6th January 2025 - Ideas
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"Particles of raw inspiration sleeting through the universe all the 
time. Everyone in a while one of them hits a receptive mind, which 
then invents DNA or the flute sonata form or a way of making light 
bulbs wear out in half the time. But most of them miss. Most people go 
through their lives without being hit by even one.

Some people are even more unfortunate. They get them all."

Terry Pratchett - Wyrd Sisters 

This is one of those quotes which resides in my mind. It perfectly 
exemplifies how ideas strike. The problem is they disappear as quickly 
as they arrive. It really pisses me off when I think something and 
internally go "Great idea!" and promptly forget it. 

Carrying a notebook has helped. I find I can often scribble those 
ideas down quickly enough. I also use Markor and Syncthing on the 
phone to be able to take notes when I am not able to carry a notebook. 
However, this doesn't help when I do my best thinking.. in the shower! 
For some reason, a morning shower is all I need to resolve work issues 
or planning Scout activities and so on. I still have not worked out 
how I can record the ideas which want to flit away. 

My other ways of trying to absorb idea particles are to travel. There 
is something wonderful about getting stuck on an issue, heading out 
for a walk and finding the solution. I often find the commute to work 
can be fruitful too. That is often a great place to get ideas for 
radio shows or songs to play. I have considered using a voice recorder 
as a way of recording those ideas. 

One thing I really need to work on is how to prevent the usual work 
distractions from stopping my recording the ideas which hit. I find I 
can get stuck in an idea/distraction loop where ideas strike, someone 
comes along and asks for something, the idea flits away and I am left 
confused. Stress makes it worse which then leads to greater stress and 
that is when I need to walk away for a bit. Well, ideally before then 
like. 

I think it is important to consider that some ideas are not to be. 
They act like robins, hopping around but always ready to fly away when 
you look at them. However, if those are the only ideas I can get then 
I know something is up. This is when I need to return to meditating. 
That damn monkey mind and the tricks it can play.