Have you ever felt a little bit like a fraud when you try something new? We often think that being creative means pulling something entirely out of thin air, as if we are magical beings capable of inventing a brand new color or a sound that has never existed. But Igor Stravinsky’s words remind us of a beautiful, slightly rebellious truth: there is a profound difference between simply imitating someone and truly absorbing their essence into your own soul. To borrow is to take a surface-level piece, but to steal is to take the techniques, the passion, and the very heartbeat of a master and weave it into your own unique tapestry.

In our everyday lives, this concept shows up in much more than just painting or composing music. It shows up in how we learn to be kind, how we cook a family recipe, or how we build our careers. We are all collections of the people we have admired. When we watch a mentor handle a difficult conversation with grace, we aren't just copying their words; we are stealing their composure to help us navigate our own storms. We take the best parts of those we love and integrate them into the people we are becoming.

I remember a time when I was trying to learn how to write my very first stories. I felt so guilty because I found myself using the same cozy, rhythmic sentence structures as my favorite childhood authors. I felt like I was just a shadow of them. But then I realized that I wasn't just copying their patterns; I was stealing their warmth. I was taking their way of seeing the world and using it to build my own little nest of words. By embracing their influence, I found my own voice much faster than if I had tried to struggle through the silence alone.

As you move through your day, I want you to stop feeling guilty about your influences. Instead of worrying about being 'original' in a way that feels lonely, try to look at the people who inspire you and ask what you can learn from them. What can you take into your own heart and make your own? Don't be afraid to be a thief of beauty, kindness, and wisdom. Let the greatness of others fuel your own creative fire.