#30: Do you enjoy this?

The end of the Artist's Way

My 12 week journey with The Artist's Way has ended and it's now time to create a new Gumption experience with you! See poll below.

After last week's mini-meltdown I feel quite fantastic at the end of this 3 month journey of the Artist's Way.

I have survived myself.

I definitely have mixed feelings towards the author and her authoritarian questioning and exercises.

That being said , this course really opened up my creative world view and mental model, so thank you Julia Cameron. I have:

• Completed my book of poems

• Went to 5 Open Mics

• Went on a bunch of crazy adventures.

• Attracted poets and writers to my world.

This week finds me in Malta and earlier in Vegas for digital health conferences. All I really want to talk about is the Gumpcast and my writing.

I love being on the road.

I met some cool people who have joined the Gumpnation and I'll introduce them in due time!

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Sunday Gratitude 🙏

Special kudos to the new subscriber Dr. Kim Lucas who is also the only one interacting with me on Substack Chat. (download the subatack app to try it out with us).

Welcome Kim!

She is a physician, a coach and an incredibly curious and artistic soul.

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The Artist's Way - Week 12

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Morning Pages ☑️

I'm back to doing it after a 5 day break. It's become so engrained in my day to day that it's harder not to do it than to do it.

Artist's Date ☑️

I decided to talk to a stranger on the bus in San Francisco and he turned out to be a producer of a show that uses augmented reality and performance art together for an immersive theater experience.

Where is that? I asked.

Vegas. He said.

I'm going there tomorrow.

Coincidence? Maybe.

I went to his show the next day and it was all about connecting with the inner child to create and let go of past wounds. So maybe not so much of a coincidence.

Nice one, God. Very nice work.

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Craft Updates ☑️

• I've formatted my book of poems for publishers. Still not enough balls to submit it. They will grow in time. Maybe another week.

• Went back to the Novel this week! It feels very good to have been away from it and back after this extended poetry deep dive. I have new skills!

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_______ by Rumi

 I said: what about my eyes?
He said: Keep them on the road.

I said: What about my passion?
He said: Keep it burning.

I said: What about my heart?
He said: Tell me what you hold inside it

I said: Pain and sorrow.
He said: Stay with it. The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
          

Rumi is a wild flower. Crazy how we don't learn his poetry in school, even for those of us growing up in Muslim countries.

See you next Sunday with the start of a new Gumption experience!

Omar