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


Lesson 5

So what did you think of Chapter / Week 1 of the Artist’s Way?  Could you see yourself in any of the descriptions?   Incidentally, don’t get hung up on the word, “artist.”   Your dream is your art.  Any time this word is used, insert “dreamer” or whatever your main goal is if you’d feel more comfortable with it.   For instance, if you want to start your own business, insert “successful entrepreneur” instead of artist.  A large part of success is learning how to apply life’s lessons and other people’s wisdom and experience to our own lives.


Did you do the work with blurts and affirmations?   If not, please do so now.  This is really an eye-opening experience and will point out the biggest internal blocks that are keeping you from turning your dreams into reality.  We’d like to think it’s all external circumstances holding us back, but the truth is it’s the internal ones that have the biggest hold and prevent us from overcoming the external obstacles.


Did you do your morning pages / journaling?   Where did you go for your Artist or Self Date?  If you haven’t gone yet, take 15 minutes right now and do something fun.


What task did you choose to do from your Master List last week?  Did you do it?  How does it feel taking action that’s bringing you closer to your dreams?   If you’re feeling overwhelmed by how much further you have to go, remember that this is a LIFE journey.  Part of your purpose is the step by step route of getting there. And as Julia Cameron says, “Give yourself permission to be a beginner.”  If it feels like you’ve got a ways to go before you ever reach beginner status, it’s OK.  Every task you do is taking you that much closer.

 

Congratulations!   You’re really doing it.  You’re in the process of making your dreams come true!   Now let’s move on to this week’s assignment.

 


Week 5 Assignment

 

Use your day planner!   Begin by scheduling the following:

 

Read The Artist’s Way  — Chapter 2:  Recovering A Sense of Identity, Pgs 41 - 59 

 

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.)

 

Pick and do at least 3 of the 10 exercises at the end of the chapter.  Do them all if possible!  The more you put into doing this, the more of yourself – and your dreams — you will get out of it.    YOU and your dreams are worth every minute of time you commit to doing this.


Do the Check-In on Pages 58-59.

 

Schedule, plan and take a date with yourself. Make it something entertaining, fun, relaxing.  Make it something you look forward to.  Protect your date, make it sacred.  You deserve it.  Your dreams deserve it.

 

Write 3 pages of long-hand in your journal daily.  Journaling might not seem all that important as you experience “brain drain” but stick to it.  Whether your experience is just to get all the stuff out of your head, or if you are given valuable insight, both are worth the effort and will help your energy flow better.

 

Pick a task from your Master Plan and do it!   Pick a task.  Any task!   Is there something you’re really looking forward to doing?  Something that would get you excited and help you better visualize your dreams coming true?  What do you need to do in order to get to that task?   Use it as kind of a short term goal if you need motivation.  If you find additional touchstones such as pictures, quotes, etc., that will inspire you, attach them to your Master Plan.


Use the Scratch Pad in your day planner to jot down insights, additional tasks you may need to add to your Master Plan, to draw, doodle, or capture nurturing thoughts.  The scratch pad is a great way to keep track of those A-ha! Moments that come at the strangest times… Like when you’re on the phone with your boss, or have just finished your 3rd bite of lunch.    Scribble down your insights while they’re fresh in your mind.   Or if you need a break and can’t leave your desk, take 2 minutes to doodle.  Allow yourself a sense of play and creativity and it will help ignite the passion of following your dreams.


Good luck!   And Congratulations – you’re rolling now!


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—- © Jeanette M. Pintar

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