Because January is exactly like this, we’re on the hunt for inspiration these days.  I’m not feeling quite as earnest as I was last Monday, so let’s just float around the internet and stare at beautiful and interesting things that might inspire us to create.

Ready?  Set?  Go:

•  This wind map is mesmerizing, and I can’t help but feel that there are endless story possibilities here.  I’m picturing things floating on those winds.  I’m picturing the air from our neighbors blowing over us.  I’m picturing the endless motion of the world.
• Just found this wonderful site with beautiful high res pictures offered up for free download.  This is something I can get behind.  Pictures inspire me, but I’m useless at creating my own.  Check out this one.  The stars, the water, the lonely house.  Oh, the possibilities.
• Humor as inspiration.  I’ve been following these for a while, but here they are all in one place.  Warning:  Not safe for children!  But this is a whole new way for art to inspire us.  A way I can totally get behind.
• Language as inspiration.  I love, love, love these concepts.  Especially hygge.  And I love all those words that exist in other languages and can’t really be translated into our own.  Language and culture are endlessly fascinating.  Definitely planning to practice some hygge today.
• Create!  It doesn’t have to be a fantasy epic.  Even if all you are creating is a little story or sketch to amuse your children.  You’re making the world a warmer place.
• Having a hard time getting started?  Neil Gaiman has some excellent advice.   (If you only click on one link today, make it this one.)

I’ve been reading some serious things and thinking some serious thoughts this week, too, but let’s save those for another day, shall we?  Today, let’s make something small, something that only takes the little bit of energy we have but is something.

Maybe we’ll be surprised at how big a difference a small something can make.