The Indie Writer ✍️

It's the middle of the week, which means it's the *perfect opportunity* to pause for a few minutes.

The truth is, there is so.much.out.there to distract us from doing everything but writing.

It's so easy to keep busy... to go from one things to the other, and – let's be honest – reach for our mobile or switch on the TV and just... zone out.

My invitation to you this Wednesday (or whichever you’re reading this)... is to take 10 minutes out for some writing.

This week's challenge is “the people who inspire me”, and I invite you to think of just one person you find to be inspirational, or aspirational.

---

📝 Things written during week 4 so far...

**Theme: “the people who inspire me” **

- I’m inspired by people who listen to their heart and follow their intuition. People who are in integrity with the voice of intuitive guidance and have tremendous faith in it, so they’re grounded and connected. The ones who are so connected that they create a new pathway for the world. Some of them become famous and many remain less known yet impact people around them in extraordinary ways. 

– My kind of heroes are kind, loving, nourishing, cheerful, supportive, deeply ethical and graceful. They have seen life in a bigger perspective and have the power to lead from their hearts. I am inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Brene Brown's work, Glennon Doyle's book and podcast. As much as I would like to be inspired, my ardent desire is to become an inspiration too, one day! 

- Her name was Dr. Alice Nichols.  She was the head of the art department at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, in the 1950’s era.  This was a time when it was extremely unusual for a woman to be a department leader.  She was one who was motivated to be a leader in her field. I highly regarded Dr. Nichols because she was interested in women’s rights, equal pay for woman and other issues that have since become recognized as important to the furtherment of women within our society.  Her influence was so strong that I committed to being an artist for the rest of my life.

– Even a small child who don't know how to walk inspires me. Because that child will never give up until it starts walking properly. So thing I am highlighting is, World is full of inspiration. You just have to change your perception and look for the good things. Gradually you will find inspiration in everything. 

- I’m most interested in people who have found a way to sustainably do creative work, and derive some peace for themselves from the process. This is a type of person rather than a specific person I have in mind. They could be a writer, or a filmmaker, a comic artist, musician, a plushie designer on etsy or an architectural engineer, or a carnival performer who also makes pulled taffy in their side job—as long as it’s what they really enjoy doing. 

- I admire people who are kind, who defend justice, who fight for others and the world. I admire people who have an air of quiet strength. You know what I mean: They don’t say much but what they say tends to be spot on and powerful. I admire resilient people, those who have gone through hell yet have found a reason to continue to love life, and perhaps they love it even more precisely because they’ve been to hell. When I think of these people, I always feel a little stronger, a little wiser.

– When I was young, in the 60’s, of course, music was my inspiration. I was inspired by so many but here are just a few:  Joni Mitchell – Help Me,  Barry McGuire – The Eve of Destruction,  Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf -had all his albums  Earth, Wind and Fire – Do you Remember

🔎 Read more blog entries (in full)

–

I'll be back on Sunday as usual, with something a little different.

In the meantime, I hope you manage to find a moment to pause this week 🔆

Happy Wednesday,

Jas

—

– Eventually I brought my kids to meet her. She was stoked to have them try sour oranges and young coconut water. See the toy boat she made for them? I love her hands, hard-working but also dextrous and soft-skinned and generous. NEXT DAY: I just heard that Letty died yesterday… while I was writing about her, while I was spending time with her in my mind and heart and soul. I am so thankful for this prompt that encouraged me to be with her in the last moments of her life.