I recently recommended THE ARTIST’S WAY, by Julia Cameron, to an aspiring writer. It is a twelve-week “spiritual path to higher creativity,” in which Cameron encourages her followers to write three longhand pages, first thing in the morning. The purpose of these Morning Pages is to dump stuff on the page more than to create any brilliant sentences or insights. Cameron pairs that practice with weekly artist dates with your inner child. You know, the little one who used to be so creative and free before being told to make the sky blue and the grass green. I like to take my small self to a fabric store or even the nearby big box Swedish housing store (you know the one I mean). These daily practices are augmented with weekly challenges. My favorite is media deprivation. Can you imagine going a week without the internet? No TV or streaming? No email or social media? No radio or reading? Gasp! This seemingly impossible task has a big payoff – a blast of creativity that makes you stop in your tracks and say, Wow! When media images are no longer bombarding your mental space, you are forced to observe, think, ruminate, ponder – all on your own. Try it for one day. Better yet, gather a group of like-minded creatives and work through Cameron’s book together. Then get ready to grab inspiration by the tail and hang on.
Quote of the Week…
“Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving.” B.C. Forbes, 1880 – 1955
Delight in the Light…
Yesterday was Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and yet, it falls during the season of light; candles in various faith traditions flicker amidst strings of bulbs adorning houses and trees. While my family celebrates the birth of the Christ Child (in faith-based as well as commercial traditions), I appreciate and respect other…
Patty Mayeux Blog 
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