Morning Pages

In Julia Cameron’s seminal book, “The Artist’s Way”, she suggests some basic tools for creativity that are non-negotiable, one of which is the Morning Pages. Morning Pages are three pages of long-hand writing that could, as she states “… They could more ingloriously be called brain drain, since that is one of their main functions.” It is not necessary to be a writer to write Morning Pages. The point is not “to write”, the point is to empty your brain. If you have nothing to write then write: “I have nothing to write”- for three pages, but write.

I have been writing three pages in the morning on and off, (more on, than off) since roughly 1995 and I have learned a few things along the way. First, Julia is right, they are brain drain. They drain my brain of all the petty, ridiculous clutter that gets in the way of my effectiveness. I am more focused and balanced when I write them than when I don’t. For me, Morning Pages are more than a tool for creativity; They have become an important tool for life in general.

The single best thing about the pages is that they keep me moving forward. I cannot moan and complain on paper for too long before I get sick of myself. Whether it is a person in my life I need to deal with or a task I have been avoiding, the pages will force me into action. Conversely, it points the way to all the things in my life that I like and the goals I want to pursue. My recent foray into stand-up comedy is a result of working with Morning Pages. That is the very first place I admitted I wanted to try it.

My challenge to you: for 1 month, write three pages. Do not read them, just write them and put them away; someplace where others won’t be tempted to read them. After one month, read them and observe any changes. I know there will be some. Then write to me and let me know what you learned.

Stand-Up Boot Camp

As I roll along my creative journey new pursuits come to the surface. I do my best to be responsive to them so when the idea of stand-up comedy came to the fore I thought ok. I’ll try it. I mentioned to my friends that I thought that was the next direction I was being nudged to head. Here is how it unfolded.

Me to my friends: “Wouldn’t it be fun to try stand-up comedy? To get up and see if you could make people laugh?

My friends: Ummm, NO!

Me: I think it would be a blast. Where do you go for that? Is there a stand-up school or something?

Fast forward to 2 months ago. I am in Hawaii watching a local morning show on TV and a comedian named Kyle Cease is on the show, he is just talking and laughing having a good time and then the host says “That’s all the time we have” which causes Kyle to spit out at the last second before the commercial break “check out our website Standupbootcamp.com”.

Really, there actually is a school for stand up! I know, it shocked me too! I thought the school was in Hawaii but when I went to the website I found out it travels to different places around the U.S. and the next camp they were hosting was going to be about 90 minutes from my house. Weird right?

As you might have guessed, I signed up and took the camp. It was so much more than what I expected. The instructors, Kyle Cease and Louie Anderson were amazing! The experience was great and the other comedians were so supportive of a neophyte like me.

If you have a chance to attend Stand-Up Boot Camp, DO IT!

I Double Dog Dare Ya

Go ahead and act childish. That's what I say, at least as it relates to your creativity. What did you love to do when you were a child: Bike ride, water ski, paint, sew, build forts, student council, experiments? What was your thing (or things)? Mine? I loved racing motorcross, playing softball, sewing, gardening, ice skating, downhill skiing, basketball, writing, running, dancing, water skiing and playing trumpet, just to name a few. I was passionate about all of them and more. Today, I still enjoy them.

My creativity is closely linked to how much I am willing to be childlike, creatively. I ask myself this question: Is there anything from my childhood that I used to like to do that I can reincorporate into my life now? Many of us leave our creativity behind because it's seems childish. We tell ourselves things like "I don't have time for that I'm an adult" or "I have responsibilites". Sound familiar? To be clear, I am not asking you to give up your responsibilites. I am only asking you to find 15 minutes to an hour once a week to play.

I have a dare for you! Pick one thing you LOVED as a child and do it this week. Make it something you no longer do and try it, just for fun. I would be amanzed if you could do it with the abandon of a child and not end up feeling enthusiastic and happy (even if only while in the act of doing it).

I double dog dare you to do two things! (If you are like me, you can't refuse a dare and that is why I am throwing down the gauntlet). Do you want to know what mine was? When no one was home I put on my "100% Funk" cd (yes I said cd) and danced all around the house to "Brick House" and "Play That Funky Music". Songs I remember hearing and loving as a kid. I got so inspired I have them on now as I write this.

This week, once again, I am accepting my own double dog dare to be childish and plan to go skipping down my road (who cares what the neighbors think!). And you? I dare ya!