Roger and Me

This is a story of divine order. He hired me into Los Alamos, got me into some nuclear  physics experiments, which built my CV somewhat. I got some lab experience, but most of  all some experience in the so-called school of hard knocks (1987-1989). Something personal (or "divine") happened where I chose to have excessive allegiance to him.   I sought his moral approval, and did things that I thought would gain his OK. The entire  experience showed me that meaning and joy in life can never be obtained by trying to  win the approval of another person. Meaning and fulfillment is also not obtained by going in the opposite direction, by me  judging him negatively. Maybe Phase II (2001-2010) of our relationship was characterized  by that, as I found myself working with him again. It did not help him or me in any  worldly sense. It just provided me another necessary lesson. He is with me now every day. You probably assume this is some sort of spiritual metaphor.   But no, we both quit our jobs at Los Alamos and now work at Sandia, Albuquerque. Because of a shortage of office space, we are office mates now (neither one of us has shared an office  with anyone else in years). Phase III, which starts now, is non-judgement. I am not on  this planet to pass judgement on my brother Roger. I do not seek his approval either. In case anyone is wondering how this blog got on AW, you should know that essentially 100% of my morning pages have been about the telling of this story. Coming soon to a theatre near you :) Bill Sailor

No Class Dec 26th

We will not meet on the Sunday after Christmas. Our last 2 classes will be Jan. 2nd and 9th. Spread the word!

Lisa's Blogs

Hey everyone!

I thought I would post my blogs, too. If you have an interest, please stop on by!

http://sketchmyhome.blogspot.com/

http://lisalou-graceart.blogspot.com/

Lisa

simple sketches of hunter

john soos poem/prayer

To be of the Earth is to know
the restlessness of being a seed
the darkness of being planted
the struggle toward the light
the joy of bursting and bearing fruit
the loe of being food for someone
the scattering of your seeds
the decay of the seasons
the mystery of death
and the miracle of birth.

- John Soos, from Earth Prayers

Tom links :-)

hi all...

i got a good suggestion to post my websites :-)

this is my new photo website > www.tominelli-photoworks.com

I'm trying to figure out how to generate something of a livlihood from working with a camera and am not sure how to enter this world. Any thoughts/suggestions would be happily received! Currently I am working and open to working pro-bono projects for good causes :-) I like a good photo opp.

Here's my painting website >>> www.tominelli.com
I am slowly re-entering a painting practice by way of the blessing of this workshop. I've been off this practice a long time with much difficult stuff around it. The site is a little clunky and loads slow but I'd be happy if you took a look :-)

see you soon...

tom

Indexing

A couple of weeks I sat next to Danny and he showed me his new journal. I watched him prepare for class as he skipped three pages and began numbering the pages after that. I asked what he was doing and he said that he always includes an index at the beginning of his journals. I thought this was a great idea, especially for these next two weeks while we're reading the morning pages. Then you can easily find those great ideas that appear for a new painting, blog idea, knitting project, or whatever.

Thanks Danny!=

Jill

yo, altar boy!

Danny,

wow... what a great surprise!
So glad you posted the tunes. It's like havin' a little artist date :-)

thanks!

later...
tom

Danny's Music

Suggestion for an Artist's Date:
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_353600

Turn the lights down. Light a candle. Listen to Danny's music. You will be lifted by his gifts.

Thanks, Danny

Thanks for sharing your songs, Danny. I especially enjoyed Evergreen!

The Last Gifts

Check out our fellow Artist Way friend  http://www.jillianbrasch.com/ and her inspiring book "The Last Gifts". Don't miss checking out her blog http://www.jillianbrasch.com/blog/ that talks about our AW group and one of the inspiring activities suggested by Julia!

I bet Jill would bring some books and sign them, if you asked her :)

tribute to Hunter

During the course of this class- my soulmate dog, Hunter died of bone cancer. I would like to share this version of cold play's song "yellow" by Scala & Kolacny Brothers. He and i listened to this song a lot together in the last time together and as a human i feel connected to the words, i think he felt the tune : ) please enjoy this or humor me by sharing in this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWuqtNl0Bog

Labor Pains

Dear God of my being:
make this pain get bigger, faster, brighter.

Make me hurl out the things
you would have me let be.

Make my stomach churn, the pages turn, the fire burn
words form and blend, and send them out again.

Dear God there is nothing you cannot do, so
kill me kill me kill me - Kill all of me.
Kill the part of me that hates me
Free me, the rest of me -
the part of me that you would have me be.

Wrap me in a warm cloth
Keep me safe while I deliver the child
that you conceived in me.
My child cries.

The new child lets our his first screams.
Teach him new things to say;
new languages to speak.
Listen:  he says "hello" and "no."

Show me to say "namaste."
This new spirit punches the walls all around him.
Give me quiet, show me your peace.

Bless you, bless you, bless you dear child.
Welcome here, welcome to this world.

Week 8 homework

Hi all,
Because of the holiday, we had a smaller than usual group. You were missed! I thought I would post this week's assignments for your convenience. If I have missed anything, someone else please pipe in.

• Read chapter 8 and complete the tasks
• Make an autobiographical totem relating to your creativity. Julia emphasized this is NOT an art project!

Two books were recommended:

Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

Your Heart's Desire by Sonia Choquette

Hello AWers!
Julia mentioned two authors today, Shakti Gawain and Sonia Choquette. When I got home there was an announcement on my facebook about a podcast with Sonia. Don't you love that synchronicity?!

I thought you might be interested in listening to this interview with Sonia:
http://createchangenowradio.com/ I learned about it on carimurphy.com

My your week be filled with creativity and synchronicity!
Good thoughts,
Lisa

Popcorn Pages

Hello my fellow Artist Way-ers!

Thought I would share with you a creative idea for all that popcorn we get from each other in class. In my morning pages journal, I've decided to take the popcorn I get in class and paste them throughout my journal in the empty pages I haven't written on yet. I find many times as I come across these encouraging notes from all of you that it's just the affirmation I needed for that day. For example, last Sunday I got a beautiful list of my attributes from Lisa...so I took my scissors out and cut each word into a strip of paper then scattered them throughout the empty pages ahead. Imagine doing your morning writing then turning the page and finding the word "empathetic", or "gentle & brave" from someone who has insight into what you've shared. It's really a wonderful, fun and inspiring tool that I hope you will practise! Plus, it reminds me that my morning pages are a vital part of my Artist's Way...

Peace,
Danny

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks, Lisa, for setting up this blog.
I send all of you blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll miss class this coming Sunday as I'll be in Sedona doing lots of artist dates!

Dream Prayer

Ohh Dreams…show me the path of my heart

Let the grace of this day and tomorrow never part

Let gratitude be the faith that I need

Grace be the light

That.  I plead.

The Universe knows what tomorrow holds

May my faith be the strength that molds.

Fear lives not here

Only love brings the dreams

Only love brings the dreams that are near.

Prayer to the God I Like

Dear God,

Give me the wisdom to know that I am a channel,
that no one else is my judge other than you,
that nothing is my source except for you.
Give me the courage to be humble,
the strength to be fearless.
Let me be at peace when it is time to rest,
knowing that there will be another day
when I can do your work.
And when I am doing your work,
let it flow, let it flow, let it flow.

Bill Sailor