If you are considering who the most
inspirational and influential figures in all of history are, then you may end
up contemplating the ancient Greeks. It is argued that our entire civilisation
is based on their culture as the birthplace of democracy and the source of most
western literature.
But who inspired the inspiration?
Who can we thank for the work of the
Greeks?
That’s where it gets interesting.
Inspiration does not only mean to be
creatively stimulated or influenced, it is also used as another word for
inhalation (in terms of breathing). Interestingly enough, the ancient Greeks
would use these definitions interchangeably. It was believe that all art was
actually a result of the gods breathing through the creator. For example, when
a poet such as Homer would recite a piece, they would call on one of the nine
muses to speak through them.
The nine muses were all goddesses;
there was one for each type of art. Each artist would have to call on the
appropriate type; Homer would’ve called on the goddess Calliope, as she was the
muse of epic poetry.
Even though there may not be ancient
goddesses flying around, waiting for me to summon them to do my homework, I
think that Greek-style inspiration is a fantastic take on how we create things
now. I dare to say that I have been inspired.
Everyone has muses, everything we do, say
and make has been influenced directly or indirectly by other people. I took the
time to sit and consider who my muses are; where various friends and family
members, teachers and celebrities came up. I have decided that this list has
the potential to be endless; just about every single person on Earth has
something valuable to offer.
So here is my mission: for everyone I
meet, hear of, or read about, I will attempt to find at least one aspect or
feature about them to remember. This can be anything, from what they are
wearing to what they enjoy doing, as long as I remember this one thing I admire
about them. I hope to prove that there is value to find in everyone, and that
everywhere there is inspiration waiting to be breathed in.
