The Artist’s Way: Week Two (postscript)

I finished week two of TAW a couple of days ago. As I have already written about some of the experiences I had during the week here,I’ll keep this wrap-up short and sweet. What stands out for me in retrospect is the synchronicity that Cameron talks about, and the way that synchronicity is linking two important areas of my life: healing and creativity.

My decision to do TAW program itself arose out of a sort of synchronicity. My brother and his wife split up a year or two ago. Since they had always lived overseas, I didn’t know my sister-in-law very well, having only met her a few times. (Strangely, although we lived at opposite ends of the world, we had both chosen the same dishes for our wedding registries: the first synchronicity!) I always felt bad that I had never really gotten to know my sister-in-law, and worse that she and my brother got divorced. So at some point I sent her a little email message, and somehow we connected. I showed her some of my writing (on this blog) and she shared with me her dream of being a dancer and quitting her job to teach dancing. She recommended TAW. From one recovering creative person to another, with my brother as the unknowing hub.

Since starting TAW September 1st I have noticed several more explicit incidents of synchronicity. To begin with, as I was starting I found two other groups online who were starting Aug. 31st and Sept. 1st: here and here. I wasn’t looking for them at all, but literally just stumbled upon them. It’s great to be doing TAW as part of these communities, especially when I started out fully expecting to be on my own.

Last week for my artist’s date I went to get a massage. Since I was seeing a new massage therapist, I had to explain to her my history of chronic pain. We briefly discussed pain management techniques, and she asked me if I did a lot of reading on the subject (which I have). She then said that if she could recommend only one book, it would be . . . The Artist's Way. In fact, she even said it would cure me.

Now people have recommended many books to me over the years in connection with my back problems and chronic pain, but this is the first time that someone has recommended TAW in connection with physical healing. Which confirms my belief that burnout, fibromyalgia, and probably many other health issues are symptoms of spiritual crisis, and creativity is the path to healing. I know that sounds flaky, and would never have said something like that 2 years ago. Oh well, say hi to the new me!