Friday, March 6, 2009

Secret #9: Transcending Rejection and Roadblocks

I'm so glad we spent the last 2 weeks looking at our guides and alliances before heading into rejection and roadblock territory. One message seems clear in the blogosphere - the tough stuff is easier when you know you're not alone.

And I want to acknowledge those of you who have been feeling alone. Thank you for showing up and being here even when it's been tough. Thank you for your vulnerability and your courage. Know that whether you have 50 people visit your blog or 5 or none, you are not alone. Your energy is a part of this group. Sometimes things as simple as not posting a direct link can impact whether people find your post. So keep knocking on doors until the right ones open and in between knocks, be gentle with precious you.

And for everyone, as we journey through the last leg of this particular adventure, here's what I'd love each and every one of you to do:


Create!


Let's remember why this creativity stuff is important in the first place. Over the remaining 3 weeks, spend time doing your art or exploring a new one or creatively playing. This week, as we talk about roadblocks and rejection, let's plug into the juice of what brings us alive and makes it worthwhile to get to the other side!

Dance with abandon. Write a poem. Scribble. Play your music and sing along - loud. Buy a colouring book. Get some Playdoh. Go on a photo adventure. Read a sonnet out loud to your honey. Make up a recipe. Call that ally you posted about and make a playdate. Write the first sentence. Play the piano - badly. Bead a necklace to celebrate the season. Scrapbook this moment. Make a card and send it to a new friend. Create the most beautiful day you ever had.

Let's fill March with creative joy and finish The Next Chapter off with delight.

15 comments:

Genie Sea said...

Weee! The Celebrations sounds marvelous! I'm so in! :)

Anonymous said...

So so good to know we are not alone - I need to hear this every once in a while. Check out my recent post where I have been replenishing myself thanks to 12 Secrets
Cathy

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVED this chapter and I love Jen Lemen!!

Anonymous said...

This chapter really made me "remember" some things that can be easy to forget in the day to day, isolated existence of writing.

Ananda said...

Hi Creative Ladies. Jamie, the group call sounds lovely. Secret 9 brought me to a familiar place of surrender. I needed a reminder this week.

D said...

Very excited to hear what Jamie has up her sleeve next.....

barbe said...

rejection is never easy, but remembering that it's not personal is key.

I am reminded of the saying: "a pessimist is a person who sees obstacles in every opportunity, a optimist is someone who sees opportunities in every obstacle"

If we remember these 2 things, rejections are easier to deal with.

Kathryn Costa said...

There are many good lessons to be learned in this chapter. I'm so glad that I picked up this book and have participated. It has really made a difference in my creative life.

xoxo k

Kathryn Costa said...

Wow. Peppy Lady inspired a second post on my blog about this chapter.

Caroline said...

Jamie - I've been loving the art you use for each prompt - just thought I ought to mention it!

Rowena said...

This is an important chapter and is right where I am, now.

It's really interesting to see how little steps you think aren't that big or important end up being the turning point between obstacle and stepping stone.

LissaL said...

Another thought provoking lesson. Every week I lose a few more gremlins and gain more confidence. The last part is also where I am at as well.Can't wait to see what is revealed in my tribe this week

angella said...

why do we so fear to be who we are? for many of us, to create is in our blood: denying it goes against our very nature. rejecting that fact is one reason for self-created obstacles.

glad to have found this :)

angella

Fannie said...

Another excellent chapter. Stimulating and inspiring. Come visit.

Anonymous said...

just blogged

http://creativevoyage.co.uk/node/177
mary aka creative voyage