You are my inspiration.

Inspiration.
Where does it come from?
Is it really a magical muse that comes to us in a dream and sprinkles brilliant ideas as she dances in and out of our consciousness? Or is it the magical thinking that happens when you are vacuuming or taking a shower - that's where some of my best ideas happen.  When my mind is occupied with something totally mundane and allowed to stretch it's legs and run for a bit. 

Or maybe it's a little bit of these two ideal all mixed together. Maybe some higher power leads us around until we are able to see the "secret sauce".  Maybe sometimes inspiration is like a good crockpot roast.  You have to let it simmer and stew for a while to really bring out the good flavors - all that good stuff has to mix and meld for a bit til it is truly ready.

I don't have the magic bottled and for sale.  I'd be super-rich and wildly popular if I did - but here's a little crazy example of what happened to me this last week in order for me to have the epiphany that I had this morning.

I'm sure you have heard that it has been HOT in Dallas for the last - well 43 days.  We were even on track to set a 20 year record of 100℉ days until last week.  Thank you Mr. 99℉ Thursday. Anyway, it's hot - egg-frying-on-the-sidewalk-hot.  My workbench happens to be located in a small 2-story building  in our backyard.  This sounds all sexy and quaint, but in reality, the building leans, it leaks, and it is not insulated.  This adds up for not so nice working conditions when you are torch firing and and trying to make silver do your bidding.

Because of the extreme heat, I have moved into our house, specifically the kitchen table, to attempt to get my fall lines finished to be ready for the upcoming shows.  Well, anyone who has done any kind of an "art" project will know - the supplies needed for a project seem to travel and expand as you are working. I soon was spread across the entire table and had begun to move into the formal dining room.

Night after night I found myself setting up TV tables for my 3 and 7 yr. olds convincing myself that it wasn't for much longer.  So, the days progressed. My "3-day tops" had turned into almost a full month of "Mommy working" at the table.  Yesterday, I had finally hit my wall of looking at all my supplies being strung all over the place and my understanding husband and boys having to "just deal with it".  I have realized that I was beating myself up more than they ever were.  I really don't think they could care less - they just adapt and more on - but all I saw when I walked through the kitchen and before I turned off the light to go to bed was "bad mom, bad wife." It didn't make for sweet dreams.

So, what did I finally do?
Yesterday I decided to re purpose an area in my "office" a.k.a. spare guest room.  It took some maneuvering to get everything sorted and in order - but I'm almost there.  It's not a sexy and cool studio - but it is functional and cool, but most importantly, last night we were able to eat as a family sitting at our table and not at four TV trays in front of the TV.  Not sure the boys are happy about the new arrangement but they will adapt :)
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, the solution that I finally came to - but it was a process. I should have done it 30 days prior,  but I think we all want to think we are super-women. Sometimes that just isn't in the cards.

OK - so where is my inspiration in all this?
I was thinking last night about what was happening to me. How I felt like I had to keep adapting and changing because of the heat,  because of my old rickety building, because of the start of 2nd grade for my 7 yr old, because of my husband's travel schedule.... so many things happening in my life just felt like I had to be a chameleon all the time - changing to what was around me in order to survive.  I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but I really believe that we all do this.  It's the people that have perfected the art of adapting that make it look easy. I by no means have perfected it - but I think I am getting better with all the practice. 

So that's it, there is my inspiration for my new charm design that I am working on right now.  The easy-going chameleon. Going with the flow, adapting to the environment and what nature throws his way.  I think if I wear this charm and think about it the next time that life throws me a curve ball then I might be able to handle it a little better.  I believe that finding inspiration is very similar to our time hear on earth.  It is all about the journey, not the destination.  You never know when those special moments or opportunities for greatness will pop up and test your ability to adapt and persevere.

It's still super-hot here in Dallas, and the weatherman isn't predicting relief anytime soon. But, hey, I'm OK with it. It might just be another opportunity for my muse to dance into my bedroom tonight and sprinkle some more inspiration my way :)