Last year I read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron for the first time. If you haven't read it, do it. It's a heck of a lot of work but so transformative.
At the end of week 9 she says to choose an artist totem: "Something you immediately feel a protective fondness toward." Then, give it a place of honor and honor it by not beating up on yourself. Earlier in the chapter she describes talent as a "young and skittish horse... very talented but also young, nervous and inexperienced." My job is to encourage the horse to stay the course. With practice and experience (and guidance) the horse grows more confident and skilled.
The analogy of the horse really resonated with me. Several years ago I went to school for canine behavioral studies. I learned how to better understand and communicate with dogs. With greater understanding came deeper compassion and patience for the teaching and learning process. When I thought about my own talent as a nervous fearful animal: a lovely dog, or a majestic horse, I could no longer treat it with the contempt, impatience and negativity that I had previously.
I chose this horse as my artist totem for its hesitant gait (it's not in a full gallop) but its steady movement forward (its foot is outstretched willing to take that next step). It sits on my desk and reminds me to extend compassion and patience to myself with each hesitant step forward.
What has been a source of creative inspiration for you when you need it most? How do you remember to treat yourself with compassion?