Several years ago, my mother, in one of her consistent hints at me to get focused in my creative projects (which I value highly), gave me a book by Anne Lamott, about writing, called Bird by Bird, instructions on Writing and Life. When you read the book you realize the significance of the name. It's not really about writing itself as much as an inspirational essay on various aspects of approaching it. I pick it up again from time to time, because the book contains some valuable gems that are worth reviewing - There is one small passage somewhere in a chapter on writer's block - the message - there's always more where that came from, meaning that ideas and creativity, thus your muse, will simply not dissapear, that there are more stories where the first one came from. You must keep the spigot open. The question of life seems to be how to keep that inspiration running - how can we tap the essence of life that exists within us?

By letting it flow freely. By giving.

Energy is never lost. Application of this concept to our own personal and creative energy, we are inspired most when we believe in the very thing that makes us human - a collective memory. The key is setting up creative cycles where the momentum comes in as well as going out. The more a person freely gives in general (at work, in life, in relationships and in chosen activities), the more all of this giving eventually returns. Seek positive and supportive environments, and the synergy begins. It's never immediate, and it cannot be counted, but the return is represented in so many appreciable ways. A person's reputation, general trust in a person's reliability and competence, consistency, recognition as someone who contributes and participates, someone who consistently shows effort, devotion.

Think about the people who you count as consistent benevolent contributors in your surroundings. Are you considered one of those people? If not, what's the explanation? Some thought into this question can reveal great insight into where you want to be, who you want to be.

We celebrate Epiphany every year here in France with galettes des rois, a custom that involves a lovely mix of rituals that embellish the Christian holiday, coming from all kinds of sources - the cake for the poor, stemming back to the middle ages, the "feve", symbolizing renewal according to some, the crown symbolizing the French monarchy, but it all centers around the idea that giving creates life and giving is can elevate anyone from pauper to king. Generosity of spirit is the little red pill that gets you out of the Matrix. The epiphany that frees us.