Julie Cameron, in her book, The Artist’s Way, coined the term Artist Dates. According to Cameron, creative types need to plan something different each week to awaken the muse. This could be a walk in a different neighbourhood or a solo expedition to a new bookstore or farmer’s market. It can also be going to hear an author speak.
Last Monday, I did just that. I heard Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, also known as The Gaza Doctor, address a gym full of high school students.
Dr. Abuelaish is the author of the memoir, I Shall Not Hate. He is an incredibly accomplished and compassionate man. He spent his childhood in a refugee camp in Gaza, trained to be a doctor, specialized in obstetrics and infertility, and became the first Palestinian to work in an Israeli hospital.
He was well known before 2009, but the events of January that catapulted him into the international spotlight. Five minutes after speaking with his daughters and niece in their bedroom, Israeli shells hit their home, killing all four girls and wounding other family members. This happened moments before Abuelaish was to go on air, in a previously scheduled interview on Israeli radio. The interview went live and thousands of listeners accompanied him through his grief. The footage is raw. And unbelievable.
The man himself is remarkable. Dr. Abuelaish could have hated so easily, but his response was one of peace and reconciliation. He started the organization Daughters for Life, which grants scholarships to girls across the Middle East.
Without context, these quotations may ring hollow, but here are some powerful words that Dr. Abuelaish shared last Monday.
No one is born violent.
Education is the strongest weapon to fight against any challenge in life.
You cannot be pro-Palestinian without being pro-Israeli.
Human beings are not numbers.
An educated and healthy mother will raise educated and healthy children.
The strongest is the one who behaves himself in anger.
Dr. Abuelaish reminded me of the power of forgiveness and compassion.
He also reminded me of the power of words.
Here’s to getting out of our ruts and seeing or hearing something bigger than us.
So I encourage you: whether it’s whimsical or mischievous or life-changing, plan an artist’s date. You’re worth it.
Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom)
Elena Aitken
Trish Loye Elliott
Poweful words to live by!!
Indeed.
I had a similar experience recently when I went to hear Tim O’Brien (author of The Things They Carried, among others). I felt like he was cracking open the hearts of everyone there, reading pieces about Vietnam and about fatherhood. Such a compassionated guy, who is all about finding ways to tell the truth, even if that means writing fiction.
Compassion jumps off the page, doesn’t it?
I love The Things They Carried. O’Brien’s points regarding truth, perception, and emotions stayed with me.
I am envious you live in a city with these chances. When someone wonderful comes to Helena, we become suspicious and wonder why. This is a great idea! Even though I don’t write about San Diego, just getting away and doing something new was exactly what I needed to start writing again
It is hard in a smaller center. I think traveling is a great way to get out of a rut too. I’m glad your writing has been invigorated!
Fantastic post.
Christi Corbett
http://christicorbett.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Incredible stuff, Leanne. Wish I’d been able to see him speak. Thanks for writing this.
You’re welcome.
Wow. That is an amazing forgiveness story. Wow!
You’re right. It is an amazing act.
Wow, Leanne! As always…wow.
Aww. Thanks, E.
Amazing indeed. Thanks for this. You are so stinking versatile.
Thanks, Clay.
Great post, very powerful. I soooo need an Artist Date….and I am committing to make this happen within the week, because I have been working like a dog for 2 weeks… Thanks for the reminder, Leanne!
Let me know how it goes, B!
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Author dates. You’ve just defined how I live my life. I’m always excited to do random things like see a speaker, go to a film showing, take a walk somewhere new, tour a church, tour a graveyard, take a road trip to Circus World…haha. But, honestly, I love this idea and it does rejuvenate me. I always learn something, and I’ve been bringing my camera with me more so I can remember things for writing later.