Where to Begin? Here and Now.

I have recently neglected my blogs, but I know that the practice of writing needs to be just that: practiced. So here I am, and there are also the Morning Pages...now I can hear Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) saying,

"...But I've gone ahead of my story. He'd have hated that. Denys loved to hear a story told well..." (Isak Dinesen, Out of Africa)*

So let's go back (briefly) to May-June

The workshop which I created for Field's End Writers' Community on Bainbridge Island (delivered in May and June) went well. WORD SOUP© lasted for four weeks, and at the end, the comment forms (and letters) I received from participants were exciting and encouraging. They wished it had lasted longer; they want me to offer it again.

I heard from several participants whose felt their writing improved, expanded and/or "unblocked" as a result of our sessions. That is joyful news indeed, especially considering it was a brand-new workshop. They formed a well-balanced group, and intend to continue as a writing group in the autumn.

If you know of a group which would benefit from WORD SOUP©, please leave a comment and we will explore the possibilities together!

Now, to the present and those Morning Pages: during my week at Rancho La Puerta, I met many interesting people. One of those was Shelby, a long-distance runner and an accomplished, lovely woman. We found that we have mutual acquaintances, and live close enough to visit each other. Shelby rode the ferry over a couple of weeks ago, and we took a long walk, catching up on the latest news in each other's lives.

Shelby recently completed a 50-mile run, and no, that is not a typographical error; FIFTY miles, in one day. So here is respect for her strength, determination, training and persistence!...and she reminded me of a book which I have had for years, called "The Artist's Way."

The Artist's Way was developed by Julia Cameron (it's worth an online search, if you don't know about her). Ms. Cameron is a creative, prolific, successful artist herself, and has helped to free many thousands of other artists through her work. I started her book - which requires a commitment of 12 weeks - twice in the past, but never finished it. After Shelby brought it up, I went home and pulled out my copy.

From what I found written inside, I began the study in the year 2002; I've no idea why I didn't finish it then. The second time I started it was on June 9, 2006.

June 9, 2006. Four months before Katie was diagnosed with cancer.

I don't know what stopped me from finishing it in 2006, either, but remembering that I started it again at that time was - for some reason - a shock to my system. It told me something about my state of mind, right before "the end of the world as we know it."

My family in June 2006

So, I have recommitted to study, practice, and complete it this time. I am writing the Morning Pages each day, reading the weekly chapters and doing the exercises. This time, I am ready, and - of course - it means something different now, because I am different; my life is different and my needs as an artist are different. The timing is perfect.

It struck me that the work I have done in creating WORD SOUP© is somehow connected to "The Artist's Way." The purpose of WORD SOUP© is to bring freedom, joy and inspiration to people who want to begin to write, and to those who once wrote, but have stopped (for whatever reason). It is easy and fun for me to facilitate WORD SOUP© for others, but I also need to practice artistic recovery for myself - for the painter who no longer paints, as well as for the writer who loves to write. "The Artist's Way" will promote that practice for me.

I am absorbing the wisdom, insight and healing offered in the book. Ms. Cameron knows exactly what she is writing about. There are topics covered which bring exactly the medicine I need in different areas of my creative life (including the DVD project). There is an entire section on "Crazymakers," which was tremendously helpful, reminding me that such difficulties occur in many creative endeavors and environments.

I am thankful to God for leading my mom and me to Rancho La Puerta, which led to meeting Shelby, who led to my renewed commitment to "The Artist's Way." Write on!

*I've been reading books about the "Happy Valley Set," a group of European expatriates who settled in what was then British East Africa (now Kenya) in the early-to-mid-20th century. There was a murder, never officially solved, which took place there, and I wanted to know about it. I found a copy of the (out-of-print) book, "White Mischief" by Edward Fox, which led to other biographies ("The Bolter," "Too Close to the Sun" and "The Temptress," which led to re-viewing "Out of Africa." All in all, not an inspiring group of people, but an interesting place and time in history.

"See I Am Doing a New Thing," continued...

You can read all of the postings about my life-changing week at Rancho La Puerta  

here, here, here , here and here.

"See, I Am Doing a New Thing" - Part One

 “…See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19 NIV

I just returned from a trip - a journey is a more accurate description – to Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. It was a life-enhancing week of reflection, new activities, delicious organic food in healthy portions, gentle self-care, fellowship and learning. 

Read along if you want to hear what it’s like to step outside of your regular lifestyle, off of the merry-go-round, unplug from “the grid,” and do everything with an open mind and heart in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Before I embarked on this adventure – a couple of months ago – I was talking to Katie in my mind one night, before I went to sleep. I told her that I was doing the best that I can with what I have - doing my best to honor her life. I heard her reply as clearly as if she was in the room with me: “That’s great Mom, but what about your life? The rest of your life doesn’t have to be all about my life.”

Whoa. That stopped me in my tracks, and I’ve been pondering it ever since.

What could be next for me, if it isn’t about Katie? I reflected. I was me before she got sick, before her passing – even before she arrived in our lives. I was me before David’s arrival, before my marriage to Gregg. What about me – what is my own life about, now?

This trip came at the perfect time to open to that question. 

I have wanted to take a spa retreat (and a spiritual retreat) since our children were small. My mom and I have spent a day here and there at a spa, and have been away on church retreats, but we’ve never taken one like this. It seemed self-indulgent - something that other people did, but not me. I wanted to do it, but never would have treated myself to it. My mom’s generosity – and her need for a break, after a difficult summer – made it possible.

As the date of departure approached, I wondered how to open my heart to prepare for the experience. The words that dropped into my mind were: “See, I am doing a new thing…” I didn’t recall where in the Bible that phrase originated, but I knew that it was God speaking. That phrase became my mantra as I prepared, mentally and physically, for the trip. I resolved to look for Him everywhere, to intentionally allow God to do a “new thing” - whatever that meant - with me.

Gregg and I flew to Palm Springs and drove to my parents' condo. He and my dad had a week of activities planned; Mom and I got up early the next day and set out for San Diego. Five highways and 2 ½ hours later, I dropped off the rental car and we were met at the airport by the welcoming staff of the ranch. They took our bags, gave us each a bottle of water and a little bag of homemade granola, and invited us to board their van. 

After another couple of hours on the road (and a border crossing), we arrived at the gates of the ranch. We were each greeted with a fresh cup of lemonade and a cool towel as we disembarked the van. 

Following the porter who took our bags, my first sensation was of the delicious scent of herbs. The largest rosemary bushes I had ever seen, abloom with purple flowers, as well as laurel, lavender, sage and thyme, wafted their fragrance in the warm air, enlivening our senses with nature’s aromatherapy. As we followed the young man along the path to our casita, enjoying the perfume in the air, I began to see that this was going to be a trip greater than anything I had imagined.