I have always thought of a muse as being a person—someone who inspires you to do better, to put forth the effort, or help you find that creativity that allows you to weigh anchor and sail forth. I never thought of a muse in terms of gender. But, I am finding otherwise, and experiencing something different.
The New Oxford American Dictionary, 3rd Edition cites Muse as a noun, from Greek and Roman mythology:
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each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences, (each of the Muses and their respective areas of arts and culture are identified)
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(muse) a woman or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.
My wife inspires me. My friends inspire me from time to time. And surprisingly, I find inspiration and creativity while on the motorcycle. It’s like the creative juices will start to flow while I am riding. Some of my best ideas come while riding. And … some of my best ideas come and go while riding because I didn’t write them down.
While out riding today, a balmy February day, it dawned on me that the motorcycle is my muse. I can’t explain how a machine, which has no gender, is only metal, plastic and rubber, can inspire me, but it’s true. Creativity and inspiration come while motorcycling, as if a muse was speaking softly in my ear.
Oh dear muse, how I long to receive your precious inspiration, to feel the creativity pulsing through my veins, to turn our time together into works of art.
Well … it’s a poetic thought. Who (or what) is your muse?
Brent
