Be Good at Beginning

“The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist.
The beginner’s humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.”
– Julia Cameron,
The Artist’s Way
 
So often, a student wants to skip the Beginner phase. Wants to be fast-tracked to Level 2 or 10 because they learn quickly. Feels embarrassed to be in “Beginner” classes. Asks, “How long until I’m good at this?” Focuses on earning competitive accolades more than being present in the process to get there.
 
And they may be successful using all those tactics. But as their teacher, it’s difficult to become invested because I know they won’t be around for long.
 
When you deny yourself the vulnerability of being a Beginner, you deny yourself everything of real importance. You deny yourself the lessons and the strength-building that ensure longevity. You deny yourself community, too – because you’re letting all the other beginners know that you believe you are separate from them, separate from this very human experience.
 
Embrace BEING a beginner. Be one FOREVER. Because I want you here for the long-haul.
 
~ Maria