TITLE: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Gilbert
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury
RELEASE DATE: September 22, 2015
GENRE: Nonfiction, Self Help
PAGE COUNT: 288

Ever since reading Eat, Pray, Love, I’ve been in love with Liz Gilbert’s warm and wise voice.  This exciting little book teaches the bravery to commit to a creative life.

Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you? – page 8

Have you ever been too afraid of failure to embark on a creative journey?  Have you ever viewed your creativity as a burden or curse that tortures you?  I’m guilty of both these things plus countless others I indulge.  Surrendering to fear and having a martyr’s mindset towards creativity prevents you from ever having a playful, joy-filled creative life.  Big Magic is a guide to changing your attitude, facing fear, and following the clues that lead you to inspiration.

Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together.  I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do … There’s plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way … You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote – page 26

I can’t think of the last time I felt so motivated to tackle my projects.  While readers will take or leave some of Gilbert’s ideas, I adore her perception of the world and find it resonates with my own.  After finishing Big Magic, I felt deeply moved to be my best self, and experienced an attitude adjustment towards my own creativity.

I pledge to reread this book whenever I find myself blocked or self-judgmental.  It helped me to free my creativity from my own cage-like self-judgment.