Monday Musings: What gives you that spark of inspiration?

Last night, I rewatched Soul by Pixar Films. It’s about a band teacher named Joe Gardner who has always dreamed of becoming a real jazz musician, but just as he gets his big break in his middle age, he apparently dies. It was as beautiful and inspiring as I remember it, but it hit a little different this time. I’m turning 35 next month and as with any birthday I can’t help but wonder if I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.

This is silly because I’ve stopped believing in having a singular purpose long ago. All I want is to make things I like, help people with the skills and resources I have at my disposal, and make a decent living out of it. It’s not complicated; it doesn’t have to be. But still I feel pressured to be “bigger”, richer, more accomplished no matter what I’ve achieved in my life so far. On top of that, I have to be able to move mountains to affect positive change in the world. Society constantly tells me I’m not enough, so I sometimes wonder if that’s true.

What Soul reminds us, gently, is that there is no such thing as having that one true purpose. What we have to nurture is our inner spark - that little thing that makes us excited to wake up and actively participate in, well, life. It’s what inspires us with awe and delight, but it’s not necessarily just a single all-encompassing goal that we have to tick off. For me, the spark is what makes us feel happy and fulfilled - no matter what we do for a living or what stage we are in our lives.

My spark comes from making things. I love designing and making jewelry, sewing clothes, making skincare, painting, and making music with my voice (among other things). I also love learning new things so I’m always reading, watching, listening, and writing them down like what I’m doing today. I fill my days with these activities and I’m grateful I get to do that. I’m very lucky.

Just a little reminder, folks. Have a good week!