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.
Exploring Up Close…
I recently went exploring with two of our granddaughters. We donned safari hats, carried tote bags with snacks and a magnifying glass tucked into one pocket. I love that our new home came with a green space across the street, something I missed in our townhome that we moved from last year. You forget how…
Quote of the Week…
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar, 1926- 2012
My Easter Basket…
Happy Easter Monday, the second day of Easter Week which is sometimes called the Octave of Easter; eight days spanning from Easter Sunday to “Bright” Sunday. In the Christian tradition, the miracle of Christ’s resurrection is the most holy of celebrations. Easter stands for rebirth and renewal, perfectly coinciding with the bright green promise of…
Patty Mayeux Blog 
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