For Whom Do We Create?

As creatives, we are accustomed to providing products that speak to the masses. After all, that's what we ourselves are designed to do: Create for others to consume. If no one read the words we wrote, would we still write? If no one looked at the art we created, would we still design?

I like to think so. Creation in and of itself should be for one's self, for the one, rather than for others to use, abuse, or admire. Introducing something new to the world that just one moment before never existed is a miracle, and that should be enough for all of us. Who cares, really, if anyone else sees what we do? The one that matters sees all we create, whether we share it with the world or not. To do that, to create and give back to the creator is more than any of us can hope for. I think that is the greatest contribution we creatives can make, to honor the one from whom all our talent is derived ... the rest, admiration and validation from the masses, is simply to feed the ego, which, from time to time, does need fed.

We all want others to love or hate what we create. We want our work to make an impression on people, good or bad, so long as it evokes emotion and gets people talking. But for most of us, that simply isn't the primary reason for creating our work. We create because we can, because we are driven to express ourselves in an artistic way, moved to use our God-given talent as expected to do so. Admiration and validation are secondary to all of that.

On second thought, I could be wrong about all of this ...

Finding the Muse

Creative types are always in search of inspiration, the muse who gives rise to some of the greatest works ever created. All artists have their muses; writers have theirs as well. But the muse can be elusive. She comes and goes as she pleases, and when she does grace you with her presence, it is best not to turn her away. Otherwise, you will find yourself in search of her anywhere and everywhere.

I find that I am in constant need of searching out the muse as I often let her come and go, but luckily, I have learned where to look when my creativity as reached a low point; once you know where to look for your muse, you will find her every time. I find my inspiration in the words of others: Poets, songwriters, novelists who write with near perfection and use words to elicit great emotion. I find it in music that moves within you. I find it in art, beautiful, creative, divine. I find it in the creativity of the Divine itself, in the moonlight that bathes silhouetted images of night, in the distant rolling storm clouds, in the breaking of dawn.

And I find it in others, those who inspire and leave me in awe. So, I wonder, how do you find your muse? Who, or what, inspires you?