Tag Archives: Julia Cameron

“Look at that horse. Look at that horse. Look at that horse.”

I gave my first listen of “Sweet Honey Buckin” from Cowboy Carter while walking by myself today. I had to stop myself from screaming the lyrics as not to offend those nearby. I may not have been blessed with pipes but God knows he gave me the joy and the urge to express when a song hits just right. And this one does!

I saved my back to back to back listens for this evening after my weekly creative cluster meeting where we discuss “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. We were making zines and maybe just knowing the sonic trance I was about to be under spurred me to make one called where to find joy.

During my listens, I was reminded how hypnotic the song is from the romantic swell of the Patsy Cline “I fall to pieces” tribute to the sexy, raw Honey middle to the defiantly confident Buckin ending. I probably have confused my husband more times than he can count by roaming around the house demanding “Look at that horse. Look at that horse. Look at that horse “

And I love it.

Music should stay with us, claim a piece of our consciousness as we fall in like and then perhaps, in love with it. Paying closer attention to the lyrics today allowed me to also realize she is calling out the industry singing about promises they can’t keep, referring to hissing snakes and shrugging off her Album of the Year snub by not “stunnin them” and going back to “fuck up the pen.”

She certainly did with her pen and her production. It was a call to action to do the same. Honor your roots, keep defying genre if you choose and carry that confidence everywhere with you.

The Artist’s Way

For years, friends have been telling me to read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. And every time, I said I would check it out.

A couple of weeks ago, a lovely co-worker advised me to read it and I suddenly knew I had to order it. I had one of those moments where I was tired of saying to myself: ” I really should do it one day.”

I started reading it the other day and it shows promise. I can’t wait to see how inspired I will be after the 12-week program is over. I know it will extend beyond inspiration because my understanding is that plenty of action will be taken to cultivate consistent creative work, from stream of consciousness journaling to solo outings.

Next Thursday, I will post an update on how my first official week went. My hope is I will start to see small changes that will encourage habits I will keep for years to come.