I Am Here
December 14, 2011 in art therapy, creative tools, expressive arts, inner wisdom, mindfulness
As the official first day of winter approaches and New Years lurks around the corner, I find myself gathering more and more resources together, laying out ideas and plans for self-development. It’s as of I’m nesting, the same way I did before my first son was born; creating and gathering things together to welcome his eminent birth. Only this time I am welcoming my own rebirth so to speak.
For it is during this time of year I feel a strong pull to go inward, recreating parts of myself, allowing new creations to be birthed. I do the traditional reflection on the year past, noticing lingering dreams that have yet to come into fruition. Instead of harping on these as “failures”, I try to use the opportunity to revise them, morphing them into new dreams and hopes for the year ahead.
It’s not all beautiful and sparkly and easy-going though. There are many moments when I feel panicked about all that I haven’t done. Worry and Fear about all that I want to do, Doubt and Angst about whether I can do it or not, are familiar visitors this time of year (ok lets face it, they are “frequent flyers” to the destination that is me).
I realize that all of this worry and panic can be avoided. It’s a matter of choice after all. Though easier said than done. Or is it?
It can be avoided if only I don’t put expectations on my self to get it all done. If I remind myself that once one thing is done there is always more to do and that is just the nature of doing and being. It’s never all done. It’s never finished. Life is an ever evolving story with new chapters being written all the time. What counts is the part you are reading (doing) NOW. Sure there may be plots, drama, cliffhangers (if you like). Your life can read like non-fiction, full of “fact” and so-called predictability or fantasy, full of magical twists and turns.
There is always more to do
I will get there when I get there
when the time is right for me
“Trust the Process” (a little reminder I have come up on my phone throughout the day)
And as I listen to these words of wisdom that have sprouted up within, I can breathe again and relax knowing that all is where it is, where it should be.
When I worry it’s time wasted. When I worry I spend my energy on other than I want. So in this moment right now I choose, not to look forward, nor backward. Instead I choose to honor what is, by acknowledging what was and what can be and releasing this now.
So what’s on your list of dreams?
Have you reviewed and acknowledged all your accomplishments instead of focusing on what was not done.
Have you let go of things that didn’t happen realizing that perhaps they are not necessary?
Perhaps there’s a reason they have not come to life yet. Release them, let them go. Below is an expressive arts exercise that may help.
Acknowledgment Collage:
- Take out some old magazines and pictures and flip through them looking for images that reflect to your accomplishments for the year.
- Cut or rip them out and glue them on paper anyway that feels right.
- Use markers paints or pastels to adorn them with images or words to give it your own special touch. Remember its a celebration of your successes!
- On a separate piece of paper glue some more images or draw the essence of the things you feel you did not accomplish.
- Put this aside.
- Take note of any similarities between what you have achieved and what you feel you have yet to achieve. Are there similar goals at the core, similar emotions invested?
- On a third sheet of paper add images that represent your hopes and dreams.
- Don’t worry about whether you can see yourself achieving these or not.
- Just dream big and allow your creative imagination to roam free.
- Have your original “unfinished” accomplishments morphed in any way?
Once you are done you may wish to journal about any thoughts that came up as you were doing these or as you stand back and look at them now.
You can display these collages in a prominent place to remind you of your ever unfolding story.
Petrea,
I love the expressive arts exercise! I can’t wait to try it and see what patterns continue to surface. Thanks for the reminder about “trusting the process.” I love to pretend I’m in control:)
Oh yes I am constantly having to remind myself to “let it go” and being “in contorl” is not the end all and be all! Hence the daily reminders to myself! LOL
I love, love, love the exercise. I am toying with the idea of going away for New Years and this will be the perfect thing to do. It seems very powerful to acknowledge what was accomplished and what was left unfinished before moving onto creation. It feels like doing that will allow me to take stock in what I really want and what I am willing to shift.
Wonderful Jo Anna! I agree, to me reflecting in this way using collage art helps me envision and focus in on what I really need.
I love this exercise too!
And I try to remind myself daily to enjoy this journey…..all aspects…..as that is what counts most…….thanks Petrea……awesome insights!
Yes exactly Gina, if we can remind ourselves to slow down and just enjoy where we are, there will be no feeling of disappointment in not being somewhere else! Gratitude practice is so important for this very reason.
What a marvelous idea! Sometimes we have to revisit and revise.. our failures aren’t necessarily failures after all..
Yes indeed! I like to see these “failures” as the stepping stones necessary to getting to where you are and where you want to go.
Petrea, this is a stellar idea! I adore the concept of acknowledging what has been and plotting what is yet to be ~ self expression plus a path for growth equals magic*
Yay! If anyone ends up making a collage and shares it on their blog, I would love to put a link here to inspire others as well. Let me know.
Collage is my first artform (and my favourite), so I naturally think this is the best idea EVAR.
Yay! Glad you like it!
I love this time of year. Especially the afternoons when I work on my laptop with a mug of hot tea and some cookies beside me. It’s the time of year to let go of everything that has served it’s purpose and dream up new goals and adventures. But yes, I also have to battle the feeling of not having done enough from time to time, so thanks for the reminder to not be too harsh with myself
We all need the reminder I think. It’s easy to forget to focus on what we have done well.
Petrea, what a wonderful exercise, and reminder. I particularly like your “Trust the Process”! It reminds me of my three stages of trust for group work and teaching: trust yourself, trust the learners, trust the process
I might not collage – too much mess in my work/ritual/creative room already! – but I think some poetry may be in order…
Elinor x
Poetry sounds like a great idea! Yes TRUST is such an important factor.
Yes, I truly believe we create our own reality. I really like the collage idea!!
Thanks for stopping by! Would love to see your collage if you do one.
It can be avoided if only I don’t put expectations on my self to get it all done
THIS! My to-do list has started to stress me out a lot less recently because I literally don’t expect myself to get through everything on it each day. And to a certain extent, I just “make that bigger” when I look at what I wanted to get done for the year.
Plus, a part of me feels like if I hadn’t sat down and figured out what I wanted to achieve in the first place, chances are I wouldn’t have achieved any of it… so from that perspective, *everything* I get to tick off is a bonus
I love the idea of the art exercise too… I don’t think I’ve done any collage work since I was at primary school!
Oooo! love to hear if you manage to do do some collage. Yes to do lists can be stressful. I’d rather a “done list” with visuals
Oh I absolutely love this creative exercise! I’ve been doing my own reflections of all I’ve achieved this year as it’s so easy for me to get bogged down in the what I feel is lacking. Thanks for the inspiration.
Yes, we need to focus more on our achievements and give ourselves much deserved praise!
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