December 6, 2004
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MONDAY BOOK
The Artist’s Way
A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Julia Cameron with Mark BryanI’m about to start a 12-week course along with two forum friends – one in Arizona and one in Canada – based on this book and an accompanying journal. You can read some reviews of the book here that explain what it meant to some people who’ve done it already. From my understanding so far, it’s especially designed for people who feel blocked in their creativity or just want to stir it up for the first time ever. For years I let my love for writing lapse as I buried myself in the everyday drama of surviving but recently with a little extra time opening up as I semi-retired I began to write again. I joined Xanga, in fact, in order to give myself a little extra jumpstart to get my autobiography written and it has helped so very much. I read what others are writing here and am amazed and delighted, but more than enjoying their gift I can feel their passion for it. Very infectious. Writing is something I can do for the rest of my life to keep my mind and heart young and to express whatever natural talent I have for seeing the world and expressing what I see. So doing this course is a supplement to what I’ve already begun. The book was first published in 1992 after a workshop the author was doing became so popular that there was a demand for the course notes. I’ll report back in on my progress when I get a few weeks into it. Have a creative day!
Deep Thought: “Too bad you can’t just grab a tree by the very tiptop and bend it clear over the ground and then let her fly, because I bet you’d be amazed at all the stuff that comes flying out.”
Today I am grateful for: House plants
Guess the Movie: “Spring, 1877. This marks the longest I’ve stayed in one place since I left the farm at 17. There is so much here I will never understand. I’ve never been a church going man, and what I’ve seen on the field of battle has led me to question God’s purpose. But there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power. I do know that it is here that I’ve known my first untroubled sleep in many years.” Answer: The Last Samurai, 2003.
Winner: merrow_mistral.
Howard Dean Seeks to Rally Demoralized Democrats
by Rupert Cornwell in Washington
The man with the scream is back. Less than 11 months after his concession speech on Iowa caucus night lifted political histrionics to a new level, Howard Dean is again fighting to be the savior of the Democrats in the US. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 8:33 pm
+ = I love to watch That 70′s Show and can’t figure out where I was when it first came on or even how old it is or if it’s reruns.
- = I have the Fox channel.
Comments (13)
I’ve heard of this before, picked it up several times in the store, pondered buying it, but just never have. I hear it’s a good choice though. Kinda interesting to go through with friends, even if online.
The Last Samurai! We just saw the movie on HBO this Saturday
Good work Merrow!
Let us know what you think of this. Of course for me there’s no substitute for feeling as if you’re part of a creative community. That’s something I’ve found and xanga and something I’ve tried to build around me here as well. Creativity feeds off creativity.
Hmmm. I own a copy of that book. Interesting. Good luck with that!
creativity does grow in proximity to creativity. Good for you. Looking forward to hearing how your study goes.
Good luck with the new study! You are a very creative soul.
sounds like a very interesting course…
While I haven’t done it myself, I do have friends who have followed The Artist’s Way with much success, and so I have great respect for Julia Cameron’s teachings. Doing it with others adds another blessing too. You’re very talented, Lionne. I’m excited for you. xoxo
I wish you a wonderful early morning writing.
I think it is so important to find the artist in one’s self. Enjoy your journey.
Goo9d luck with the course, I am looking forward to hearing how it goes. It sounds fun.
Someone suggested I get Julia Cameron’s book several years ago. It is quick to challenge one’s ‘assumptions’, or ‘that’s just the way it is’ thoughts. For me, it began a course of personal journaling–stream of thought ramble which could be a weather report, complaint page, heartfelt prayer and request for HELP, sometimes it would lead to old EMOTIONAL GARBAGE that needed to have another layer skimmed off and dumped…..crap that emotionally imprisons and sabotages self. Though I’ve not been journaling for awhile now, I suspect that my daughter’s introducing me to bloging will stimulate that channel again. I have reccommended it to several and I KNOW from personal practice that the journaling can be a fantastic tool for revelation.
Enjoy all the little ‘bon mot’ thoughts in the margins too. They are great. Peace, inspiration and blessings be with you. Leap and the net will appear