We are now at the end of this journey together on The Artist’s Way. Which is to say, we are now just beginning our own Artist’s Way: living the life of Creator. Here are the last exercises that Julia recommends. I hope you’ll spend some quality time this weekend working through them. Tomorrow, 1. Write … Read more
One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. — Andre Gide As we come to the end of this journey, we may find ourselves facing a final exam or two. This is what Julia calls The Test. It is as if our most vulnerable … Read more
Very often the effort men put into activities that seem completely useless turns out to be extremely important in ways no one could foresee. Play has always been the mainspring of culture. — Italo Calvino (Journalist and writer, 1923-1985) The ego trip of pursuing ART, with a capital A is just another trap which is … Read more
It is only necessary to behold the least fact or phenomenon, however familiar, from a point a hair’s breadth aside from our habitual path or routine, to be overcome, enchanted by its beauty and significance…. To perceive freshly, with fresh senses is to be inspired. — Thoreau (My thanks today to Waverly FitzGerald for this … Read more
Most people die before they are fully born. Creativeness means to be born before one dies. – Erich Fromm First, thanks for your patience while I took a much-needed break over the Imbolc period. I know that I was, in some ways, not as available to you as usual, which may have been a bit … Read more
Listen. Make a way for yourself inside yourself. Stop looking in the other way of looking. – Rumi You may begin to notice that I am directly quoting Julia more and more. Frankly, the previous several chapters have felt slow and heavy at times. But clearly, she was patiently laying the groundwork for this. Now, … Read more
An empty canvas is a living wonder — far lovelier than certain pictures. Wassily Kandinsky. (1866–1944) By now, I am sure you will have discovered one of the most irksome challenges on our Artist’s Way. I am referring to times of drought. This is when the morning pages get harder to stick to, but are … Read more
There is more to life than to increase its speed. — Mahatma Gandhi So now, gentle readers, we are going to zero in on one of our most pervasive, insidious blocks. Julia gives it a full four pages or so. Deep breath. We’re going to take a closer look at workaholism and our addiction to … Read more
Fill your mind with the meaningless stimuli of a world preoccupied with meaningless things, and it will not be easy to feel peace in your heart. — Marianne Williamson The Moon reached Her fullness this morning at 2:30 am, Dec. 2nd, Eastern time (or 7:30 am UTC; or 11:30 pm last night, December 1st, if … Read more
Artist unknown – if you recognize this, let me know; I’d love to give credit!Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. — Anais Nin More exercises as we complete Recovering A Sense of Strength. If you work on these … Read more