Animals as Muse

As writers, we all get our inspiration in different ways.  For some, it may come in the flash of an idea, for others, it will strike after lengthy contemplation.  And some attribute inspiration to their “muse.”  In Greek mythology, muses were thought to preside over the arts and sciences and inspired those who excelled in those pursuits.  Any of the nine daughters of Zeus are said to have been muses.  For a more in-depth look at the muses, take a look at Muse Anatomy 101 . 

Regardless of where inspiration originates, there is one thing that is at the core of any inspiration, whether it’s in the field of science, music, athletics, painting, or writing:  it comes from our core.  It comes from that part of ourselves that is greater than just intellect.  It’s more than just heart.  Whether you call it Source, God, the universe, Spirit – it’s all the same thing.  It’s that connection with who we really are.  And ultimately, inspiration comes from being aligned with that part of ourselves.  I think the concept of a muse is simply something that facilitates that alignment for us.  So the question becomes:  who or what brings you into alignment with that greater part of yourself?  Who is your muse? 

For me, animals have always been an easy way to connect with Source, and as such, they’ve been my muses.  Perhaps that’s because much of what I write about is related to animals, but I don’t think that’s the only reason.  Animals are so much closer to nature than we are, and because of that, they’re much more closely connected with Spirit.  Since I believe that it’s our connection with Spirit that allows inspiration and creativity to flow, it seems like a logical conclusion to me that by using animals as a pathway to Source, they become our muses in the sense that they connect us with that place of inspiration.

 Maybe I’m biased, but cats in particular, make wonderful mewses (I couldn’t resist).  Contrary to Dan Greenburg’s quote “Cats are dangerous companions for writers because cat-watching is a near perfect method of writing avoidance”, their solitary nature and independent spirit actually make them the perfect writer’s sidekick.   When I get stuck with my writing, something as simple as taking a short break to play with Amber, or even just watching her sleep in the sunny spot on the floor, takes me out of my head and into my heart, and that panicked feeling that can lead up to writer’s block yields to a more relaxed, connected state.  Eventually, the words will flow again from that place of connection with Source, courtesy of Amber, my feline muse.