art & play

let it out

Creative projects are alive. When we dare to take on something and create it with our own two hands, our thoughts, our time, we breathe life into each little detail. And if we choose to hold on so tightly and judge every wrong without letting it go into the world, we strangle this new creation and in a sense we strangle ourselves.  

Creating isn’t about making the most perfect book, painting, whatever. It is all about being in the moment, listening to our heart guide the creative process and trusting where that will lead us. It is about being courageous enough to make our thoughts come to life and share it all with the world.

 

lightening the work

I don’t often let things stand in my way, and sometimes instead of easing with the flow, I have a tendency to force my way through. At times, this may be just the right method, but overall, I am realizing I don’t need to add more force to break things down because the extra force just causes me to get tight and constricted all the way from my thoughts to my muscles. And in all that tension and constriction, how can things flow, how can I stay connected to my breath?

A bit back I was working with a client, massaging their tight shoulder. We were working a pretty intense area with lots of knots and sensation. As I worked I made sure the pressure was okay, that they were still breathing to let go. While I kept concentrating and working, I became more serious about doing a good job and I could feel tension sweep over me, almost as if I was trying to force the knots out of them. Just as I noticed this, my gut whispered to me—it’s not about force but intention—I could do as much ‘good’ by being playful, so I switched gears and began a more rhythmical fluid movement across the tight area. My hands, which were focused so hard on alleviating the knots, loosened as I switched massage strokes. I heard my client take a deep breath too, and then watched their shoulder drop in relaxation.

I left that session with a full feeling and some hands on experience to a knowing that I had previously only held in my mind—that it’s not always about how hard I work, but how flexible I am in the present with what shows up. Being open to the experimentation that happens when I don’t have expectations actually allows me to accomplish more and I can do it with a laugh or smile.

Now, I intend to take this learning from massage and let it reflect onto other areas of my life to lighten my work and my heart. May the experimenting begin...

 

a daily list

The fresh excitement around a list of intentions can carry me far, but somewhere along the way, I have to energize my efforts on my own and follow through with that lovely list or else, at the end of the year a pretty list is all it will be.

In the past I have made those overwhelming long to-do lists that reach all the way to the moon, but that type of list is unproductive for me. I need something short, simple and most of all accomplishable. I have come to realize that if my list has more than 8 things on it for the day, my mind goes a little woggley and I become unfocused.

So now, I make a list every morning of the must do's, then it becomes fresh in my mind. I honestly look at the time frame and don't over schedule. (This is a new practice. I used to think ‘oh, if I just get this done, then I can relax.’ For me, there is never just one more thing. I will always do more if given the chance.) With the newly created list I can take on those few jobs and let the others go for the day. This gives me a chance to concentrate on what is in front of me, instead of allowing a few stressful responsibilities to grow bigger in my mind before I have even had a chance to begin them.

Of course there is always more to do, but there is also a need to breathe and take a break to refresh for the next day. I make sure to add the important things that nourish me and give them priority too — these are my strength builders—a must. If I don't take care of me, I won't be of any use to anyone. If I don't give the nourishing things priority, no one else will either. 

This list also has a flip side — it instantly becomes a reflection of everything I have done. When a day arises and I am feeling low, like I have no energy or I don't think I am accomplishing anything, I can peek back through my crossed off items and see on paper the progress I am making. It is a map of how I arrived at this place, a record of my journey and a chance to smile at all the work and challenges I have faced head on. Celebrating is crucial... 

If we don't honor the work we have done, we won't feel inspired and motivated to continue forward. Celebrate your accomplishments! Embrace this ritual— it may inspire you to accomplish more than you could ever dream.