I’ve always fancied myself an adventurer of sorts, a collector of experiences both big and small, a free-ish spirit always looking for the next big challenge. Recently though I’ve had some time to reflect, and have come to realize that for the past couple of years I haven’t exactly been free, “ish”, or otherwise. In fact, I’ve been playing it pretty safe. Now, I know what you’re thinking, Andy’s just turned 49, and must be having a run-of- the-mill midlife crises. Fair enough. Sense of dread? Check. Lack of purpose? Check. Love handles? Check. Midlife crisis? Perhaps. And while I admit I have been contemplating changing careers, maybe going back to school, teaching, starting a new business, and even abandoning my family to hunt for Big Foot, rest assured this is no midlife crisis, it’s just a typical Thursday in my head.  So, if it’s not a midlife crisis what is it, and more importantly can it be cured with some kind of pill, or Porsche?

Whenever I’m confused and need clarity I always turn to the Interwebs, and after several hours of car shopping and pharma research I found this quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V: O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention, a kingdom for a stage, princes to act
and monarchs to behold the swelling scene!  And it became clear. I needed a Muse.

GreekMuses are the Greek goddesses believed to inspire all artists, philosophers, scientists, musicians, and in some cases even middle aged men. And for those of you who recall your Greek mythology, you might remember that the Muses are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and there were nine of them: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. And for a millennia that’s the way it was, that is until one early Hekatombion morning Mnemosyne gave birth to Rose, the tenth Muse.

By all accounts, Rose’s childhood was normal. She attended the best schools, was considered attractive, a competent athlete, and was generally thought to be benevolent, and well adjusted for a young goddess growing up in the shadow of an influential family. So when it came time for Rose to join her sisters, there was every expectation she would be a success. But, it was not to be. And in what has to be one of the great ironies in history, the Gods literally chose not to smile upon our Rose, resulting in a career more mediocre than meteoric.

For example, Calliope the eldest and most distinguished of the clan is credited for being the arbitress in the argument between Persephone and Aphrodite over Adonis. Rose, on the other hand, is widely credited for inspiring the launch of New Coke. Big sis Clio, the muse of historical and heroic poetry introduced the Phoenician alphabet into ancient Greece. Rose, introduced Britney to K-Fed. Euterpe, the Muse of music, lyric poetry, joy and pleasure, inspired the double flute, a seminal instrument lauded for its mystical, and sonic properties. Rose once whispered in the ear of a drunk resulting in the ever popular limerick “There once was a man from Nantucket”. Sister Polyhymnia gave us the twin miracles of eloquence and dance. Rose gave us Fox & Friends and the Macarena.

So, while I got a little side tracked in my search for inspiration I finally came to realize that the answer was right in front of me, well actually all around me; on the couch sleeping, on the floor reading, upstairs doing homework, in the basement building Lego’s. Turns out all the inspiration I need is from my family.

 

Image courtesy of Tilemahos Efthimiadis