Reflections on Abundance
Relfections on Week 6 of The Artist’s Way: Recovering a Sense of Abundance
This week, in the Circle, we covered Week Six of The Artist’s Way: Recovering a Sense of Abundance. In this chapter, we explored our relationship with God, money, and luxury. Julia led us to explore our definition of God that we currently believe in versus the God that we want to believe in. She asked us to examine our own limitations of what God can do in our lives and how those beliefs move us closer or further away from abundance and flow.
“Remind yourself that to succeed in this course, no god concept is necessary. In fact, many of our commonly held god concepts get in the way. Do not allow semantics to become one more block for you.” - Julia Cameron
We cling to our financial concerns as a way to avoid not only our art but also our spiritual growth. Our faith is in the dollar. “I have to keep a roof over my head,” we say. “Nobody’s going to pay me to be more creative.”
When I left my job in December, I didn’t leave with thousands of dollars in my bank account. No partner was telling me to kick my feet up and rest. There was no solid plan for how I would make ends meet for longer than three months, but I had a choice to make
stay at the job and have guaranteed money and limited abundance or
leave the job and have limited money but maximum abundance.
I realized then that while my job paid well, it did not align with my definition of abundance. My version of abundance allowed me the time to pour into myself, my projects, my passions, my pleasure, and my family. If I was trading all my time for money I would never have abundance. The only barrier I had after making a financial plan with several backups was my belief that my decision would be supported by the universe. Finally, I convinced myself that there was no way that who ever was is in the sky intended for me to live like this.
For many of us, raised to believe that money is the real source of security, a dependence on God feels foolhardy, suicidal, even laughable. - The Artist’s Way
It’s been almost four months since I left my job in December. No the money isn’t pouring in yet but I have everything I need to be present with myself and my family. As I write this post sitting next to my mother as she sleeps in her hospital bed I am assured I made the right decision.
Luxury
In the second section of the chapter, Julia explores our idea of luxury and it’s presence in our lives. She leads by giving us examples of luxury in the perfect pair of tweed pants, magazine subscriptions, and fresh raspberries. We often rob ourselves of the small joys because, deep down, we don’t think we deserve them.
All too often, we become blocked and blame it on our lack of money. This is never an authentic block. The actual block is our feeling of constriction, our sense of powerlessness. Art requires us to empower ourselves with choice. At the most basic level, this means choosing to do self-care.
The first 30 days after leaving my job I belived it was irresponsible to indugle in self care. I could get my nails done after I build my business. I can eat organic produce once I have my book deal. All things I would tell myself because with no job I didn’t feel like I deserved to spead money on anything that wasn’t bills or groceries. As the weeks went by I felt less inspired, creative, and confident. No, I didn’t have money to waste but what was I telling myself if I only felt like I was wasting money when I spent it on me.
From that point on I made a decision to create luxury in my life. I enjoyed long epson salt baths with essential oils and dollar tree candles. I bought press-ons and new undies from TJ Maxx; I even paid the extra 2 dollars for the organic strawberries and soaked them in ACV while I steeped loose-leaf tea with local honey. I took time oil my cuticles and even got a basic pedicure with no gel so I could read my book while my toes dried— a true abundant baddie.
Blocked creatives are often the Cinderellas of the world. Focused on others at the expense of ourselves, we may even be threatened by the idea of spoiling ourselves for once.
I won’t lie, I did feel guilty because who did I think I was taking baths like I had a real job. Then, I realized that I thought rest was a reward for suffering. Then I thought, if I was suffering, was I really resting? If not, then where did I learn this lie— Oh that’s right, capitalism, racism, sexism, ableism, colonilizsm.
Creative living requires the luxury of time, which we carve out for ourselves—even if it’s fifteen minutes for quick Morning Pages and a ten-minute minibath after work.
This week, I want you to consider where luxury can exist in your life? How can you create pockets of joy? It’s doesn’t require money just intention and time.
Check-In
Each week Julia asks us to reflect on our progress with the course through the following questions.
How many days this week did you do your morning pages? (Have you used them yet to think about creative luxury for yourself?) How was the experience for you?
Did you do your Artist Date this week? (Have you considered allowing yourself two?) What did you do? How did it feel?
Did you experience any synchronicity this week? What was it?
Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Describe them.
Concluding Thoughts
Week 6 was just as volatile for me as Julia warned it would be. I never thought I would be looking at my mother in a hosital bed but I am so gratful to be present without worry.
Allow my story to be a reminder of just how important it is to define and walk in your defination of abundance because chasing someone’s else’s version will leave you depleated, believe me.
Welp, I never know how to end these so I’ll end with bye bye for now.
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