Can Inspiration Be Taught?

My son recently raised the question - Can you teach inspiration? Great question. I've never really thought about it, but my gut reaction is 'no.'

Inspiration is the force behind the creative. It's germane to the original, the authentic. Don't get me wrong, talent and honing one's skills are important, but inspiration is something that no one owns.

It's like the wind. It comes and goes as it pleases. You can't corral or direct it. It's not just a great idea. It's a life energy that carries that idea like the wind carries  a bird. 

Although inspiration can't be forced, it can be welcomed. You can  prepare a place for it like you would for a friend coming to visit. Solitude and stillness seem to entice it, as does beauty.

Even though there's no compelling inspiration, It can compel you. It compels you to write, sing, paint, create.  But it is, by no means, confined to music and the fine arts. It moves in every realm from gardening to cooking, to building, teaching, nursing..  and so on.

Inspiration. Can't buy it. Can't  sell it. Can't teach it and, sure as heck, can't control it. It's the real deal.