A Reflection on Inspiration
There’s days when something quietly shifts inside you— sometimes it’s after reading a page from good book, other times it’s in a crowded room, listening to someone share their passion. Today, I felt both.
This week at my school, we’re having “ArtFest”— a celebration of creativity, culture, and connection. One of the highlights was hearing guest speaker Ruby Barrientos, a local artist whose work pulses with her roots, her community, and her bold spirit. As she spoke about how art is inseparable from the stories and people that shape us, I found myself thinking back to my own reading of You are a Badass by Jen Sincero.
If you haven’t read it, Sincero’s book is basically a manual for waking up your own power. She writes, “You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.” There’s something freeing about that, right? It’s a reminder that the world needs our voices, our truth— no filter required.
Listening to Ruby speak about the importance of creating art that reflects her culture and uplifts her community, I realized just how intertwined our “badassery” is with the people around us. Community is not just where we find support— it’s where we find meaning, courage, and the permission to dream a little bigger.
Today’s inspiration is this: When you show up as yourself— bold, imperfect, and inspired— you give others permission to do the same. Whether you’re painting murals, writing blogs, or just sharing a smile with someone who needs it, you’re adding color to the world in ways you might not even realize.
So, to everyone reading: What’s sparking you lately? What little moments have made you feel connected, creative, or just a little more you? I hope you’ll stick around as I keep exploring what it means to be authentic, inspired, and unapologetically myself.
Let’s keep this conversation going. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from artists, writers, and all the brave souls who show up, it’s this: Our stories matter, especially when we share them together.
With light,
Rainey
