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Friday, January 14, 2011

Being Reading Deprived

Reading deprivation is described in The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron as a tool for "Recovering a Sense of Integrity" (chapter title in the book).  The goal: not to read for an entire week!  Result expectation: to launch participants into gainful soul-searching and integration of new self-awareness.   Personally, I exempted reading my Bible and reading my daily prayers.   It turned out that now I'm wonderinf if there's such a thing as being addicted to reading.  Not that I got the shakes as in DT's or got to the point of feeling crazy with the lack of pleasure reading.  No, but I did find myself unable to reach the land of Nod for my restorative slumber.  The week-long deprivation, of languishing with a book and sleep, began on Monday, January 10, 2011.  Each night my ability to achieve the presence of Morpheus deteriorated.  Last night, thinking, "I'm more than half way to being able to read again!  I ought to be able to lie down and go right to sleep." Ha, not so!  After the clock on my bookshelf radiated the time, just past 2:00 a.m., I rose, ate some yogurt, thinking that maybe I needed a milk product to nourish the slumber state.  A few more minutes pass by- tick, tick, tick. Consequently, I surrendered to my need to read.  As a result, I read for a few minutes, turned off the light and welcomed Mrs. Sandman.

Well, did I achieve what the aim of reading deprivation?  I'm choosing to think positively and vote yes.  I have written more than I have before this chapter.  My achievements for the past four days-

  • eight finished scrapbook pages in my Christmas album
  • memoir writing continued, not touched since the last century! :O
  • bookshelves in my bedroom organized
  • increase in quantity of Morning Pages (another tool in The Artist's Way)
Am I proud? Yes.  Will I continue reading The Artist's Way?  Yes, with renewed vigor and hope to fulfill my 2011 goal of combining writing and photography; and the wish to retain my trust in God. 

12 comments:

Linda said...

Way to go Norma! I'm proud of you--I have never made it through the reading deprivation--I think I AM addicted to reading. I have done a TV deprivation before, which doesn't bother me as much as a reading deprivation--and I have been amazed at how much more productive I am without TV. I am so glad you're back--I've missed you! Looking forward to continuing The Artist's Way with you!

christie horvath said...

I get sleep deprived without a book! Good job Norma1

Travelin'Oma said...

I go crazy if I don't have something to read! Thanks for the comment on my blog. It's fun to connect!

Simon said...

Hey Scrappy Grams....I'm so glad to read this post. It has been recommended to me to read "the Artist's Way" which I've yet to do. This was an excellent reminder. Thanks.
You asked about the type of camera I use. I have a Canon Rebel. It is my first DSLR-I've had it for about 4 months now. I'm shooting solely in manual and have had good luck thus far. I think it's well-versed as an entry level DSLR. Prior to that I shot with a Lumix point and shoot from Panasonic which also was an excellent camera for me.
Hope that helps. Have a happy weekend.
Susan

Unknown said...

Norma this is a wonderful post. Your writing is so good! I am impressed with all that you have accomplished. I wish I could get in the habit of doing morning pages and finishing some scrapbook pages! Way to go!

Pondside said...

I'm pretty sure that I'm addicted to reading. I'll read brochures, cereal boxes and ads if I don't have a book - maps, if I'm in a traffic jam and car magazines in waiting rooms. I don't know how I'd have done for week, cold-turkey!

Celeste Rose said...

Can't wait to read your memoir! I love reading memoirs. I wrote a short one myself about 3 years ago, most fun ever. But now, I can't find it. Probably my favorite extra curricular in college was the creative writing course I took. I also loved women's studies. Two courses outside my major that were amazing!

Scrappy Grams said...

Thank you to all who commented on this post, especially my granddaughter. I am so grateful that you took time to read AND to comment.
Pondside, my beloved mother started me into the wonderful world of reading by reading cereal boxes! Then she'd have me see how many words could be made from the letters in words from the box. I am mighty grateful to such a wondrous model.

Unknown said...

I am totally impressed by all your accomplishments! And I'm excited that you intend to continue reading the Artist's Way "with renewed vigor". You go, girl!

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh, I love that book. My favorite at the morning pages. I've done them "faithfully" for short bursts of time for years. This year, I decided to make it permanent. I've been getting up a half hour early every day of this new year to write. I am LOVING it.

Scrappy Grams said...

Relyn, thankfully I am retired and don't have to get up earlier to get in writing. I must admit though that some days it may be closer to noon before I do my "morning" pages, but I do write!
Thanks for sharing! :)

Splendid Little Stars said...

I NEED a book to get to sleep! And I do like to read --all the time! I did The Artist's Way, but it's been a long time. I don't remember the reading abstention. (I would fail!)