It's about 12:29PM on Friday afternoon. I'm clad in last nights "wife beater", for lack of better term, grey flat front Banana Republic khakis and my red Crocs, which my feet and I have recently fell in love with. I'm having lunch consisting of brown rice with roasted pecans, sauteed spinach with garlic and roasted lemon pepper chicken breast (yes, I cooked it myself!). I'm sitting in my bedroom at my desk. As I started this, there was a song coming through my computer speakers via Rhapsody. I wanted to give the name of it but it went off before I was able to. The MC on the song was spitting lyrics about the dichotomy of human nature. "Sometimes I hate myself, sometimes I love myself..." was a line in the chorus. As I sat and listened, I thought how true that is. As humans, we can often be our best and worst critic all in the same thought. As artist, I think we take that to the next level. We are constantly fighting that battle between self doubt and confidence or, as Common submitted, "...I fight with myself in the rink of doubt and fear, the rain ain't gone but I can still see clear." So true Brother Common.
Currently, I'm rereading a book that I strongly recommend to any artist, blocked and unblocked. I say blocked and unblocked because believe it or not we all will be blocked for a season, just as we will be unblocked for a season. The name of the book is "The Artist's Way" by Julie Cameron. I won't give away everything in the book but the jist of it is based on reconnecting with The Greatest Creator, God, to reunite, or introduce you to the creator in you. One of the things that she suggests is giving yourself positive, creative affirmations. These are things that we can tell ourselves to untangle and get rid of all the bad wiring that's inside of us that prevents us from getting to our highest level of creativity. Now, I don't suggest that you walk around all day just bucking yourself up, as we say in New Orleans. Along with positive affirmations is a responsibility on your part to do the work that is required to fufill these manifestations in your life...for, faith without works is dead.
I took the liberty of copying 20 examples of positive creative affirmations from the book (for educational purposes only). I suggest you read them, print them out and make them apart of your daily routine. Be sure and pass this on to all of your friends, artists and non artists alike. If this has been helpful to you, like I pray that it is, be sure to leave a comment.
Thanks,
Thaddeus "Fabulous" Ford, II
Creative Affirmations
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.