Initiation Tool - Valuing
Our Experience. ‘The Right to Write’
I’ve been working steadily on creative
non-fiction pieces about my childhood and my family. The pages are piling up! I
thought it might be good, despite my current burst of inspiration, to still carry
on with some of the exercises from Julia Cameron’s beloved book, ‘The Right
to Write – An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life’. I’m still jotting
tons of notes down and writing but that doesn’t mean a wee exercise can’t help while
inspired, correct?
I finished reading the chapter ‘Valuing
Our Experience’ and was taken by the challenge of the proposed tool.
It is one that brings to light your personal value system. It requires you to
set aside an hour. Take yourself out of the house/office to a pleasant writing
environment – a café for example. Number a blank page from one to fifty. List fifty
things you are proud of – could be anything, big or small.
This is my list. I encourage you to also
give it a try. You don’t have to be working on something creative to take an
inventory of all the things you’re proud of doing in your life. It’s good for
you to look inward and acknowledge your personal successes and your best. I
dare you!
1.
Seeing
‘Sillyheart’ through. A page a day for a whole year produced my first
book.
2.
Utilizing
my sense of humour for good (although most would prefer I never pun again!).
3.
Eulogizing
my Father at his Celebration of Life. I think I would have done him proud.
4.
My
commitment to my glass always being half full instead of half empty.
Optimism!
5.
Forging
strong friendships with those I greatly admire. I love my small but mighty tribe.
6.
I
don’t mind saying I make a mean chicken curry. I’ve got supporters to back that
up!
7.
This
will sound ass backwards; I am proud of my messy self. Messy desk, spotless
mind.
8.
Managing
my grief after losing Dad and Kelly. All things considered; I’m doing just
fine.
9.
My
relationship with my family. We may not always agree, but I love them
exponentially.
10. Being able to write
about my memories with aplomb and love and a heap of good humour.
11. My even temper. I
admit, I’m a little crustier in my old age, but I seldom rage from ire.
12. I know my limits. I
think this is an important thing to know of yourself. And be proud of.
13. Card tag with Ru.
It is a long-standing tradition that garners so much joy. A favorite
thing.
14. Stepping up to
care for my aging parent. It is a challenge I accept and execute with love.
15. I’m a keep of
secrets. My lips are sealed. Confidences are not mine to share with others.
16. I am mindful of time
as well as another person’s time. I do not like to be tardy to the party.
17. Teaching all the
Littles how to ‘cheers’ and to ‘fist bump’ – aka aces Auntie
skills!
18. I don’t make promises
I can’t keep. Anymore. I’m learning the power of ‘no thank you’.
19. If someone allows
me to borrow something, I take extremely good care of it.
20. Training my cat to
enjoy being groomed. It took ages to get her used to being brushed.
21. Sounds silly but I
currently own three plants, all of which are still alive and thriving!
22. I try, most
times, to approach all things in life joyfully. Because it feels good to do
so.
23. I pride myself on
being friendly and approachable. I enjoy meeting and talking to people.
24. When I tackle
something new, I’ve taught myself to do it with confidence not
hesitancy.
25. I take responsibility for my actions, behavior,
mistakes and learn from them. Immediately.
26. I’m slowly learning
to have the courage to take more risks outside of my comfort zone.
27. I can totally ask
for help if I need it. I am not stubborn enough (yet) to ask for a hand.
28. Overcoming stage
fright! Huuuge hurtle for me. All thanks to a merry band of poets.
29. I don’t hold
grudges. Times most certainly can be tough, but forgiveness is a superpower.
30. I’m no slave to
trends. I like what I like, and I make no apologies for what brings me joy.
31. I am perfectly comfortable
with my own company. I enjoy my own company. I like me.
32. I am proud of my
roots. Where I came from. Our traditions and values which I uphold.
33. Where needed, I
will raise my voice against injustices and protest wrongs in our society.
34. I’ve been blessed
with the art of active listening. I can listen and not say a word if needed.
35. My work ethic is
strong. It is vital to me to do my best no matter the task at hand.
36. I wrote and
submitted a creative non-fiction piece to CBC about my Dad after he passed
away. It was a difficult mission, but it sated my heart and awarded my strength
at the time.
37. I believe in and
dispense random acts of kindness as often as I can. Paying it forward, whatever
it is, is a common practice for me. It’s good to give back.
38. I am good at going
with my gut instincts. It rarely steers me wrong.
39. I’ve been tempted
to give up on writing so many times, but I have the first two dollars I ever
made from writing framed on my desk. It is a symbol of perseverance that I
follow. It is in my constant eyesight as a reminder, if you build it, they
will come.
40. I make a point of
supporting local businesses, artists, musicians etc. There may come a time when
I need their support too!
41. I am a rigid recycler.
And I always do my best to be mindful of the environment. Alas, I am still unsure
how to not use hairspray.
42. It’s a long time
coming, as I enjoy spending money, but I’ve gotten super good at saving.
43. Overcame my fear
of heights by participating in the annual bridge walk. Scary but I did it! I
walked in the middle of the bridge on the way over and came back on the walkway.
Woo! I also got on a smaller scale Ferris wheel.
44. I can now drink
tea without sugar! Now, I work on the coffee. Always room for improvement!
45. My creative gifts.
I wouldn’t be doing this exercise without the desire to live a creative life. And,
the gifts I receive in return from creative pursuits are second to none.
46. Knowing that no
matter what, there is always room to grow even after a significant advancement.
47. I’m a Sag, but I’m
like a Gemini in that I know a little bit about a good many things. Knowledge
is power.
48. I pride myself on my
keen attention to detail but can openly admit I am not an editor.
49. I am thoroughly enjoying
the journey in learning how to honour my own needs.
50. Proud of myself or
finding fifty things to be proud of myself for! And valuing my experiences!
Phew! Now that
was a challenge! I can also tell you that it took longer than an hour. What
with the welcome distractions like the sunshine, day-dreaming, and the
interesting task of looking inward, and then reaching around to pat your own
back.
If you should look
at this exercise and think it is too narcissistic, fear not. Julia Cameron,
right in the book, that it isn’t any kind of self-involvement but rather the
act of paying active witness to ourselves and the world around us. And, an act
of dignity.
There’s a quote at
the end of this chapter, just before the instructions of the Initiation Tool
are laid out. It is as follows: “As we attune ourselves more and more
closely to the value of passing moments, we learn that we are something of
moment ourselves.”
This Initiation
Tool amazed me. I admit, with all the things I listed about myself that I’m
proud of, things and traits and moments, I wasn’t sure I’d hit fifty. But, to
my surprise …
Now, back to the
real work! Writing!
In propinquity,
Nic
