Yanik Giroux - Stage & Studio

Being an artist means a constant search within ourselves or at least a constant re-evaluation of who we are and what we do and this is where Julia comes to the rescue!

Julia Cameron is the author's name and I just love her! A few years ago, I discovered her master-piece "The Artist's Way", a 12-week very intense program into renewing your creativity and finding inspirations in all aspects of your life through a specific program of readings, writings and tasks to complete every week. The book was recommend by a teacher in College and I have actually completed this very powerful and life changing 12-week program a few times over the past 12 years. I have also gotten many of her books which are all very inspiring.

But it had been a while and I guess synchronicty played its game once again! I was at Chapters tonight, when I decided to take a look at the self-help section and came across Cameron's new book: "The Prosperous Heart-Creating a life of "enough"" While her first book "The Artist's Way" dealt with finding a path to higher creativity,  "The Prosperous Heart" deals with something many of us may have problems with...money! I glanced over a few pages and the book spoke to me right away. Once again Julia, you did it!

So, I got all excited, bought the book and of course, equipped myself with a brand new thick journal ready for my "Morning Pages" starting tomorrow morning... Not only does every week have a set of readings around a specific theme or issue to think about, the process involves heavy writing every morning. Three pages to write first thing in the morning, no exception! It allows you to put all your thoughts on paper, good or bad, and start the day fresh. Inspired or not, the writing must go, no matter what comes out... eventually something worth it will appear on the page! Then my week will also be filled with the recommended "Artist's Dates" and other task at hands.

While this process is challenging, it is most rewarding. Some weeks are good, some not so good; her writing has this magic touch where she can push our buttons, send us to visit places we sometimes don't wanna go to, or to think about things we sometimes prefer not to think about. But for having done "The Artist's Way" a few times now, I strongly recommend the book to anybody wanting to take some time for themselves and re-evaluating what is this all about! Artist or not, anybody deserves that time. There are a lot of mumbo-jumbo self-help books out there, but this one is THE one that should be considered for anybody wanting to explore their creativity and to explore their relationship with money as I am just about to do.

So... I better go to bed, because I now have to wake up 30-minutes early... for the next 12 weeks! yikes...