In 1883 Claude Monet moved his family to Giverny. It remained his home for forty-three years until his death. This place became a daily source of inspiration for his life and his painting.

No detail was too insignificant for Monet. Besides overseeing the planning and installation of the gardens, he was equally involved in creating a beautiful home for his family, insisting that meals be a regular source of pleasure along with the visual delights of the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Not only did Monet’s talent grow in this beautiful environment, he also became a skillful entrepreneur marketing his work with the same imagination which he applied to his painting and his personal life.

Would Monet have become such a successful artist without GIverny? We can only guess at the answer.

One thing is certain, however: he became a more prolific painter after finding inspiration right outside of his door.

It isn’t just artists, of course, who are fueled by that mysterious force called inspiration. It’s a power that’s available to anyone willing to allow it to flourish in their life. It arrives when we create a welcoming environment for it.

Do you know what inspires you? What music? What books? What people leave you feeling happier and more confident? What movies make your spirits soar? Wise words? A favorite spot? Gardens? Babies? Needlework? 

Do you consciously create an environment that inspires you?

You can’t be inspired living on the spiritual equivalent of Big Macs. Inspiration requires grander material than that.

Inspiration isn’t vaccination, after all. We don’t get it once and expect it to last.
Like Monet, we need to set up our lives in such a way that inspiration is a daily event.

We must be brave enough to surround ourselves with those things, thoughts and people that lift us up. And we need to do it over and over again. 

People wo go beyond the ordinary have all made the commitment to bringing as much inspiration as possible into their lives. So can you.

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If you’d like to know more about inspiration and, especially, what others find inspiring, pay a visit to the Get Inspired Project where you can listen to interviews with dozens of people who share their thoughts on the subject.

And if you’re serious about integrating the power of inspiration into your business, join us for Inspired Livelihood in Sedona, AZ on April 15 & 16.