Keep the Drama on the Page
Having been introduced to Julia Cameron’s “Artist’s Way” creative workshops a few years ago, I continue appreciating the maxim advising students “keep the drama on the page”. Or the stage, or canvas, or whatever your favorite artistic medium.
Of course that is not always easy. Personally, as I slid a meatloaf into the oven several minutes ago I could not help recalling the nuisances inflicting my household in 2014. It started with the early January meatloaf I cooked. The oven element caught fire during the last five minutes of cook time. Fortunately dinner was delicious but the next day my vacuum sweeper failed, its slipped belt actually burning through the plastic outer cover. Neither could be fixed, and even replacement proved trickier than reason dictates.
Add to that the veterinarian telling me my sweet, overweight cat was on the fast track to diabetes and a Saturday night spent racing a human to the emergency room. Thank heaven everyone is on a healthier road now. However, these surmountable but sometimes expensive and definitely stressful inconveniences have been compounded by a friend’s emotionally draining phone calls. Again, I must count my blessings because the friend is not what Ms. Cameron would call a “crazymaker”. Also, i can happily report that she is in a better place as of this very afternoon.
Opening Julia Cameron’s prescribed morning page “brain dump” with a list of five blessings the last few months, I make regular note of positives. I could live in a war torn country with no electricity or flush toilets, after all. And I have the luxury of art. Every day, small creative endeavors boost my spirits. Alongside Julia Cameron’s user friendly tools and gentle wisdom, I have dear friends encouraging me to play. A book of mandalas in an adult coloring book, wild bird feeding, a craft package suitable for eight-year-olds, and even enjoying my Christmas tree beyond January first have elevated my spirit beyond everyday doldrums.
What activities brighten your day? Can you maybe take a few minutes to pamper yourself with fun? I sincerely hope you can sprinkle a little innocent pleasure into a what I imagine is a very busy modern schedule.
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Yikes, it sounds like your years started with a bang! Of course, now I'm in the mood for meatloaf…
Especially Darla's meatloaf. She writes really yummy stuff about food.
You're both very kind. Thanks for the great comments!