Inspiration in music: From here to now to you

There was a period of time that I forgot how much I loved music. Somewhere between the time that I lived and breathed each new song from my favorite band in high school, until about a year ago, I lost track of music and more importantly, how it made me feel. How a good song can fill you with hopes, dreams, and happiness just by getting carried away in the tune.

My late twenties and early thirties had me overwhelmed with building my career, being a mother, and building my version of the American dream. I forgot about a lot of things that inspired me during that time – I was much too busy changing diapers, keeping a business growing, investing in vacation property, and figuring out what color to paint the living room.

In retrospect, a little part of me had gotten lost, and it took quite a resurrection to find that part of me again.

A few good book clubs, good friends, some great books, and a relief from mothering babies and toddlers has now found me aware of the creative world once again.

And now I realize, to create and be creative, we must never lose site of one important thing: what inspires us. We must seek out the things that pull us away, tear at our hearts, and inspire us to be more, do more, and live life fully.

Today I am very inspired listening to Jack Johnson’s new album “From here to now to you.”

When I first heard Jack Johnson and his music a few years ago, I knew I would love almost anything he sang. He has such a soulful voice, his music a laid back feel that has captured millions as his audience. I really don’t know anyone with anything bad to say about his songs, other than maybe they are overplayed. But that’s what happens when you make great music – people want to hear it again and again.

If you watch the video in iTunes, not only do you get to enjoy the soultry sounds and thoughtful lyrics, you also get to enjoy watching him sing and play. The energy and commitment he puts into his songs comes through – making me want to love anything as much as he loves singing.

It is truly an inspiration to pursue my creative passions as he has done – to find that medium where art, poetry and passion intersect and get lost in the moment of creative bliss.

I believe now more than ever before that creativity is a path to finding and living one’s true passions in life. I hope, through my own creative journey, that I can do what I love and find fulfillment not just in everyday life, but as part of a greater contribution to this world that only I can make.

And, I hope that I can help model and teach that to my children as well. I want to teach them that to nurture our creativity is to live our lives full of purpose, and that one can truly be a gift to the world with their own unique creative contributions.