Inspiration

"I have dreamed in my life, dreams that have
stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas;
they have gone through and through me, like wine
through water, and altered the color of my life."
                        ~Emily Bronte


   I have had many dreams in my life, some which have stayed with me over the years, and others that have faded over time. Dreams fuel our actions and give us courage. What inspires our dreams? It can be something small, something life-altering, someone's words, a chance encounter, or an unexpected glimpse into something new and surprising. I have always been inspired by words - they have a kind of magic for me because they have the power to create something vivid and alive, whether that is a feeling or an image, an association with the past, or hopes for the future. I have always loved the beauty of language. My Mum kept a diary in her twenties. It was typical of most diaries chronicling the events of her life, but the last quarter of the book was devoted to her favorite quotes from stories, articles, philosophers, prophets, and poets. I used to love to read this section of her diary - not only for the quotes themselves, but because I knew she loved them and had chosen them throughout her life as the words that inspired her. I copied my favorites down in my own journals and sometimes wrote the ones that inspired me the most on little pieces of paper that I would put around my room. When I went to university I chose to study words in all their forms. I learned how much I loved poetry, essays, and stories, and I began to write words of my own. I still collect beautiful quotes (I use them here!), I love books, I write poetry, and I dream and dream and dream. Here are a few random photos I took the other day - pretty things in my room and the pages of a book that I have with beautiful quotes. I suppose you could say that this is my dreaming place - the place where inspiration begins! Something new today as well - I am including an original poem that I wrote entitled "Wallflower" after the pictures and a little sketch I did recently.

I am linking with these blog parties:
Masterpiece Monday
Show Off Your Cottage Monday

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Drawing and Poem by Jennelise