They say nothing is written in stone, but I beg to differ. Last week I dug out some journals dating back 15 years. I was searching for inspiration, and to remember how magic happened to me.
Back then, after reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, I had taken up the habit of writing what she calls Morning Pages. In a period of four years, my life went through two major transitions and I wrote my way through both of them.
The Morning Pages asks a person to commit to writing three pages every morning. If you don’t know what to write about, write about that. I found one page in my journal where I had filled half a page by writing “I don’t know what to write”, over and over. After reviewing these Morning Pages, I realized how my goals eventually became a reality.
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July 7, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Urban Panther
I have always subscribed to the belief that what you put out you will get back. This is a double edged sword, of course, because you have to be very clear on what you put out! I guess my most recent experience is meeting the Urbane Lion. My second long term relationship had come to an end and I was taking time for myself, for the first time in my life. I did some dating, but after a number of months of this I got tired of all the small talk, and filtering that has to take place. Finally, I woke up one morning and said to myself “Self, I am perfectly happy being single. I don’t need a man in my life. So, I am just going to be single until the following man comes along…” and I wrote a very detailed list on what qualities the man must have. Two weeks later, in walks the Lion with all my listed qualities. And the truly magical part is that one month prior to meeting me, the Lion had written a detailed list for himself. Apparently I match all his criteria, including his bonus criteria. *smile*
July 7, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Dr.Cason
I love to write in the morning. It’s 5:01 am here in Guam. I’m up visiting blogs and preparing for my day.
I’ve committed to writing every day and so far it really works well just to see where my creativity will take me. I only post things that are interesting or relevant to me and I don’t worry whether it would be interesting to relevant to anyone else. But soon I may be filling up the post with “I don’t know what to write”, over and over.
July 7, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Cath Lawson
Hi Davina – What an amazing story. I haven’t done morning pages in a while. A lot of the time I would do them when I was feeling down – it was a way to vent and clear my head. Other times I would come up with more positive stuff and ideas, but I tended to mostly do them when I was feeling bad.
But this post has shown that you can actually use morning pages in a really positive way. I’m going to start doing them tomorrow. I really am leaning towards moving to Vancouver too, if I can get in – so who knows.
July 8, 2008 at 12:37 am
Robin
Hi there Davina – that’s interesting – now and then I stumble across old journals I wrote 10 – 20 years ago about what I wanted and so on, and it’s quite interesting to see how things have worked out! Cheers.
July 8, 2008 at 1:11 am
davinahaisell
Urban Panther, I loved reading your story. Very neat how both of you had written a list describing their ideal partner. Guess great minds really do think alike!
Dr. Cason, it is a neat experience to see where Creativity can take you. It is an entity all it’s own isn’t it?
Cath, the Morning Pages have been a confidant to me during many times of transitions. If you decide to land in Vancouver, we’ll have to have tea
Robin, it sure is interesting to visit past journals! Helps to appreciate how far you have come and how it all really is just a journey.
July 8, 2008 at 2:32 am
Marelisa
Hi Davina: I read “The Artist’s Way” a while back, I loved it. I also wrote morning pages for some time and then stopped. I think I should probably start again since journaling is one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself. Your story is really interesting, although you sound like the kind of person who acts and takes risks, and that also helps
July 8, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Lance
Powerful stuff Davina! I think sometimes we just have to get the thoughts that are running (or lurking) in our brains and hearts out. What a great way to do this! And something I’ve never done. I will commit to trying it out. Thank you!
July 8, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hyrcan
I should totally restart that. I initially started due to a summer class I had. It stuck for a while. Though, I’m not sure if there was anything worthwhile at first. I did find eventually I wrote about things from the amazing history class I took as well.
While I don’t write pages everyday one thing I have kept up with is writing in a journal. Hmm… that sounds the same… but it really isn’t. More like a cross between Mike Rohde’s SXSW Journal and the Moleskine at the Detour Exhibition. Only um… not as good and much more chaotic.
My very close friend, we’re like siblings, once saw a page from my journal and remarked, “I wonder what it was like inside your head, it must be very strange… and fun!”
Heh. Maybe I’ll do up a video like the Detour Exhibition ones…
July 8, 2008 at 5:35 pm
davinahaisell
Marelisa, yes journalling sure is a great way to connect with yourself. And so is taking risks
Lance, give it a try… and keep me “posted”… no pun intended!
Hyrcan, do you agree with your friend? Ha, ha.
July 9, 2008 at 3:39 am
Linda Abbit
Davina,
I’d never heard of this book, but I just read about it at Amazon. com and it is on my “To Be Read” list.
I always thought of my husband (his first career in advertising on the creative side and now a comedy entertainer) as the creative one in our family, and I don’t think I’ve ever realized I was a writer at heart — until just now!
Of course a blogger is a writer. DUH!!!! Just never called myself that! I am a writer — WOW! Thanks for opening my eyes to a new part of Me.
July 9, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Hyrcan
@davinahaisell: Heh, yeah… it is pretty strange in here.
July 9, 2008 at 11:29 pm
davinahaisell
Linda, you are welcome! Hope you enjoy the book.
Hyrcan, I thought so!
July 10, 2008 at 3:29 am
Barbara Swafford
Hi Davina,
I’ve never heard of morning pages, but I do believe we can write ourselves out of tough situations. Often when we pen our thoughts, it gives us mental clarity. There’s a lot of power in the written word, isn’t there?
July 10, 2008 at 5:02 am
davinahaisell
Hi Barbara.
Yes, yes, yes! I totally agree about the power of the written word. After all, where would we bloggers be without it
July 12, 2008 at 1:32 am
Monika Mundell
Hi Davina,
What a lovely story. It’s amazing how you felt the magic in regards to Vancouver. ( I love that city BTW). I had the same experience with Australia. In some ways it was very spiritual and I always felt I’m here for a particular reason which I have yet to find out.
There is a magic in this country’s nature and I strongly believe that is why I’m here. Thanks for this inspiration. It’s great to see it happens to others too.
July 12, 2008 at 2:16 am
davinahaisell
Hi Monika.
Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog. I just checked out yours and I will definitely return to catch up on what I’ve been missing
July 15, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Chase March
I too have recently read my past journals. The interesting thing to me is that I barely recognize the old me. I almost laugh at some of those old entries.
I have grown and developed in so many different ways that it seems like I am a different person now. I never thought that would happen when I first started writing.
Maybe I woudln’t recognize how much I’ve changed without those journals. Who know? All I know is that they are fun to write, they help me through some things, and they are fun to read as a record of the past. That’s why I keep them up.
July 16, 2008 at 5:31 am
davinahaisell
Hi Chase.
Yes, they sure are a fun record of the past. I had some good laughs too!
I don’t know about you, but what I read from over 10 years ago seemed just like yesterday.
July 21, 2008 at 1:33 am
Rebecca
I have a friend who is working through The Artist’s Way now. She’s finding it helpful, and I’m glad to hear you have, too.
July 21, 2008 at 1:43 am
davinahaisell
Hi Rebecca. I hope your friend enjoys her journey.
August 16, 2008 at 3:57 am
Glenn
Hi Davina,
I have been reading your blogs and I find them very interesting. I think I have a different view and sense of things…but anyway your blog about “Morning Pages” reminded me of a blog a friend of mine wrote…I mentioned her to you the other night…here is a link…I hope it works…
Glenn
http://wynnbexton.blogspot.com/2008/04/importance-of-keeping-jounals-notes.html
August 16, 2008 at 5:20 am
davinahaisell
Hi Glenn. Glad you checked out my blog. I’d be interested to hear your different perspectives. Thanks for sharing the link. Her blog looks interesting.