As I reflected on what was special about my visit to St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore, it was the opportunity to share Where Songs Come From. Thomas Edison has been quoted as saying that “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Both words actually come from the same root—spirare, or “spirit.” Being in a very spiritual place, inspiration looks at the spirit “breathing in” new ideas. Perspiration looks at “breathing through” or working with the spirit within you.
I cannot pinpoint the “exact place” inspiration comes from when I create a songbook, but I do believe that it is a very spiritual place found within me. And yes, I do have to do hours of research, revision and editing. Steve Jobs believed that inspiration is not just a starting point, but something that continues to fuel ones work, or passion. http://www.thinklikeaninnovator.com/inspiration-vs-perspiration-how-weve-misread-edison/
As I progressed through the day, during the whole school presentation and grade level workshops, it was exciting to share with the children and staff of this wonderful school how both inspiration and perspiration contributed towards the creation of my Songbooks of Science!