Complete "The Artist's Way"

I think I may need to repeat weeks 6 & 7….other than my MPs, I’ve gotten virtually NOTHING done from the task lists from each week. This show has stalled me!

...was a weird one. I fell out of my normal writing routines and for the first time missed a couple days of MPs. Furthermore, I did way fewer of the tasks than I meant to this week.

I hope I’m not losing momentum…I finally feel like I’m getting somewhere (but I still don’t know my destination yet!)

So, it’s been an interesting week, my friends…

The reading deprivation was partially successful…it may be more accurately described as a reading “crash diet” rather than total deprivation. I absolutely COULDN’T give up email (because it’s the best way for my production team to communicate), and I often found myself skimming headlines and trying to convince myself I wasn’t “really” reading. I had one major reading binge after a particularly difficult day at work, and then got back on the straight and narrow again.

My greatest realization during the week - I use reading the same way that I imagine some people use drugs and alcohol (neither of which have ever been a part of my life) - that is, I use information (mostly of the useless kind) to numb me and calm me down. When I went back this morning and started reading old local newspaper articles that I had missed, I realized I mostly missed DEPRESSING information—a meth lab fire not too far from my house, a murder in the area, and other tales of woe. Why do I need to expose myself to all of that all of the time? I’m not arguing for total isolationism, but I really did feel better not being weighed down with all of that negative energy.

This week I had long phone calls with my Mom, Dad, Grandma, and my youngest brother. I played piano more for my own enjoyment than I have for a long time. I actually TOOK A NIGHT OFF from rehearsal for Valentine’s Day and went out for a lovely romantic dinner with my husband. I’ve had good, solid, calm rehearsals all week, and taught some really good voice lessons. I feel a lot more balanced and whole than I have in a long time…

And now, for the OTHER big part of the week. God and the universe at large are definitely becoming more closely entwined in my life. This week my husband found out his company is on the edge of dissolving—the CEO resigned and things look pretty grim. However, he’s put his resume out there and is already getting multiple calls about it. Doors that were previously closed to him are opening. And instead of panicking at the prospect of my husband losing his current employment, I’m seeing it as a sign that perhaps it IS time for some major change. This is most definitely synchronicity, and while it may seem negative on the surface, I guess I’m just seeing it as some new possibilities for very positive change.

I have a feeling more developments are on the way, and I promise to keep posting as things develop!

I will not be on 43T during my reading deprivation this week, unless I post a major breakthrough. Reading deprivation will be HARD for me, but I’m going to give it my best shot.

Good luck to all of you who are also in week 4!

...This weekend I had my first artist date - attending the Ithaca Area All-State Conference that 9 of my choral singers were accepted to. I caught up with old friends and professors, and think I accidentally stumbled upon a new mentor for the next part of my artistic journey - the associate dean of the music school!

Week 2 sounds exciting. I have done many of the written exercises already….now I need to calm down a bit and do some of the harder ones. I had a few lyrics leak out of my head in the evening the other day. They weren’t great, but I tried to just keep the ideas coming, no matter how crappy they sounded at first.

...and though I have yet to be struck by artistic lightning, some good things have happened:

1. I’ve excavated some SERIOUS time travel monsters…
2. I discovered an interesting parallel between an old romantic relationship I left and my present job
3. I’ve written down some pretty poisonous blurts and converted them…

Does anyone have any ideas about how to work with affirmations? For starters, I’ve made myself write out my chosen affirmation of the day 10 times (very grade school, I know, but it was a concrete way for me to start). Today I mixed it up a little and changed the direction of my writing (wrote in a big spiral). I’ve also thought about trying to sing or compose my affirmations as an exercise (though since I like to do this 1st thing in the morning, I don’t want to wake my sleeping husband).

Thoughts and input are most welcome!