Yesterday we had our team meeting over brunch in my backyard. Sometimes a change of environment and pace is just a goooood thing. I made my grandmother’s old cinnamon roll recipe. It calls for mashed potatoes and scalded milk. Oh yeah, and 15 cups of flour! Ah yes, I made only half the recipe. It is topped with blueberries and frosting. Simple and sweet. I have memories of my grandmother making these delicious rolls for Christmas and birthday gifts. So yesterday, Over coffee and blueberry cinnamon rolls, we chatted about who we are as a team, what we have to offer to the creative community, and possibilities for the future. The conversation covered  many topics but we lingered a bit on inspiration and imitation…and it got me thinking…

Imitation…also known as COPYING…within the creative community; has a lot of negative feelings and emotions attached. But we are all about inspiration, right?? Inspiration is happy and fun and we seek it all the time.

So when is it one and not the other…….???

We all are inspired by others. We have no problem telling somebody they inspire us. And if somebody tells me I am inspiring them? I am quite flattered and my day just got brighter. :) Imitation…feels entirely different. Suddenly it feels like somebody is stepping on my territory and taking what is rightly mine. The resulting emotions can be anger and defensiveness and I put up a wall to protect and make sure it never happens again. What makes one instance inspiration and another imitation? And WHO decides which is it? And really….what is the difference? Honestly….I copy. Probably even more than I care to admit or am aware of. I like to call it inspiration….but again….what is the difference? The lines are gray and I believe what makes one instance inspiration and the other imitation is not entirely tangible. I think it largely hinges on the heart behind it.

If I am inspired by another individual….I take what they are doing…add my creative spin, make it my own…and do it in freedom….NOT comparing or asking if I measure up. Yep, I was just inspired. Then what is imitation? Imitation feels yucky and it makes me feel sleazy. It shuts down my creativity instead of igniting it. I try to exude somebody else…because I feel like being myself is not good enough. Imitation is the opposite of freedom. Ultimately, only I know if I am imitating or being inspired. The choice is up to me and how I interpret the world around me.

So let’s flip it around. What if I am being copied (or is it inspiring?!!) by others? Inspiration is a compliment….remember? But imitation is an offense! Well…I don’t think it is up to me to decide which it is. That is their baby to figure out. Essentially, both inspiration and imitation could look exactly the same. Really, all I have any control over is myself and my response. It will only be to my benefit if I take it as a compliment, thankful that I can inspire others. Appreciate that God has given me something that others find valuable and worthy of doing. Make a choice…instead of allowing it to feel intrusive and shut me down, I will continue seeking my own original inspiration. Looking into the horizon and where I am going…instead of worrying about what others are doing. Because really, that is the only way I will continue moving forward.

At the end of the day,  I always come back to this simple principal I believe in so strongly….
‘The more I give, the more I receive.’
Pure and simple.

Here is to inspiration. Believing in generosity. Kindness. Sharing, affirming, and supporting. Yep, the foundation that enables a business to blossom, friendships to be born, and a life lived well.

So……thoughts?