I’ve been thinking about inspiration this week.
If you spend any time at all reading Distant Francophile you’ll know that I am a big fan of taking inspiration from all things French. In fact, it is the premise of this entire blog.
If you suddenly decide, as I did, to look up the etymology of inspiration you’ll find a whole stack of history behind the word. But if you distil it down, you’ll find that inspiration, at its essence, means ‘to breathe life into…’.
And that is exactly how I feel when I’m in France, planning our trips around the amazing countryside, at my French language classes, reading about Paris or eating French food. I feel as though my body is infused with a completely different energy.
I’m also inspired by the fabulously intelligent, organised and courageous people who choose to make their lives and homes in France.
It seems like a dream to me that these people make this happen…but they do. So obviously there are ways that the rest of us can also make this dream a reality.
Last week, Scotty and I caught up with the amazing Carla Coulson via Skype. Carla is definitely someone who can make things happen.
Talking with Carla always reminds me to open my mind to all possibilities. Over the past 15 years, Carla has reinvented herself as a photographer, chosen to live in both Italy and France and is currently evolving her life again.
Any time spent with Carla also leaves me feeling inspired and energised as she reminds me that just about everything is achievable when you put your mind to it.
Thanks to our time with Carla, Scotty and I spent some lovely time on the weekend brainstorming creative ideas for Distant Francophile. Most of these were in the photography space and we can’t wait to share some of our new work with you soon.
I’d love for you to let us know about the things that breathe life into you. Those things that make you feel inspired and excited. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
And until next time – au revoir.
2 thoughts on “Thoughts On Inspiration”
I would have to say that speaking of France, the food breathes life into me. They are obsessed with food here. They live to eat, not eat to live. And that means they work in order to be able to eat. Not that they eat in order to be able to work. Etc. It’s far-reaching. Sometimes, I have other things I care about more and I just want to not be hungry and I get the equivalent of a slap upside the head reminding me that THINGS ARE NOT LIKE THAT IN FRANCE. It’s OK. There are worse priorities than food. And all that goes with it–family, friends, sitting back to enjoy the sunshine. They are right.
It’s an interesting approach isn’t it, to see food as so much more than sustenance? I’m also inspired by the whole French approach to food and often ask myself what I’d be eating in France if I was there.