How To Find Inspiration From Turbulence

The tumble of words

Photo by Brynden on Unsplash

We live in turbulent times. That is in no way a unique statement.

Has there ever been a time in history which was without turbulence?

Nations and communities pitted against each other are common themes throughout humanity.

Men of power rely on turbulent events to shift the direction of political change. Donald Trump bit off more than he could chew on that fateful day when crowds stormed the Capitol building on 6th January 2021.

The unexpected voices of dissent punctuate quiet lives and drag communities into conflict.

As a writer, history and contemporary events offer enormous resources which can be tapped into to add depth and authenticity to your writing.

“Turbulence is the only way to get altitude — to get lift. Without turbulence the sky is just a big blue hole. Without turbulence, you sink.”
― Kelly Corrigan, Lift

When you are next out walking in the countryside, look out for soaring birds of prey, riding the air on natural drifts of turbulence. They must first learn how to utilise air flow to provide them with lift, then hovering with quivering wings, they wait before swooping on their unsuspecting prey.

We must also learn how to harness the natural forces and form them into words. We need to make the winds a part of our life, embrace the changes in direction, keep ourselves safe in the storms and let the gentle breezes tenderly blow through our synapses.

“A bird that fears turbulence will never know how high it can fly.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

A still sky is an empty sky.

Think of yourself adrift on a raft. You have a limited ability to change direction, but in reality you are dependant on the currents, the wind, and a large dose of fate to get you to your destination. The sea may look calm on the surface, but beneath there are strong forces working in collaboration with the pull of the moon. As the apparently still waters approach the shore, they form into potent waves which crash against the rocks, unleashing a maelstrom of turbulence.

Within the quiet of your mind, there lies the potential for you to also move from that gentle state into a flurry of tumbled thoughts and ideas. Emotions constantly flow, merge, reincarnate and transform.

“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

However bad the storm feels as we ride the powerful waves, the experience moves you further along the gradient of knowledge.

Little pieces of truth and understanding will attach themselves to you like leaves blowing in the wind. The rain that batters down upon your shoulders will wash away the stains and freshen the ground beneath your feet.

New days, new ways, footsteps breaking new ground.

Don’t be afraid to let the turbulence recharge your writing spirit.

Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let’s love turbulence and use it for change. Ramsey Clark