Diving In

I haven't made a peep here yet, waiting patiently for the first day and here it is! It seemed so far away when Jessie and I first picked this date, one she suggested and I was particularly drawn to because 17 is my lucky number. Last year, I helped facilitate a group of about 100 bloggers through the Artist's Way and it was a wonderful experience. This feels so very different because I'm going through this book for the first time along with everyone, which is wonderful and exciting. Once again, I am so thrilled to be part of such an amazing group. If you haven't already, be sure to check in with all the blogs of the incredibly creative women we have riding along this journey with us. I'm am awed and honored to be a part of such a powerful group. Powerful things happen in groups, the energy is swirling, so very exciting.

Having done the Artist's Way multiple times and worked through Cameron's other books, clearly I believe in this process. And this particular book came at such a wonderful time. I'll be writing more about my process on my blog, but I wanted to leave a few tips for my fellow travelers as we step across the threshold.

The first time I did the Artist's Way I did it alone. I didn't do all the exercises, I only made it through 10 out of the 12 weeks, and I definitely didn't take all the artist's dates. Yet, I still got something out of it. It was sort of like dipping my toes in the water, I wasn't quite ready and I wasn't in the right place in my life to dive in. It was still wonderful and the work helped me through a particularly rough spot in my life. Years later, I did the book again with a group of 5 women and I was so ready, I dove in head first. All 5 women approached the book differently and got different things from it. Working through the book had a profound effect on me that time around, I really committed to the process and the effects rippled out over the next couple years of my life, opening doors and pushing me to make changes that were huge in my life. I'm forever grateful. So, I want to say, yes, work through the book in a way that feels best for you, no matter what way you approach it, you will benefit, but I also want to encourage you, if you can, do dive in head first. Doing the work in a group is amazing, yes, in fact I credit the support of the small group I was in to keeping me on the path, but the biggest benefits are reaped from the work you put into it. It's worth it, really. (And I'm just realizing all the water analogies I'm putting in here. Heh.)

So, what do I mean by diving in exactly? I mean, do those morning pages! A lot of people, myself included struggle with these. They can seem meaningless and time-consuming and a sure fire way to cramp up your hand, but they do powerful things, so do give them a try. Do your artist's dates. They don't have to be elaborate outings, they could be something as simple as a candle-lit bath once a week, a trip to the library, a stop into a gardening supply shop just to browse or stopping into the coffee and tea shop to smell the teas. Just a half hour alone to carve out for yourself. I know many of you have young children, so don't beat yourself up if you can't do this, but I think it would be lovely to shoot for this small amount of time with your creative self, once a week for the next 12 weeks. And the walks, I totally struggle with this one, especially in this nasty weather in the northeast, but I'm going to go for it. Keep an open mind and an open heart. The author isn't perfect, you may not agree with everything she says, but I assure you, that there is a lot of good here.

One of the most powerful parts of doing this work in a group is feeling a sense of connection to others, to feeling like you're not alone on your journey, and the sense of feeling heard. I want to reiterate what Jessie said about not trying to fix anyone when/if you leave a comment on their blog. My group facilitator encouraged us to speak to what resonated with us when another person spoke instead of giving advice. Sometimes, just knowing that someone is listening is much more powerful than any advice you could give.

If you haven't already, read Jessie's post for today, it's beautifully written and says so much. Thank you for taking this leap of faith, beautiful things await.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

Whatever you can do,
Or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius,
Power and magic in it.

-W.H. Murray

xoxo,
Leah, Creative Every Day

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