Reading Deprivation for Seven Days !!?!!

A 12 Week Course to Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self

Five weeks ago, I began working through the book The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. I made a solid commitment to myself to complete the 12 week course.  As spirituality is between each person and their higher power, I have not shared any of my insights so far, but this past week was so incredibly amazing that I am compelled to share my review of Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Integrity in which I had to undergo 7 days of reading deprivation.

There have only been a few rules this past week, and I was reasonable successful at sticking to them all:

1. No Reading of any type – books, magazines, email or even my own writing
2. No random television – only watch things that are pertinent to spiritual and creative growth
3. Must eat quietly – meaning no television or other distractions while eating. – I added this one!

The purpose of these rules seems to be to quiet my world so that I can hear my inner self, to force me to branch out and do things I have been wanting/waiting to do, and to then have room for play, which is of course necessary for creative growth.

I found several interesting this this week. I am more able to exist in the moment without the distractions of email, tv, social , media, etc.  I believe before this week that I using media and electronic media as a crutch, as an excuse for working. I wasn’t actually getting any work done, however – not nearly as much as I have found myself capable of doing joyously.  By cutting out the “extra” stuff in my life, I have been able to exist in each moment and to enjoy it completely. With this has come the appreciation of my surroundings, the increase in volume of my inner self, a peaceful time.  My days seem to have more time in them, but it is actually that I have more quality moments.  I am constantly surprised and inspired by my inner voice.  It is a connection pipeline to the Great Creator from which continuous inspiration, support and love flows into me and into my world.  The more I listen, the louder that voice speaks to me through my creativity, the people around me, nature, and various synchronistic happenings.  I can feel the universe leading me to the right path for me, and I am amazed at the increase in the quality of my life.

I am also finding that the Law of Attraction is fast becoming my most favorite trusty law.  Like attracts like. A happy mood attracts happy occurances, while feelings of irritation attract irritating happenings.  In times of irritation, I am reminding myself that like always attracts like.  I am not quite able yet to fully acknowledge an emotion and let it go, but I am aiming for it!  Smiling especially when I don’t feel like it works a lot!

Also, this week I have found that I am doing an incredible amount of writing.  I feel it has been instrumental to this period of creative and spiritual growth.  I am writing as a meditative practice each morning and sometimes at other periods in the day.  I use my journal as my resting spot, my place to ask questions and give answers, my place to dream, to confront, my place to make sense of myself and the universe.  I have written in my journal, blog posts, business model developments, letters to myself from my inner child, proposals for winter art classes, and even a little poetry.

What is even more amazing is that my creativity has not stopped there.  In appreciating my surroundings, I have begun to “nest.” I hung curtains in my bedroom, finger-painted artwork to go above my bed, completely rearranged and reorganized my studio, and decorated my kitchen walls with bronze garden bugs.  And still more!!  My artist got a little of the action too! I created hand-drawn note cards, completed a home portrait, brainstormed and sketched some great ideas for a fantastical commission piece, and began two other paintings.  Plus, I made a few artist dates with myself as required to keep my life awe-inspiring and adventurous. I went to an art festival, took a few bike rides in Sun City, and created a collage of things I really love.

As I contemplate sharing this entry online, I can feel my next hurdle forming. I am looking at myself from the outside trying to imagine what others may see when they look at me. As I look at me with my old eyes, I think, “That chick is kind of out there!”  But on a personal level, I have never felt more empowered, more peaceful, more supported, and more capable of manifesting my reality.  I will now read and watch tv, but only what I enjoy and what is pertinent to my purpose – not as a distraction. Anything you do as distraction is hindering your advancement in reality. I will be aware of how I am spending my moments, and I will live in each moment.

Oh, by the way, I eat FAR less when I am not distracted by other things!!  But, I still love my cookies!!