Discover ... Rediscover your creative self stroke by artistic stroke

... words taken from author, Julia Cameron's website. She wrote The Artist's™ Way. Which more or less is an aid in overcoming the denial or suppression of your creativity.

THE ARTIST'S WAY CONTRACT

I, Lita, understand that I am undertaking an intensive, guided encounter with my own creativity. I commit myself to the four-week duration of the course.

I, Lita, commit to weekly reading, daily Morning Pages, a weekly Artist's Date, and the fulfillment of each week's tasks.

I, Lita, further understand that this course will raise issues and emotions for me to deal with. I, Lita, commit myself to excellent self-care - adequate sleep, diet, exercise, and pampering - for the duration of the course.

In the course of following the Artist's Way and healing my artist within, I have discovered that I have a number of creative interests. While I hope to develop many of them, my specific commitment for the next four weeks is to allow myself to more fully explore drawing and/or watercolor.

My concrete commitment to a plan of action is a critical part of nurturing to my artist. For the next four weeks, my planned, self-nurturing action plan is:

Read, learn and put into practice what I've learned, less any associated guilt.

Acclimate to and firmly put into place my new schedule of waking as early as 4 every morning to have the fresh mind to accomplish my personal tasks before I undertake employment-based tasks. Which means I must religiously ensure I reach slumber no later than 8 at night.

Two basic tools of the Artist's Way is Morning Pages and and the Artist's Date.

I've read Morning Pages is for brain clearing ... To write about the things bothering you and to recognize the truth about what's working or not in your life.

The purpose of the Artist's Date is to be receptive so as to "fill the well" of your creativity. It's a date with yourself (inner-artist/child) every week. It must be done solo, otherwise, one will act differently, do different things, and not listen to one's inner voice. It's a time to adopt a mindset of mischief more than mastery.

Both actions together can be likened to breathing, a rhythm of in (artist date) and out (morning pages).

Basic spiritual principles for creative recovery and discovery:

It is suggested that these principles be read once a day. Keep a watch for changes in your attitudes or beliefs as you read.

1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.
2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life -- including ourselves.
3. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives.
4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we,in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.
5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.
6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.
7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: good orderly direction.
8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.
9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity.
10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.

I used to have this book at one time, but never took the time to delve into it. I may have to buy it again and will also look for Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Committment to Your Creativity by Jan Phillips.