We are always doing something, talking, reading, listening to the radio, planning what next. The mind is kept busy on some easy, unimportant external thing all day.
Brenda Ueland
Verse of the week:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Reflection
For this week, I am going to share a reflection instead of lessons learned. I have been so busy (prioritizing other stuff) that I completely forgot about this challenge.
I did a reading deprivation (sort of) and I can say it was very difficult because it took the spice of my life. I quit reading fiction and nonfiction books for a week.
I found myself constantly craving to read- to escape from reality, to do something worthwhile with my time.
Through this I have realized that I don’t know how to just be. I don’t know how to just stop and observe and relax. I need something to constantly entertain me and I need a new stack of knowledge everyday.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, however depending so much on this is not healthy.
Because I need to live my own life- not live through the lens of someone else (e.g. reading novels to escape reality.)
Lessons in life are not only found in books but rather the best lesson are experienced.
It’s not a pleasant realization but one I need to accept.
I can’t live life in safety because at one poin in time I have to plunge into this wonderful gift of life and get myself dirty.
Not dirty as in sin but the dirt which means facing the reality of life – the challenges, the sorrow, the joy, the peace that all comes with it.
There are times we need to get dirty but we are assured there will be moments we can rest in the peaceful water.
(1) Deal wit unaccustomed bursts of energy and sharp peaks of anger, joy and grief.
(2) Consciously experiment with spiritual open-mindedness.
Favorite quotes:
Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable.
Brenda Ueland
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.
Martha Graham
Verses of the week:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4 : 8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you
Matthew 7 : 7
Lessons Learned:
Anger is not an enemy.
I really dislike anger as an emotion because it is unpleasant. But this week, I have learned a very crucial fact. Anger is our friend. It is meant to be listened to because it serves as a guide on what is wrong. It reveals our boundaries. We should use anger as a redirection to the core issue. It’s not to be acted out but acted upon.
Always have a prepared mind. Watch out for God.
We pray that we could hear God or that He’d answer our prayers. But how often do we do this then go out in our day without even thinking of Him for a second. It’s important to be prepared or to be aware that God is working in every moment.
Don’t tell yourself it doesn’t matter.
When events occur or words are uttered and our feelings are hurt, it may be our first instinct to protect ourselves by either denying our sorrow or pretending everything is okay. This week, I have learned to acknowledge my emotions and honor what I am going through. Instead of telling myself it doesn’t matter, I say, “You will heal.“
How to identify constructive criticism.
Constructive criticism is like a missing piece to your puzzle. It gives you an “Aha!” moment. You learn something from it.
Reflection
This week is more focused on dealing with emotions such as anger and shame. It also tackled topics such as growth and “synchronicity” which I have never heard before. To me, power is being able to handle your emotions and use them in the correct manner. Power is not found in having a stone heart but in having a heart that can feel. It’s experiencing a whirlwind of emotions such as anger, shame, grief, joy, rejection, emptiness, etc. and yet believing that you will heal. That all of these experiences will only bring good to your creativity. It will give you a story to tell through your art in whatever form that may be.
If you want to learn more and experience your creativity, you can buy the book on Amazon.
(1) Address self-definition as a major component of creative recovery.
(2) Move into your personal identity, a self-defined you.
Favorite quotes:
To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast-you also miss the scenery of where you are going and why.
Eddie Cantor
Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.
Henry Miller
Verse of the week:
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Lessons Learned:
Self-doubts are symptoms of recovery.
When we give ourselves permission to recover that’s when the doubts will hit you like a ton of bricks. They will sprout like beans poking every corner of your brain ’til you get exhausted in dealing with them. But! This is not the time to give up! This is the time to fight back with affirmations.
Learn to identity crazy-makers (toxic people).
In the path to self-recovery we need to identify our toxic habits, perspectives, and most importantly the toxic people in our lives. Toxic people drain your energy.
“The capacity of delight is the gift of paying attention.”
One of the most important lessons I have learned this week is the gift of paying attention. And for everyday of this week I kept reminding myself to pay attention especially to nature. There is so much beauty in the world that when we truly open our hearts and eyes, we will know that we will be okay. Even in this moment right now, we are okay.
**I really loved this chapter, it’s beautifully written and emotionally evoking.
… That is what I gained from my 3 day fast from Facebook and Twitter.
One thing I’ve noticed these days is that people are very opionated. (not that there’s anything wrong with having your own standpoint in life,) BUT sometimes it goes to the extent where everything is overanalyzed and criticized. And the worst part is… they get easily offended if someone disagrees with what they said.
I think I am still growing as a person. I still don’t have my own stance at some major issues of society. Therefore, seeing everybody’s opinion on social media, messes with my head.
I want to have peace and learn on my own.
I want to view life from my own perspective first, in order to know what I really believe in.
Staying away from social media for awhile gives me the serenity to reflect on life. It reminds me of what my beliefs are regardless of what people may say.
On the brighter side, I’m really happy that the youth are expressing themselves and standing up for what they believe in. I also learn to be aware of other people’s point of view.
It’s just, I have to be selective of the words I consume. Because not everything on the internet is true.
I’ll just leave it here…
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Objective : “Establish a sense of safety which will enable you to explore creativity with less fear.”
Favorite quote :
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
Joseph Chilton Pearce
Verse of the week:
He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
Psalm 91:4
Lessons Learned:
Parents have a crucial impact on their children’s creativity.
Negative beliefs about ourselves and our creativity usually come from the adults in our younger years. Their words and lifestyle have surely influenced our creativity.
It’s okay to make mistakes. We strive for progress, not perfection.
It’s unfair to ourselves when we compare our starting points to someone’s highlight reel. I often strive for perfection. But the reality is, there should be room for mistakes because it is in our mistakes and failures that we grow and learn. It is necessary to take baby steps before we fully become mature.
Your inner artist is a child who needs to be nurtured and protected.
This is why it’s important to have artist dates. When you are growing as an artist , you have the right to protect yourself from overly critical people. It’s okay to hide your piece of art for awhile.
Negative beliefs are not facts.
Negative beliefs are not facts. They are the voices from your past. They are the voices in your head keeping you from achieving your true purpose in life. I think it’s also safe to say that the negative voices are lies that come from satan.
“Affirmations” can help you achieve a sense of safety and hope.
Saying the affirmations can shift your perspective and help you remember the truth about your Creator and yourself. Affirmations may look simple but they mean so much and hold the power to bring you positivity in this journey.
Here’s a sample of creative affirmations from Julia Cameron. (I revised some of the words).
Reflection
While gaining a sense of safety throughout the week, I felt liberated and beautiful. I was starting to gain some confidence but at the back of my mind, a voice from someone I know kept booming, Who do you think you are?!
My safety would then vanish like the wind and I started to build walls again. It’s so sad when we give someone the power to control our lives. At times we just can’t help it. What if they’re right?
For years, I have always struggled to see my value as a person. This extended to the difficulty in seeing my work as something of worth. I guess I still have a long way to go in the path to recovery.
By God’s amazing grace, I saw this quote today that deeply spoke to my heart.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson
I realized that people who are overly critical of others are the ones who haven’t lived up to their potential as an artist. They don’t know how to be free and happy, so they think others shouldn’t be too. It explains why they continually pull others down to be stuck in despair just like them.
But I don’t want to be caged anymore. I want to be of good courage. I want to be safe and brave enough to be myself, in the hopes that I can inspire others to be free too.
Ironically, I came across this song a few days ago.
Life With Rachel 