Read:
Chapter 6, See and Chapter 7, Listen (pages 88-122).
By the time we end today’s section, we’ll be halfway through our study. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Please don’t get discouraged if you fall a little behind. Posts and videos are available as long as the internet is open, and your book is ever-so-patient!
Both of today’s chapters, in their own way, will stretch your mind to consider a new way of looking at yourself and others. We’ll learn what in the world to do with the critics in our lives, and we’ll be challenged to pay attention to areas we sometimes ignore.
When you watch today’s video to complement your reading, you’ll also learn which chapter Emily wishes she could’ve left out and why.
Watch:
{Subscribers, please click here to view video.}
Discuss:
More than any chapter so far, my book is underlined like crazy in Chapter 6; I think Emily’s insight into criticism might strike a nerve with many of us.
“How we handle our critics could be the difference between creating art that matters and allowing the art to die.” (p. 89)
Q. This statement at the beginning of the chapter immediately captured my attention; before I read further, I began rifling through a mental catalog of critiques–from myself and others. Can you think of instances where you let negative voices kill your art? Are you willing to share?
“What if [you] began to believe that the critique isn’t just an unwelcome part of the art-making process but might actually make the art better?” (p. 93)
Q. Think about someone who loves you but who has “rained on your parade.” Because you knew they were FOR you, did it stifle your art or were you able to process their opinion, apply it to your circumstance, and create something better than you would have otherwise? I’d love for us to stop and celebrate the people who love us enough to tell us the truth as they see it; and to try to filter their words as loving and not as simply a naysayer. Examples, friends?
“You get to frame things in a way only you can, with a voice only you have….
“Just because he is saying something you want to say doesn’t mean you should’t say it too.” (p. 103)
Q. I’ve often heard “Comparison is the thief of joy,” but in light of this chapter do you think “Comparison is the thief of ART” is possible? Discuss.
Q. In Chapter 7, Emily asks us to listen to our
- tears (p. 109)
- questions (p. 111)
- heartbreak (p. 112)
- Tuesdays (p. 117)
- crazy ideas (p. 119)
Which of these most resonated with you? Why do you suppose that is?
Share:
Did anyone else thrill to Emily’s metaphor that “tears are magic water that pours out of our eyes“?! I had to sneak that in somewhere.
Y’all are checking in on Fridays, right? Friday’s guest post by Bloom friend RoseAnne Coleman was simply beautiful; for those of you new to Bloom, RoseAnne joined Angie and Jessica on the sofa for the first section of our study on Richard Foster’s Prayer. You’ll really enjoy “meeting” her if you have a moment to watch a video or two.
Also, our Community Collages are becoming a favorite part of this study–it is pure delight to scan the #inbooks #AMillionLittleWays hashtags to discover YOU living and creating art! Thanks to all who have uploaded pictures to Instagram or Twitter (or found another way to get them to us). You are blessing, inspiration, and joy to us. Please keep them coming and we’ll have another round-up on Friday. If you don’t quite know what I mean, search #inbooks on your social media channels and you’re bound to get ideas how to capture your art for a photo.
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Helpful links and reminders:
- NEW! We’re on You Tube! Though we want you to check out the Bloom channel on (in)courage to interact with readers in our comment section, you can catch up on videos anytime convenient to you! Here’s a link to our You Tube Playlist–and be sure to give each video a BIG Thumb’s Up! (Thank you!)
- A Million Little Ways book club schedule.
- NEVER miss an update by signing up for exclusive emails for Bloom (in)courage!
- Need a book? Pick up A Million Little Ways for only $9.99 at DaySpring.com.
- Join Bloom (in)courage on Facebook!
- Tweet your thoughts about our study! When you use the#inbooks #AMillionLittleWays hashtag, we can find you!
- Emily’s site, Chatting at the Sky
- Jessica’s site, The Mom Creative
- Angie’s site, Bring the Rain
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We’ll be back on Wednesday to begin Part 3, Release the Art You Were Made to Live. It won’t be the same without you.
Letting the day be the day without trying to run from it,
robin for the Bloom Team
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