I picked up “Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World” by Christine Mason Miller (2011, published by North Light Books) this summer after spying it in a picture… in a magazine. (Keen eyes, eh?) I thought, “That looks interesting.” Actually, the magazine article was about Miller’s creative space – I wish I had that creative space. Rephrase: I’m wishing and hoping that I get my act together to make a creative space.

Miller brings together a body of artists, creative writers, entrepreneurs to showcase the ways we can impact the world through sharing and making art – nineteen contributors plus the author, in all. The book intertwines stories, exercises for the reader, and includes pull-out inspirational quotes.

The personal quotes, photos, original artwork… beautiful and nicely organized. Sometimes I found the book theraputic, sometimes as an art journaling manual, helping corral your thoughts on paper, artistically. Sometimes, I just found myself drooling at the pictures. I used to journal like the one in the picture below.

You might think it’s a “new age” book… not spiritual, but it kind of is. All the contributors speak of their creative passions… sharing them to inspire others.

This book would be great, not just for all you creative types, but for those of you who want to be creative but don’t think you are… does that make sense? Everyone’s creative – just different levels. It doesn’t have to be all paint, drawings, sewing, paper and scrapbooking. The book helped me take time to rediscover, review qualities that I sort of know are there, but just haven’t thought about in a while… I found the book at a good time when I was talking to my husband about using my talents to help others, to do good.

“Being of service to others starts with being exactly who you are. The world needs your gifts.” – Jamie Ridler