When I hear a line in a song that sends shivers down my spine –

When I see a painting that dazzles my eyes –

When I see a scientist speak of the Voyager spacecraft,

Wildly, exuberantly –

When I hear a friend rant about their passions,

Passionately, honestly –

I’m inspired.

When life throws its worst at me –

When life throws its best –

That’s when I find I must express myself

When I must draw

Or paint or doodle

Or write or sing.

When the deepest hurts are sung,

And greatest delights painted,

When a novice author shares their first work

And a novice artist splatters paint on a canvas

I smile and am inspired.