When I tried my hand at Stand Up Paddleboard back in July, I met a lovely young woman named Leah. I was telling her about my 60 X 60 quest and she gave me a wonderful suggestion for my list – To complete The Artist’s Way. She explained it as a 12-week program that sparks creativity. I told my friend Suzanne about it and she immediately bought the book assuming obviously the message was for her since she’s the one who suggested the paddleboard. I know. But that’s one of the things I love about her – she listens to messages from the universe. Anyway, she completed the program and said she wasn’t sure I’d like it. I ignored her, bought the book and began the program in October.
The book proclaims to be “A course in discovering and recovering your creative self. A spiritual path to higher creativity.” Okay. I’ve always been a creative person and lately I’ve missed drawing. I stopped many years ago and have been stuck – unable to get back into it. Fear? Lack of inspiration? Confident I’d lost any talent I may have had? Yes. To all of that. My main concern was the “spiritual” part. I am not a “God person.” I don’t subscribe to a religious faith, but thankfully the author addresses this and tells the reader to substitute ‘God’ with whatever word works for you. Sure. ‘Universe’ works for me. I got started.
The gist of it is you read a chapter a week for 12 weeks and complete a number of tasks that allow you to discover the link between spirituality and creativity. In addition to the tasks (which require a lot of writing and more thinking than I’ve done in a long time) there are two other continuing things you must do. One is to take yourself on an Artist Date, described by the author as “a block of time weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist.” I could do that. The other part of the process is something called Morning Pages. This is done every day. E-V-E-R-Y S-I-N-G-L-E D-A-Y. In the morning. Like set your alarm ½ an hour earlier than you need to get up and write 3 pages of long hand stream of consciousness writing. This was exhausting, often frustrating and caused more instances of “numb hand” than a pinched spinal cord. I did learn to recognize synchronicity. To put things out there and listen for the answers. One day I wrote a solid two pages about my high school art teacher who destroyed my confidence as an artist – something I’ve been holding on to for the last 40 years. A few days later I learned that she died on October 4th and on October 14th a memorial service was held for her in Northport. I started this journey and wrote my first Morning Pages on October 15th. I was finally able to let go of the grip she had on my creativity. This is synchronicity.
Anyway, you know how sometimes you set your mind to something and promise yourself no matter how hard the journey may be, you’re gonna stick to it? You’re not gonna give up? You’re gonna see it through to the end? Yeah, me either. Six weeks in I was done. WAY done. I hated the writing, I only found the time to do two Artist Dates, and I wasn’t getting out of it what I wanted to. The good news? I bought two new sketchbooks and watercolor supplies. I’ve tried my hand at drawing again, and I played around with the paint, and I swear once these holidays are over, I’m getting back to it. And I did learn to recognize when the universe is sending me a message and when it is, to actually listen to it.
So while I didn’t exactly finish this challenge, I did give it my best effort so I’m adding it to my “completed” list. As someone wise once told me – it’s better to quit than be a loser.
Began 10/15/17. Abandoned 11/30/17.
Suggested by some chick name Leah