Inspiration is Just a Tiny Spark

Hello Everyone with the Second Entry of TuruncuParantez!

This post is all about the little sparks of inspiration I caught throughout December. Who knows, maybe you're someone like me who can feel inspired by a sudden ray of sunshine at any hour of the day. And yes, sometimes finding what we call inspiration—that quiet inner motivation—is actually that simple. The difference lies between those who forget to see it amid the rush of life and those who don’t.

By nature, humans are creators. In my opinion, happiness is the ability to create—whatever it may be! Cooking a meal, writing, raising a plant or a person, generating knowledge, sowing seeds… whatever comes to mind. We are constantly creating. Even if we don’t act on our ideas, our minds produce thoughts and concepts all day long. The only difference is that some of us see it as a burden, while others choose to love it—even when it feels like a duty. And that’s where happiness becomes a conscious choice.

So let’s take a look together at the moments filled with joy and inspiration that I chose to embrace throughout December. And maybe even reflect on a little summary of 2022.

Living in Fethiye means a lot to someone like me who finds inspiration in nature. But the truth is, inspiration can be found anywhere. I believe the real starting point is discovering who you are.To find inspiration, you first need to know yourself—what excites you, what brings you joy, and where you stand in this world.I know what you're thinking: “How is someone who’s just getting by supposed to do that?”You're right. But to me, that’s a form of helplessness we've been taught to accept.

Think about the inventors, artists, and writers who shaped the world—most didn’t come from wealthy backgrounds. They realized that curiosity isn't something you buy with money. For many, it was their way out of difficult circumstances.How we perceive the world is shaped by our environment, not by our bank accounts.Breaking free from society's imposed narratives isn’t that hard.Asking questions, being curious about life and the world—those things are still free. It’s not about your job or your income.In the end, it all comes down to one thing: Self-awareness.Who are you, really?In this very first month of 2023, ask yourself this question. And for once, try to meet the version of yourself that feels real—not the one shaped by the lies we scroll past on social media.

That’s exactly what I did in December. I asked myself what truly brings me joy. I sat at my desk and gave it some thought. I reflected on the version of myself I present on social media. I asked myself what kind of impact I want to have on others—on social media, in friendships, in family relationships, in every connection I make. And among all the things I love to do, I realized one brings me the most joy: inspiring others.

Sharing my inspiration brings me happiness.And the best tool I’ve found for that is photography.My photos became a form of communication that captured what I felt in the moment—offering a glimpse into the world through my eyes.

2022 brought me the opportunity to take so many photos and to meet wonderful new people.Even though December ended on a bittersweet note, it helped me realize how much I’ve grown and how lucky I am to have crossed paths with everyone I’ve loved and lost.So thank you to those who helped shape the person I’ve become—those still by my side and those now only in my heart.I hope this year brings you many chances to hold your loved ones tight.

We all make plans for the future and of course, we all have wishes. But as we know, life doesn’t always follow our script.The past year helped me come to terms with that.

I started rereading one of my favorite authors, Tolkien.In The Fellowship of the Ring, when Frodo complains about the burden of the ring, Gandalf responds:

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

That one sentence changed something in me.We can waste time complaining about the past, resenting what we couldn’t change—or we can spend this precious life discovering what we can do and doing it the best we can.

This life is our journey to becoming the best version of ourselves. We may never be perfect, but we can always strive to grow.Inspiration, sometimes, is just a flicker.This quote, written years ago, reminded me of that spark.And if you’re someone who finds inspiration in literature, I highly recommend giving Tolkien a fresh read.Books I read years ago now speak to me in new ways at 33.Maybe it’s time to revisit one that’s been waiting patiently on your shelf, too.

Another source of inspiration for me is spending time with animals.Five years ago, I lost my dog Ares, who had been with me for 13 years. I never thought I could love another animal again…But then came the sweet surprise of 2022: little Yoda.He brought back so many forgotten emotions.My life filled with a fresh wave of energy.

Loving an animal is a kind of magic—it brings happiness and shifts the way you see the world.Maybe the peace you're looking for lies in adopting a soul who’ll share their whole life with you.But remember, it’s a lifelong bond. You are their forever. Make sure your heart and life are ready.

And that’s when you realize inspiration isn’t just a beautiful feeling—it’s also a responsibility.If nature inspires you, you'll feel driven to protect it.If a person inspires you, you’ll feel the need to invest in that relationship.If it’s an animal or a child, you’ll give love—often without even noticing.

When you understand that inspiration comes from the people and things that shape you for the better, you’ll stop chasing it.Because the motivation you need will already be inside you.

So the next time you feel a flicker of jealousy toward someone, remind yourself of this:Truly successful people don’t compete with others—they compete with themselves.And that’s exactly why you rarely see them unhappy.

So let’s make this the year we find inspiration—and joy—within ourselves.

🎶 Music That Inspired Me in 2022:

👉 Click here to listen on Spotify

If you enjoyed this post or the photos, feel free to share it and don’t forget to subscribe! Thanks for reading.

Here’s to a 2023 full of health, happiness, and the people we love.❤️❤️