Clearing the Nightstand

Like Christie, I go to bed to read and end up reading two or three pages and then I'm out cold. No wonder it is taking me so long to finish anything! Last week I decided my goal was to clear my nightstand, once and for all. I still have about 10 pages of Still Meadow......honestly, I should be ashamed. That book was so enjoyable and it's taking me months to finish. Ridiculous.

I'm also reading Julia Cameron's memoir. Gotta finish it. Jane asked if I've read it yet (she let me borrow the book). I love J.C.'s writing--I've read almost every book she has ever written and they have been life changing. I'll create another post soon so we can talk about life changing books.

The book "I Thought it was Just Me" about shame is half done. I haven't decided if I will finish or if I will give myself permission to remove it from the pile. It has been thought provoking and I have gained some insight into why I feel some of the ways that I do.

I did finish a book called "Creating Time and Space" about making time in your life for art. The book featured several artists and their methods for organizing their life in such a way that they have time to create. I took away a couple of interesting thoughts. First, all of them agreed that a clean house isn't necessary. EEEK! I don't think I can handle that idea. But I also recognize that I will find all kinds of excuses to avoid making something. The second idea was that the creative mind is always thinking--often we obsess about things that we cannot control . Oh boy, is that me! I'm constantly thinking. I have felt I should escape it somehow. Instead the author suggests we replace obessive thoughts with creative ones--like instead of worrying about whether I will die an early death or whether Karen will find the job of her dreams, I need to be thinking about my next art project. I like this idea!

As I finish the books I will give myself a star. I have so many good things to read. Maybe I need to go to bed sooner at night or something.