That Magical Moment

What makes a moment magical? An element of surprise and delight? A moment out of the ordinary that changes our perspective and gives birth to new ideas and inspiration. Fairy tales and stories have always spoken of moments that usually occurs without our intervention that can inspire us to guide us and show us the way. I guess that’s why we believe in it.This is especially true for artists who are always on the search for that muse, that inspiration to start creating, that magical moment to strike them to get to work. Or that 9–5 office worker waiting for inspiration to finally quit and pursue their dreams.That magical moment though is a myth perpetuated by fairy tales. It will never come if you aren’t putting in the work in the first place.

Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work.                 -Chuck Close

Contrary to what most people believe, work comes before the magical moment. So most of us who are waiting for that magical moment to inspire us to start working will inevitably fail.

Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration.                        -Thomas Alva Edison

Just as an athlete practices day in and day out for years to be able to perform at a superhuman level, just as a musician practises every single day to be able to showcase mastery on stage, so too should each and every one of us practice and put in the work every single day and only then will the magical moment strike.

If not, we are just sitting ducks waiting for the lightning to strike. Twice.