And so it begins...

I began The Artist's Way three weeks ago, but want to tread water until the group and I are on the same page.

I have failed to do morning notes only twice in three weeks--today and last Sunday. Must be the chaos in my house right now. I undertook to carve a studio out of a former guestroom at the same time I began The Artist's Way, and I don't recommend it. I feel frustrated at not getting my house straightened out, and frustrated by the distraction from the inner work I want to do.

My initial response to The Artist's Way was not positive. Seemed way too spiritual, and the introduction seems (even after repeat readings) a bit self-congratulatory. But I hung with it until I decided "Maybe she's on to something here." Not a religious person, I have some resistance to her focus on God. But I have thought a lot about her belief that it isn't just some people who are creative; all people are creative. Some have been more successful in suppressing it. That's a huge concept to me. The emphasis on being "blocked" doesn't feel as though it applies to me. I was never encouraged to explore my creative side, but neither was I ever discouraged or repressed. I have met with uncooperativeness on occasion--maybe that's the same thing.

I have not yet had a true artist's date because I'm spending every waking moment trying to clear out several rooms in my house in order to create the one room I care most about. Part of this grand plan included getting a new computer, and I have the usual issues attendant to getting one launched. (I'm anxious to post some pictures.) I have felt under the gun to get the physical mess in my life cleaned up in order to concentrate on some of my inner mess. This is a good time for me to tread water.