The Temptations of Self-Sabotage

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference. — Elie Wiesel Are you having any trouble relating to our discussion about enthusiasm and lavishing love on … Read more

Dreams or Nightmares?

Hope is like a road in the country; there never was a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. – Lin Yutang We have been talking about how our need for greatness can overwhelm us, causing us to procrastinate, delay, and then beat ourselves up for our inability to … Read more

Antidotes to Fear and Procrastination

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. — Marianne Williamson In the post from Zen Habits I mentioned yesterday, author Leo Babauta tells us that patience and perseverance are essential. He tells … Read more

Achieving Mastery

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” — Author Unknown I just love how there is a magic of synchronicity that happens on the Web. Often, when I am focusing on a particular topic, as if by coincidence (but we know better, don’t we?), some of my favorite bloggers, … Read more

The Bind That Blocks Us

We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. — Ralph Waldo Emerson We are beginning Chapter Nine, Recovering a Sense of Compassion, by examining the power of words. As you know, words have enormous power, from spells to curses, from treaties to laws. The old childhood … Read more

Chapter Nine Begins: Recovering A Sense of Compassion

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. — Sylvia Plath Welcome back! I’m so glad you have found your way here to my new digs and that you are still with us on this journey of The Artist’s Way begun at Imbolc (Feb.) this year. I hope you haven’t abandoned ship (which you will see … Read more

A New Childhood and What Color Are You?

Our whole life is but a greater and longer childhood. — Benjamin Franklin I don’t know about you, but I found that yesterday’s exercise was tremendously, actually ridiculously, helpful! In my head, all my fantasies have remained fantasies. They switch from obvious and easy to arrogant and impossible, because my belief has depended on my … Read more

Goal Search Exercises

Ideas in secret die. They need light and air or they starve to death.— Seth Godin We continue with the exercises that will finalize our journey through Chapter Eight. First, Julia warns us that this task may be difficult, but we should do it anyway. I did not find it difficult, personally. I found it … Read more