(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.
Life With Rachel 