The Idea

I had an interesting morning.

The morning began like most. I walked out my front door, excited to commence my all-important morning routine.

And this morning I was particularly excited.

I slept well, felt full of energy, and couldn’t wait for what was in store.

I could feel the neurons in my mind crackling, like popcorn kernels over an open fire.

What idea will come to me today? Will I receive an insight on the Presidential Election? Will I be gifted a better understanding of a particular event in history? Will l get a download of something that may happen in the future?

And when I receive this idea...

and I share it with the world...

will they get value from it?

I was practically skipping the entire way to my local coffee shop here in Florianopolis.

I found myself singing the theme song from Aladdin - “A Whole New World.”

I observed a few people glaring at me with confusion and concern… but I didn’t care. Afterall, I have a pretty good voice and I challenge anyone who thinks there is a better Disney song than that one.

(Ok fine, maybe Elton John’s “Circle of Life.”)

But I digress.

I arrived to Café Cultura and I eagerly ordered “the usual.”

(I suppose it would be good if I knew how to say “the usual” in Portuguese… ?but hey, baby steps.)

10 minutes later my magical culinary concoction arrived; Brazilian coffee served via French Press (double portion), Suco Detox (green juice), and of course… a plate of absolutely delightful P?o de Queijo. Side note – if you are looking to make millions in the US, open up a Brazilian Bakery. There is nothin’ quite like it.

But again, I digress.

I cuddled up in my cozy chair, ready for the volcano of ideas to erupt. I couldn’t wait to feel that indescribable sensation of finding flow. Capturing the muse and surrendering to its control. Reaching that near hypnotic state in which idea after idea would ultimately consume my body… tingling all of my extremities.

Usually, it takes a little while for the storm of ideas to be released from the clouds.

So I was without concern when nothing came to me after 10 minutes.

But then 15 minutes passed.

And then 30.

Still nothing.

Panic ensued.

“But why? What the heck is going on? This morning routine works… it ALWAYS works.”

“Is my brain suddenly broken? Have I exhausted the well of all the ideas inside me?”

“Am I now forever destined for an idealess future?”

I felt the anger inside of me growing. I was reminded of Brad Pitt’s Achilles in the movie “Troy,” roaring into the crowd following winning a decisive duel – “IS THERE NO ONE ELSE?!”

“Ideas! I am here! Show yourself!”

But the more I demanded that ideas present themselves…

The more the ideas chose to stay hidden in the shadows.

The more they chose to stay dormant, comfortable in hibernation.

And then finally… I surrendered.

“I suppose today will just end up being a big nothingburger,” I told myself.

I decided to changed my state from one of anger to one of acceptance.

I chose to simply enjoy my breakfast and marvel at the beauty of this magical city I now call home.

And then… seemingly out of nowhere… it came.

Something profound.

The idea that I was meant to receive.

And the idea was this…

Sometimes, for whatever reason, ideas do not come.

Sometimes an author experiences writer’s block. Sometimes a painter stares at his blank canvas, without inspiration. Sometimes a sculptor looks at her block of stone, without any idea of what it can be carved into. Sometimes a businessman flat out doesn’t know what to do next.

Sometimes we don’t feel particularly creative. Sometimes we don’t feel very smart. Sometimes we lose our connection with our sense of humor. Sometimes our spark of ambition cannot be lit. And sometimes we are just… tired.

But you know what?

That. Is. Okay.

When we are idea-free, we can still move forward. We can still hit the gym. We can still do our laundry. We can still clean the house. We can still tell our significant other that we love them.

And we can just remind ourselves that this moment of inspirationlessness (made up word!) is temporary.

It will pass. Inspiration will soon return.

And the important thing to remember is that ideas are just like children.

When a child feels fear, they stay away.

But when a child feels calm and safe… or when a child senses you relax…

the child comes.

Similarly, if you desire more great ideas in your life, if you want your creativity to improve, if you want the voice of your intuition to grow louder…. Do not try and hunt those things as if they were prey.

Instead, open up your heart to those things. They will come when they are ready.

And I have found that just a smidge of anxiety… just a hint of anger… just a tad of hostility… will result in your best ideas remaining dormant… continuing their deep slumber.

The ideas will come when you do not pursue them directly.

Instead, focus on your state. Be playful. Feel love in your heart. Relax. Breathe. Surrender yourself to presence. At first, when the ideas come, they will be fleeting. In the beginning, just like children, they are unsure whether or not they can trust you.

They will peek their head in with curiosity and then scurry away before you are able to engage. But all you need to is maintain your state of tranquility. And soon the gift of insight will find you. Soon you will find yourself transported to another time.

A time akin to Easter morning when you were a child. The dew of the wet grass can be felt in between your toes.

You will be standing there, with an empty basket in your hands…

And you will see the beautiful gifts of ideas safely protected in colorful eggs all around you…waiting for you.

And now the easy part.

You just need to pick them up.