
For my second instalment of Reading Will Save the World, I wanted to draw attention to a book that I've often revisited over the past few years. Honestly, I would not be the artist and musician that I am today if I had not read this tremendously important book.
Whether you are a writer, painter, musician, teacher, parent, gourmet chef, furniture designer, graphic designer, or breathing human being whose life involves some form of creativity, then I would strongly recommend reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It helped me walk firmly on my own path to creative self-actualization.
Years ago, long before I ever moved to Nashville to pursue a life in music, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I had a great job as a Youth Programs Director for a small non-profit group in Charlotte, NC that helped teens who were questioning their sexuality and gender identity. This work was incredibly important and deeply satisfying in terms of the people I was helping. As much as I truly loved this job, I always felt that something was missing.
One night, I was sitting around in my apartment working on a poem when the thought occurred to me that this particular poem could actually make a pretty good song. So, I dusted off an old keyboard synthesizer that had been collecting dust in the corner of my bedroom. Within an hour, a melody started to wrap itself around the poem, and I suddenly realized that I just wrote an actual song. The second discovery was the fact that I could remember what I played without writing anything down. Deep in my mind, I already knew that I could do this, but it's implications hadn't dawned on me until then. (I don't know if there is any research out there on musical memory, but whatever it is, it is a gift that I treasure deeply.)
Luckily, the office I worked out of was housed in a beautiful old church building, and there were always old pianos sitting around in most of the rooms where we had our meetings. There was also a lovely upright piano in the church's sanctuary that I came to befriend, and I found myself sneaking in there before and after work and on my breaks to just play music.
The world works in mysterious ways because there was a pastor named Tim whose office was just outside this sanctuary. He had poked his head in once and introduced himself to me. A little while later, he told me that he was heading up a group that was going to be reading "The Artist's Way" together. He told me that me that the book put creativity in a spiritual context that was not dogmatic or steeped in any particular religion. It focused on recovering and nurturing one's creative spirit in a way that was relatable and adaptable to any situation.
I was intrigued with the idea, and at the time, I was a little bit stuck. What had started as a curious little surprise with my music became an all-out obsession. Before long I was spending hours upon hours in that sanctuary playing the piano to my heart's content. It was utter joy and was the closest to happiness I think I've ever experienced. The problem was where do I go from there?
Thanks to my friend Tim, I spent the next few months engaged in my Artist's Way group and building the foundation I needed to be the artist I couldn't believe I was becoming. Before long, I was playing in open mics around town and the rest is history.

This book gave me the tools I needed to protect and uphold my ideals and my identity as an artist. I've revisited it many times when I've experienced setbacks, doubts, and many fears.
I don't want to get into the nitty gritty of this book because it's one of those books that is worth discovering on one's own. Each page is an insight. Each chapter an open door. To me, this little book is a force of nature.
Particularly for anyone who might be stuck creatively or only dreaming and never doing something longed for, then this book is for you.
I haven't been in a used book store that doesn't have it available. You can find it just about everywhere. (It is also available in a digital format for the Kindle and other e-readers.)
Seriously, if you never read another book in your life, read this one.
Reading will save the world, and reading this book saved my life.

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