Nothing is Original
I’ve included this statement because I feel it is quite pertinent to my mindset right now. In the past, especially throughout school and childhood, we get so very protective and secretive about our work which is continued into adulthood with a more formal varient of it being trademark and copywriting. I am very much appreciative of those who create open-source material for others to incorporate into their own work. I know from personal experience that my best work is only the result after sharing it with others and gaining their feedback instead of hiding it away until it is ready for me to unleash it in some grand unveiling.
I believe that ideas are not our own in the first place. Very little in life, except our freedom to choose, is actually ours. Even our ideas. I believe inspiration comes from a higher source, call it whatever you want- the ‘ether’ if you will- which when we are in tune, we are able to tap into. When the idea of ownership is let go, and our inspiration is shared with others in a spirit of openness and eagerness to learn, limitless possibilities are suddenly open to us and a more cooperative creative environment resulted.