Dear friends,
A number of weeks ago, St.
Andrew’s own Courtney Robinson Hastings posted on social media about a new
practice she and her husband Todd have been following: getting up very early in the morning in order
to attend to important but often neglected practices like exercise, prayer, or
learning a new skill. Inspired by the
Hastings, I too have started arising earlier in the morning.
Suddenly having “extra”
time has been a blessing. I have begun
working with a book that’s been on my shelf for nearly 30 years: The Artist’s Way, described on its
cover as “a course in discovering and recovering your creative self.” The author, Julia Cameron, insists that all
human beings are creative, and that using our creativity is a gift we give back
to God. The two basic tools to develop
creativity that she insists on are morning pages (three pages of free-flowing
writing to be done first thing in the morning); and a weekly “artist
date.” Cameron explains that the artist
date is for our inner artist, the child within us who wants to create. Artist dates are to be done alone, with the
sole focus on letting the child within explore and play—by taking a leisurely
walk through a garden; exploring a museum; finger painting; or anything else
that allows for creativity and enjoyment.
It has been
fascinating—and helpful!—for me to be introduced to artist dates in the midst
of this pandemic. I started the book
only a few weeks ago, so thus far I’ve only had two artist dates. Both of them involved reclining on our living
room couch for an hour or more, Diet Coke in hand, poring over a book of
Biblical art through the ages, a volume John and I recently received from a
favorite relative. I am 54, and I have
never before in my life made time simply to sit with a book of artwork and
enjoy its contents. I liked it. We have a number of other art books in our
condo, and I am looking forward to upcoming artist dates exploring those as
well as I wait for cooler weather and lower infection rates before venturing
outside home for an artist date.
How is your inner
child? What kind of care and attention
might that child need right now—especially in the midst of the pandemic? How might you spend some quiet time alone
this week, nurturing your creative side and remembering that you yourself are a
beloved and creative child of our loving Creator God?
My prayers are with you as
you do so.
Blessings,
Anne
No comments:
Post a Comment