Drawing from the Well

"In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well stocked fish pond... If we don't give some attention to upkeep, our well is apt to become depleted, stagnant, or blocked... As artists, we must learn to be self nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them - to restock the trout pond, so to speak." Julia Cameron, Author of the Artists Way.

A few weeks ago I wrote a column called, “Do Be, Do Be, Do” implying we had a choice every minute to recognize whether we were in a state of being or doing. As human beings there is no need to choose one or the other- our life is the merging of both. We have human form to learn how to manifest by doing. We have spiritual form to become aware of our being. Our life is the sometimes seamless combination and interplay of doing and being. With the pace most of us women set for ourselves, it’s easy to get caught in doing and forget that we are spiritual beings. We can lose our balance and feel overwhelmed and lost. However, when we walk with our spiritual selves we can be easily inspired to create, for we are drawing from the deepest well.

For me, Julia Cameron’s words speak to my daily life. I believe the well is bottomless, and so is my creativity. In the interplay of the “do, be do” I can always find a solution to problems or issues if I choose to refocus my day. I can sit quietly and observe my state of being and in that moment I may receive some insight. With that insight I can then choose to act on the insight. I love the dance of both in my life. When I choose what to do based on my inner being, I experience harmony.  When I hit a block in my daily life, or in the flow of my creative process, it’s a message that my creative well is blocked. Whether its writers block, or simply a lack of focus, I need to pay attention to the signals that my body needs a "replenishing break".

In this dance of doing and being I am learning to trust that I will accomplish what I am here to do/be. When I trust the dance I feel great relief. However, when I think that I know the best way or when something is “supposed to happen” I lose my place in the dance and fear takes over. Fear thrusts me into the do, do, do and completely away from being. I am learning there is a “right timing” for everything, and that there is always ample time to accomplish my mission. I am beginning to learn how to relax and dance with life. I find that truly amazing.

This week’s exercise is to measure your creative well and replenish it, if necessary. What does your well feel like? Can you feel it in your body? What color is your well, what does the water feel like? Describe the sensation and then write about it. You can check on the depth of your well in any moment by taking some deep breaths and connect back in to yourself. Sit and breathe for a few minutes and simply take a moment to be. Or you can go for a walk, play with your pet, or work with your garden. Your passion is the gauge for your well. What does the state of your well tell you, do you need to take more time for yourself? When you are plumbing the well, you can inspire yourself and then your life will be inspired also! Can you hear it now, the gentle hymn/song of "do be do be do..."

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