Twelve weeks ago, I began a journey to uncover my inner creativity. What I found and reaffirmed was my true identity in God! Who He says I am.
I ventured into this process with three close friends reading a book called The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron.
We agreed to read the book and adhere to the recommended tools and tasks in the book. We also agreed to check-in with each other every Friday morning on Zoom.
Julia has two basic tools that helped me connect to my creative side. The first basic tool is “Morning Pages.” Julia says, “in order to retrieve your creativity you need to find it.” Morning pages are three pages of longhand writing, stream of consciousness. I use morning pages as a meditation, to rediscover my identity. In the morning, I write what I like and dislike, what I wish, what I hope for, and what I want to do. I ask the Lord, what do you want me to know for today? And, what do you want me do? I listen and write what I hear Him saying.
The second basic tool is “Artist Dates”. These dates are a weekly block of time, set aside to “nurture your creative consciousness, your inner artist.” An artist date is a planned solo activity to do what you want to do; visit an antique shop, a quilt shop, an art gallery or go for a walk, etc. This was the hardest tool for me to practice. I would try to get out of doing my artist date more often than not, until I realized that my everyday activities could be combined with my artist date. I simply had to pay attention to what was around me. As I did this I could see art in images and symbols everywhere.
This book is about the art of creative living. Julia says: “creativity is a fact of your spiritual body and nothing that you must invent.” God as creator made us all creative and we are so busy doing, we don’t remember our hopes and dreams or make our mind available to him. Julia gives the reader “10 Basic Principles” to help find your creativity.
“Basic Principles
Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy; pure creative energy.
There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life – including ourselves.
When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us and our lives.
We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.
Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.
The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.
When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God; good orderly direction.
As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.
It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.
Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.”
To help the creative process, Julia also gives a list of 20 “Creative Affirmations”. An affirmation is a positive statement or belief. Affirmations are positive self-talk. After I wrote my three morning pages, I chose three affirmations that resonated for me that day.
“Creative Affirmations
I am a channel for God’s creativity, and my work comes to good.
My dreams come from God and God has the power to accomplish them.
As I create and listen, I will be led.
Creativity is the creator’s will for me.
My creativity heals myself and others.
I am allowed to nurture my artist.
Through the use of a few simple tools, my creativity will flourish.
Through the use of my creativity, I serve God.
My creativity always leads me to truth and love.
My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
There is a divine plan of goodness for me.
There is a divine plan of goodness for my work.
As I listen to the creator within, I am led.
As I listen to my creativity I am led to my creator.
I am willing to create.
I am willing to learn to let myself create.
I am willing to let God create through me.
I am willing to be of service through my creativity.
I am willing to experience my creative energy.
I am willing to use my creative talents. “
There was a natural transformation that happened in me as I practiced these tools and focused on my inner creativity. I was inspired to start being creative, in small ways at first. When I visited the quilt shop in Lebanon, near our brewery, I found wonderful colors and designs and decided to make some Christmas gifts. Total creativity! On my weekly drives to Lake Oswego, I started noticing art on the side of barns. A large sunflower painted on the side of a barn inspired me to work on painting a large sunflower on our new barn. I am in the process of drawing, designing and painting. Starting small and growing larger and larger. When I start creating, I feel a positive energy and excitement in me. It makes me want to create more.
If my writing today has sparked something in you, get the book and find your inner artist!
Cindy B.