This week we’re talking about what inspires us. So I had to think about this one, because everything inspires me.
Let me give you an example. Gene and I were standing on the deck of a bar we were at, waiting for a charity ride to begin. I saw a couple walking up to the bar that I hadn’t seen in a while and I smiled. This couple had been married and divorced and married to each other again. I’m happy they’ve got it right this time. Then I glanced over at my best friend and her husband chatting with some folks. They’ve been married, divorced and remarried to each other. My husband asked what I was chuckling about and I told him what I just figured out. He then pointed to another couple of friends of ours who’ve been through the same thing. It was at that point that I realized, every person, couple, family or group has a story to tell. Some of them, many stories or snippets of stories that can be strung together and woven into a great story.
Looking around at the people I associate with either on a daily or minimal basis, I find that all I need to do is ask a couple of questions and a story unfolds. What inspires you? It doesn’t have to be telling stories, it can be drawing, painting, cooking, or any other pursuit.
What inspires you?
The same thing struck me recently when waiting around in a hospital foyer, that everyone going past me had a story to tell. We see it that way because we’re writers!
I suppose that’s true. Fun also.
Human relationships. Sitting on a mall bench (which we have to travel to do) watching the crowd go by … you see so much and people don’t even know. Asking people about themselves … just eavesdropping on people in a restaurant … yeah.
Yes. Listening and watching to people react to each other is priceless.
Restaurants are also a great place for people watching. If you’re lucky, you can even overhear bits and pieces of their conversation and make up stories from that!
Absolutely.