Alchemy! 🔮
Gratitude as a state of being, inspiration as an alchemical gift
I received my pre-ordered piece of magic on the day it was released- April 22. Or maybe it was a day later. But it was Friday, April 25 when I dove into my commitment to my own alchemical journey for 100 days, thanks to the wisdom and brilliance of the incomparable Suleika Jaouad (click to read a NYT review of the book.)
I need to preface this with a confession about the 100 Day Project, which is a concept/practice I’ve toyed with and been awed by for years. But—you guessed it— toying with something and actually committing to it are quite different. As an artist, I’ve seen lots of 100 Day Project challenges all over Instagram and FaceBook, and the idea of actually committing to a creative practice for 100 days alongside other artists was exciting, but daunting. Daunting, because I’m not habitual: I tend to slack off on things, I don’t follow through. Basically I was too embarrassed to join in and say “Hey, yeah, count me in!” because I just knew I wouldn’t keep up my end of the bargain to make a piece of art and share it alongside dozens of others for 100 days in a row.
Now I am gifted with this extraordinary book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life (my 72nd birthday present to myself!) and the wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration it holds. This 100 Day Challenge, set forth by Suleika and the amazing writers she has convened for this book, is different. In Suleika’s introduction she states:
“It provides tools to engage with discomfort, to peel back the layers, to uncover your truest, most laid-bare self— and in doing so, to distill kernels of insight, to dream daringly, to learn to hold the brutal and beautiful facts of life in the same palm.”
The Book of Alchemy is a gift I’m giving to myself, through journaling. And while I’m doing it alone, I know there are hundreds (thousands!) of you out there who have accepted this challenge too, and are bravely diving in. 1 I am choosing to make this commitment to myself. Thank you, Suleika Jaouad. I am deep in gratitude. You inspire and bring magic into the lives of millions, and we are all so grateful. 🙏
Truth be told, I have always kept journals, long before The Artist’s Way morning pages were a thing. So I know the value of journaling, and now I have another way of utilizing it.
Are you diving into Suleika’s The Book of Alchemy too? If so, are you as sparked as I am about transformational possibilities? Leave a comment!
Thanks for reading Continuing Wonderment — it’s more appreciated than you know. Clicking on the 💜 means the world to me, and lets me know you care. Sharing or restacking this post would be a gift, and leaving a comment would warm my heart. 🙏
I do not have the book - yet - but I loved her first book and she writes beautifully. Such courage and resilience too. Love her Substack as well as the people commenting there.
It's humbling to say the least.
Very impressed that you've done this for yourself - you should be proud :)
Also an excellent and worthy distraction from the state of the world.
Hooray and Happy Birthday to you, you! xo
Hi Karen, my friend just recommended this book to me. I feel serendipitous, but I came across your post. She also told me about the Netflix movie called American Symphony, which is a documentary about Suleika (sp) and her husband Jon Batiste.
I’ve committed to many 100-day challenges over the years, mostly for Hot Yoga, because my body needs to move. When it comes to writing and sitting at a desk, I still haven’t learned how to overcome interruptions. I love the practice of meeting discomfort.
I look forward to reading. Thank you for a sweet essay.