What's my current creative project?
Life.
I was recently asked what big creative projects I’m working on. It would’ve been pretty easy to let my shoulders sag and change the subject. I’m not working on a novel, a poetry collection, a painting or a piece of music. However, rather than evading the question, I paused. A friend’s words from a recent conversation came to mind, “what if our art is how we raise our children, how we tend community, and nurture relationships?”
Although I love creative expression - I sing, write, play guitar, dance, knit - it occurred to me, the big creative project I am working on right now is MY LIFE.
I’ve spent the past twelve weeks on an adventure called The Artist’s Way (book by Julia Cameron). As I’ve rediscovered and reclaimed my creative energy, my life has shifted in both subtle and massive ways.
I’ve come to see my desires and creative urges as gifts from the Divine, guiding how I craft my life and share my gifts with the world. They require breathing room and tender cultivation.
If I don’t like an aspect of my life, it is my responsibility to change it. I have agency of choice. This may seem obvious, but feels like a big revelation.
Coming face-to-face with fear-driven perfectionism, I realized a few things. It no longer serves me to TRY SO HARD. I can trust a more beautifully, organically orchestrated plan, and the bright beings I share life with. Grasping at an illusion of control just exhausts me and prevents me from actually making aligned choices about what is in front of me.
Since March, I’ve become more relaxed and joyful. I’m making changes in my schedule, my commitments, how I nurture myself, parent and educate my children. I am a better leader. Ironically, prioritizing doing less, I’m more productive.
I’m learning to say “no”… sometimes, most importantly, to my self! “No, it is not my job to save other people from their choices.” or “Nope. I can’t possibly do all the things on my to do list today. Something has to wait.” “No, what I offer does not have to be for everyone”
I’ve been practicing saying “yes” to myself too. “Yes, you can lay down because you’re tired!” “Yes, a walk in the woods in the rain is a splendid idea.” “Yes, it is possible to find more free time to dream, play and create.” “Yes, what you desire is relevant; speak up! Do it differently this time.”
So, I’m refining my capacity to craft my life, my impact in the world. And I’m excited. What could be more beautiful than consciously tending my children, nurturing their creativity and Divine guidance? I’m crafting my family culture, my future, loving my husband, celebrating my friends. My art ripens overhead in the orchard, is a vivid sensory feast in my garden rows; it is the rainbow of canned goods for my winter pantry.
If this life is my work of art, my medium is the spark of inspiration at my core. As I listen to the wisdom rising in me, and express it courageously, I get to co-create with the capital “C” Creator!
I am discovering that when I embrace and encourage the artist child within me, the art of my life flourishes in a whole new way, with a skip, a grin, stillness within despite external chaos, a vase of cheerful flowers on my table.
…and surprisingly, with an up-welling of words to share with the world. I have not felt inspired to write for others eyes or ears in nearly a year. I haven’t written a poem in longer. But the other day, I sat down to write my three morning pages and this blog post came out. I couldn’t wait to share it with you all!
Early in the Artist’s Way process, I had thought that my commitment to write three pages every morning might leave me with a treasure trove of blog posts, poems and articles. I was wrong. It left me with a treasure trove of clarity, direction, perspective shifts, joy and excitement… one blog post and two poems.
My heartfelt gratitude to Graham Wardle and the Time Has Come community for introducing me to Artist’s Way, as well as to my precious, courageous friends close to home who traveled this path alongside me for the past twelve weeks.
Beautiful reflection on your creative path. Your expression on being a co-creator with the capital C Creator really resonates with me.
Thank you for sharing your revelation, Breaha. You have an absolutely wonderful way with words. I hope you have read Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's book Whole Brain Living. It is an amazing description of how our brains can create peace. Have a great day with your family. {{Hugs}}