By Dawn Onley

Inspiration comes at the darndest times.

Like in the middle of the night when you can’t decipher dream from reality. Sitting in church during Sunday service. Or while you’re driving in the car, or on a walk around the lake.

I’ve become particularly adept at using the record button on my cell phone and leaving myself voicemail and text messages so I won’t forget these moments. I chuckle as I think of how ridiculous I must look to people who see me out and about talking into my phone. But I’d rather look crazy than to miss the moment. If I fail to stop right where I’m at and take note of my thought, chances are I won’t recall it later. Inspiration is as fleeting as a butterfly.

Inspiration can be found in the rustling of the trees. In the bird’s chirps. In the chords of a song or in a line of a movie. It could be sparked from the kind gesture of a friend, or in moments that render us sad or angry. In these unexpected moments, we are softly reminded of a way to tell the story, an approach to a difficult quandary, even ingredients that might work magically together for a new dish.

Inspiration often gives us the answer. If we take the time to remember it.

Sometimes we become the inspiration we’re in search of.