The Artist's Way & ISC

(and.. .how I became a "Possibilitarian")

In January of 2010, I finally indulged myself and bought a book at Barnes & Noble that I had noticed many times before.  Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way was about to change my life forever. To properly explain the impact this book had on me, however, I need to back up a few months.

In July of 2009, I went to Chicago with my husband and performed on piccolo as a finalist in a big competition.  Out of the four finalists, I came in fourth (there were three cash prizes). I was somewhat devastated and my husband wanted to cheer me up, so we decided to see the movie Up. For those of you that have seen that beautiful animated film, you know that the opening moments of the movie pull at your heart strings in a very meaningful way.  For me, it was the beginning of something special.

We drove home to Texas and stopped at my mom's house in Oklahoma City on the way.  She and I had an open and honest conversation.  I told her how I was struggling with approval, competitiveness and frustration after my experience with the Chicago disappointment (and also as part of my life in general).  I don't think I would have been in the right head space to talk with her in such a vulnerable way if it wasn't for being disappointed in combination with seeing the movie Up.  This timeless Pixar film has a way of helping viewers to see life from a different perspective.

To encourage me, my mom mentioned that she had a book she wanted me to read.  She presented me with The Art of Possibility written by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander. I was hooked from the moment I read the Emily Dickinson poem included before the Table of Contents.

I dwell in Possibility - 

A fairer House than Prose - 
More numerous of Windows - 
Superior - for Doors - 

Of Chambers as the Cedars - 
Impregnable of Eye - 
And for an Everlasting Roof - 
The Gambrels of the Sky - 

Of Visitors - the fairest - 
For Occupation - This - 
The spreading wide my narrow Hands - 
To gather Paradise -

On page 13 of The Art of Possibility,  the authors prompt the reader to solve a brainteaser.  Already captivated by the concepts in the book so far, I was determined to really try and solve it (NOT turning the page to find the solution).  I invite you to give it a try and NOT scroll down until you've put in plenty of effort!  First, copy nine dots in a three by three pattern  in the center of a piece of paper.  Then, read the instructions and (maybe with a pencil so you can erase!) try as many times as needed.

Instructions: Join all nine dots with four straight lines, without taking pen from paper. 

Now, in the meantime (and in order to take up a bit of space before including the solution to the brainteaser), let me explain an affliction I had suffered in my life up until this exact moment.  For whatever reason, I had an addiction and compulsion to follow the rules.  A card carrying member of the people pleasing club, from an early age I had done everything in my power to meet and exceed expectations within the rules present to me. One of the ways in which I did this was music competitions.

I began playing the flute in seventh grade and was more than a bit flustered when I was last and second to last chair for most of the first semester.  I quickly studied the system (practice and you move up chairs) and set out to conquer it just like any board game (if you've ever met my family members, you know I come by my competitive streak honestly!).  I did practice and I did move up chairs.  I watched and listened to the girl who was always in first chair and noticed what she did (sounded beautiful, played all the right notes and exuded confidence).  Sooner than later, she and I would duke it out for first chair on a consistent basis.

Having more or less mastered the rules of seventh grade chair tests, in eighth grade, I had my sights set on bigger things.  All-Region competitions were an opportunity for music students from many different middle schools to compete against each other.  The opportunity for more approval, recognition and competitive satisfaction was a temptation I couldn't resist.  To make a long story short, from the time I was twelve years old up until I was twenty-eight years old in the summer of 2009, I had been using flute competitions to feed my ego, forget my troubles and basically justify my existence.  I was not only a rule follower, I was a rule and game devotee.

So back to the puzzle.  I hope you've tried it.  I bet I tried for a solid fifteen minutes (major accomplishment for my instant gratification mindset at the time).  More than frustrated, I couldn't help it anymore.  I turned the page.  What I saw basically blew my inside the box/rules/game mindset wide open.

The thing I had failed to understand was that the rest of the paper was a possibility. 

Here is a quote from page 14 of The Art of Possibility. "The frames our minds create define - and confine - what we perceive to be possible.  Every problem, every dilemma, every dead end we find ourselves facing in life, only appears unsolvable inside a particular frame or point of view.  Enlarge the box, or create another frame around the data, and problems vanish, while new opportunities appear."

To this day, I have a printed out quote from the book on top of my computer screen, "Draw a different frame around the same set of circumstances and new pathways come into view."  I believe so much in new possibilities now that I think of myself as a "Possibilitarian," a term I got from my favorite mixed media artist, Kelly Rae Roberts (click HERE to see her blog). 

So, back to January of 2010.  I'm standing in Barnes & Noble, looking for inspiration on a morning that was sorely needing it and I noticed Julia Cameron's book.  Though I have always considered my husband, a brilliant pianist, an artist, I would never dare imbue myself with the lofty title.  After reading the Zanders' book twice already, however, I was softening.  I was becoming open to possibilities. I decided to buy The Artist's Way. 

Some day soon, I will write a blog post about the contents of this life changing, soul lifting book.  For now, I will just say that the two main tools Cameron advocates in the book, Morning Pages and Artist Dates, have completely changed who I am as a person.  Since reading this book for the first time, I have not only painted lots of bad paintings, I've actually sold two good ones!  I have created a website for flutists across the world to use as a free resource, brought together talented flutists in a brand new performing group, designed countless teaching tools and inspired myself to become a better musician.  I've journaled over a thousand pages.  I have embraced the concept that I am more than just a flute player, more than just a competitor, I am a creative, vibrant, expressive human being that has more ideas, stories, poems, art, recipes and music in me than I can even really know at this time.

My First "SOLD" Painting - "Fancy Dress 2"

My Second "SOLD" Painting - "Chocolate Moonlight"

My favorite painting so far - "Strange Doorways"

So what about the indulgent self care part of this?  Reading The Artist's Way convinced me that being kind to myself and treating myself to lovely things is part of the creative process.  It could be something simple, like taking time to paint my toenails.  My good mood from that indulgent activity could prompt me to smile at my husband, hum while I'm doing laundry and zip through a paper I need to write for school.  

Self care could also be something more elaborate, like an Artist's Date (a date with yourself in which you take yourself on a small or large adventure!).  From a rejuvenated spirit and beautiful new thoughts in my mind, I could produce a poem, teach great flute lessons, have energy to perform a random act of kindness or all of the above!  The benefits of indulgent self care spill out into the world.  That is why I believe that it is not selfish; indulgent self care is an act of love and service to you and the people in your life.  Because of ripple effects, you might even spreading good to people you don't know.   

A big part of this blog is dedicated to Rodan and Fields.  I love their skincare products and have decided to be a consultant so that I can get the discount (always a good thing!) and to be open to the possibility that Rodan and Fields could finance new instruments, indulgent self care and shopping!  I believe in the quality of the products and admire the sound financial structure of their direct selling program.  If I saw myself as a musician and only a musician, I would never be open to direct selling of any kind.  Lucky for me, just like Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, I believe in possibilities!

Email me at terriflute@gmail.com if you would like any information about the Rodan & Fields business or just head to https://terrisanchez.myrandf.com if you want to start shopping!  

To find out the perfect skin care regimen for you, try the Solution Tool here: https://terrisanchez.myrandf.com/Pages/OurProducts/GetAdvice/SolutionsTool.