Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with inspiration

"If I'd done it for the money, I'd have been a f**ing lawyer"

Calicatt — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:53:12 -0800

[playlist filter] I'm looking for songs that are about staying true to your art, about putting in the work, and not caring about the rewards. The kind of song that makes you want to stay us all night working on a painting or novel or whatever. Been really into "Make the Money" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, so looking for music in the same vein. Have a writing deadline coming up, can you tell? :)

"The Sun Will Rise Without Thy Assistance" - Attributably?

juniperesque — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:43:36 -0800

There are a lot of places attributing the quote ""The sun will rise without thy assistance" to the Talmud. Is that true? If so, where does it say that in the Talmud? I would love to either verify or debunk this quote.

In it to win it. 4 REALZ.

crawfo — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:07:49 -0800

You're a competitive athlete. How did you level up? I'm really passionate about a sport, and am interested in going from rec-league competitive to Way More Competitive. Just the thought of it excites me and terrifies me, which -- if past experience is any guide -- means it's probably a good and rewarding idea.

I know I can be self-sabotaging when I make determinations like this. I am hell bent on not heading down that road ever again, and would love to get your help.

What I would like to know -- how do you stay driven, when training can be grueling, slow, and requiring all of your heart and patience? When the rewards are obvious and palpable but... quite far away? What are your mechanisms for keeping your head and heart fully in the game? I'm good at the things google tells me (setting small goals, celebrating every little victory) -- I would love to hear the weird, lived, funny, particular things that real athletes do to keep themselves inspired.

What happened to make you fully commit? Did you have a "turning point" or definable moment? How did you change your approach to training -- mentally, emotionally, physically?

Finally -- was it worth it?

Recommend some books for me to read while on a trip to Costa Rica

hamandcheese — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:52:05 -0800

Please help me find an inspiring read. Melting snowflake details inside. Mrs. Cheese and I are off to sunny Costa Rica for a short trip we had booked for next week. A few days ago, a dear family member died and the next several days will be heavy for me while my family gets together for that before we go on our trip.

I have been working like mad to wrap things up and I could use some fresh perspective and inspiration on this trip. I plan to get back to writing and reading daily and recentre myself a bit.

I mention all this because I'm looking for some things to read that will inspire and help me. Some ideas:

- maybe something that will give interesting insight into Costa Rica or Central America
- or at least a book about the rewards of travel and other cultures
- literature as opposed to fiction, if you know what I mean. I've been reading Cormac Mcarthy and Stephen King lately, and I definitely want something more in the Mcarthy vein.
- maybe something that deals with death, loss, travel, big life changes, simplifying life, or major life transitions
- some magical book that has all these properties

Thank you MeFi book club!

What's your "go-to" salad?

Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 06:04:42 -0800

Inspired by this post, I'm working on my own "go-to" salad that I'll always be able to make. The criteria are: "fresh ingredients you can get in most stores, which you will never tire of, and can eat twice a week for the rest of your life." Do you have a "go-to" salad or something similar? - I'm looking for inspiration here so the more unusual/personal the better!

How can I achieve a state of creative flow as a writer?

incandescentman — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:24:26 -0800

When I'm racing to meet a writing deadline, I feel a sense of exhilaration, momentum, and flow. How can achieve that state on a regular basis so I can make steady progress on my writing? The night before a big deadline, it's always the same thing. Under the gun to file in time, the urgency and pressure fuel me and gets me going. It's not panic, it's energy. Things start clicking. I feel inspired. The writing just flows. I wind up doing 90 percent of the writing in 10 percent of the time.

When the hour and minute of the deadline roll around, I always find myself wishing I had another 24 or 48 hours to work on the thing, now that I finally know clearly what I want to say. But by then it's too late (especially if the deadline is a live presentation of my story).

Imagine if I could get to that point a week before the deadline how much better I could make everything!

I don't know why I'm so lazy.

1. I never actually write anything unless I have to, by which I mean i.e. I have an externally-imposed deadline and someone else is sitting there WAITING for me to file
2. Even then I never seem to be able to get going until the last possible minute

It used to be that I didn't take my work seriously and I could get away with it. In college I did an all-nighter every time I had to write a paper and I always got an A.

Now it's different. I realize that this is my life and I need to stop playing around. So I write every day. However:

1. I have trouble getting started with my writing for the day. It's always "let me check my email one last time" or "oh I just remembered I need to make a doctor's appointment" or even just "let me browse headlines for a while longer before I start." Why do I feel the need to put it off so long before I start?
2. I constantly feel the need to flee my writing task and do something else, anything else. Check my email. Make coffee. Empty the trash on my desktop. Usually the distractions that pull me away from my writing aren't pure time-wasters—I'm not sitting there playing videogames when I'm supposed to be writing. Instead, it's "oh man, my friend is coming into town this weekend and I just remembered I still haven't emailed him back, I should do that right away." Or "oh if I'm going to go running this weekend, I need to order earbuds." They're important things, things I do need to do anyway. But, you know, I don't need to do them at that moment. So when I think about it after the fact, I can see: that was just me trying to escape the task of writing. Sure it's fine to take breaks. But sometimes I realize find I've only done a few minutes of writing at a time between all those other tasks.

(For context, I'm in the process of writing a narrative nonfiction book, which involves a lot of research and synthesizing information.)

Why do I indulge in this procrastination, this "experiential avoidance"? I don't know, because writing is hard and I'm lazy and my brain wants to avoid work? Fine, but writing is what I'm CHOOSING to do. I've had other jobs and they were awful and I don't want to have to go back. Which means I have to find a way to get my writing done.

I realize these are classic writers' problems, but what's the solution for God's sake?

Books on immersive experiences

divabat — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:24:29 -0800

Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Robin Sloan's Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore describe immersive artistic experiences that echo Alternate Reality Games or events like the All Worlds Fair. What other books describe events and experiences like these? I especially appreciated how The Night Circus talks about the creation and development of said Night Circus, not just that the circus exists and plot happens in it. Non-fiction would be awesome but fiction like my examples work too.

Inspiration, Strike me!

alight — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 10:36:26 -0800

I love to stop and draw when I take walks in New York. I'm inspired by architectural details and monumental perspective, contrasts of space and light. Usually I wander aimlessly until I find an interesting spot to sit with my sketchbook, but that's a bit tougher when it's 20 degrees outside. I'm in the process of setting up weekly sketching adventures with a novice artist friend, and I feel there should be some planning involved. Help me compile a list of potentially inspiring places we can sit and sketch in the city without our fingers freezing off. No real requirements, but the places should be busy enough that we won't be bothered, not so busy that we'll be trampled by a crowd. Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan are all on the table. Past favorites of mine include Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Public Library, the view of the Manhattan skyline and bridges from Williamsburg or Roosevelt island, the steep slopes of Ft Tryon Park, and the leaning architectural quirks of Nancy Whiskey Bar.

So, AskMe, what are some inspiring indoor spaces where my friend and I can draw in NYC?

Morning motivation? Websites?

WinterSolstice — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:38:44 -0800

Hi all, Does anyone have any favorite websites they go to when they need a "pick-me-up" or some confidence? I tend to get stressed before leaving for work in the morning and I think a little motivational reading might help. I have read books like Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy but I was hoping to find something that I could read in a 10-15 min. snippet. If you have a routine or something you do I'd be glad to hear that also.

Thanks in advance!

In Search of Career Inspiration

fishingforthewhale — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:24:28 -0800

Straightforward question. I have the following ideas about what I would like out of job, but is there actually a career that can tie them all togther? Thinking about a change of direction. I would like a job that (mostly) ticks these boxes, and I am simply looking for some inspiration about what line of work might do that as my thinking on the subject has gone a bit stale. In no particular order:

1. Varied (perhaps casework of some kind)
2. With, and having a positive impact upon, other people
3. An element of professional training
4. Reasonable wage (sorry - I realise this is enormously subjective)

By way of background, I am 28, in the UK, educated to master's level and currently working for an environmental think tank/research institute.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Long live MeFi!

"Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up."

xm — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 08:02:15 -0800

Need some tips and pointers, such as those based on personal stories and experiences, regarding getting out of a deep, deep hole of endless darkness and hopelessness when the universe seems to be hell bent on bringing you down to your knees... I lost a parent a few weeks ago. I am going to lose a partner I absolutely love soon (break-up from their side, not death). My work is not going well at all and will likely affect my chances of getting a better position than I am in now, if I manage to get one in the first place. I will likely re-locate to a new area in less than a year and will lose the little comfort I find in familiarity of the current city and people. Normally I would be thrilled at such a prospect of relocation but I find myself exhausted and completely broken down lately. So, I have a few challenges lined up to deal with. My imagination at thinking negative thoughts has become remarkably creative since I lost my parent. I am very aware of the intensity of these negative thoughts and how they can exacerbate my already precarious position but I don't want to be foolishly optimistic. All I want to do is help myself get up and basically survive through the next year...heck, not just survive but thrive, if thats even possible.

Did you ever face seemingly insurmountable odds and were able to pull yourself up and out on your own? How does one do that? How to get up and start walking again when you are presented with the next challenge before you deal with the first? If you have personally gone through such a phase, what worked for you might help me get through this phase?

Thanks for reading and responding! Feel free to email if you prefer.

how to send myself a daily message?

starcrust — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:20:15 -0800

what's the best way to send an automatic random reminder to myself every day? In my bid to maintain a habitual awareness about my mental and spiritual wellbeing, I'd like to have an iPhone prompt or email appear every morning, which draws randomly from a large bank of inspiring quotes of my own choosing. Ideally I can add to the bank over time. I would also prefer an iPhone prompt e.g. an alarm-like function with a message I can acknowledge, rather than an email, as I get more than enough email. But I'd settle if there were no other option. Is there an app for this?

| What's The Font |

TangerineGurl — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:24:34 -0800

WhatTheFont| is throwing me gibberish on this 1970's Poster Inspiration Font So what is the font?
It's probably the first example I have of admiring words for the way they appear.

We ain't got no budget!

Seiten Taisei — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:39:42 -0800

CHALLENGE TIME! You are lent some expensive, professional grade video equipment for 18 hours and told that you may use it as you see fit in the time you have. Assuming little to no preparation beforehand, what do you do and/or film with it? Ideally you'd like the owner (or anyone else who sees your work) to be mildly impressed, knowing that you have no actual solo film making experience whatsoever. Yes, this is about something that just happened to me. I have been asked to hang on to the following: Sony HVR video camera, Microphone, Radio Mic, and Tripod until tomorrow afternoon* when I meet the lender again to assist them with a project they are working on with important people. Lender totally trusts me and said I was free to make use of the equipment if I wished to do so. I'd like to make full use of this opportunity so that in future I might be allowed to hang on to equipment for, say, a weekend or more. Problem is, It's been a long and hectic week and my brain is shot. I am creatively burnt out and have no idea what to make in such a short time that would be worth showing anybody else. That's where you guys help me out. I'd like any ideas you can throw my way.

Additional facts:

I have used the equipment before, so I know how it all fits together and whatnot.

Also, I have a copy of Final Cut Pro X on this computer with which I am fairly proficient and feel confident I can cut together something nice and professional looking given decent footage.

Finally, I am currently staying in the DTES of Vancouver and own no mode of transport apart from my feet. I have $50 in pocket I can blow on this if necessary.

*If you are reading this after the deadline, feel free to post any ideas you have. I could always use some no budget/no crew film ideas.

Quotes, Tips, Facts of the Day RSS Feeds

matthelm — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:14:11 -0800

Best sites for Quote of the day rss feeds... Any ideas? I am looking for inspirational quotes of the day, or tips of the day, ideas of the day, facts of the day kind of rss feeds that I can throw into google reader... any ideas for good sites that have worked for you? When you do a search online there are so many sites for this kind of things but most of them seem full of ads or seem like they might not be updating anymore.... your help would be highlay appreciated!

My imagination has been debunked!

itesser — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:24:37 -0800

In the past 24 hours I've discovered that both of my "million dollar" ideas (for websites/services/apps) are already out there and established. To me, these weren't just "good ideas", they were "innovations" I was emotionally invested in and slowly working towards. How do I move on? (in two parts) On the micro level: how can I stay interested and enthusiastic on these specific ideas when I find out they're not as groundbreaking/innovative as I hoped?

On the macro level: How do I keep dreaming and hobby-developing when I don't have an immediate passion project and I feel like my good ideas will always be "taken away from me"?

Intellectually, I know the general advice is to "just keep swimming", but right now I'm reeling from feeling like I've lost the edge on both of my passion projects, and confidence in myself. Yesterday I felt like I could put them in my portfolio and say "I thought of this all on my own!" and now all I can say is "This is my version of [existing product]".

Rehabilitation motivation

mimo — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:18:19 -0800

Please recommend books or blogs that document full/near-full recovery and rehabilitation after an injury. I've led a moderately active life (hiking, regular gym visits, etc.), so I was a little surprised when five months of intensive boot camp/kickboxing classes eventually brought to light that I've been living more than 10 years without an ACL in my right knee. It was only when I was doing a lot of jumping and pivoting that I even noticed it was gone.

I was really enjoying the increased physical activity; so, rather than returning to my former easy-going ways, I've decided to get my knee fixed while I'm still relatively young and healthy. My surgery is quickly approaching and I'm starting to freak out a little about going from being fairly able-bodied to an extended period of imposed disability and painful rehab.

My understanding is that the initial recovery to basic getting around will be relatively quick, but that full recovery to roundhouse kicks may take up to six months. I'm worried about keeping up my morale and motivation for rehab for more than the basics. If I go through all this pain and inconvenience and just end up back sitting on the couch, I won't have really gained much.

I'd be interested in reading books or blogs about/by individuals who experienced a serious injury but were still able to return to an active life or a high level of athletic performance. I'm looking for some inspiration to keep me going when things get tough.

Please provide some anecdotal evidence that it can, as you claim, get better...

lordcorvid — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:51:24 -0800

Help me find some inspiring examples of individuals who floundered and failed through their young adulthood, but ultimately obtained success and/or happiness (either by their own or society's definition). deathpanel's question from earlier today sent me spiraling down a rabbit hole of related posts and introspection, wondering (yet again) why I obsessively compare myself to others, and how it is that I sometimes, momentarily, find relief. I tend to agree with the suggestion that one should not simply shift the focus of comparison from those who are doing better to those who are doing worse, but I do believe that it can be very helpful to compare oneself to (or simply find inspiration in the stories of) others who were also clearly lost and wandering but who ultimately found their passion, happiness, and became whole. Can the hive mind suggest any examples of such lucky souls, either from history or personal experience?

Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live -- And Other Inspirations.

reren — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 06:21:29 -0800

I'm doing research for an artistic work exploring the theme of suicide, and I seek 1) a particular recent article arguing that life is not worth living and 2) the most provocative, interesting works on suicide from artistic, philosophical, social science, journalistic, religious or medical perspectives. The article was published in the last five or ten years. I remember it beginning written in accessible language and I suspect it was penned for a lay audience, but distilled the arguments of a longer scholarly work. I don't think the philosopher was indicating an intention to kill himself, just giving an abstract justification. Does this ring a bell for anybody?

I am also interested in other sources of inspiration for our work. Presently, I don't have access to English language bookstores so recommendations of works available through the internets (including e-books) are most helpful. I've just read Kay Redfield Jamison's Night Falls Fast, which I found disappointing. I'm listening to and enjoying Shelly Kagan's lectures on death through Yale Open Course currently. I've read a bunch about David Foster Wallace's suicide but would be open to another article if it was especially enlightening. I am aware of Hamlet, but if there's another play out there I should be looking at, I'd love to hear about it. I hear Durkheim is an important thinker in this area but I'm not up for the project of reading his main work on the topic. This is a side project for me, so despite the weightiness of the subject I prefer to find a few gems I can pass along to my collaborators rather than give myself a thorough education. Have anything in mind? A great short story, a work of art, a surprising magazine article, a poem or quotation, an evolutionary theory or bold economic explanation?

Need inspiration for my next work of... well... something.

mireille — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:23:47 -0800

I'm not an artist by any stretch, but I recently discovered that I kind of like painting with acrylics-- and I've badly needed a hobby for a while now. But I also need inspiration and so I'm looking for images that I can use as examples, but that I can make my own. For example, I really liked this and so my very first (and so far only) painting was this (1,2). I'm liking very geometrical or line-based repeating patterns that are either brightly multi-colored or monochromatic designs, but even though I have rulers and compasses, I also have a very unsteady hand so the design has to be kind of forgiving. Can you help me find images or sites where I might be able to find an idea for my next one? I've been through the rest of society6 but haven't seen much that fits my skill level, or lack thereof. This is just for a personal hobby, to put up in my house-- I'm not looking to copy (and definitely not to sell), I'm just seeking some inspiration. Like I said, I'm not an artist (though I did live with and financially support one for 7 years), but I find it kind of fun-- I just need some ideas to get me started!

New, [unsusual()?] career choices.

Just this guy, y'know — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:27:27 -0800

I am a Systems Engineer. I work with models and simulations and do a lot of work with Excel and Bespoke modelling tools and massive massive piles of data. I'm pretty good at it, most of the time. But, what else could I do (preferably in or near London) ? I've been thinking about moving not just jobs, but entire careers. But the problem is that I don't really know what I could do and what I couldn't.
Do you have any ideas of interesting jobs that people do? Jobs which don't neccessarily involve a big company and on office (I am really fed up of corporate meetings/annual reviews/etc). Jobs involving maybe building something? Or doing something kinda cool.
I really am not sure even what to ask, let alone where to look.
Where should I go for ideas, inspiration, contacts?

Sad Charlie Brown Song

sprezzy — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:53:09 -0800

In need of some inspiration/motivation What are some of the most uplifting, encouraging, inspiring, and motivating things that you have encountered? This can be a song, article, video, or quotation...anything that comes to mind. Personal stories of falling into a rut and finding a way out are welcome, too.

I had a rough weekend (feeling hurt and rather alone) and am just searching for things to keep me going.

Non-religious quotes for graduating university students?

asnider — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:10:21 -0800

Help me find an inspirational quote that is non-religious. I am looking for a quote, similar to the one below, that does not make reference to god or religion.

I'm trying to write a message to newly graduating college students for work. My boss has indicated that she likes the spirit of the quote but that, because of the religious overtones, we can't use it. (I agree.)

Unfortunately, I've been having trouble finding a secular quote that carries the same spirit. I've googled around and checked out a bunch of "inspirational quote" websites, but can't seem to find anything good.

Here's the quote:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you?ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. --Kent M. Kieth

Any suggestions? Ideally, it would be from someone with name recognition, but it's not a deal breaker if it isn't.

Hunger Games predecessors?

zardoz — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:44:14 -0800

What are the books and films that The Hunger Games ~~rips off~~ pays homage to? There are the obvious ones: Battle Royale (novel and film); The Running Man (novella by Stephen King and film, though they are quite different, and I think THG draws more from the film); "The Long Walk" by Stephen King.

Going way back, there's "The Most Dangerous Game" from 1896, and a number of variations on that.

This every-person-for-him/herself is practically its own genre, but I can't think of more examples. Help me out.

Building better worlds ... for real?

Cool Papa Bell — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:27:30 -0800

Real-world inspirations for the Peter Weyland character from Prometheus? The marketing campaign of the upcoming film Prometheus includes a fictional TED talk from the Peter Weyland character, who is portrayed as a visionary technologist (and likely ruthless industry baron). In this fictional TED talk, Weyland is said to introduce the future vision of his company, "Building better worlds."

Who are the likely real-world inspirations for this kind of character? Magnetic, charismatic, techy, brilliantly intelligent, etc., who make or made splashy, soaring public announcements that border on philosophy?

Steve Jobs seems the obvious example. Other examples could be Richard Branson or even Barack Obama.