Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506220062
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH MACY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Then I laugh, semi-maniacally. I am grateful and I am smug. Like the lifelong golfer who finally gets the hole-in-one, I work hard but I am lucky. I am blessed.
Those are my best work days, days when I'm out collecting stories, excited by the idea that I know something that few others know - and eager to tell it in a way that will connect strangers to strangers, story source to story reader.
This is my passion.
In a recent interview, the renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich explained why, at age 63, he undertook to record Bach's six suites for unaccompanied cello.
``Nothing in the world is more precious to me than these suites,'' he told a New York Times classical music critic. ``These compositions always allow you to discover something new. Each day, each hour, each minute you reflect upon them, you reach deeper. You think you know everything about them, but no, next day you discover something new.''
So it is with the writer.
So it is with the artist who uncovers her finest brushstroke yet.
So it is with the teacher who sees that glint of recognition, followed by excitement, come over a student's face.
But inspiration isn't work-specific. A good thing, considering there are bad days, too, when fighting fires for eight hours singes your soul, when a nasty remark from a co-worker ruins your day, when you come home feeling so listless that even channel-surfing is a challenge you're not sure you're up to.
Go do something.
A would-be inventor once returned from a hike annoyed by the cockleburs stuck to his pants. But he didn't just pick them off and sulk. He thought up a crazy thing called Velcro - and made a gazillion dollars.
The engineers who created the nonstick lid for glue bottles got their inspiration by studying the physics of - get this - horse defecation. It's true.
The point is that creativity begets joy, and creative inspirations can be found anywhere. Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
At the park, watching your son giggle wildly as he takes his first plunge down the Big Slide.
In your kitchen, crimping the edge of a homemade pie crust.
On a Valley Metro bus, eavesdropping on the conversation behind you.
On an airplane, reading about a cellist - when you don't even like classical music.
A local artist told me once that he turns everything he does into art: deboning a chicken, planting begonias, even washing his car.
If the word art intimidates you, call it ``inspiration,'' or ``creativity'' or even just ``getting stuff done.''
And remember Rostopovich. It was the picture that drew me into the story about his latest Bach recording. He is shown sitting at his cello during a pause in the music - his right hand gripping a raised bow, his left hand clutched into a victorious fist.
His expression is one of triumph and respect, passion and compassion.
And beneath it all - nothing but joy.
Beth Macy is a feature writer and Thursday columnist. Her number is 981-3435.
by CNB