Where do you find motivation?

Do you ever wonder where motivation comes from? It isn't a question when we're going full steam ahead on creative projects, or when on top of our game in working out and eating clean. But when we lack motivation, the question pops up, doesn't it?

Creativity is in the fiber of my being, and it is rarely a challenge for me to find motivation to write. Although, I struggle with this whole blogging business! Ideas for blogs don't come easy to me! Venture into the world of healthy eating and workout routines, and that's where I'm in sinking sand. I often ask myself, how did I do so good during that period of my life? How can I get back into healthy habits?

If I were to offer a class on motivation, I could easily help people who want to tap into creativity for writing. In fact, I might even write a book about it one day. A few things I have found to be great for getting out

My first time attending a Renaissance Faire with my daughter and the rest of my family but they aren't in the photo. This fun excursion offered plenty of inspiration.

of a writer's rut:

• Spending time in prayer, meditation on God's Word. Nobody inspires better than the Author of creation, Himself.

• Heading outside and soaking in God's creation.

• Visiting a city I've never been and keenly observing as much as I can.

• Trying something new, or doing something I haven't done in years.

  
  

A few years ago, I learned how to operate our Kubota excavator. Now I like to call it my pet dragon, Kubo, because I swear it is just like riding a dragon. Especially when I'm out in our forest battling maple vines. (I call them spider vines because they have moss all over their long branches, which look like spider legs.) I'm not kidding when I say battling them–when I'm pulling them out with the excavator claw, the branches whip back at me, much like J.K. Rowling's Womping Willow. I've taken a few lashes on the face in some of those spider vines battles.

I hadn't been ice skating in years, and my hubby and I decided to see if we could still balance on the blades. We had such a fun time! It was a wonderful break out of our normal boring routine of staying at home and watching a movie.

Last month, our family visited a new theme park and rode waterslides. Hadn't done that in years, either! I also rode some of the fastest roller coasters I'd ever experienced. A couple summers ago I went white water rafting. At one point we were stuck in a vortex for way too long, until it finally spit us out. Don't ask me to go white water rafting again, please. That was my third and last time! (I almost died once on a rafting excursion in Montana. Another story for another time.)

As you might guess, these experiences whether good or bad, make their way into my songs and books. After all, they say "write what you know"!

As for healthy and clean eating, I'm always looking for motivation in this area of life. It is a struggle. I like yummy things, and I lack motivation to work out. Not a good combination! (Interestingly enough, even this bit of my life makes its way into songs and books. And blogs and cookbooks! Hah!)

By the way, if you're one of those health nuts who knows the secret sauce to finding motivation to work out and eat right, please don't keep it to yourself. Do tell!

If you are in need of motivation to get the creative juices flowing, I encourage you to get alone with the Creator, who instills in all of us the gift of creativity. Get outdoors and soak in creation, visit a new place, meet new people, and find the adventure that life inspires!

Note to self: You don't have to jump into a raging white water rapid to experience the adventure that life inspires. You can experience it from the shore!