Today I only had one appointment, late in the day, a final walk through with buyers before we close in the morning. With chunks of free time before me, I was delighted by the delicious prospect of reading in my current stack of books. I had a similar day, back on Journey 95. I enjoyed that so much, I decided to do something similar. As I’ve noted before, I read multiple books at a time, enjoying the way the messages from each book combine to bring inspiration into my life. Of the six or seven books that I am currently reading, here are the four that I savored today.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
I’ve shared about this phenomenal book that offers a twelve week course, designed to remove the limitations that block creativity. I am on week two, day 12, and I have done the Morning Pages, three pages of free writing, twelve times. I’ve taken myself on two artist dates so far. This afternoon I had the opportunity to do my assignments for this week.
What I’m receiving from this book:
Julia, with the Morning Pages, the weekly Artist Date and the assignments, has already helped me deeply reconnect with my creative side. I love the dates with myself and look forward to them each Sunday afternoon. I am having fun with my creativity and expressing it in multiple ways.
Quote from today’s reading:
“In order to be an artist, I must be alert, always, for the presence of the Great Creator leading and helping my artist.”
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Written to encourage readers to embrace the creative life, whether as a writer, artist, musician or any of the myriad other ways creativity can be expressed, Liz gives us permission to move boldly beyond fear and infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion.
What I’m receiving from this book:
I didn’t realize that I needed permission to live as my creative self, but I feel like I have been given that slip of paper that grants freedom. My biggest take away so far from this book, which has changed the way I view my writing in particular, is to do what I do for the simple joy of creating. I don’t want to put the expectation on my writing, or other creative endeavors, to support me. I will support them. The most important thing I can do right now is express myself and enjoy that process. The outcomes will take care of themselves.
Quote from today’s reading:
On perfection, and her first novel…”At 75 pages in, I nearly stopped. It felt too terrible to continue, too deeply embarrassing. But I pushed through my own shame only because I decided that I refused to go to my grave with 75 pages of an unfinished manuscript sitting in my desk drawer. I did not want to be that person. The world is filled with too many unfinished manuscripts as it is and I didn’t want to add another one to that bottomless pile. So no matter how much I thought my work stank, I had to persist.”
One Spirit Medicine by Alberto Villoldo
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a medical anthropologist, as well as his own journey back from the edge of death, this shamanic teacher shares how to detoxify the brain and body with superfoods and how to use the body’s own energy field to heal the body.
What I’m receiving from this book:
I bought this book earlier this year, began reading it, and set it aside. My recent bout with severe sciatica has once again brought my awareness back to how I care for my body, or don’t care for it. I’m knowledgeable about how eating certain foods affects my health. But this book goes way beyond a healthy diet. As one who is aware of and interested in energy work, I’m excited to learn more about working with my body and soul to live in optimal health.
Quote from today’s reading:
“Every schoolchild knows the value of green plants in the diet. What most of us don’t realize is that plants provide vital information to the body beyond simply ensuring a balanced diet. Scientists have found that plants are master regulators of gene expression in humans. They have the power to switch on the genes that create health and to switch off the genes that create cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many of the other ailments of civilization.”
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Marie is a Japanese cleaning consultant who takes tidying up to a whole new level. She offers detailed guidance for determining which items to keep in your home, by giving them the “spark joy” test. A decluttered home allows you to enjoy a calm and motivated mindset, and the unique magic of a tidy, organized home.
What I’m receiving from this book:
My daughter Elissa found this book, which has been perfect for me. I have desired to decluttered my house and display and use keepsakes and family heirlooms that I keep. Marie’s test for whether to keep an item, or discard or give it away, is simple. Hold the item. If it sparks joy, keep it. If it doesn’t, get rid of it. If the item has been used and enjoyed in the past, Marie suggests thanking the item for its usefulness and then releasing it to go elsewhere. I like that expression of gratitude and the recognition that everything, even inanimate objects, have energy.
Quote from today’s reading:
“Let me share a secret. Putting your house in order is fun! The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude, and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner life, a rite of passage to a new life.”
All four books that I read from today are about examining my inner life, with resulting outward expressions of creativity, joyful freedom, optimal health and a tidy home. Each of those is an amazing journey in itself. Combined, they are creating powerful and exciting shifts in my life.
Stephen Nachmanovitch wrote, “The noun of self becomes a verb. This flashpoint of creation in the present moment is where work and play merge.” From this present moment of work and play merging, I am emerging.
