Channeling Thoreau

This week I have needed some inspiration. I have sought inspiration in my teaching, inspiration in my crafting, inspiration in my cooking, and inspiration in my writing. In the last week I have solicited coworkers, Pinterest, blogs, and the book 642 Things to Write About. And as I walked away, logged off, moved to another web page, or picked up another book I still left feeling uninspired. Could it be that I had higher expectations for this school year and they have already fallen short of the reality? Perhaps it is the lack of money that is keeping me from being as crafty as I’d like to be? Cooking is so relaxing, but “cooking for one” leaves me with less freezer space; and after being awake since 5 a.m., I use less brain cells causing me to revert to the same meals I usually make. Writing fills me with such joy, but I always find a reason, or reasons, to not have enough time.

Those are all excuses. Not a single one of those thoughts are productive or motivating. It’s so easy to convince ourselves that we don’t have enough time, that we’re too tired, or that situations are gloomier than what we expected. But where is the creativity? Where is the optimism? I realize this sounds a little “cheerleadery” and if you know me, you know I’m fairly cynical and that this is not “normal” for me.

I have decided that I’m going to approach this next year filled with hope and creativity. Hope that I will find some comfort in my job. I will be creative in how I use my artistic abilities. I will be adventurous in my cooking, no matter how exhausted I am. And I’m making an effort to be more intentional in my writing.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” 
-Henry David Thoreau

No, I’m not giving up my possessions, moving into the woods, and observing all that this world has to offer. But I am making a choice to look deeper into what I already, so routinely, do.  I’m making a choice to look at my life and patterns through a different lens. I want to experience all that life can offer, even if it just cooking dinner.