what inspires me?

This simple question thrown out to me by one of my Drawing I students last week surprisingly left me with no immediate answer. It would be simple to respond with just "everything" or just "anything" but that feels a little too... opaque, fake, pathetic? Or, though I have been making art a little too much like a machine lately, maybe I am just NOT inspired. How does one read that? When I was deep in graduate school (now almost five years ago) I was easily turned on to my graduate residencies, the air of artists and artist mentors sharing coffee and ideas, or coming back home to my books, writings, and even at that time the dialogue of my middle school art students, or the company of my old beloved studio mates at Running With Scissors in Portland. When I returned to Central Maine, I found myself in a quiet place for new artistic journeys in downtown Gardiner in a place called Artdogs. It was a delightful 'place" to be. I think I needed that quiet then for my life which became more of a rollercoaster ride shortly thereafter. Artdogs gave me some time, space (and love) for me to be where I am now. The artistic "core" and repertoire of its artists, the sneak peak into the practice of a private studio, and the opportunity to quietly play in my studio gave me fresh air. Life was much quieter then and eventful walks down to the A1-To-Go with my artdog Sophie for an afternoon cup of coffee and a walking loop to the stream cleared my head for daydreaming. My head needed that clearing for the cycles I have witnessed within my personal sphere can not go without mentioning, the completion of graduate school after three rigorous years during which two and a half of them I taught art full-time in public school, the loss of my mother (and sharing the tough road of her fighting cancer for three years), and then almost a year later the birth of my daughter, and then, the move from a quiet private artistic life to an open door studio with an attached gallery and artists to manage, and even a "new marriage" to biz partner and dear friend Janna (etc.). Yep, I think I am still trying to fill these shoes but they do find me energized, but am I INSPIRED? I am not sure but this babbling is getting me there. There I things I like to do to prepare myself for receiving inspiration. This sounds a bit funny but I don't think I have made time to be really be inspired lately. This time is coming, and it comes from DISTANCE, STILLNESS, and QUIET. Do you think this may be challenging to find in my life? Certainly. But it is coming closer. Within two weeks we'll be packing our family van for ten days of a slightly warmer climate, my grading will be completed, the gallery will be closed for vacation, and space will be created for a little more of me just being. I'll be working on my personal roadmap to good cafes, coffee and bookstores and playing with my husband and kiddo. There is nothing better than rollerblading with coffee and stroller in hand(s). This will give me the quiet to breathe and open myself up for a new year. A new start with new inspirations. Thanks for asking that question _____. I am still working on it.