[quantum]

Holly, from how I understand/remember whatever 'The Artist's Way' gives you some exercises to stimulate your creativity. I don't think it matters if you can draw at all!
I'm thinking this will be a good way to unblock some things that need to be unblocked for me!

How are we going to talk about it? That's a good question! I'd love to chat, but my time difference means I'd miss a lot (that and having two kids under the age of 6). So maybe talk about how we tackled different things here? Or?

I haven't gotten the book yet so I don't REALLY know what I talking about...

[Jackiejdajda]

quantum

Can order from Amazon though, should I get the book or the workbook?

Quantum I am so glad you are into this..

I do not think we need the workbook.. I have never used it..
I think the most important thing to get is paper that you like for morning pages.. and a pen that fits comfortable in your hand..

This from 'The Vein of Gold'.. IMO the second part of this self discovery..

Section called.. Why by Hand?

Page 15

Writing by hand is not merely writing. It is “righting.” If we follow our hand, which both leads and follows our thoughts, that hand will point the trail. (Since we are on a pilgrimage, this is important!)

Writing by hand is like walking somewhere, instead of whizzing there in the car. We notice landmarks. We retain a sense of direction. Writing by hand will show us True North and the false directions and switchbacks that have occurred, the shortcuts that saved us nothing and took us nowhere.

Remember the hand holds a map in its palm; its fingers, holding a pen, becomes the tools of a cartographer. We write, and as we do, we see the right lineaments in our life. Each word is a new arrival, a place to stand on, like a musical note.


The morning pages were/are so very important in my recovery from being shut down..
I did not understand this until I stopped doing it..
In the morning a person (that is just coming out of sleep) can see the ‘stuff’ that is cluttering the mind.. sort it.. and then get on with the day..

Jackie

[Jackiejdajda]

djvj

i worked in the music business for years and have met and known so many fantastic artists of all kinds, sooooo many have suggested this book to me, and now i can feel is the time to start...

The AW helped me big time with my journey to self..
Each chapter has so many lessons in it..
The first lesson is about recovering a sense of safety..

I wrote at the side of my book.. in this chapter..

It takes nurturing to make an artist not criticism and shame...

We love ourselves..

Jackie

[Jackiejdajda]

RavenSong

Let's hold off on AW until everyone gets their copy from Amazon. I would imagine it won't be more than several days.

I don't want to be in a hurry either.. The first part is The Basic Tools..
We can discuss that..

I am excited.. I will sort mp's for me..

Jackie

[Jackiejdajda]

hollyhunter

Once more, what am I signing up for? Jump in, ask questions later, that me. Sounds interesting though. I got express mail so less than a week for me. So where are we meeting? are we meeting? Whose organizing this? can I write for more intruction?

We can do this on the boards.. I have been on mail loops where different folks are at different stages of the book.. Checking in and saying you have done morning pages and or have gone for an Artist date.. is important..

And sharing on a lesson..

In the first chapter she has a person time travel.. listing three champions who wish you and your creativity well.. and she has a person look at positive affirmations.. and imaginary lives..

Jackie

[Jackiejdajda]

Janeytwo

But my words are my art so what the heck!!! Besides, I've had writers block from hell lately. I had been asking God to help me with that! Maybe this is his answer!!!

She has a book called.. The Right to Write..
IMO The AW is the first part of this journey.. She wrote The Right to Write.. after..

I'm going on vacation this week coming up but I'll order the book and then catch up and jump in with you guys.

Have a great time..

Jackie

[Jackiejdajda]

quantum

I don't think it matters if you can draw at all!
I'm thinking this will be a good way to unblock some things that need to be unblocked for me!

Its a way into the soul.. to me..
Its connection with our authentic self.. and at the core of that authentic self is a person that wants to reach out and communicate.. writing drawing (early writing) doing needlepoint.. (preponderance of the small IChing)
Gardening.. cooking.. making great food.. growing that flower or oh so beautiful cherry tomato..

Or heck any way a person wants to express themselves.. all are important.. "Find your bliss!" as Joseph Campbell said..

How are we going to talk about it? That's a good question! I'd love to chat, but my time difference means I'd miss a lot (that and having two kids under the age of 6). So maybe talk about how we tackled different things here? Or?

The best way I found to do it is on a board like this..
Messages written at any time of day.. sharing what is learned sharing if a person is having a hard time.. sharing what a person did on the Artist Date and what was felt.. thought about..

I haven't gotten the book yet so I don't REALLY know what I talking about...

Ha... you do..

Jackie

[quantum]

Originally Posted by Jackiejdajda

Ha... you do..

Jackie

(I had a hard time finding an appropriate response).

My copy is due to arrive on the 13th. Let's hope I'm not in the shower or just out as I usually am when that delivery guy comes. (I swear he waits until he hears the water running).

[hollyhunter]

Sounds like the board is a good place. I'm reluctant to share overly personal stuff here though. I might just PM the group in that case. I sort of don't know what to expect so I'm just imagining. I should be getting my book about the same as Quantum.

[djvj]

i just got my books: i bought the artist's way complete, which has the artist's way, walking in this world, and finding water... i also got the artist's way workbook, just because i always overdo everything and like workbooks in general...

also received my copies of the girls who went away and primal wounds today, so if i can tear myself away from the web i'll be plenty busy...
ps - i will hold off on primal wounds, i've been warned it might be to intense for now

i always feel excited like a kid when i get a box of books...

[quantum]

I've been hesitant to read Primal Wounds. Not ready to take more pain than I already have!

Still waiting for my box of book...and dvd for the girls. :-)

[hollyhunter]

Didn't care for "primal wound "at all. Seems like an attempt to add more guilt than bmoms already feel. I went into it with an open mind. After reading it, I considered the source of such "knowlege" and I'm thankful I have a mind of my own. Just my opinion though.

[djvj]

yes, i've been warned it can be a bit too heavy and was a bit of a controversy on this site -- having said that, i will save it for a later date when i am coping better. i just want to read everything available, because when i was going through adoption, nothing was available except the councelor from the agency's advice...which at 17 i took to be gospel. so i'm trying to catch up. for years and years i just kind of avoided the subject, i never would have read these 2 books before reunion as i just didn't go there -

i've read so many posts on other forums of this site about birthmother grief and how it needs to be hidden for the sake of others, and so many nasty things written here about birthmothers in general -- i'm kind of afraid to stray off the birthmother support forums now. i get too upset at negative stereotypes and have too many problems of my own to focus on other people's opinions (which they have a right to have and share) and which i can't change anyway.

so, started on the girls last night, maybe 50 pages, already am SHOCKED that by 1985 things had changed so little...i really hope it is different now.

i'm going to start reading the into and beginning to the artists way, so i'll just wait to see when we're all ready to start discussing and doing exercises. this is going to be good for me, i can feel it.

[Eric_N_Hopes_Mom]

I really want to do this with you all, I won't have the money to get the book for a couple weeks & I don't want to hold you all up...so go ahead, I will catch up when I get the book...

[hollyhunter]

eric n, you can get it on Amazon for about $10. and up used. I got that, the workbook and 2 day delivery for $25.