Week 5 and spring has sprung in Maria Dodds’ writer’s life:

“Spring has arrived here in the north east of England.  It’s sunny with a mild breeze.  People are smiling again and some daring to wear shades (okay that’ll be me then).  Our thick winter attire has been replaced with newly washed fleeces and t-shirts.  Long may it continue!

My Artist’s date this week was a visit to my T’ai chi class.  There was the promise of connection, laughter and life force to be had to I drove myself there on Tuesday evening and basked in the simplicity of it all.  My favourite exercise is pheonix rising.  We’ve all had those pheonix rising times in our lives.  Times when we know we can’t stay ‘down there’ and we gradually nudge our way back; rising to the person we were meant to be; whole and authentic.

My morning pages have been important this week.  Like many other people sharing their journals I’ve been letting go of what the wonderful Martha Beck defines ‘soul shrapnel’.  I guess it’s the equivilent of dusting and hoovering the home.  Only morning pages deal with the home of the soul.
Julia Camerson’s words continue to inspire me.  I love expression’s like ‘low self-worth shirt’ and crazy-makers.  These are new to my vocabulary and very significant.

Yesterday was a good writing day for me.  I’ve stopped counting words and started observing the way I feel instead.  Is this writing good quality stuff?  Can I do better?  Maybe it’s okay for now and I can come and enhance it soon.  My inner sat-nav always lets me know what my best soloution is.  Enjoying the process is what is of most importance.  Enjoyment, fulfillment and flow are my writing aims.  A bit like pheonix rising they are effortless and feel just great!”