Artist Pages

Have you all heard of the book, The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron? It's a great way to explore any blocks you have to any aspect of your creativity and inspiration, following through. I've learned so much from it, and have actually not finished the workbook, needing to go back and do some of the exercises -- so I'm still learning from it.

One of the tools of the workbook is to write at least a page of anything that comes to mind first thing in the morning, but there is a framework of ten basic principles to consider while doing this, including "Creativity is God's gift to us. Using creativity is our gift back to God." Wonderful thoughts like that.

It also reminds me of the principle of being a co-creator with God, from my readings of Deepak Chopra. Initially that sounds very pretentious, but it does involve sitting back and observing most of the time, keeping one's perspective in a loving, non-judgmental space. When you observe like that, you can see patterns and flows in the day and you can jump in and out when you want, but usually it's better to go with the flow. And you are creating when you participate in the day, being fully present.  So by kind of getting a sense on when to create and when to meditate, a really nice spiritual environment and relationship with that flow, that of God, in every moment, is a more intimate one. So it isn't really pretentious at all, it's more about developing your peace with the way things are and what you can do about it to make it a better place with God in mind, heart and deed. Really empowering stuff, and freeing.

I seem to be in a solid daily pattern now of doing my yoga and some pt exercises in the mornings before taking Chipper for walkies.  That was my pattern, up to three yoga practices a day at some times -- about this time a year ago, so I'm glad to be in that groove again.  Yoga and meditation are so very important in my life. I've noticed it's easier to walk for longer distances again with Chipper, although this morning we cut it short because the wind chill is 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Saw my friend Linda out there headed to the library, which is right next to the bog, but it was too cold for us to talk at all.

Feeling a bit isolated by the weather although fun things are happening this year.  Winter tends to make me more pensive and reflective, and I tend to kind of hibernate, to want to snuggle in bed longer each morning -- but no can do.  Thankfully, Chipper gives me a major routine to follow each day, and such joy.  Such a dear Beagle Corgi mix that is our wonderful dog, eight years old, we think, now.  He was a rescue but perfectly well trained, when we adopted him in 2004, fairly soon after we got married. He is a dog with a thousand nicknames, but we call him the Buddha as well, he is such a calm beastie.

So on to create today, and to submit some photographs of Cumberland Island, The Grayscale Project this am for a group show contest. Fingers crossed I get in!