The Artist's Way- Are you a "starving artist?"

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: ​

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And, here are a few of my favorite quotes featured in the book: 

“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about… say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.” ~Rumi

"To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive" ~Robert Louis Stevenson

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain one when he grows up." ~Pablo Picasso

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." ~ Anaïs  Nin

"What we really want to do is what we are meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work feels like play to us." ~ Julia Cameron
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