I'm always looking for great art journal (and personal) inspiration. A few days ago, I came across an insightful exercise in a great book I am currently reading, Pencil Dancing: New Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit by Mari Messer.
Messer's challenge is this: "What if you were suddenly whisked away to another planet? You have to leave everything behind: your family, friends, pets, home car, job possessions, everything. What would you have left? You have 10 minutes to make a list."
I must confess... It took me more than a few to move beyond the thought of leaving my beloved family, dear friends and adorable diva pet behind. After a bit of refection, however, I recognized the fact that this activity would be one to fuel my spirit--make me focus on the reliance of solely myself versus all things external.
Using the art journaling technique, demonstrated in this past blog post, I created my list (A photo is featured above.). Here's a sampling of what I'd still have if suddenly whisked away to another planet:
- my dreams;
- thankfulness for all I have had and still have;
- my sense of humor;
- hope for the future;
- great taste;
- beautiful memories;
- inspirational thoughts;
- the desire to create;
- love in my heart;
- my friendship with myself;
- the ability to laugh out loud, sing, tell stories and say whatever I want;
- the ability to rise above it all;
- my Wise Self;
- daily challenges to ascend;
- self-celebration;
- affirmations;
- the capacity to make mental lists that lift my spirit;
- meditation;
- my yoga practice;
- an ability to tap into the power of deep breathing;
- pink pride;
- just enough feistiness to fight for myself;
- compassion; and
- knowledge that I will (somehow) survive--despite it all.
I highly recommend giving this activity a spin. When you get beyond the alien aspects of it, it's honestly a blast into self-empowering, other-worldly realms (smile!).
Joy & peace! T.
