One of the exercises in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron is your imaginary lives. At the end of Chapter 1, she suggests you come up with 5 imaginary lives and start implementing pieces into your real life. At the end of Chapter 2, she says add 5 more.
Here are mine:
Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Spirit Dancer
Warning: Somewhat personal, somewhat sappy blog post today.
This is part of the Fly Girl's Blog Circle every 3rd Thursday of the month.
This month our theme is Love.
Let me tell you as much as I now love love...this was super hard for me.
'Cause for me with love comes heartbreak...ouch.
I was never the cutesy girl drawing hearts and falling head over heels in love. I pretty much hated all things hearts. I'd wear black on Valentine's Day and if anyone said, "Happy Valentine's Day" to me, I would respond, "What's so fuckin' happy about it?"
I've always been independent. I've always loved being alone. I absolutely love being single. Plus I've had my share of heartbreak.
In 2002 I decided to start working on my heart chakra. I filled my apartment with rose quartz crystals and love goddess statues. I attended a heart chakra class and I was the only one there! Talk about NEEDING some help. That class was just for me. From that class I was introduced to Louise Hay's fabulous book, "You Can Heal Your Life".
Now I wasn't all opposed to love just to let you know. I had my share of love...love for my family... love for my friends...love for hobbies... love for movies....for life...for myself.
I just didn't think anyone was worthy of romantic love from me. All relationships end somehow. Why put myself through all that shit? The more you love someone, the more it hurts when they are gone.
I was perfectly happy alone. I found I enjoyed having a "friend with benefits" rather than a boyfriend. So much easier.
I did continue working on my heart. I continued healing. But I was never truly serious about anyone.
I made a list of all of the traits I would want my imaginary significant other to be like. Kind of like in "Practical Magic". If I make this person up, they probably don't exist, therefore I will never fall in love and never get hurt.
With my list and my heart healing I did feel I was ready if I ever found that imaginary person. They had to be absolutely wonderful for me to even consider a relationship.
I moved to Asheville on May 1, 2009 completely by myself. After months of being here, I was so ready to find a new "friend with benefits".
On December 1, 2009 I went out downtown with my friend to an AIDS benefit. We were checking out a band she had heard about. I was sitting there sipping my beer when I noticed a dude across the room. My first thought was, "I'd do him."
He then came over to us! I was like ohhh....could he read my mind? He was manning the door that night and chatted us up most of the evening. He was an utter delight to speak with.
At that time my Friday night ritual was to take myself out after work...I usually went to Jack of the Wood and finished off at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge. I invited Chris out with me. To my surprise he showed up at Jack of the Wood as I was sitting there eating my burger, drinking my beer, and pen in my journal. He was wearing a tie and the biggest grin.
Through the course of the evening, I was discovering I really dig this guy. He will be a perfect "friend with benefits".
So let's just say I tried that...he wasn't having it. And I caved. I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. We fell in love.
It happened so fast.
And I kept waiting for that "OH NO" moment. The moment where I know this just won't work out. The moment I plan my grand exit. The moment where I know I don't want to be with him.
That moment still hasn't arrived. Over 3 years later he is still an incredible guy for me. He knows me better than I know myself.
Chris has opened me up to true love and I am completely happy with it. My heart chakra has never felt such utter joy. I sometimes ask him, "Who sent you?"
I think the gods and goddesses delivered me a present.
Are you familiar with Artist Trading Cards? They are the size of a regular playing card...2 1/2 by 3 1/2. You create art on one side, on the other side you place your information and then you swap with other artists.
So...this year...not only am I in "The Artist Way" book club, a mixed media class, and a blog circle...I'm also swapping ATCs with women all over the world. We normally do 2 a month...but when it's your birthday month...WHOA BABY... we send out birthday ATCs!
After reading Vickie Martin's blog, I decided I also wanted to put together a blog post with all of the ATCs I received my birthday month.
Here we go...get ready for some fab art the size of a baseball card!
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This lovely witch was created by Melissa Humphries from Lake Heights, New South Wales-Australia.
"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." ~Rumi
Okay, so this is not an actual ATC from my group.
Chris drew it and hid it in a book I was reading for me to find.
I think it's pretty freakin' cool and it's the same size as an ATC!
ATCs are fun to make and are super addicting. I feel they are challenging as well, because you are so limited in the amount of space you have to create.
I pulled this card back in May...and The Friends have shown up again this week in my Oracle choosing. I love these guys. *********************************
On top is Faery Nuff...the other one is Laochan.
Faery Nuff and Laochan are the best of friends and
are almost always together.
If you need support or a better understanding of true friendship, then call upon The Friends.
Watching: Been catching up with "Supernatural" and "The Vampire Diaries".
Thinking about: Getting out of town! Road trip!
Learning: ...about to learn tons more about life coaching.
Doing: Lots. Creating ATCs, playing in my art journal, making candles, mentally packing for my Nashville Life Coach trip this week.
Pet Peeves: People failing to communicate.
Happy Thoughts: Music, dreams being fulfilled, good coffee, cuddling, lazy Sunday mornings with Chris...
Best Quote: "I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker." ~Voltaire Who I Admire: Louise Hay. I've been a fan of hers since 2002 when I went to a heart chakra class and I was told to buy her book, "You Can Heal Your Life". She is the QUEEN of affirmations.
Looking forward to: Getting on the road Thursday and heading to Nashville, TN. I haven't really been out of town on my own since I moved to Asheville...almost 4 years ago. I love the feeling of cruising down the interstate alone with music blasting...it feels so free. When I return I will be a certified life coach. My name will be seen like this... Amy Riddle, C.C. This makes me grin. Thank you all for your continued support.