Inspiration Has to Find You Working

I have not written anything in six weeks. Though I call myself an Occasional Writer, I did not intend to be this occasional. This month I set some writing goals for myself (for which I am behind) and put myself on a schedule (to which I am keeping to). Here I sit at my desk, with hours worth of compiled research and references in front of me but I cannot seem to write about the topic at hand. Maybe I should let myself off the hook for the evening? Maybe writing can wait another day?

No.

Let me tell you about a chance encounter I had that changed my mindset. I was visiting the seaside town of Rockport, MA with my family last October. The weather was a bit cold and stormy, which did not do a whole lot for tourism, but suited me just fine. I wandered from gallery to gallery until finally I stumbled into the Art Nook where I found Stefan Mierz contentedly at work, painting.

It took me a few minutes to strike up an actual conversation though I was immediately intrigued. The actual artist was at his own gallery, painting. He did not seem to be much older than me, yet here he was, in an idyllic town, painting. To be honest it made me a little angry. I would classify myself as a creative type but do not have the privilege of earning my living creatively. How did he get that luxury?

I knew he must get the same questions over and over, but I could not help but ask them and I will never forget the answers. He told me that he does indeed love his job, but his job is a job. Sometimes it feels great. Sometimes it is terrifying. Sometimes he just does not feel like showing up and painting. Sometimes he just cracks open a beer and gets into it. And then he repeated the quote that would speak to me often over the coming months:

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

- Pablo Picasso

Maybe some people are living their ideal circumstances. There are those doing what they are passionate about and earning a living. But is it fair to say that they are more fortunate than I am? Or did they simply work for it, while I have been thinking about it, not doing anything?

The next week I came up with The Occasional Writer.

Four months after that I purchased the site.

Another three months went by before I published my first article.

And here I am, at my desk, not feeling particularly inspired, but it is my time to write. It is my time to work. Inspiration will find me because I am working.