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Lil Journal Project – What Inspires Me

Here’s a glimpse at three of my journal entries from this week’s installment of The Lil Journal Project.  Day 29 called us to dedicate an entire page to a quote; I spilled over onto two.  🙂

Lil Journal Project: Finding Inspiration via The Thinking Closet

Inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it.

-Madeleine L’Engle

I first read this quote in college while poring the book, Madeleine L’Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life (a must-read for all writers and creatives out there).  L’Engle’s words rang so true to me, especially since I was having to churn out essay after essay, English-Writing major that I was.

[We must trust the process.  We mustn’t wait for brilliance to strike.  Just…begin.]

In fact, this journal entry was fittingly very uninspired to start.  But layer by layer, piece by piece, it began to build itself.  Scrapbook paper…tissue paper…magazine clippings…newspaper scraps…photograph…paint…stamps.  It was hard to stop!Lil Journal Project: Finding Inspiration via The Thinking Closet

I didn’t use a lot of tape because I was going to use Modge Podge to flatten my collage to the page; however, the loose look grew on me.  I like being able to see the textures and layers – – to see the process.

And this “charge” sort of magically appeared in a found poem: go create sprawling ideas.  Okay, I will!

Lil Journal Project: Finding Inspiration via The Thinking Closet

From day 26, here’s a list of what inspires me – – what makes me want to act and create.

What Inspires Me via The Thinking Closet
What’s on your list?

And I saved one entry from last week, day 25, to complete this week with the assistance of my parents and grandparents: our family tree of occupations.  We put our heads together to go as far back in our ancestry as we could remember to document each person’s occupation(s).

Lil Journal Project: Finding Inspiration via The Thinking Closet

Ancestor Awards?  (I love giving out awards.)

  • Most unique occupation: Beekeeper
  • Most delicious occupation: Butter-Factory Co-Owner
  • Most unique first name: Ippolisto
  • Most unique last name: Cootey
  • Most famous ancestor: Robert Fulton (invented the steam engine!)
  • Most noteworthy occupation: Worker on the Panama Canal
  • Most common occupations: Three-way tie between Farmer, Builder, and Teacher

We had a lot of fun, and I got to hear a lot of interesting stories…some I had forgotten…some I had never heard before.  Like about the great-great-step-grandmother who pulled a knife on my great-grandmother over the family inheritance.  Or the great-great-grandfather who went up against a proud 400 lb. Union general in a weighing contest…and won!

You can’t make this stuff up.  It inspires me to dredge for more stories.  I want to learn about these “characters” from the past; maybe write them into a play.  Hmmmm….

In case you’re just tuning in now and are wondering what the Lil Journal Project is, you can check out my previous posts, which will fill in the blanks:

And visit Lil Blue Boo to see the daily prompts.  I can guarantee you’ll find your own inspiration while you’re there.

Lil Journal Project at Lil Blue Boo
Happy journaling.

This is Lauren, signing off.

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18 Comments

  1. Wow Lauren! I have loved journaling since I was a little kid, but this kind of journal is inspiring! It sort of reminds me of the the Discovery Journal that I created in the late 90’s after following along for 365 days with the book “Simple Abundance” You have an artist’s soul! I laughed when I saw Sark on your list, I love her! Thanks Lauren. My creative juices needed to be re-awakened. I’ve been in a little funk the past couple of weeks. Have you ever worked with Julia Cameron’s book the “Artists Way?” I’m a stuck artist who needs to get unstuck. You are living your creativity with confidence! I admire that about you and you have inspired me to get unstuck.

    Love the idea of a family tree with occupations!

    1. You certainly do have an artist’s soul, Sandy! Maybe that is why I felt so connected to when I first “met” you last fall. And the fact that you’re also a fan of SARK? Wowza. That makes me smile from ear to ear. Yes, I have done some work with “The Artist’s Way” and I committed to doing morning pages for a few months after college; it was a really worthwhile endeavor. I return to her book often for inspiration and reminders to return to that child artist within. I know you’ll get unstuck, Sandy. I had a season of being “stuck” for several years (mostly because of busyness) but now that you’re in a new season of life with perhaps more time and elbow room for creative endeavors, I trust that you’ll find your groove again.

  2. I love the inspiration list! I’m inspired to make some, though, not surprisingly, many of the things that inspire you inspire me as well. 🙂 Also, I love that you guys made a family tree! Any way of digitizing it or copying it and sending it along? Would love to see it!

  3. I agree, you are an inspiration! I’m going to start a list of other things that inspire me, but you certainly do. I also like the awards you gave to our ancestors! Would never have thought of that but what a fun tribute. Thanks for all of your hospitality these past ten days! It is such a gift to be at the receiving end of your and Mark’s talents and generosity!

  4. Lauren, On your quote page, I really like the effect of the paper strips and how you extended into page two. Most of all I loved that your ancestor awards! That is so funny and creative! Great job on your pages and thanks for sharing them!

    1. Thanks for the specific feedback; the ancestor awards were fun to give out. I could have probably kept going, too! Your pages are amazing – – you are definitely a professional art journaler!

  5. OK, you are inspiring me by sharing this journal with what inspires you! I am curious to learn more about this lil journal and love the ancestor awards! Thanks for sharing!

  6. love, loVE, LOVE the ancestor awards! I’m very passionate about family history and I’m soooo going to do this! It brings those names on my pedigree chart alive! Thank you!!!

  7. LOVE the Madeleine L’Engle quote and the way you pulled the page all together with all those layers of pretty blues. Your list of things that inspire you is impressive! Thanks for letting us take a peek into your journal!

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