A-Muse-Ing Inspirations: --- by Jeanette M

A-Muse-Ing Inspirations: — by Jeanette M. Pintar

Lesson 11

How are you coming on your Master Plan? What task did you complete toward the fulfillment of your goals last week? Did you do more than one? Have you been marking and celebrating your progress? Are you still excited about the progress you’re making?

So, what is your dream?

Ha! I bet I threw you off on that one! It’s important while we’re doing the tasks of our Master Plan to remind ourselves why we’re doing them… To make our dreams come true! Take some time to review your Master Plan and what you’ve accomplished already. Take a little more time to envision yourself successful in making your dreams come true. Then acknowledge and give yourself credit for making the progress you have! You’re getting closer and closer all the time… Way to go, my friend!

While you’re thinking about stuff, what did you think of Chapter 7 in The Artist’s Way? I found three VERY IMPORTANT lessons in this chapter.

The first insight is about understanding the process of creating… “Instead of reaching for inventions, we are engaged in listening,” Julia Cameron tells us as she explains that the inspiration is always there, we just have to tune in to it.

The second insight about perfectionism is profound… “Perfectionism is a refusal to let yourself move ahead. It is a loop – an obsessive, debilitating closed system that causes you to get stuck in the details… Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves.” Think about what Ms. Cameron says here and you’ll really start to examine your behavior when it comes to having to make things right or self-sabotage!

The third insight I found to be very helpful was on jealousy… “Jealousy is always a mask for fear: fear that we aren’t able to get what we want; frustration that somebody else seems to be getting what is rightfully ours even if we are too frightened to reach for it… Jealousy is a stingy emotion. It doesn’t allow for the abundance and multiplicity of the universe.” The author really hit the nail on the head with that one! How many times have we seen people (including ourselves) comment on others simply because we haven’t got the courage to do what they’re doing? (Need an example? Check out film and literary critics!)

Learning insights to our behavior helps us become aware of the ways we block ourselves and shrink back and away from fulfilling our dreams. When you notice yourself shying away from doing something on your Master List or your enthusiasm begins to fade or give in to fear, STOP. Ask yourself, “What’s going on here? Why am I afraid? What underlying current is pulling me back?” Write about it in your journal. Ask for answers and then, no matter what, take one small step in the direction of your dreams. Do something. Anything. But keep moving in that direction. And should you get the insight to what’s blocking you, do what you must to remove the block and keep moving forward.

Let’s move on to this week’s assignment!

Week 11 Assignment

Use your day planner! Begin by scheduling the following:

Read The Artist’s Way—Chapter 8: Recovering A Sense of Strength, Pgs 129 - 149 . Pay attention to the importance of dealing with loss and criticism! This isn’t just about art – this applies to real life! These suggestions will lead the way to healing many hurts; past, present and future. Also, pay close attention to the importance of the process and our awareness of “kriyas.”

As you read, look for the main points and underline anything that speaks to you or sounds like it would make a good quote. (If you’re afraid to mess up your book, use pencil, you can erase it later.)

Do the Early Patterning and Affirmations exercises on pages 144-146.

Pick and do at least 3 of the 10 exercises at the end of the chapter. You can do more! The more you put into doing this, the more of yourself – and your dreams — you will get out of it. Have fun.

Do the Check-In on Pages 148-149.

Schedule, plan and take a date with yourself. If you were a kid looking for a great adventure where would you go? If you’re not up for adventure, think of the most nurturing experience you can – what is it? Think of something silly and fun. Think of something relaxing and meditative. Think of something in between. Then schedule it and do it. Or leave it in the air and spontaneously go during a lunch break, after work, or even mid-day! (Tell them you have an important meeting to attend… You do, with your Self!)

Write 3 pages of long-hand in your journal daily. The journaling may begin to feel a little tricky now. By this time you’re probably starting to get a few insights about your behavior and that can be scary. It can also be extremely liberating! Once we discover our “patterns” it’s much easier to break out of them, whether it requires laughing at ourselves for being creatures of habit or mustering up our courage to move beyond. Journaling is a great place to program the mind with positive affirmations and promises or contracts with ourselves. Whatever you do, keep writing!

Pick a task from your Master Plan and do it! Pick a task, any task. Pick a big one, pick a small one. Just pick a task from your Master Plan and do it. You DO have the time and the energy to do just one thing… Think of the reward of moving that much closer to your dreams and goals! YOU ARE A SUCCESS! YOU ARE MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!

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