writing

We Can’t Fix Each Other

Last night I started a 12-week course based on “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.  This book is about ten years worth of classes Julia taught helping artists get past their blocks.  She wrote the book so other’s could facilitate the workshops in their area.  I’m thrilled this is taking place at a local arts center near me so I can take the course.  It promises to be challenging, yet hold promise for new paths of creativity to come through.

There are 13 women and one man in our class—I sure give that one man lots of credit!  And one of the gals is in high school and she really wants to be a writer.  I give her kudos also for doing her full schedule of school and adding this class at night.

Years ago I helped facilitate a women’s winter retreat with a friend.  I remember we shared with the group of women that we were not there to fix their problems, but rather to just listen.  This same concept was shared last night in our class. I love that. How often do we just want to be heard and not have our challenge fixed?  Chances are if we can either talk it out, or as encouraged in this course, write three morning pages, we can come to the conclusion that is best for us?

We all experience life differently, so what may work for one person and their challenge may not necessarily work for us.  Instead of holding it all in, we either need a caring and kind ear who will just listen, or we need to take paper to pen and let it all go. I think at times too we don’t voice our concerns or challenges because we don’t want anyone to “fix it” but we just want a safe place to voice it.

It’s a practice to not want to fix someone else’s problems, but one of the kindest gifts I think we can give is to listen or encourage the person struggling to write it down- get it all out.  And if they have fear of someone finding what they write- well then how about a private little ceremony of burning what you wrote and releasing it completely?  I’ve done this in the past with certain issues and am amazed at how much it has helped me.

It will be interesting to see what comes from this class for me.  Have you done “The Artist’s Way?” If so, I’d love to hear any thoughts you’d like to share about it.

 

Keeping the Faith When the Journey Seems Uncertain

Frankie loved to “help” with fall clean up 

Keeping the faith in your journey when things seem uncertain is when you are yet again called to trust the process. I discovered that this past week as I finally wrote the afterword to my book, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way.  A big part of me was struggling with having to write it.  I knew I was still resisting because it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I had other plans for what the afterword would be.  I knew I couldn’t change the fact that Frankie has passed, but oh, how I wanted my book to have a different ending.

I was reminded once again of my individual process and how I work.  I stopped pressuring myself to get it done, understanding that I had to have faith in myself that when the time was right, I would write the last chapter. That day came this past Monday when I knew this was it. I was ready. The stars had all aligned and I was ready to finish this part of the journey that Frankie and I had begun. It all fell into place as my complete focus was on spilling out the last words of my book.

As I wrote the last chapter and reviewed the copy a few more times, I suddenly felt a WHOOSH of emotions flood through me.  Happy, sad, loss, pain, joy, proud, grateful and blessed, just to name a few.  I felt myself wanting to reach down and hug Frankie, to thank her, to smooch the side of her soft face- my heart ached knowing I couldn’t do that.  But then my heart smiled as I realized she was here, she helped me write this last chapter as the beautiful spirit in a world I can’t see, but trust is there- that we are only a thin veil apart from each other.

In the days since, I have realized very strongly that my work with her truly does continue… just in a new way. I’ve also realized once again to trust myself and to know I won’t let myself down. Whatever it is I begin, and know I want to complete, I will.

If you find yourself in what seems like a “stuck” place give yourself time to really think about it.  How do you work best?  Don’t judge yourself on how others work or what is right for them, or how society says we should do things, but what is best for you?  Then trust that— and know you too will come to the place where you need to be at just the right and perfect time.

There is still time to get your limited edition t-shirt & help us celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day on Sept. 22, 2012


Available through September 12th only!  Orders your today!
To date, t-shirt sales have raised over $1,200 for the Frankie Fund!!  This will help three more small dogs get wheelchairs who otherwise may not have been able to.  A huge thank you to those who have already helped with this effort!

If you haven’t already, please do follow us on Facebook!  We will be announcing a dog photo contest soon and you don’t want to miss it!  Fun prizes to be given away!

Be sure to also stop by our website and check out some of the recipients of the Frankie Fund. They will steal your hearts!

Postively Impacting the Life of a Young Artist

Third graders from Immanuel Lutheran school, Haley, winner of our “Be Creatively You” contest.

One way in which I define success is being able to leave a positive impact on the life of a child. So it was especially rewarding to have partnered with the talented young artist, Cassy Tully for a design contest to encourage the arts in children.  Since the idea was to have children design an outfit for Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, we also encouraged the children to read about Frankie in her book series, which also then encouraged reading.

Having Cassy, the artist and me, the author come together for this project was one those magical days I will forever cherish and remember.  The super wonderful thing is that Haley, our first place winner, truly wants to be an artist.   Many of her fellow students want to be artists, as well as authors.

Haley and her classmates were treated to a presentation this past Tuesday by Cassy and me, with Cassy talking about how art is made and I talked about how a book is made. The finale was sharing a little bit about Frankie’s story and then having the kids pet her.

The third grade students of Immanuel Lutheran School all went above and beyond in the design of the outfits for Frankie, so in our eyes, they were all winners!