Banned Books Week - no Firemen allowed

Did you know we were in the middle of Banned Books Week? It runs September 26th through October 3rd this year.

Read a bit more about it here on the American Library Association Web Site.

I shudder whenever I think about folks who have the ability to read who are kept from greater knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world by those who are too afraid of truth.

Let's not even get into all of those people, particularly women, who are banned from even learning to read. I've heard so many quotes and statistics lately dealing with the quality of life improvement for women and their children by simply teaching mothers to read.

Words do have power.

We must protect our freedoms, even if it means that occasionally content we do not agree with might be available.

These are dangerous times...

Celebrate your freedom to access the written word - Read a book this week! Maybe Fahrenheit 451? Or go crazy - Be brave - read one that is banned somewhere in the world!

Surrendering To Creative Cycles

Time for Secret Four of the Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women. Visit the rest of the Book Club Gang through this link!

I picked a nice quiet moth image for this post - thought it fit the idea of cycles nicely what with the whole caterpillar, cocoon, emergence thing!

Here are the keys to Surrendering To Creative Cycles...

I must admit though, I really didn't get into this chapter much.

Learning Patience: I liked the image of fallow soil presented here. I feel that I am very patient in most things.

Surviving the Void:

Navigating in the Darkness:

Watching for Clues:

Trusting in Creative Reemergence:

And that is all the further I got with this post that I started on January 31st at 3:57 PM. Apparently I was EXPERIENCING a creative cycle DOWNTURN.

Or I decided that the book had already served its purpose for me (see the post on risk... more to follow!)

Or I finally decided that the book might be boring me. Not sure as I have not finished it yet.

All in all though, I'm really glad I picked it up and do plan to return to it when the time is ripe again.

And that is how that story ends!

Following Your Fascinations

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fear's path, and only I will remain." ~ Paul Atreides, Frank Herbert's Dune

We have now progressed to Chapter Three of 'Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women' by Gail McMeekin. I have really enjoyed being a part of this online book club led by Jamie Riddler - it is great reading what other smart thoughtful women are thinking! And a blessing to see that so many of us have the same hurdles and insecurities to conquer. Not a blessing that we have the issues of course! But that we are truly not alone. The gremlins need a beating!

I posted the photo above as I mentioned in my last book club post about snapping a poor dead snake because I felt he was beautiful and met my 'blue' criteria for the day's shooting, and someone wanted to see it. Sorry if you popped in expecting something else and have a fear of snakes. I prefer the image of snakes as one of growth and rebirth, fertility, the circle of life. Almost all non Judeo-Christian cultures revere them, rather than revile them. But they are to be respected either way, and a good image for a post about risk and fear I believe.

This secret, Following Your Fascinations, is all about risk.

Wise risk as well as dangerous risk. And that, in turn, brings to mind fear.

Here are the keys...

Taking Courageous Risks: I do not see myself as a risk taker. I can't think of one thing particularly courageous to share with you. I talk about this with my friend Irene a lot. We share the feeling that as women, you often need to just keep moving, getting things done, working through pain, getting up each day and doing what you have to in order to keep your family healthy, provided for, and intact. We do not see these things as optional, or courageous - just necessary. I often don't plan out where I'm headed - I just do. In these areas there is no time for fear.... But in it's insidious way, it filters in.

If I respect myself and love myself, it is time to start living with intention. Calculating positive risks. Taking action.

Intuiting New Pathways: I have managed to find my way to where I am today almost completely by accident. Maybe that isn't true. I know the odds were against me as a single mother. I finished school, was recruited by The Dow Chemical Company, and raised my son to be a responsible successful adult (of course he could still turn out to be an axe murderer, but he has promised not to. At least not to use an axe in his theoretically imminent crime spree.) But I never sought out doors. They opened in front of me and I stepped through. My job with Dow came by a campus recruiter. My job with Nestlé came by a canvas of about 50 local labs and other science related firms after a layoff. I got a job from a cold call letter. That is not suppose to happen. In between I took positions that were awful, but I didn't leave until I was either pushed out or offered other opportunities.

Developing Staying Power: I have trouble with follow through. I'm proud to say that I have marvelous creative ideas. Over 99% of them never see the light if day. I'm not talking about building skyscrapers here, I'm talking making a graduation card for a friend. Scrapbook pages. Simple, easy things. I need to develop a new attitude. Christine Kane (whose blog I love) suggests telling ourselves "this is just what I do" when presented with a challenge where we would normally procrastinate or stumble in some way. I suppose it reflects back on being the change you wish to see. I also suggest reading her post on her "proportional theory of dread". The greater our fear of a thing, often the greater our relief - and pride? when completed. Food for thought.

Heeding Your Heart: I'm ready to make some changes. The path of least resistance isn't all that smooth and rose filled. Sometimes though, I feel that at age 43 I've walked too far down it to turn around and start back. That is probably pretty foolish. I was amazed at how many women in the book didn't hit their stride until after 40. Plenty of time! But I'd better quit screwing around! I'm grabbing my machete and hacking through the brush to another path.

Jamie's Challenge for us: Take one brave step toward your dreams. This week I will officially apply for the Bachelor of Liberal Studies online program at Bowling Green State University. I will arrange to have my transcripts sent and begin to check any other boxes needing checked.

Wish me luck!

Shamless plug: Visit my One World One Heart offering if you have not already!

Honoring Your Inspirations

"Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it." ~ Tallulah Bankhead

It is now in the 20°F plus range here... so I guess it's a heat wave. My writing block has thawed, so I am continuing on with Secret Two of our Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women book club! See the link in the sidebar for more information and links to the other participants.

My thoughts on this week's keys to "Engaging Your Creativity" by "Honoring Your Inspiration":

Cultivating Attractions: I am definitely an observer in the world. Could be a reason that the scientific method was a draw for me. I am always open to the world around me. I almost stopped the other day in the middle of the innerbelt bridge to take a picture of the sunrise. Right there in the middle of the industrial basin of Cleveland's downtown, I saw the most brilliant orange and pink I have ever seen. Truly. But since I didn't want to cause an accident, I didn't capture it to share with you. Sorry.

I see things others don't. When I visited The Boy at school, we went to the sculpture lab. I took the photo above. The composition could be better, but the metal wall, and the colors and textures of the grinding wheels used to develop stone and other media just seemed to call to me all on their own. The Boy thought I was quite nuts. Why am I paying for an art school that doesn't teach him to see what I can see? I guess like Tallulah, I am my own unique me. Plus since he may see these items as simply a means to an end, he didn't view them as beautiful on their own.

Beauty is everywhere - and I do my best to seek it out. Otherwise I would be overwhelmed by the ugliness which is also all around us. Hatred, prejudice, anger, stupidity, we need a shield. For me, I need to see the beautiful colors and lines of graffiti and not the urban decay some think it represents. I once took a picture of a dead snake in the park because I was on a mission for "blue" things. (No really, the skin was iridescent and color was intense!) Why did it stop being beautiful just because of it's current bodily condition? I am sure that photo will pop up here eventually. Don't be afraid.

Practicing Play: I am not afraid to explore new things. How else can you learn? But, can you explain to me why it is that when someone is confident or at leat willing to stand out a wee bit and try things, others think that they have thick skin and cannot be hurt by words? People: think before you destroy someone with a careless word. Unless that person is literally driving over a cliff, don't tell them that they are if it is only your figurative interpretation of where they are headed artistically.

Communing with Your Senses and Nature: Again - I am all about communing with nature. My own senses? Not so much. The Boy is right about me needing to meditate on a regular basis. Approaching the "Personal Attractions" challenge to simply listen to my thoughts is virtually impossible right now. I truly do need to focus on building calm. I am in serious need of white space in my brain!

That being said, I am still in a stage where every medium is exciting to me. I am not in a place where I am limiting myself? Eventually I will settle, but right now, I am a pinball!

Taking Time to Capture Your Ideas: I have so many ideas for exploring my thoughts in my art journal. I will work not to censor myself there, because why bother if I do, right?

Creating a Sanctuary: I am in serious need of a sanctuary in our house. I will work on the "Building Your Sanctuary" challenge and get back to you. Everything is a process right?

Inventing Rituals: I have rituals. Here is how it goes when I am creating things:

1) Go to store, buy totally cool supplies; alternately gather and save found objects

2) Come home and listen to gremlin in my head telling me my project won't be as cool as all the other ideas I saw that I want to experiment with.

3) Procrastinate

4) Read blogs for inspiration ( see point number 3)

5) Clean craft area (again, see point number 3)

6) Marvel at how much stuff I have (see point number 1)

7) Begin to create

8) Decide I might do okay after all!

I need new rituals. Think I'm going to try adding tea drinking at a minimum!

How you doing!?

Acknowledging Your Creative Self

Your creative self is alive and waiting for your invitation to evolve! Dare to embrace your creative self and manifest your dreams. Recognizing your creativity leads you into a life of self-expression, fulfillment, and contribution." ~ prelude to Secret 1

Here we are - the first chapter of "12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women" by Gail McMeekin. The good old Barnes and Noble at the mall came through and the book arrived Friday just in time to get started with the rest of the folks in the book club.

I'm very excited about this! I'm choosing to make my posts before reading anyone else's, so that I will try to express my own vision. We'll see how that goes! Can't wait to see what others are thinking too.

Jamie Ridler who is leading the group asked us to start in this way:

"Let's start by celebrating that simply by being here, by signing up and putting your name on the blogroll, you have acknowledged your creative self! You have stepped up and stepped in and said, yes, to your creativity. What a great way to start 2009!"

A bit about how the book is laid out. The book is divided into four gateways. The first is Engaging Your Creativity. This Gateway includes four secrets. Each week we will be reviewing a chapter.

This Chapter and the others to follow provide us with keys to unlock the gateway. I think I'll plan to share my thoughts on each key...

Responding to Creative Callings: I had never really considered myself 'artistic' but I had known that I had a wonderful sense of the creative. Seeing beauty where others didn't. I was a young thespian and have always enjoyed crafty things. I have always been one to notice the world around me, the beauty of the sky, changing of the colors, how things flowed together or did not. One of the blogs I read regularly, Magpie Girl, has a banner tag line which says, "distracted by sparkly things since 1969" a kindred spirit! I do love the shiny! Would an ordinary person stop to take a photo like the one above? I love a good distraction!

At no time however, did I consider this gift particularly valuable. Sure - I could put together a lovely board for the science fair, and the stage does prepare one for public speaking and networking, but I wasn't particularly good at ART. Just ask my teachers. Actually, that's not fair. Senior year in high school I took Freshman Art (I had already taken every science class and math class, study hall would have been a waste of time what with all the kids taking it to hang out, and all the good office and library jobs were already taken and besides, an art credit makes one look well rounded on the college applications right...?) Mr. Nicholson gave me an "A" each term. Perhaps it was because I sat still, was quiet, and didn't chew gum. I turned in every assignment complete and on time. But, perhaps he did think I had talent too.

Of course confusing art and creativity may be at the heart of that issue.

Problem solving is generally all about being creative. Finding solutions. Looking at things new ways. Stimulating new ideas.

Work in the laboratory is all about charts, record keeping, data, control, but also problem solving. When I look I look at my hobbies, they are all about being creative. It started with scrapbooking. Then when I found a copy of Artful Blogging it was out of control! Now it's art journaling, jewelry making, photography. I'm busting out all over. I had been questioning whether this was a real manifestation of my own self, or a desperate need to seek a common bond with my son, the real art student. Probably I am allowed to own it.

The author cracked me up when she spoke of noting the publications she was reading being about beauty and creating a change... if you could see my google reader and my bookshelf... I'm owning that one too!

Experimenting With New Processes: I think I have been taking on many new challenges. Also, dropping some other ones. Some of you may not realize the significance of that last statement. I dropped some other ones. I must say that allowing myself to quit something without guilt was clearly the highlight of my personal year last year. There are a few more things I need to work on quitting. That process is probably going to be the key to my happiness. Allowing myself to see the things which are not adding to my success and discarding them is one of my goals.

Life is about the choices we make. Mine have often been made based on the path of least resistance. My son and I had a conversation early in his college career in which I was trying to explain that most adults still don't really know what they want to be when they grow up - including me. I like my job. I'm good at it. The people are mostly great. It is stimulating, but not exactly fulfilling. I need to find a path that is. I'm tired of saying I don't want to go to work each morning. Kind of like the bird in the photo above - some choices may not be all they seem!

Seeking Success Stories: I'm excited to read the words of the women in this book. I agree with the author that not enough women's voices are heard. Those that are, we find a way to tear down. It doesn't matter how smart you are if you aren't pretty enough or thin enough. If you are pretty, you can't possibly be smart. Powerful? Bitch. Rich? Greedy or shallow. Talented? Undeserving for any number of reasons. Oprah Winfrey. Rosie O'Donnell. Caroline Kennedy. Paris Hilton. I can't even name any role models I have because I have fallen prey to this school of thought. Time for some changes.

Learning the Secrets: That's why we're here!

Won't you join us?!

On the Nightstand

In an effort to focus (there's that word!) on some things I want to focus on, I've gathered some reading material... Here's what's on my list!

The Tao of Pooh - Benjamin Hoff. I've wanted to read this for some time. I bought the tapes maybe ten years ago? Couldn't focus on listening to them in the car - too many other voices crowded it out (see book number four!) This time I'm gonna be ready!

The Tarot Bible - Sarah Bartlett. The universe is often trying to tell us things. Perhaps I need to listen. Perhaps this is the language I can use.

Soul Coaching - Denise Linn. Looks like an interesting way to get ready to welcome change. I plan to use a resource here to help me in the process.

Taming Your Gremlin - Rick Carson. Saw this book over here and wanted it as soon as I read about it. The voices need to hush up! Hear me!? Also, I hope that the illustrator doesn't mind, but the line drawn images in this book are calling out to be colored in! I think that it would be a great meditative exercise. Yup. Don't you agree?

Life is a Verb - Patti Digh. I've talked here about '37 Days' before. I read this book while we were in Canada, but did not actually attempt any of the exercises. This time I'll focus! Living intentionally is the goal.

Journal Revolution - Linda Woods & Karen Dinino. What a fabulous way to learn more about art journaling. I really have been excited about the Soul Journal Project and this will be a fun way to continue the progress in this area. Many good ideas for prompts and techniques.

1000 Artist Journal Pages - Dawn DeVries Sokol. Beautiful! Check out D'Blogala the blog of the author. She has compiled 1000 examples of wonderful art. Although I know I'll find my own style, I love looking at these pages and getting ideas.

Life Artist - Ali Edwards. Some great ideas here for scrapbooking outside the box. I love her style and this book has terrific approaches to memory keeping.

Digital Scrapbooking for Dummies - Jeanne Wines-Reed & Joan Wines. This one was a gift from The Boy for Christmas. (Why is it not in the stack? Must have been reading it in the other room!) He thought it would help me create better pictures for sharing here on the blog as well as scrapbooking. I'm not ready to go all the way digital, but I've been wanting to try some hybrid stuff for a while so this is great!

Last but not least, I'm joining an online book club called the next chapter which will be reading The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin. That one had to be ordered so hopefully it will arrive before we begin this Friday! See the link on my side bar to join along with us. So glad I saw the link for this over at Adventuring Through Life - thanks Diana!

So what should I read when I'm done with these?

Suggestions?

On the Pipe

Yes... I succumbed to the peer pressure. I'm chasing the dragon.... smoking that crack.... got the chronic. What ever! Call it what you want. Head spinning - no sleeping. (Still have to work though...)

Why did no one tell me of these books sooner? Must have been protecting me from myself.

If you're still uninformed as I was... I'm talking about the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer. Read them - or not. All I care about is finishing this post so I can go back to book two...

I'll be reading now, see you when I come up for air!