One Friday I did not go to bed. I stayed up all night. Why the heck would I do that?
Well I had a good friend of mine that was visiting the area and he sent me a text asking, “What are you doing around sunrise tomorrow?” In that moment I was trying to plan out the rest of my evening and figure out my logistics of sleep and where we would meet. Then my gut just told me to throw it all away and drive to pick him and a few friends up and drive to the shore of Lake Michigan.
For me, that was a 2.5 hour drive, so that means I would have to leave at 3am to catch the Sunrise by 5:55am. I ended up staying awake through the evening and made it happen. We all drove the last hour together and it was full of a little bit of everything.
Sleep deprivation, high doses of caffeine and strong friendships created the most obscene conversations during the last hour of the drive. They even continued the rest of morning after we saw the sunrise.
So how did this ignite my creativity? Why on earth would I sacrifice sleep? Something that decreases productivity and mental focus?
I did it because I would have regretted not doing it. I did it because they are some of the greatest friends I have. I did it because I got to experience a night I do not normally experience. The sunrise was spectacular to see and the obscure conversations continued. I had my camera with me the entire time and I captured the moments that caught my attention. I began to remember where inspiration comes from. It comes from your surroundings. The things that envelop you. Also, most importantly, it comes from the people that you invest in.
Your friendships are not only an investment in others, but an investment in yourself. If you surround yourself with creative, caring, and supportive people your work will sustain and flourish. If you don’t, you may lose it. It may wither away and you may just give up.
So the next time a good friend asks you to do something a bit unorthodox, but isn’t too out of line, go ahead and follow through. You never know where it will take you and your creative spirit.
When was the last time you did something out of the ordinary? You can leave your comment below.
Hey, I did that too! Watching the sunrise over a lake after a night of dancing, eating at an all night diner, we realized we could watch the sun come up together. I had just separated from my ex-husband and at that point in my life, had never done anything like it. Strange to say but that experience changed some of my paradigms. I became more alive and willing to try different things. Thanks for triggering such a great memory! XO
That’s great to hear!
Your welcome! 🙂
Hey, I did that too! Watching the sunrise over a lake after a night of dancing, eating at an all night diner, we realized we could watch the sun come up together. I had just separated from my ex-husband and at that point in my life, had never done anything like it. Strange to say but that experience changed some of my paradigms. I became more alive and willing to try different things. Thanks for triggering such a great memory! XO
That’s great to hear!
Your welcome! 🙂
I need to things like this more often. I am such a structured person that I forget about doing things outside of the norm. We went camping this weekend and spent time in the mountains. Seeing beauty always sparks creativity for me. Wildlife, mountains….God’s wonderful masterpieces are a great source for that. Thanks for this post, Jacob.
Sometimes we forget to let loose or shock our systems for a nice surprise.
We usually never regret it.
I need to things like this more often. I am such a structured person that I forget about doing things outside of the norm. We went camping this weekend and spent time in the mountains. Seeing beauty always sparks creativity for me. Wildlife, mountains….God’s wonderful masterpieces are a great source for that. Thanks for this post, Jacob.
Sometimes we forget to let loose or shock our systems for a nice surprise.
We usually never regret it.
I am blessed in that I have a wonderful wife and a circle of friends whom I love very deeply. My wife tends to be a little possessive. Outside of some different interests/hobbies we have that take us to different venues (I sing in a couple of choruses and she takes an art class), we tend to do most things together. Recently a married male friend of mine decided he wanted to get away for a weekend, just to recharge his batteries (He has a high pressured banking job). He asked me if I’d like to go with him. Well I knew this wouldn’t be accepted willingly by my Mrs. but I ran the idea past her. After some discussion she agreed to let me go, although the whole thing wasn’t to her liking. My friend and I had a wonderful time. We didn’t do anything really special, nice dinners, a couple of shows, some sightseeing. What we did do that made the entire weekend so worthwhile was engage each other in valuable conversation about our lives, where we’ve been and where we’d like to be in the future. At the end of the weekend, as we were saying our goodbyes, we embraced and after telling each other how rewarding the two days were, exchanged an “I love you”, which in reality is how we felt. We have always been close but our “retreat” put the exclamation point on our relationship. By the way, my wife was happy that I took the opportunity to go, despite her initial feelings.
There is something amazing about friendships and taking the time to just get away for a while and just talk and cherish each other.
Thanks for sharing Hal!
I am blessed in that I have a wonderful wife and a circle of friends whom I love very deeply. My wife tends to be a little possessive. Outside of some different interests/hobbies we have that take us to different venues (I sing in a couple of choruses and she takes an art class), we tend to do most things together. Recently a married male friend of mine decided he wanted to get away for a weekend, just to recharge his batteries (He has a high pressured banking job). He asked me if I’d like to go with him. Well I knew this wouldn’t be accepted willingly by my Mrs. but I ran the idea past her. After some discussion she agreed to let me go, although the whole thing wasn’t to her liking. My friend and I had a wonderful time. We didn’t do anything really special, nice dinners, a couple of shows, some sightseeing. What we did do that made the entire weekend so worthwhile was engage each other in valuable conversation about our lives, where we’ve been and where we’d like to be in the future. At the end of the weekend, as we were saying our goodbyes, we embraced and after telling each other how rewarding the two days were, exchanged an “I love you”, which in reality is how we felt. We have always been close but our “retreat” put the exclamation point on our relationship. By the way, my wife was happy that I took the opportunity to go, despite her initial feelings.
There is something amazing about friendships and taking the time to just get away for a while and just talk and cherish each other.
Thanks for sharing Hal!
Killer post Jacob! I love hearing when other people recognize that friendships have such a refreshing effect on our lives. Even when there is a spouse or significant other involved like Hal mentioned. Getting away or doing something that goes against all logic with a set of close friends can completely re-energize and reshape your perspective! Thanks for the reminder!
Killer post Jacob! I love hearing when other people recognize that friendships have such a refreshing effect on our lives. Even when there is a spouse or significant other involved like Hal mentioned. Getting away or doing something that goes against all logic with a set of close friends can completely re-energize and reshape your perspective! Thanks for the reminder!
Spot on Jacob. This one hits close to home because I don’t get to hang out with my friends and family but twice a year if I’m lucky. So when I’m back home, I try to do what I can to make time for it like this.
Spot on Jacob. This one hits close to home because I don’t get to hang out with my friends and family but twice a year if I’m lucky. So when I’m back home, I try to do what I can to make time for it like this.
Great story, Adam. I bet you felt alive afterward. Sometimes the that make the least sense or those things that make us feel most alive.
Absolutely. It was actually Jacob’s story, but what a neat one.
Great story, Adam. I bet you felt alive afterward. Sometimes the that make the least sense or those things that make us feel most alive.
Absolutely. It was actually Jacob’s story, but what a neat one.
Great story Jacob! Reminds me of my college days. Then nights like you described were common place. There is a freedom when you break away from the routine once in a while. thanks for the reminder!
Great story Jacob! Reminds me of my college days. Then nights like you described were common place. There is a freedom when you break away from the routine once in a while. thanks for the reminder!