Who is your Crazy Maker? The Artist's Way - Week Two

[@SpottedJournal]

I love these indepth recaps Louise 🥳🥳🥳

[@louisecreatesart]

Thanks lovely! 💜💚

[@MrsBarnabas]

Hi, Louise! Thankyou for your open, honest evaluations of this book so far - you have no idea how much it helps! I'm not sure if I can explain, but I'll try. Why? I saw another video, just before yours came up on my home page, which left me curious enough to look it up. It's a bit pricey for me - but more than that. I'd need to buy the physical book, for several reasons, one being the amount of time that work keeps me in front of a screen. So when your last video came up, I was even more interested. Why is it so helpful? More to the point, _you_ are really helpful!!! A bit of background, not to try to 'convert' you, because I respect you - but to try and explain why you help me so much with this evaluation. I have had a strong, independant view of God since childhood. I love him, and know his love and help for me. In everyday parlance, the tag, "Christian' is the easiest choice, but I mean it in the terms as in the New Testament. Eg Jesus' commandments, which cover all the rest put together: "You shall love the Lord your God with all [of you]. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” That's Matthew 26, verse 36 - 40. Acts chapter 11 seems a good way to explain what I mean, too... You are a breath of fresh air, honest about being an atheist, honest about your feelings about the book, and it's those reactions that mean so much to me, showing me yet again, some of the many reasons that 'Christianity' as it is today, with its rules and its jargon, can put folk off God... Well-meaning, genuinely caring people, with honest beliefs... But Jesus said, "By *this* all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (That's John 13 v 35) Not what we say, but what we do, who we really are... As honest and open as you are... and for sure, it isn't easy! But after all, the church is full of ordinary people who make mistakes and messes, who've realised God's love and forgiveness, not perfected saints!!!! I'm so rich, Louise, with my very simple faith, but it is what it is largely because I've spent my life working with children, sharing the God I love with them, and constanty needing to keep it simple, in everyday language, while acknowledging our world outside of church, the 24/7 one, seven days a week world. This is a big reason why listening to you is being so helpful to me. Another reason that I have a deep appreciation is because of your willingness not to give up on the book, but are willing to adapt the 'God Stuff' and other difficulties to something which is better suited to your own beliefs and daily life. Eg morning pages for folk who have to be out of the house for a long commute to work or an early start, who have to help children and teens to get to school in time, etc is just crazy, and would have been just as crazy when she wrote the book in the 90's. From what's been said in your video and the other one I saw, I think a lot of people would have slung the book on a shelf and left it there. Frankly, if I did get the book (and I still think I might at some point), I think I might have to do quite a bit of creative 'work-arounds', too. Having said that, as you've shown us, there's some deeply relevant stuff there for folks who've never had help with their mental health, and who have typical 2020's lifestyles... And that's another reason I wish more folk were watching your channel, and this evaluation, to give pointers, things to think about, to help those who know they're on a seemingly inescapable, ever-demanding treadmill... We know that there are very long waiting lists for psychologists / trained people who listen and understand, and allow people to 'just tell it how it is' without judgementalism or preaching.... Too many self-help videos with seemingly impossibe advice, books sitting languishing on bookshelves, bedside tables.... And here's Louise, a busy mum, two under-fives, personal knowledge of tragedy and pain, happiness and at peace with herself as she is just now, imparting her experience of a book and how she's making it work for her, being real, being genuinely helpful. A complete change of topic, if you've made it this far (I didn't realise I was going to type so much!!! ( I have tried to edit it...). You've probably thought of this already... It's about cutting and changing your hair. Are you doing it gradually? If you do it all at once, the children may not recognise you (new hair style - big changes to the seen face structure, and so on... ), be really upset, and take a long time to get over it.- it does happen! Maybe even do the colour change at home, so they see the process, and then have it done professionally later on? It's a similar situation to when small children see Mummy all dressed up, hair and make-up, and all that, when they are used to every-day Mummy, and scream because there's a strange lady ... I really should shut up and let you get on with things. It's almost midnight, the battery on my tablet's running low, I've 'talked' far too much and need my bed (church in the morning!!! 😄) Sleep well, Louise, and many, many thanls for these videos, and for reading even half of this. Thank you!!!

[@louisecreatesart]

Hi! Glad your enjoying this little series so far. I think its worth the cost for the book! I got it on the kindle so it was cheaper, but my local library has 3 copies so might be worth checking yours? I must admit I prefer paper books but the kindle paperwhite feels pretty close to me. Its really striking how everyone can have such different beliefs and views on religion and God. I really do find it fascinating. Im glad it brings you love and joy in your life. I was exposed to it a lot when I was younger but it just never stuck with me, I had to many unanswered questions that were answered for me elsewhere. I think if I align with anything it is with being a humanist (still atheism). There short version is; Humanists base their understanding of the world on reason and science, rejecting supernatural or divine beliefs. Humanists reject all forms of racism and prejudice, and believe in respecting and protecting everyone’s human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief. Humanists believe we have a responsibility to respect and care for one another and the natural world. Humanists accept morality is inherent to the human condition, grounded in the ability of living things to suffer and flourish, motivated by the benefits of helping and not harming, enabled by reason and compassion, and needing no source outside of humanity itself. And finally that this is our one and only life which we should cherish and live to the fullest striving for good for ourselves and those around us. I do try to be as honest as possible. Maybe too honest sometimes! Ive had a few people unsubscribe from these two videos! I do think a lot of the way Christianity is ?advertised can be offputting for a lot of people. I actually attend childrens groups held by local churches and often go to our local cathedral but they don’t preach at all. Its just a nice community to be around. Working with children is such a wonderful giving way to spend your life! I wish I had more opportunities to work with children but for now ill just have to smother my own with love and show them the joy in the world. I do think this book has a lot of potential even for those who don’t belive in god, so I hope people can look past that if they do give it a go. It really does have so many gems and im only 2 weeks in! I’ve never been one for stickling closely to various imposed ‘rules’, it think being dyslexic I had to learn young how to adapt things to work for me. I had to get creative with studying in way some of my peers didn’t need to. I felt jelous when I was younger but now I know its one of my biggest skiils and what makes me able to teach myself moving forward. Silver lining so to speak! Thank you for all the lovely compliments in this comment! Im not sure if im deserving but I appreciate it none the less! I do wish psychological help was more widely available as I think everyone could benefit in the long run with just a few coping and reflective techniques under their belt. I will have my hair dyed at home with my kids around so they will see the process! Hopefully wont be too much of a shock! Reminds me of when my partner shaved his beard off and my eldest was staring at him confused for a LONG time! My children never see mummy all dressed up! Make up is a 5 minute affair these days if I do! Its quite freeing actually. I never used to go out the house in my 20s without make up and now its just some suncream and out into the world!

[@MrsBarnabas]

​@@louisecreatesart Hi again, Louise. Many thanks for that very full summary of humanism! I know some of it, but this fills things out quite a bit, too! Always useful - my generation didn't do comparative religions, Our RE lessons were Bible based, and a bit of Jewish history obviously thrown in, to make some of it make sense, but most of it was New Testament, and heavy on the Gospels. I think we missed out on something very important which might have dispelled lot of misunderstanding and prejudice. Being naturally curious, as well as being in a church where I heard Bible readings from Old & New Testaments and Psalms at Morning and Evening services (and being part of the choir, I was there for both until I was 16, when I went to a Baptist church), it's there in my blood, so of course I was going to investigate it for myself!!! Reading the Bible daily, and making my own notes was / is fascinating and leads me in to all sorts of interesting pathways, including alternative religions, Judaism, being only one of them. There's a lot in humanism which is inherent in Christianity, too, and we could learn a lot by understanding more of how our various faiths link together! I don't think you're too honest. I finit refreshing and helpful, and I'm really sad that people have decided, on the basis of just two videos, to walk away, rather than engage in a conversation about it, or watch the upcoming updates to see where it leads us all. I think they may be missing out on something important by walking away at this point, not least, a widening of a point of view... -"Working with children is such a wonderful giving way to spend your life! I wish I had more opportunities to work with children but for now ill just have to smother my own with love and show them the joy in the world."_ Louise, you have two of the most precious gifts in the world - motherhood, and a caring partner. We didn't have children because my husband was impotent, and wouldn't accept that the doctors told me there was no reason I couldn't conceive, and he wouldn't go for tests. As things turned out, I'm glad that we didn't have children! I'm very, very glad that I've had the opportunities to be with children in various spheres, and that for me, I learned a huge amount about them, myself and life in general. It certainly widened my perspective on a lot of things. So for me, it worked both ways - them from me, me from them, giving to each other unthinkingly and enjoying each others' company! And giving me a very strong reason for my existence!!! I forgot about the shock the children had when Daddy shaved off his beard - apologies for that - you knew already and I should have remembered. Time for daily full makeup with two toddlers? Who has??? 😆But I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with your hair - it looks so healthy and long, and I'm a tiny bit jealous! Mine's always been fine and mousy!!! As for the _"Im not sure if im deserving [the lovely comments]"_ Louise, I tend to "tell it how I see it", and never to flatter, and never deliberately to hurt, so grab it with both hands and be happy. 🤗 _"thank you for the comment as always! Always get me thinking!"_ Well, you do the same for me, so that's pretty ok, isn't it!!! And after yet another long response, I think that's it (for now, anyway!!!). Meanwhile, thank you for being you!!! 🤗

[@Narja23]

Thank you for this video series ! I'm happy to tag along with your journeys and videos ! They put a different light on this book that has been a bit of a nemesis for me since 2010 😂 (i had just left a cult and started my education, so the book was both enticing and triggering at that time) i took the time to re-read the first week today, and i saw a couple of things that look interesting to try : and i'm also really happy that the reading experience has not been triggering ! I guess it means that i worked well with my therapist ❤ i've been ridiculously proud of that ! Thank you! You gave me the impulse with your video and i'm actually very excited to try things and starting drawing and creating again ❤ I was very moved also by your story of post partum. I don't have children but i live something very similar after my phd defense for almost a year ! I guess that when a life changing thing happens, even if purely positive and happiness-bringing, our brain might need a bit of time to adapt 😅 Starting tomorrow the first week ! ❤ thanks again!

[@louisecreatesart]

Thanks for the comment. Sorry for the slow reply i've got a sore throat and lost my voice so everything's a bit stalled at the moment with video making. Im glad it wasnt triggering for you to read, sometimes we need to give ourself some space and then come back to something and thats okay. I really hope drawing and creating goes well for you! Let me know how you get on

[@Narja23]

​​@@louisecreatesarthi ❤ thank you for the answer ! I wish you a quick recovery ❤ I just went back from holiday that really were a good break but totally not conductive to do these exercises and will start the first week of the artist way next Monday ! I set up a little booklet and will totally borrow your idea of replacing morning pages by a daily habit in the medium i wish to work with (aka. Pencil drawing and watercolour for me)❤❤❤

[@fuzzydragons]

every time someone goes through this book i think about reading it, but then i hear some of the really cheesy phrases and think, nah i'm good 😝(and my crazy maker is def my mom, hence why i dont talk to her, went NC)

[@louisecreatesart]

It is FULL on cheese. I'm getting back into it this week after a break for health reasons. Sometimes No contact is the only way to protect yourself!