Creative Affirmations

I recently started reading "The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron. It is a course in how to access greater creativity. I haven't completed reading the book yet so I haven't formed an opinion but there are aspects I do like. It is geared towards creative types such as artists, there are many suggestions that I think would work for all. Everyone is creative time and again afterall. One recommendation in early in the book is to review and use Creative Affirmations everyday. Now, I admit, when I first read this I had a flashback to the old SNL skit of "Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley". I chuckled at the idea of me giving myself kudos in front of a mirror every morning. Needless to say, I don't. I enjoy watching Stuart Smalley but I don't want to become him. All this seemed to be a little bit too much for me. But I decided since it was at the beginning of the book and not the end, I should give it a try. The other exercises to come may be just as, if not more, uncomfortable.

Now, I just read the affirmations silently to myself. I know of some people who prefer to write them down or speak them out loud. I don't think it makes a difference. The point is to focus on them often. Positive energy is positive energy. Keep it simple, find what works for you.

I did laugh and felt incredibly uncomfortable and, do I dare say it, I felt stupid doing this. I felt like I was Stuart Smalley. Julia Cameron warned in her book that this most likely happen (not the Stuart Smalley part, just feeling uncomfortable). It did! I felt very uncomfortable. Not only did I feel like a fool doing this, I wonder how this would help and where the nearest tree I should hug was. As I read each affirmation, I noticed some impacted me differently. Some made my uncomfortable, others made me laugh, others gave me a warm feeling inside. I noticed that those affirmations that made me uncomfortable somehow were triggering my own insecurities. Take notice of the ones that you don't like saying (or reading). I found that is where I got the biggest bang for the buck. Those affirmations hit me in spots I didn't want to be hit, but need to. Those were the spots for the most growth. Pay attention to that. Growth is good, avoidance is not.

The Creative Affirmations weren't for me, or at least I thought. I continued doing them. Not everyday but once in a while. What I noticed that on the days I reflected (I like that term much better) on the affirmations, things went better that day. I was in a good mood. I had more energy. I not only enjoyed working on my art, I was eager to do so. It showed in my work as well. My interactions with people were even better.

I am still struggling to reflect on the affirmations daily but it gives me a goal to shoot for. I still find some of them funny, and some of them uncomfortable (those I tend to read twice). And I still feel silly at times wondering if the ghost of Stuart Smalley has entered my body. But I'm going to continue with these, at least for a while, to see how these may impact my creative life and my life in general.

My advice on these are:
1) They are for everyone, not just artists.
2) Reflect on them as often as you can.
3) Go ahead, feel silly. No one is watching.
4) Pay attention to how you feel on each one.

Below is the "starter list" from Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity." Pick and choose a few or make up a few of your own. If you do find some new ones that work for you, please send them to me. I'd like to add them to my list.

Creative Affirmations by Julia Cameron
1. I am a channel for God's creativity, and my work comes to good.
2. My dreams come from God and God has the power to accomplish them.
3. As I create and listen, I will be led.
4. Creativity is the creator's will for me.
5. My creativity heals myself and others.
6. I am allowed to nurture my artist.
7. Through the use of a few simple tools, my creativity will flourish.
8. Through the use of my creativity, I serve God.
9. My creativity always leads me to truth and love.
10. My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
11. There is a divine plan of goodness for me.
12. There is a divine plan of goodness for my work.
13. As I listen to the creator within, I am led.
14. As I listen to my creativity I am led to my creator.
15. I am willing to create.
16. I am willing to learn to let myself create.
17. I am willing to let God create through me.
18. I am willing to be of service through my creativity.
19. I am willing to experience my creative energy.
20. I am willing to use my creative talents.