The Inspiration Project

A pop culture reminder to be our authentic selves, whether anyone approves or not.

This is making the rounds, and is totally awesome:

A dandypunk – inspiration from a Cirque du Soleil artist from a dandypunk on Vimeo.

I had to post this, it’s awesome.

PS.  No update yet on the film – I’m still waiting on sound, but hopefully that’ll be sorted by the holidays.  Cheers!

Recently, our community saw the passing of one of our bright and energetic lights.

As those who love her gathered close to support her in her final days, an amazingly inspiring idea emerged.  Someone suggested gathering our scrap fun fur, to make a quilt to wrap her up in love.

A special day was arranged, and folks brought their sewing machines, sergers, bags of fun fur, bits of embellishment, food, drinks, music, and love for our friend.  By the end of the day, there were rows of finished squares, all made by different people, showing their affection and support.  Ultimately, the squares were made into two quilts of furry love, delivered to our friend who was “overjoyed”, and they now belong to her two children.  Friends from out of town sent in their furry contributions, and some late arrivals were made into pillows for our beloved’s family, to send love to them too.

“Quilts delivered, we poured a whole lotta love into those squares and it shows.”

Thank you, Y, for coming up with this brilliant idea.  I am so grateful to be part of a community like this.

We have so  many bright lights in this community, that I could spend ages highlighting them all.  We are truly blessed to have so many imaginative and inspiring people.  Someone who continues to inspire me is Little Woo.

It is so rare to meet someone who moves in the world with such authenticity and clarity, as Little Woo does.  Her creativity, compassion, playfulness, and personal grace swirl together with a beautiful alchemy.  She is both engaged and engaging, and brings a unique energy that is admirable and inspiring.  I have had the great pleasure to speak with her, as well as see her express herself though many diverse artistic ventures.

Little Woo is currently developing her next workshop series, “The Evolution of Inspiration”, which I am very much looking forward to.

About Little Woo:
Little Woo is an unconventional spiritual teacher and artist who offers kick-ass insight and joie de vivre on the journey of self-realization. Many of her students/clients are lovable freaks, burlesque dancers, artists, freedom-seekers and offbeat entrepreneurs.  With compassion and humour, there is no story too dark to tell, no pain too ugly to feel and no beast too strange to love.  Be you Lost or Found, Little Woo is a spiritual Muse who helps anchor the magic and inspiration on your epic voyage of Evolution. Check out her workshops, projects and private sessions for a boost to your spiritual mojo!  Receive her personal newsletter via email (sign up atwww.littlewoo.org) or stay in touch on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleWoo.Muse

Thanks to Julie, whose link quoted this blog:

“Fear is epic.  Whatever it is that scares you, you’ve simply just got to want it bad enough–bad enough that the pain of NOT moving forward is greater than the pain of taking action.  Doing this will give you no other choice but to rally every single cell of your body, mind, heart, and soul to move forward andfight for it–honorably, and with conviction.  And then make it yours.”

http://www.wethestreets.com/fear-is-epic/

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Thanks to Marie & Chelsie for reminding me of this beautiful video about being alone:

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Thanks to Olivia, for posting this to the Facebook Group:

Right,
So what inspires you.  That’s kind of a huge question.  Many many things.
First of all for me….Movement!  And not always dancing, although that’s an obvious choice for me.  Sometimes just walking and looking at things…and stuff:) to get the energy flowing.

Also, listening to music.  All kinds of music.

I have read and still read a lot of history and folklore.  Some of it is serious (thanks Meg for the anth books:),and for encouraging me to read them.
My Mom exposed me to Ancient Egypt through her love of it.  She had a few books around the house, I absconded with them when I moved out!  And that started me down the path to looking at other ancient cultures.

Mythology! Joseph Campbell is a genius. History and what came before us is a huge rich field to gain inspiration out of.  It’s why I love anthropology and archaeology so much.  sososo much.  If I could have a tardis and go back in time to watch what people were doing in their day to day lives…..

And then after all that I like to sleep on it.  Journal it…if I have the time. And talk it over with friends and mentors.
and then practice it
perform it
and then talk about it some more and refine it, or just change it all together if something that initially seemed brilliant isn’t working.
And then do it all again.
There is always more.

Mike shares a link from John Allison’s blog on the topic of banishing self-deprecation:

http://sgrblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-self-deprecation-has-to-stop.html

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As I was hatching The Inspiration Project, I was thinking of people whose bright light inspired others to shine, and one person came to immediately to mind.

Some of you may remember the late T. Paul Ste. Marie, who was a colourful and inspiring character in the Vancouver spoken word scene.  The father of “Thundering Word Heard”, a weekly open mic event at Cafe Montmartre, T. Paul provided a space for both fresh and seasoned poets alike to come together, and raise their voices.

I am reminded of him now, as I am inquiring after “that which moves us”, feeling moved to gather peoples in places, to hear their words, and reflect that beauty back again.  I think he would like what I’m trying to do, and as I embark on this project, I miss him more than ever.

T. Paul is a perfect example someone actively generating inspiration in a powerful way on a community level.  He was also someone whose own hardship was an integral part of his shining, and for me, his story is a reminder that we can all lift up our own heads and shine, no matter what.

Certainly, remembering someone who inspired so many, is a perfect way to start a project about inspiration.

With love in my heart, I offer you T. Paul Ste Marie’s “Invocation”.