Week Five – Recovering a Sense of Possibility

This week, Julia Cameron says, is the week for seeing the consequences of settling for “looking good” rather than “being authentic.” Also, this may be the week to stop blaming others for a lack of personal growth, and owning up to the fact that growth is possible, even likely.

Does it still feel stupid and unrealistic to scheme for that really big dream? Not wanting to look foolish in front of others is a huge roadblock on the way to realizing your goals.

In this chapter, we are asked to look deeper at the phenomena of synchronicity in daily life. She says many people think of this as the “magic wand” chapter. “I pray and presto!” But actually, it’s more like being in partnership with the universe in making things happen. She says, “In other words, pray to catch the bus, and then run as fast as you can.”

Much of what is said in this chapter goes in concert with what I saw in the Secret and in part of What the Bleep. Remember when someone talked about imagining – during a morning shower – what the day was going to be like? Seeing yourself achieving something, or remembering something, or finding something, and then later in the day it happens, just the way it was imagined. I’ve heard of athletes doing this, too. Visualizing the desired outcome, and then making it happen. During lucid dreaming exercises, the same thing happens. Before sleep, imagine what you would like to have resolved, and in the morning, many ideas flood into your head.

JC suggests a similar exercise for this week’s morning pages. Before bed, write down problems that need solutions. In the morning, write about them and see the answers appear that weren’t there before. JC says, “Ask for answers in the evening; listen for answers in the morning. Be open to all help.”

She also asks quite bluntly: “If this still sounds airy fairy to you, ask yourself bluntly what next step you are evading. What dream you are discounting as impossible given your resources? What payoff are you getting for remaining stuck at this point in your expansion?”

And then there is the Virtue Trap. I’ll try to write more on that later this week!