At the start of the year I began a twelve week journey through the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. By the end of the book I had noted some interesting things about myself and my friends, who had gone into this with me. We shared similar dreams and fears with regard to life and our writing talents, and we became 
closer friends through it.
Below is a summary of my experiences with the Artist's Way. Hopefully it will be encouragement for someone passing through here, to let their inner artist out and open themselves up for different experiences and expressions of their talents.
closer friends through it.Below is a summary of my experiences with the Artist's Way. Hopefully it will be encouragement for someone passing through here, to let their inner artist out and open themselves up for different experiences and expressions of their talents.
Summary of the Artist's Way
Morning pages! Julia Cameron expresses in the Artist’s Way that those pages are absolutely essential to discovering or recovering the artist inside, no matter what flavor of artist you are. I believe her! And I have done them, sometimes almost religiously, other times I have procrastinated and fooled around, even done the laundry so I would not have to do them. I have realized that even when I believe I want to know something about myself, I am afraid of what I might find. Will it be something awful that uncovers past pain or failures? Like most of the population in the world I have a well of personal failure to dip into and I don’t go dipping my bucket into that well too often I can tell you.
For the most part, I believe in letting the past stay the past and getting on with the present. Perhaps that is why I could not face the morning pages on occasion. I uncovered hurts that I still find hard to bless with forgiveness. I have to remind myself that I already forgave that. I tend to try and get right into the present and not let the past or the future direct the present. But I do know that past hurts that have not been forgiven fester inside, cause the heart to harden and I believe disable the ability to love. I do not like to dig around in personal pain but I don’t like to think of becoming a bitter, unforgiving person either. And I certainly don’t like the thought of throwing away my ability to love on something as simple as whether I will forgive or not.
I have had several deep seated fears surface while winding my way through the maze of morning pages and exercises in the book. Oh, I knew those fears were there and I thought if I kept them well hidden and in the dark they would have no power over me. What a big, fat lie. Examining and truly facing those fears is the only way I can have control back and start living again.
I struggle with being confident. I don’t yet trust in my own talents and battle against destructive seeds of doubt that were firmly planted in me as a child. I might always have to struggle to grow and develop as a writer. But I am no longer hiding and I am brave enough to say here and now that I am a writer and I have talent and that it needs nurturing and developing. In off loading some personal garbage I have gained in ways that have encouraged and delighted me.
For anyone contemplating exploring themselves through the Artist’s Way, you only have inhibitions and fears to lose and creativity and freedom of spirit to gain.
For the most part, I believe in letting the past stay the past and getting on with the present. Perhaps that is why I could not face the morning pages on occasion. I uncovered hurts that I still find hard to bless with forgiveness. I have to remind myself that I already forgave that. I tend to try and get right into the present and not let the past or the future direct the present. But I do know that past hurts that have not been forgiven fester inside, cause the heart to harden and I believe disable the ability to love. I do not like to dig around in personal pain but I don’t like to think of becoming a bitter, unforgiving person either. And I certainly don’t like the thought of throwing away my ability to love on something as simple as whether I will forgive or not.
I have had several deep seated fears surface while winding my way through the maze of morning pages and exercises in the book. Oh, I knew those fears were there and I thought if I kept them well hidden and in the dark they would have no power over me. What a big, fat lie. Examining and truly facing those fears is the only way I can have control back and start living again.
I struggle with being confident. I don’t yet trust in my own talents and battle against destructive seeds of doubt that were firmly planted in me as a child. I might always have to struggle to grow and develop as a writer. But I am no longer hiding and I am brave enough to say here and now that I am a writer and I have talent and that it needs nurturing and developing. In off loading some personal garbage I have gained in ways that have encouraged and delighted me.
For anyone contemplating exploring themselves through the Artist’s Way, you only have inhibitions and fears to lose and creativity and freedom of spirit to gain.
If anyone would like to know more please feel free to email me, eatonbennett@yahoo.com.au, or contact, A.catherine.noon@gmail.com , for information about the course.
Agree with you 100 percent Eaton about those hidden feelings that arise, I"ve had them myself. I love that I'm not alone in this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, now and in the past.ory123
That's an inspiring story, Byz and I will definitely be doing the AW. Hope you stick with those morning pages, keep working through even the pain and never give up! We're behind you! *hugs* ~Gwenny
ReplyDeleteI love your post, Eaton. You have obviously come into your own as an artist and a writer and it's a real pleasure and honor to walk that path with you. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! I have completely fallen in love with the morning pages, too. Sometimes they are my nemesis, sometimes they are my life raft, sometimes they are nothing more than a to do list, but I feel calmer and more centered just by writing them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I'm glad I shared too, Liz! I'm delighted you are getting so much out of this journey....I love the bond that is developing between all of us doing the Artist's Way.
ReplyDelete