This summer my plan was less structure. In other words, I made the decision not to reenact some version of our school year schedule in which I spend way too much energy coaxing my youngest daughter out of bed and expertly deflecting—like a well-trained ninja—the many excuses in favor of staying home.
A Small Moment in Time
It was early June, and school was out. We were on our way out to a splash pad. On a whim, I grabbed Suleika Jaouad’s The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life from one of the many piles of books in my room. I had no idea that such a seemingly banal moment would change everything about my summer and, ultimately, my life.
The Basics
While at the splash pad, I read, fascinated. I discovered the book was a compilation of one hundred journal prompts. Jaouad battled cancer in her early twenties and survived the initial treatment as well as a heartbreaking relapse that required further treatment.
The book tackles different themes, such as fear, the body, the ego, etc., with one of Jaouad’s short essays introducing each section. Following each introduction, the reader is treated to a compilation of shorter essays from a variety of people, many of them accomplished writers and artists. The contributors share a journaling prompt at the conclusion of each essay.
The Alchemic Metamorphosis
It may not sound like much, but these daily prompts have led me down a path of personal transformation that I could not have anticipated.
One essay, for example, led me to explore a memory from when I was about as old as my youngest daughter (eight), maybe even younger.
Another asked me to close my eyes and notice the images I see, a game the essayist would play with her son as they spent many long days and nights in the hospital.
In yet another, a woman—who, growing up, felt her hands were a dead giveaway of how different she was from other girls—asks us to reflect on how we relate to our own hands. This made me smile as I thought of my short story: Hands, but the prompt also led me to write a fairly lengthy gratitude list in honor of my hands and they all do.
Even Now…
This post itself is thanks to this amazingly beautiful, delightful journey.
One writer successfully dispelled her stubborn writer’s block after finding twelve minutes was the magic number that enabled her to sit long enough to let her thoughts go without feeling overwhelmed. As she noted, this is particularly helpful when negotiating the many demands on our time, such as childcare.
Her words spoke volumes—clearly, my family obligations kept me from here all summer! And what do you know…it worked!
A Conclusion, An Introduction & A Thank You
I highly recommend the book to anyone, whether you count yourself as a creative or not.
You’ll also notice a new category where I will share some of my responses. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them!
Finally, to Ms. Jaouad, wherever you may be, thank you for the perseverance that brought this truly wonderful book to the world; this experience has been one of the most memorable of my life.
