A Momentous Year – A Journey from the Inside Out

This weekend I will be celebrating and sharing.

I will be celebrating and sharing the stage with twelve other artists–a unique mix of writers, jewelers, vocal alchemists, visual artists, musicians, and a filmmaker–who have devoted this past year to creating their art.

I joined this artists’ immersion program, called Momentum, twelve months ago in the hopes of igniting my creative passion as a writer and stretching the edges of who I know myself to be. I have not been disappointed. One year is finished and each artist has emerged with a colorful palette of accomplishments–both in the creative outer realms and in the inner ones as well.

My project for the year has been the creation of this blog and the finishing of my book, both called Brave and Awake. I am happy to announce that Brave and Awake, the book, is in the publishing phases and will be available to all in a short couple of months!

That is amazing to me.

Because one year ago, I was having heart palpitations just at the thought about calling myself a writer and breaking out in sweats about going live with a simple blog in front of family, friends and strangers.

While I feel excited and very grateful about the outer manifestations propelled by my year immersed in art, what I realize is that none of these outward manifestations would have been possible with out some inner transformations that occurred along the way.

Let me tell you what I mean.

The Inward Journey to Outer Manifestations
Outer manifestations, I have learned, don’t just happen. Outer manifestations of anything are usually the result of what happens beneath the hidden surface. In my case during this artists’ immersion program, the creation and publishing of my book and blog have been the direct result of inner work and explorations of places, sometimes deep and shadowy. The inner transformations that occurred within me have allowed the outward manifestations to emerge.

During the past year, with twelve other artists at my side, and with two dedicated facilitators mentoring us individually and as a whole, I found myself exploring my inner terrain.

Explore your dreams and fears; have the courage to share them with others
When I stepped into my first Momentum playshop, I wondered if they would boot me right out the door. An artist–me? Who was I to call myself an artist?
I unearthed my dreams and my fears and shared them with the other artist explorers who were strangers to me when we began. These individuals witnessed me in my inner evolution in who I was, and who I was becoming. Their unconditional support became healing and transformative for me.
Here I stand today, calling myself a Writer.

Investigate your purpose
When I first tried on the name of my project, Brave and Awake, I shuddered to think of the many moments that I have felt neither brave nor awake.
I examined my doubts, felt them through, honored and accepted them. Some, I even let go when I was good and ready. I allowed myself to trust in what makes my heart sing. I allowed myself to follow what I care about and what inspires me.
Here I stand today, announcing that being brave and awake is my personal intent and mission.

Decide to commit to yourself
When I declared I wanted to finish my book and create a blog, I was daunted by the seeming enormity of this task.
I decided to take a stand for myself and commit to the goals that felt right, on a weekly basis. Many of those goals kept me focused and moving forward. With a set writing practice in place, I became a better writer. I also gave myself permission to change those goals when they were no longer serving me and create new ones.
Here I stand today, a year later, having posted my blogs and finished my book.

Practice trusting in your worthiness
When I created my blog and decided to go live on facebook, my ego said, “You will embarrass yourself.”
With the help of my mentors and artist friends, I found that I had untapped inner strength and trust in my own creative abilities and unique expression. I looked to the individual journeys of my fellow artists and marveled at each remarkable path being carved and sculpted.
Here I stand today, trusting and allowing the intuitive pulse of my inner artist to guide me. I tune out my ego, and write about the things that mean the most to me.

Explore your inner landscapes, so that you may create your dreams
When I was ten years old I knew that I wanted to write a book. And it seemed like a beautiful and faraway dream.
I understand now that traveling the inner realm is a direct route to outer manifestations.
Here I stand today, ready to unveil my labor of love, the dream a tangible reality.

For me this year in Momentum has been a year of exploration, self-discovery and transformation. It has helped me to grow, evolve and live my own authentic personal story. What a gift! Yes, I will be celebrating this weekend.

Wishing us all the courage to travel inward, in the spirit of exploration and discovery as we create our own purpose and the perfect means to our singular personal expression!