Me.  I have been referred to as a 'Muse' many times throughout my life. I thought about it recently when it happened again. I have been called many other things, but that will have to wait for another blog.  I am going to share what it's like being a living muse for me.  Again, this is only Bazz's opinion!  I am sure others are out there who are using their skills!

For anyone who doesn't know what a muse is let me begin with a basic thought. A muse tends to be absorbed in thought through meditation or daydreaming. Solitude is a muses best friend. A muse will think carefully at great length about a person she encounters. It is said that a woman is more likely to be muse than a man. Communication is a skill required. Listening is a must. I haven't met a male muse yet.  Maybe they are called something else.  Usually with the arts and with anything creative, a muse has an ability to inspire another person and help bring out hidden or un-known talents to them. These gifts can be discovered or reawakened through physical, emotional or mental sides within themselves. Talent waits for the right moment to be revealed! Our job then is to pay attention to the wisper or sometimes it can be as loud as a church bell that can be heard throughout the town and begin by taking action!

A tiny bit of history...in  ancient Greek Religions there were nine muses. They were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosye.  Calliope ~ epic poetry/ Clio ~ history/  Erato ~ love poerty/  Urania ~ astronomy/  Polyhymnia ~ hymns/  Euterpe ~ flute music/  Thalia ~ comedy/  Melpomene ~ tragedy and Terpsichore ~ dance & song. 

There is a fun book called; "the nine modern day muses" by Jill Badonsky filled with ideas for anyone wanting to be creatively inspired! I think Julia Cameron is one of the most powerful creative muses around! Loreena McKennitt's music is a must for muses!

Many many many years ago, in a land far away.... that just sounded good to say. In reality, years ago in California, I found myself in long natural states of meditaion or in trances. Since childhood this happened, but it wasn't until my teen years I was aware of it's purpose.  Trances usually occurred out in nature. I would gather information in my mind or was it my heart? Both? These visions were beautiful and peaceful for me. What seemed to follow these visions or thoughts soon began to appear when I was with people as well. Some may call it an aura or light surrounding them. I would get information through symbols,words, or smells. Sometimes other people living or deceased would appear to me through them and tell me what to say. Sometimes it would be a distinct definition of the persons soul or the energy around them. What I have learned to accept is that I recognize another person's highest power. I see God in others. I see it in some animals too! It's amazing! I hid it for a long time. I didn't fully understand it. I began to observe it. I also started to hear a common response from people I would be around. "You are like a muse for me." or "you made it seem possible for me to do things I have always wanted to do." or "you helped me find a purpose in my life.".  There has never been a grand lightening bolt moment, it was just through a simple conversation. What's really interesting is that most people don't recognize their aha moment for days, weeks or months. Sometimes it's insant, but not usually.

I love the idea that I am inspiring others to be their best, to live their dreams and to begin searching for their passions and purpose in life. I am only a vessel. Some people find it in life's tragedy or by falling in love. Music and books bring it out for many. I have always been passionate about other peoples life stories. I have an ability to piece their experiences together like a puzzle. The work is their work. I have the privaledge to jump start the engine.

So being referred to as a 'muse' was not so bad once I understood the meaning behind it.  With intimate relationships it has been a mixed sort of blessing. These guys have found their calling or changed their habits or learned their lessons and the next woman reaps the benefits of the miraculous changes. I then get to move on hearing how great he is now. Hey, maybe my calling was to train men to be better men in relationships! I will try to hang on to one in the future that doesn't have a major 'deal breaker' for me in his behavior. It's different with friends, they stay in my life, and I share life unfolding within their daily lives.

I had a 'muse' once. I was riding my bike and encountered a woman walking. Our eyes met so qiuckly. She was gone and I kept riding. We simply smiled at each other in a greeting of  silent hello. I was across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County in a little town called Tiburon. We went to have breakfast after our ride and sat down right next to the woman I had just seen on the bike path! She looked at me and said, "I saw the face of God in your smile." I didn't know how to respond. I have never forgotten that moment. It confirmed for me what had been happening to me for years when I could see the same in others. She, whoever she is, was my 'muse'.  I was inspired to use this gift as a purpose.

Most recently I met a man who reminded me of my purpose. As I grow in wisdom, or is it exhaustion,  I don't feel attached to the outcome of him being "the one". I am simply doing my best to stay in the moment and be myself. He's kind and a very old school proper southern gentleman. He loves history, the blues, operas, Mozart, Matisse, good wiskey, Frederico Fellini movies, architecture, David Sedaris and 'the big lebowski'. What I saw in him was his calling as a teacher. I heard it in my mind immediately. This was the first time we met, and I knew very little  about him. I found out on the surface he is a lawyer and details, regulations and rules comsume him. The softer side of compassion and empathy stood out louder for me.  He's over 6 feet tall and gentle as a kitten. He's content with the simple life. I had a moment to say what I saw, what I felt about him. I didn't hesitate in fear of him not understanding me or even making fun of me. He doesn't know much about me. I asked him if he ever thought about being a teacher. I'm sure that was weird since he already has a job he worked really hard for. But I said it anyway. Turns out he had always wanted to be a teacher. His family viewed higher education before passion, so he followed what he was taught. He loves helping people in general and volunteers with programs that give free legal aid to anyone who can't afford it. But teaching? How could he put that into his schedule which also includes the part time job of raising his son? We only talked briefly about it. He seemed to be more interested in this strange metaphysical intuitive simple gal he met on line. I guess I wasn't the normal 'match' he was used to. He has said often to himself, "well, you're not in Kansas anymore!" And I do have these new red boots I got at the thrift store that are really cute! They may not be the 'red ruby slippers' that Dorothy wore, but they remind me that there is no place like home. Just now as I am writing, the song "somewhere over the rainbow" began playing with Judy Garland singing. One of my mom's favorites! No doubt she's watching over my shoulder right now. I wish she knew how to use spell check!

So once again I was referred to as his muse. He is now enrolled in a training program to aid illiterate people in reading. I had no clue that one of his highest passions was to be able to teach people, adults, to read. I did see he would be an amazing teacher in general. He also started volunteering in his son's class with a reading program. He is feeling fullfilled and happy about all of this. Again, the work is his to do. He is doing it even though he thought there wasn't any time in his schedule!  

I get excited to bring out the smile in another person! I feel a natural connection to the intimate part of other people's passions and talents. It doesn't take work for me to do this. I have a quote from Rumi that is posted near me, "let the beauty you love be what you do".

Look daily for your muse. She is out there. When you get a message pay attention to it for it may change the direction of your life! I am a living muse who plans to keep pondering and dreaming just in case serendipity happens between you and me!

One more quote to leave you with (possibly a male muse?)

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reasons for staying ashore."         ~ Vincent Van Gogh