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Ria Sharon

pondering creativity, process, and making art

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Chapter 9: Recovering a Sense of Compassion

March 18, 2015 by riasharon

Keep going! Only 3 more chapters to go… which will mark the very first time I’ve made it all the way through The Artist’s Way. We can totally do this!

DON’T TURN BACK NOW! That’s the main gist of Chapter 9, actually. Julia shares lots of stories of people who consciously (or unconsciously) sabotage their creative lives. There are all sorts of ways that fear can start to undermine what we’re doing. It can present itself in different forms but when it comes down to it, it’s just plain ol’ fear. I’ve totally felt it… during Chapter 7, during Chapter 8 and now. This is the part where Coehlo’s “Beginner’s Luck” starts to run out and you are running and running and thinking omg, what was I thinking? There’s no end to this. I should just go back over there to my cozy little box and screw this Hero’s Journey nonsense! That’s for the movies! The real deal is way to hard, long, scary.

Stick with it.

Speaking of Hero’s Journey, there’s actually a part of that cycle that’s called Crossing the First Threshold. Perhaps this is it, the time when you meet some resistance that tests your commitment to the transformation you wished for. It’s when the universe tests you, saying Are you for real? If you’re for real, you’ll keep going.

Keep going!

I’m going to keep going. I hope you will to.

p.s. Wait. Where’s the compassion part? It’s in calling a spade a spade… you’re NOT lazy or unfocused or not committed or whatever judgements you are throwing at yourself right now about your artistic/creative life. You’re AFRAID! Call it what it is: FEAR. Name your fears, bring them into the light, love them and KEEP GOING! 😀 You’ve got this.

She says. To herself.


The Artist’s Way Posts

Week 1: Recovering a Sense of Safety
Week 2: Recovering a Sense of Identity
Week 3: Recovering a Sense of Power
Week 4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity
Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility
Week 6: Recovering a Sense of Abundance
Week 7: Recovering a Sense of Connection
Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength
Week 9: Recovering a Sense of Compassion
Week 10: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection
Week 11: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy
Week 12: Recovering a Sense of Faith

© Ria Sharon

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Filed Under: The Artist's Way

A little about me

I have an undergraduate degree in art. By day, I work in higher ed and in my free time I'm currently putting myself through DIY grad school.

I teach classes on creativity and inspiration on Skillshare. I occasionally share my original paintings on Etsy and fine art prints on Minted. I've also been known to make puppy portraits.

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