Writing.

My apologies for the extremely boring nature of this blog over the past month or so. I feel like an artistic wasteland. Not a good feeling for someone who loves all things creative. I feel like I'm taking steps towards recovery though.

My mom lent me a book called, "The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity." Sound flaky? Its not really. Although I'm sure the writer's concept of God and spirituality would not equate my own in all ways, there's definitely much to be learned. It's based around AA's twelve step program, only for writers and artists, not alcoholics. Obviously you take everything with a grain of salt, but it's actually got some great stuff in it.

These are some of the basic principles listed:
"When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives."

"When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God..."

"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God."

(Perhaps something some of our churches have been lacking?)

Other good point:
"Most of the time when we are blocked in an area of our life, it is because we feel safer that way. We may not be happy, but at least we know what we are--unhappy."

"Artists love other artists. Shadow artists are gravitating to their rightful tribe but cannot yet claim their birthright. Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist--hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light...Shadow artists often choose shadow careers--those close to the desired art, even parallel to it, but not the art itself."

High school english teacher. Anyone?

Oh yes, and these are great: Negative Core Beliefs

I can't be a successful, prolific, creative artist because:
1) Everyone will hate me.
2) I will hurt my friends and family.
3) I will go crazy.
4) I can't spell.
5) I don't have good enough ideas.
6) I will have to be alone.
7) I will do bad work and not know it and look like a fool.
8) I will feel too angry.
9) I will never have any money.
10) I will get self-destructive and drink, drug or sex myself to death.
11) I will die.
12) I will have only one good piece of work in me.
13) It's too late. If I haven't become a fully functioning artist yet, I never will.

Ouch. Okay...so some of those made me laugh, but a little bit too close for comfort.


Well, I've only read a couple chapters, but I thought it was worth sharing. More of my own thoughts and creativity to come.