Are you a "starving artist?" And, by that, I mean do you suffer from a lack of creativity; hungry, but unable to find the nourishment you need? Or, perhaps a lack of self-esteem prevents you from fully stepping out into the world and embracing your gifts? If this sounds like you (or someone you know) I highly recommend The Artist's Way- A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. 

 The Artist's Way has been around for some twenty five years and is still popular today. What started as a way to help the author's friends overcome creative blocks, morphed into a highly successful and much-loved personal development tool. The process coaches you through a creative recovery practice, helping to identify (and hopefully remove) blocks and self-limiting beliefs that may keep many of us feeling "safe" (though that's just an illusion!) but prevent us from moving forward on a path of authentic creation. Many artists (and creative types of all kinds!)  have found inspiration and enlightenment using this course.

Keep in mind, being an "artist" doesn't have to be defined in any rigid way- it can mean that you create with food, or words, or wood. It may mean singing, arranging flowers, decorating your home, or making whimsical collars for your dog! Creativity is passion, connection, desire and excitement. It is a part of our vital life force. It is often the very embodiment of our joy.  

If you don't consider yourself an artist or a creative type- Julia states (and I agree) that there is no such thing as a non-creative person! To some degree, everyone is- however, we often easily deny or subvert that aspect of ourselves.  Somehow, we feel like we don't have the right, or it's non-productive, or it's silly, or what-have-you...? (Fill in your own well-worn excuse here_______________________.) Now, perhaps you are ready to move past that and embrace the creative gifts that you were born with?  Consider what young children are like and how they behave. Do they say" I'm not creative." No! They just create. What happens to that spark  as we "mature?" Ms. Cameron addresses the fact that most of us leave behind in childhood our ease of access to play and spontaneous creativity. As adults, we  put work before play and figure we'll get to it sometime- when the kids are fed, the chores done, our workdays ended. Yet, how many of us actually ever get to "it?" I guarantee you that, for many, this promise goes unfulfilled and inside, somewhere, is a disappointed and frustrated child, wondering, "How could you have forgotten how to play?" This child likely laments your now-serious nature; one  that may be a great taskmaster but is not such a fun playmate to hang out with. If I've lost you here and you have never heard the term "inner child" then I definitely say, run (don't walk!) and get thee to the bookstore or library to pick up a copy of this book forthwith and dive in. You will not be sorry!  I can assure you that if you commit to this, you will be starving no longer. And, you will likely be having more fun. Who doesn't want that? 

Lastly, it's important to note that fostering creativity is not just about making art. It also relates to connecting to your intuition or your "highest self." This aspect of ourselves is our "gut" instinct.  When we are in the flow with what our gut tells us we can more effortlessly glide though life with more of a sense of knowing what to do next. Answers come readily, and we often find ourselves basking in the synchronicity of divine timing. It is also during these times that we can feel a deep connection to a greater force at work (one that we cannot see but often can feel) when we are aligned with our sense of purpose and on our authentic path. However, when not in the flow, it can be hard to know what to do or where to go because we have cut ourselves off from our best source of information; our intuition.  If you give it some thought, you may even be able to recall times where you have felt examples of this at work in your own life. Which felt better? "In the flow/ in-the-know" or the "no-go?"  Exactly.

Question for discussion: Are you feeling stuck or uninspired? What's missing from your life? If you had more time, or more money, or it didn't matter what people thought...what would you do? As an adult, what does it mean to play?  How can we incorporate more of that into your life? Answers to these questions help guide us to what is truly important and to the kinds of experiences that bring us more joy and peace! 

Committed to undertaking The Artist's Way process? I look forward to hearing about your process and seeing what you create. Here are a few captioned photos of mine: ​

As some of you may already know, I recently began working with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) as their official photographer. This is a dream come true for me as it marries my passion for photography with my love of nature and allows me to use my gifts in service and support of the natural world.  The BNRC's mission as land keepers is to conserve and protect land so that we may all have free access to nature and be able to readily find serenity and peace within. The bucolic Berkshires would hardly be the same if not for the many tracts of conserved, open land.  Land trusts and conservation agencies play a key role in acquiring and maintaining open spaces for the multitudes to enjoy, preventing them from being swallowed up by development. To do so, they depend on the donation of key resources (time, land and money.)  They also rely on awareness and commitment. 

My connection to the natural world stems from many enjoyable childhood experiences playing outdoors (see photos below), hiking through fields in search of wildflowers, and deeply exploring the woodlands surrounding my family’s country home. My maternal grandfather left an urban lifestyle and opted instead to live a quiet life of solitude in a cabin in the mountains. Though we lived in the city, we’d visit him on weekends and vacations. As an amateur naturalist, he taught me about plants and animals and instilled in me a curiosity about the land and the creatures that surrounded me. My deep reverence for the natural world comes from having spent time regularly being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the local woodland.  But, for those that may have not had similar first-hand experiences, how do you connect them to the wonders of nature? How do you tell the story of the importance of conservation and persuade people to care about protecting natural resources?

Photographers have long played a part in this role- that of communicating knowledge and more importantly, imparting emotion and a sense of connection. It is said that early photographers who traveled west played key roles in the founding of America’s National Park System. Images created by Carleton Watkins convinced Abraham Lincoln to protect Yosemite. Similarly an expedition to the Yellowstone area in 1871, that included photographer, William Jackson, further led to the creation of YNP act in 1872.  (Fun trivia fact: the famous painter, Thomas Moran, was also a part of that expedition!)  And, in 1927 the iconic images made by Ansel Adams of Half Dome in Yosemite helped to gain interest and support in creating Kings Canyon National Park. (There is now an award named in his honor, bestowed by the Sierra Club, recognizing photographic work that furthers conservation causes.)
 
On that note, last year, I had the honor of winning several awards for my photographs, all in support of local land trusts. (See photos here.) What I want to stress is that it wasn’t the “winning” per se that excited me. Rather, it was the knowledge that my work was recognized as having value in support of the mission of conservation and that people could relate to my images in that fashion.  It is my humble hope that through my pursuit and passion for photography that I can make a difference in the world and encourage people to connect, engage and to care about the natural world around them. This is how I honor my reverence to the land, the animals, and to divine Mother Nature.

Question for discussion: What are you most passionate about? How will you use your gifts in support of this?