This human experience of ours is certainly not without challenges, however, the bottom line–how we deal with it all is our own rodeo–no one else’s, so giddy up! Even Hippocrates noted long ago: “The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.” However, what does that force look like and how do we access it for our higher good? Wouldn’t having another spiritual connection that provides hope, coping and healing be valuable?
A couple months ago I wrote about the concept of using Morning Pages to help us get unstuck which I shared has happened to me more than I’d care to report–this time my challenge is related to a physical issue I have been dealing with–again, longer than I’d care to report. I had been told about journaling by a few of my wellness providers–but for whatever reason, it didn’t click, so I chose not to put it into practice. However, the timing was different this go around, especially when it was described as a method of getting unstuck which could potentially lead to emotional and physical healing as well. Put in those words, the timing of my spiritual friend’s sharing Morning Pages couldn’t have been better–it clicked!
Due to my work with holistic wellness I have learned that our body responds to the way we think, feel, and act–that mind/body/spirit connection. So what better way to release those through stream-of-conscious writing. I SO believe in our ability to heal ourselves (through the grace of God).
As a quick review for those who missed that article, here are the basics of Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron:
- The practice of Morning Pages is simple: write three pages in a journal of your choosing, long-hand, upon (or nearly upon) waking. No thinking, no analyzing, no stressing. Just write. There’s no wrong way. (If mornings don’t work for you, just find a time does.)
- Morning Pages are about anything and everything that crosses your mind–and they are for your eyes only and no rereading them later–when they’re done they’re done!
- Do not overthink Morning Pages–that’s it (pretty darn cheap therapy, a pen and paper and a small amount of our valuable time).
I love this quote from Julia’s workbook: “Morning pages are a tool for metabolizing life. They provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. They work for us in painful and intense passages: a death, a divorce, a career change, a lost friendship. Taking our hand on the page, we make for ourselves a handmade life. We raise issues and the answers come. Nothing is too large and nothing is too small.”
Since beginning them, my work with my Morning Pages has proven enlightening–I’ve completed one journal and about half way through my second.one. What I have noticed is that I feel lighter after each Morning Page session–that feels valuable.
With Morning Pages we surrender to being more truly ourselves, and those selves are colorful and beautiful. Pages may help one person to stay married and help another person to get divorced. Pages may help their writer go back to school or to drop out of a program that is ill-fitting. A day at a time, a page at a time, Morning Pages emphasize our unique individuality.”
Got fear? Interestingly enough Julia addresses this: For example, boredom is just “What’s the use?” in disguise. This is fear and fear means we may secretly be in despair. So she says to put those fears on the page. Put anything on the page–give it away to a higher authority– lightening our journey and load.
The Artist Way is not exclusively about writing as it may sound–it is about discovering and developing the artist within, whether a painter, poet, screenwriter or scientist–for those who would use it–we all have creativity to explore.
As we open our creative channel to God the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected.
In her 12-week program, Along with writing our Morning Pages, Julia encourages us to take an Artist Date once per week to enhance our creativity. Spending time in solitude with our artist child is essential to self-nurturing. A long country walk, a visit to a junk or thrift store, a library visit, or a nursery visit, you get the idea–have fun–look for ways to explore your creativity. For example, I have a friend out West who is struggling with a challenging health condition–I went shopping for some fun and beautiful greeting cards to frequently lift his spirits–a fun Artist Date for me! See if the timing is right for you.
Progress, not perfection Warriors! Gitty up!
Covid19 Humor: Until further notice, the days of the week are now called Thisday, Thatday, Otherday, Someday, Yesterday, Today & Nextday!