedingly difficult.

Unfortunately, as we all know, inspiration can sometimes wane when our lives are overfilled with work, drudgery, or routine. How can we refill our glass of inspiration? When the monotony of our routine threatens to dampen our spirits, how can we recharge our joy of living?

Perhaps it’s no surprise that inspiration often comes from the little things—small, often unexpected, moments of beauty, tenderness, or creativity. These unexpected moments can be wonderful, but how do you plan to include them in your day? Here are some practices that help me:

Inject variety, increasing the chance of surprise. It’s easy to fall into habits that take us out of the present moment. We’ve done our routine the same way for so long that we can practically do it in our sleep. That’s when it’s time to disrupt the status quo. Shake things up! Change your look. Take the bus or ride your bike to work. Use the surface streets instead of the freeway. Invite a new co-worker to coffee. Shop at an ethnic grocery store. Visit the local tourist attractions and experience your hometown with fresh eyes. Get up early enough to watch the sunrise. Go for a moonlit hike or swim. Rent a kayak for an hour. In fact, almost any activity you do outside in nature will reconnect you with your creative spirit.

Read something inspirational. I look forward to starting my day reading the Better Every Day Insights delivered daily to my phone. (You can do the same by downloading the free app here: Dr. Murad’s Inspirations on the App Store (apple.com). Even though I wrote these Insights, it’s still a surprise to see which will be delivered to me, accompanied by which piece of art, each morning. Many people have told me that they, too, look forward to receiving their Insight each morning.

One of my favorite Insights is “Why have a bad day when you can have a good day?” It’s a question I ask myself whenever things go “wrong.” For example, I woke up this morning with a backache. If I focus on the backache, it might ruin my day. But I also have a physical therapy appointment today. The therapist will help me feel better—and also help me get stronger—so I choose to focus on the therapy, rather than the backache. Focusing on the positive helps keep the creative energy flowing.

Remember the people in my life who inspire me. It started with my parents and siblings, my aunts and uncles, my teachers, friends, and sometimes even the parents of my friends—all these wonderful people who enriched my life by their example and encouragement. Later, my patients—the people who brought their problems to me every day—became my biggest source of inspiration. What you might not know is that they inspired virtually all of my Insights!

For example, one woman who came to see me about a rash brought her mother and grandmother with her. Whenever I asked my patient a question about her rash, her mother or grandmother would answer for her. This patient was the inspiration behind the Insight:

“Progress begins when you cut the umbilical cord.”

Obviously, this 30-year-old woman didn’t still have a physical umbilical cord tying her to her mother, but she hadn’t cut the emotional umbilical cord. When she did, her rash cleared up almost instantly.

Another patient came to see me after consulting with a psychiatrist, a neurologist, an internist, and an endocrinologist. She had a variety of health issues and when we began talking about them, she realized that they all had started shortly after her divorce. She went home and threw out all of the old clothes in her closet. She symbolically made a fresh start, and that act led to all of her physical symptoms gradually disappearing. Her example was the inspiration behind my Insight:

“Sometimes one key can open many doors.”

A third patient came to see me with acne and eczema, which of course can be triggered or aggravated by stress. Although she had a successful career, she was very distressed by her relationship with her teenage son. We talked about her life and, unbeknownst to me at the time, she went home and began speaking to her son in a more pleasant tone. Instead of sounding critical, she made an effort to sound interested, encouraging, or at least non-judgmental. When she saw the improvement in their relationship, she began to be more careful with the tone she used at work, as well. Her employer noticed and rewarded her with a big promotion! I only discovered this when she told me about it months later. Her powerful example inspired the Insight:

“Free those you love.”

When her son realized she was giving him the freedom to be himself he blossomed—and so did their relationship. Similarly, her less critical tone of voice had a positive impact on her work relationships—freeing her co-workers to perform without the constant fear of failure. This inspired another Insight:

“Fear of failure leads to failure.”

Fear of failure can become paralyzing. If you fear making a mistake, it may seem safer to do nothing. But doing nothing will get you nowhere… except to failure.

This woman’s example also reinforced my belief in the importance of one’s environment, leading to this Insight:

“Choose the best environment for you.”

Just as a fish can’t live in a tree, not every environment will maximize your growth and well-being. I believe we owe ourselves the opportunity to live in an environment that supports us in fulfilling our potential.

Each of these patients inspired me by the way they took charge of their own lives. They continue to inspire me when I remember them.

Start creating. Scientists have studied how art affects the brain—and the news is all positive. Although trying to make something when you’re not feeling inspired may seem counterintuitive, I’ve found that the act of creating itself often sparks my creative spirit.

Creative expression—whether it’s painting, dancing, writing, or singing—eases stress, supports cognitive development, creates social connections, promotes emotional well-being, and fosters cross-cultural understanding. There’s even a new science on it—neuroaesthetics—described in the book Your Brain on Art. Creative impulses originate in the right side of the brain, not the more linear left brain. And somehow, just the act of putting on music, squeezing paints onto a palette, or doodling in one’s journal can get those creative juices flowing. As can going to a gallery or art museum, an art supply store, a concert, a dance performance, or a film festival—anywhere the creative human spirit is on display. Creativity is contagious. I am often inspired by the irrepressible creativity of others.

Last but not least, I’m inspired by:

Spend time with toddlers. Fortunately, I have a two-year-old grandson, so that’s easy for me to do. It’s wonderful to be reminded of how free and creative toddlers are. They’re not the least bit concerned about failure; I’m not sure they’re even aware of the concept. For them, what we adults call “failing” is just part of the game. And the game is fun. It’s endlessly inventive, even if their medium is only a cardboard box, or two pillows and a throw blanket, which can instantly become two islands in a river.

Two-year-olds can be endlessly fascinated by a leaf, a rock, a puddle, chocolate pudding on their fingers, or mud between their toes. Spending time with toddlers gets me out of my head and into the present moment, taking me back to the joyful, “life is an adventure” attitude we all had, once upon a time.

Whenever I spend time with toddlers, I come away looking at the world with fresh eyes once again, reminding me of yet another Insight:

“Embrace the little things you do. They may become really big things.”

That’s #ModernWellness!

P.S. How do YOU rekindle that creative spark? Email me your techniques at info@howardmurad.com!