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Sorry this is so late! PLease post your FINAL check in here. Chapter 12 is titled “Recovering a Sense of Faith.” In this final chapter, Cameron focuses on the importance of trusting the creative process and embracing a sense of possibility and openness to a greater creative force—what she often calls the “Great Creator” or creative flow. She encourages readers to recognize that the journey of artistic recovery is ongoing, and that the completion of this twelve-week course is really the beginning of a lifelong path toward creative growth. A central theme in this chapter is the concept of believing without seeing—placing faith in your creative instincts and ideas even when there’s no tangible proof or immediate result. Cameron emphasizes that creativity often involves uncertainty, and part of the artist’s role is learning to live with and even welcome that uncertainty. This sense of faith is described not in a strictly religious sense but as a willingness to surrender to the unknown and trust that things will unfold as they should if you keep showing up to your work. She reflects on how many artists sabotage themselves by trying to control the outcome of their efforts too rigidly. The lesson she underscores here is that creativity thrives when you let go of trying to dictate results and instead focus on the process. Faith, then, is about accepting that doing the work itself is valuable, even if the end product isn’t clear right away. Cameron also revisits the idea of synchronicity—the little coincidences or “happy accidents” that occur when you’re connected to your creative path. In her view, these moments are signs that you’re aligned with your deeper purpose, and the more you act with trust, the more frequently synchronicities seem to occur. She addresses the fear of success, which often follows fear of failure. Some people, she argues, are more afraid of living up to their full potential than they are of failing, because success can bring new responsibilities, visibility, and the pressure to keep performing. Cameron reminds readers that true success is defined individually, not by external validation, and that faith can help you navigate the unfamiliar terrain of growth and achievement. Toward the end of the chapter, she encourages artists to continue their morning pages and artist dates beyond the twelve-week course. These tools, she says, are foundational for maintaining a steady connection to your inner artist. They serve as a way to keep faith active, providing a space to listen inwardly, dream, complain, celebrate, and stay in dialogue with the creative self. Overall, Chapter 12 is a gentle but powerful invitation to keep moving forward with courage, patience, and belief in your creative path. Cameron assures readers that the work they’ve done has laid a foundation, and that by continuing to show up with openness and trust, their creativity will deepen and expand in ways they might not yet imagine.

Acceptance Accepting two ideas: 1. Artists may be broke or doing okay with money - and that has nothing to do with the true value of the art or the artist. 2. Artists must live a life that nurtures the artist-child-spirit, in all the ways that might seem unconventional, quirky, even irresponsible. And when we do that, the responsibilities will be easier to achieve and get done. Art is life: life is art. We must live our art every day. Give to ourselves the gift of making art and being creative. Success Creativity is a practice, not a destination. And we need to balance this practice with our 'responsibilities', mostly described here as the process of generating income. We are also told that creativity is an ever advancing finish line, we cannot rest in our laurels, our artist selves will not be healthy if we figure out a formula and repeat that over and over. It is normal, good and necessary that we remake, restart, journey to new places and begin again with creativity or unknown ideas and skill sets. If we do not do this, our artist will wither and die. The Zen of Sports This section is about the importance of getting out of our heads, and out of our perspective of only seeing ourselves, and instead connecting with the outer world - connecting with our physical bodies; the physical world of beauty, joy, intrigue, excitement. We are told there is tremendous importance in spending some of our time being in our bodies. And the result of that is essentially that it helps us solve problems/overcome obstacles. The reason given that this will happen (the answers will come) is that this is a method or practice of connecting with the great creative energy of life, the universal well all things come from. Building your artist's altar We are told to nurture our spirituality by creating a small space which holds items which feel spiritually significant and uplifting, beautiful. We are told to devise small rituals which will help ground us and celebrate and magnify this spiritually. And again we are told that our artist is a child - and we need to fulfill and honor that child's playful, excited, childlike wonder.

(Only two more weeks!) In this chapter, Cameron focuses on how artists and creatives can protect their newfound creativity and artistic growth. She highlights common obstacles that can sabotage creative progress and offers strategies to safeguard one’s artistic journey. Dangers of Creative Sabotage Cameron discusses how, after making progress, artists often encounter self-sabotage. This can come in the form of toxic relationships, self-doubt, fear of success, or procrastination. She encourages readers to be aware of these destructive patterns and take steps to counter them. The Role of Workaholism Many creatives overwork themselves, either as a way to avoid facing their emotions or as a socially acceptable addiction. She explains how constant busyness can drain creative energy and leave artists too exhausted to make meaningful work. The solution: setting boundaries, allowing rest, and making time for creative play. Dangers of Competition and Criticism Comparing oneself to others can be damaging, especially in the early stages of artistic recovery. She warns against taking criticism too personally and advises trusting one’s own creative instincts. Instead of seeking validation, artists should focus on their personal creative path. Cameron urges artists to guard their creative growth fiercely. By recognizing self-sabotaging behaviors, avoiding toxic influences, and setting healthy boundaries, artists can continue to develop their craft without unnecessary obstacles.