Have you ever thought life would be different for you today if you had a different childhood? Have you ever held thoughts such as:
"My Mother never really cared about who I was."
"My Father told me that I'd never amount to anything."
"People won't like me if I don't agree with the crowd."
"If only I didn't come from such a dysfunctional family."
These are only some of the comments I have heard from people who are stuck or struggling in any creative endeavor. The underlying theme is "I'm not (good, smart, talented, rich, worthy, respected, whatever) enough. Heck, I used to make similar laments about my lot in life. Experiences of my past governed how I thought about myself and what was possible for my future. Then one day the truth hit me and rocked my world:
Life does not shape me. I shape my life. I am the creator not the creation of my experience.
How you look at, how things make you feel, depends on you not the things. Whatever anyone said to you, good or bad, or whatever you witnessed in your childhood were mere events. What you had those statements and actions mean about you, however, was entirely your own doing; your creation. You formed a valid interpretation through your young lens, your limited context, of your circumstance. This interpretation became a fundamental belief that you relied upon as you authored your life as you know it.
If the belief works for you, that's great! For example, if you have an integral belief "If I deliberately and intentionally pursue what I love to do success will find me" chances are you are experiencing a fulfilling life immersed in your passionate pursuits. It is when the belief holds you back, stops you from expressing your full potential that you have to re-examine the interpretation that formulated your belief.
Let's say you examine your innermost feelings and thoughts and realize that deep down inside you believe, "I am not good enough. I will never amount to anything." This belief doesn't feel good. Beliefs shape your emotions. All emotions are valid Good emotions work for you. Bad emotions do not work for you. If you discover a belief that doesn't feel good take some time to examine the belief.
In your examination recall the earlier events that lead to the conclusion "I am not talented enough." That conclusion was only one way to interpret the event. There are others. How else could those incidents be viewed? One possible interpretation is that the person saying or doing the thing was just having a bad hair day. Perhaps he was repeating his own misguided belief. There are any number of other possible interpretations that your adult mind can come up with that are just as valid.
Challenge the belief. Look for events in your life then and now when you were absolutely good enough to take on a challenge and master it. Let's start with the simple fact that you learned how to walk and talk. You fell on your butt more than a few times and misspoke but that didn't stop you from pursuing your goal. With each stumble and misused word you learned something. That little nugget of wisdom eventually created the experience of naturally and easily walking and talking. You can even do both at the same time! Find more such examples. There are plenty to notice if you just look.
This is how you deliberately create a new perspective, a new lens through which to view yourself and your possibilities. You now realize people, events and things did not shape your life. You did based on the meanings, the interpretations, the beliefs, you took on for yourself as you experiences what you heard and saw. One thing is for sure. You are a masterful creator. You created all of your life experiences to this moment and you will create your experiences in the future. Express your full creative potential by becoming the hero, the Wizard, of your opportunity instead of the victim of your circumstance.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
Valery is an Inner Wizard Mindset Mentor & Coach who teaches people how to be the hero of their opportunity instead of the victim of circumstance so they can fully invest themselves in their creative endeavors. Clients also learn how to root out self-sabotaging behavior that can land them in the National Enquirer! Empower the Wizard Within http://www.InnerWizard.com Free tips!
Showing posts with label creative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Resentment and Expectations: Big Fat Life Hold Ups
I work with a lot of people who are often in conflict with people they work, or aspire to work with, or in their personal relationships. Time and again I see people become frustrated, angry, and hostile, all a result of having fixed and expectations of one another. Some hold onto and wear their resentment like a badge of honor. It's an exhausting way to live. Helping people recognize and reframe these control-based expectations is essential to real movement toward agreement, better experiences and overall emotional intelligence growth.
The source of anger and resentment is unmet expectations. Simply put, you are not here to live up to other people's expectations. Nor is anyone here to live up to yours. Think about the times you have been angry, aggravated, frustrated or downright pissed off. What was at the root of your upset? Chances are something you expected did not happen the way you wanted or assumed it would. Expectations can be good when used to energize and motivate in a positive direction. However, when entangled with unrealistic suppositions often developed in early childhood, they are likely to cause disappointment. Common reaction to disappointment is anger, resentment and depression.
Often when people come up against what is their idea of right and wrong, they tend to revert to old coping pattens of thinking. These 'rules of life' might have helped you make it through childhood safely and securely but they no longer are useful if they get in your way as an adult. In an effort not to lose what is really a false sense of control and security, people unrealistically expect all people to behave a certain way and presume all situations should turn out as they think they should. If any of this sounds a bit familiar, know that in these circumstances you unwittingly set yourself up for an unhappy experience. You will likely feel the blunt force of disappointment, anger, resentment, and rage.
What you don't realize is that this powerful negative emotion was stirred up by no one other than you so that you could 'be right' in the situation. You seek your validation through making others wrong. Being right makes you feel better about yourself because it gives you an excuse to direct your anger, your blame, at someone else instead of taking responsibility for your own agitation.
Know this: Any time any one or any thing controls how you value yourself or how feel, you are a victim to that person or thing.
No other person or situation can make you angry. Events alone do not cause anger. If someone does or says something that is not in line with your expectations you have the power to choose to react or respond. You can blindly react as if on autopilot as you run you old victim oriented "how dare she do this to me" routine that holds you back from moving forward or you can stop and deliberately decide how to respond.
Resentment is a thief that you invite in to steal your personal power. The more you resent the more you will feel victimized and powerless. Your emotions are indicators of whether or not you are about to act in a way that supports you or adds insult to injury. If you feel good, or at least calm, you are fully present in a position to respond productively from a centered place. If you feel bad, you've slipped into old thinking patterns of the past and are reacting automatically and irresponsibly from a disturbed place. Resentment over stymied expectations is not your friend in any circumstance. Pain can happen, anger and resentment is a choice.
If you discover that you've been hit in the fact with a thwarted expectation take a breath. Instead of cursing, believing that you've been foiled yet again, ask yourself the following questions:
Was your expectation realistic?
Just because you would do or say something in a specific situation does that mean that everyone has to act in the same way?
Do you even have all the facts?
Are you making up any of the details of the circumstance?
Are you making assumptions about the other person's motivations, agenda, thoughts or beliefs?
How do you know what you assume to be true is absolutely true?
Is there any other way the situation could be perceived?
And one more question:
Even if this other person disrespected or devalued you in some way, was it what you expected them to do? If so, look within to reveal where you disrespect or devalue yourself through your thoughts and beliefs about you. You cannot get that which you do not already have. If you want to be valued, respected, or loved you have to respect, value and love yourself first.
Once you've examined your expectations, change your thoughts, and decide upon the best course of action.
If someone has maligned you in some way, it is not within your control to alter another person's behavior. The only thing you really can change is your inner image of that person in such a manner that you are feeling less disappointed, hurt, bitter, cheated, or wronged by them. Truth is, everyone is doing the best they can with the light they have to see. Some people are missing a few batteries in their flashlight. Others have no idea how to turn on a flashlight. They are in the dark, unconscious to, their own unrealistic expectations and misguided thoughts that their actions are based upon. You can choose to dim your light to match their or shine your light to brighten their way.
As you begin to appreciate others in spite of their faults, you begin to appreciate yourself in spite of your own faults. You are doing the best you can and have opportunities to learn new, more productive, ways of thinking. As you do so, you will enjoy renewed energy, a more positive attitude and much better experiences when you let go of beating yourself up over unmet, often unrealistic, expectations of yourself.
"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." - Carrie Fisher - Author, Actress
Valery is an Artist Mindset Mentor & Coach who teaches people how to be the hero of their opportunity instead of the victim of circumstance so they can fully invest themselves in their creative endeavors. Clients also learn how to root out self-sabotaging behavior that can land them in the National Enquirer! Empower the Wizard Within http://www.InnerWizard.com Free tips!
The source of anger and resentment is unmet expectations. Simply put, you are not here to live up to other people's expectations. Nor is anyone here to live up to yours. Think about the times you have been angry, aggravated, frustrated or downright pissed off. What was at the root of your upset? Chances are something you expected did not happen the way you wanted or assumed it would. Expectations can be good when used to energize and motivate in a positive direction. However, when entangled with unrealistic suppositions often developed in early childhood, they are likely to cause disappointment. Common reaction to disappointment is anger, resentment and depression.
Often when people come up against what is their idea of right and wrong, they tend to revert to old coping pattens of thinking. These 'rules of life' might have helped you make it through childhood safely and securely but they no longer are useful if they get in your way as an adult. In an effort not to lose what is really a false sense of control and security, people unrealistically expect all people to behave a certain way and presume all situations should turn out as they think they should. If any of this sounds a bit familiar, know that in these circumstances you unwittingly set yourself up for an unhappy experience. You will likely feel the blunt force of disappointment, anger, resentment, and rage.
What you don't realize is that this powerful negative emotion was stirred up by no one other than you so that you could 'be right' in the situation. You seek your validation through making others wrong. Being right makes you feel better about yourself because it gives you an excuse to direct your anger, your blame, at someone else instead of taking responsibility for your own agitation.
Know this: Any time any one or any thing controls how you value yourself or how feel, you are a victim to that person or thing.
No other person or situation can make you angry. Events alone do not cause anger. If someone does or says something that is not in line with your expectations you have the power to choose to react or respond. You can blindly react as if on autopilot as you run you old victim oriented "how dare she do this to me" routine that holds you back from moving forward or you can stop and deliberately decide how to respond.
Resentment is a thief that you invite in to steal your personal power. The more you resent the more you will feel victimized and powerless. Your emotions are indicators of whether or not you are about to act in a way that supports you or adds insult to injury. If you feel good, or at least calm, you are fully present in a position to respond productively from a centered place. If you feel bad, you've slipped into old thinking patterns of the past and are reacting automatically and irresponsibly from a disturbed place. Resentment over stymied expectations is not your friend in any circumstance. Pain can happen, anger and resentment is a choice.
If you discover that you've been hit in the fact with a thwarted expectation take a breath. Instead of cursing, believing that you've been foiled yet again, ask yourself the following questions:
Was your expectation realistic?
Just because you would do or say something in a specific situation does that mean that everyone has to act in the same way?
Do you even have all the facts?
Are you making up any of the details of the circumstance?
Are you making assumptions about the other person's motivations, agenda, thoughts or beliefs?
How do you know what you assume to be true is absolutely true?
Is there any other way the situation could be perceived?
And one more question:
Even if this other person disrespected or devalued you in some way, was it what you expected them to do? If so, look within to reveal where you disrespect or devalue yourself through your thoughts and beliefs about you. You cannot get that which you do not already have. If you want to be valued, respected, or loved you have to respect, value and love yourself first.
Once you've examined your expectations, change your thoughts, and decide upon the best course of action.
If someone has maligned you in some way, it is not within your control to alter another person's behavior. The only thing you really can change is your inner image of that person in such a manner that you are feeling less disappointed, hurt, bitter, cheated, or wronged by them. Truth is, everyone is doing the best they can with the light they have to see. Some people are missing a few batteries in their flashlight. Others have no idea how to turn on a flashlight. They are in the dark, unconscious to, their own unrealistic expectations and misguided thoughts that their actions are based upon. You can choose to dim your light to match their or shine your light to brighten their way.
As you begin to appreciate others in spite of their faults, you begin to appreciate yourself in spite of your own faults. You are doing the best you can and have opportunities to learn new, more productive, ways of thinking. As you do so, you will enjoy renewed energy, a more positive attitude and much better experiences when you let go of beating yourself up over unmet, often unrealistic, expectations of yourself.
"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." - Carrie Fisher - Author, Actress
Valery is an Artist Mindset Mentor & Coach who teaches people how to be the hero of their opportunity instead of the victim of circumstance so they can fully invest themselves in their creative endeavors. Clients also learn how to root out self-sabotaging behavior that can land them in the National Enquirer! Empower the Wizard Within http://www.InnerWizard.com Free tips!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Allow, Instead of Seize, the Day
I've been giving a lot of thought to the various messages we've received over the years and generally highly regard. Many success and self-help experts have told us that we need to "Seize the Day". "Carpe diem" they tell us.
Well, what the heck does that mean? How does one "seize the day"?
"Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live." ~Margaret Fuller
The dictionary defines the word seize as:
- take hold of; grab
- take or capture by force
- assume, seize and take control without authority and possibly with force
What are we supposed to do? How does one seize a day? Do we wake up in the morning ready and willing to force the desired events and goals of the day to happen? Do we push ourselves and other people to get things done when and in the way we want them done? Do we stay attached to how our day must unfold?
If that's what "seize the day" means then I'll pass, thank you very much. No seizing of days for me! Too exhausting! And I've learned that whenever I force anything to happen I usually don't get a good result over the long term.
"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - John Milton
I have learned to "allow the day". Allowing your day is to be open to all possibilities. It is showing up present, and in the moment, ready and willing for whatever comes next. When I detach from how a day must happen I permit the events of my day to unfold in ways I might not have thought of.
Allowing my day doesn't mean that I have no goals, objectives or intentions for my day. I wake up each and every morning with a clear vision of what I intend to create for that day. I just let go of how it has to happen and allow intuition and inspiration to guide my thoughts, choices and actions that will deliver the desired outcomes I have intended for the day.
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams
Have you ever wanted something and had no idea how you were going to get it? And soon there came the day when you got it? You had a clear vision of what you wanted and focused upon that thing or event that you desired. Intuition and inspiration gave you ideas that you took action upon and before you knew it, you got what you wanted. Or, the thing or experience you desired came to you as an "out of the blue" opportunity.
"Out of the blue" coincidences are not random coincidences. Without getting too metaphysical, I call them meaningful coincidences because they are the seemingly miraculous fortunate events that deliver what we desire. We could not have planned for that event to happen in the way it did. When you detach from how, you open up to the possibility of a meaningful coincidence.
Instead of using a lot of energy running around trying to seize the day try setting a clear intention and then just allow your day to unfold. Allow your intuitive messages your inner wisdom, what I playfully call the Inner Wizard, to orchestrate the how of what you intend to become reality. It is important to take action on this inner guidance because intention without action is only a dream.
"The art of living does not consist in preserving and clinging to a particular mode of happiness, but in allowing happiness to change its form without being disappointed by the change; happiness, like a child, must be allowed to grow up." - Charles Morgan
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering people to create more passionately, profoundly, productively and profitably. Learn how to trust your intuition, acknowledge your truth, and disarm your fear and self-doubt. Valery developed a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower the Wizard Within to actualize and express your full creative potential. Join now at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Inner Wizard Empowerment tips" too!
Well, what the heck does that mean? How does one "seize the day"?
"Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live." ~Margaret Fuller
The dictionary defines the word seize as:
- take hold of; grab
- take or capture by force
- assume, seize and take control without authority and possibly with force
What are we supposed to do? How does one seize a day? Do we wake up in the morning ready and willing to force the desired events and goals of the day to happen? Do we push ourselves and other people to get things done when and in the way we want them done? Do we stay attached to how our day must unfold?
If that's what "seize the day" means then I'll pass, thank you very much. No seizing of days for me! Too exhausting! And I've learned that whenever I force anything to happen I usually don't get a good result over the long term.
"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - John Milton
I have learned to "allow the day". Allowing your day is to be open to all possibilities. It is showing up present, and in the moment, ready and willing for whatever comes next. When I detach from how a day must happen I permit the events of my day to unfold in ways I might not have thought of.
Allowing my day doesn't mean that I have no goals, objectives or intentions for my day. I wake up each and every morning with a clear vision of what I intend to create for that day. I just let go of how it has to happen and allow intuition and inspiration to guide my thoughts, choices and actions that will deliver the desired outcomes I have intended for the day.
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams
Have you ever wanted something and had no idea how you were going to get it? And soon there came the day when you got it? You had a clear vision of what you wanted and focused upon that thing or event that you desired. Intuition and inspiration gave you ideas that you took action upon and before you knew it, you got what you wanted. Or, the thing or experience you desired came to you as an "out of the blue" opportunity.
"Out of the blue" coincidences are not random coincidences. Without getting too metaphysical, I call them meaningful coincidences because they are the seemingly miraculous fortunate events that deliver what we desire. We could not have planned for that event to happen in the way it did. When you detach from how, you open up to the possibility of a meaningful coincidence.
Instead of using a lot of energy running around trying to seize the day try setting a clear intention and then just allow your day to unfold. Allow your intuitive messages your inner wisdom, what I playfully call the Inner Wizard, to orchestrate the how of what you intend to become reality. It is important to take action on this inner guidance because intention without action is only a dream.
"The art of living does not consist in preserving and clinging to a particular mode of happiness, but in allowing happiness to change its form without being disappointed by the change; happiness, like a child, must be allowed to grow up." - Charles Morgan
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering people to create more passionately, profoundly, productively and profitably. Learn how to trust your intuition, acknowledge your truth, and disarm your fear and self-doubt. Valery developed a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower the Wizard Within to actualize and express your full creative potential. Join now at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Inner Wizard Empowerment tips" too!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Profound Empowering Influence: Dr. Seuss
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem & smarter than you think." - Winnie the Pooh
Some of the most profound and enlightening literature is found in the stories we heard and read as children. Philosophers such as Winnie the Pooh, Dennis the Menace and Dr. Suess taught us how to live authentically with confidence. And we often abandoned those lessons; pushing them aside as "stuff for kids". As we grew we abandoned authenticity, lost confidence and often lost our ability to play, create with abandon.
"The best thing you can do is get good at being you." - Dennis the Menace
That's our purpose in life; to express our full potential. Yet many people work hard, even throughout a lifetime, to express someone else's unexpressed potential. The people allow the should-ers, the people who tell them who they should be, what they should do and what they should have, dictate their life. And so they live a life unexpressed, with their story untold, their song unsung.
I suggest we treat ourselves to an afternoon or two, or twenty, devoted to revisiting the stories we read and adored as children. We marveled at these stories, these characters, because they called out for us to acknowledge and embrace who we are at our deepest core. We were inspired to live loudly and create expressively. Winnie the Pooh, Dennis the Menace and Dr. Seuss remind us that we are individuals with unique gifts to bring to the world. Our purpose in life is to....
"Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss.
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering creative people in the visual & performing arts to create more profoundly, more prolifically, and more profitably. Empower yourself to trust your intuition, acknowledge your truth, and disarm your fear and self-doubt. Valery spent years developing and implementing a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower other creative people to express their full potential. Join now at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Artist Resource/Marketing Directory" too!
Some of the most profound and enlightening literature is found in the stories we heard and read as children. Philosophers such as Winnie the Pooh, Dennis the Menace and Dr. Suess taught us how to live authentically with confidence. And we often abandoned those lessons; pushing them aside as "stuff for kids". As we grew we abandoned authenticity, lost confidence and often lost our ability to play, create with abandon.
"The best thing you can do is get good at being you." - Dennis the Menace
That's our purpose in life; to express our full potential. Yet many people work hard, even throughout a lifetime, to express someone else's unexpressed potential. The people allow the should-ers, the people who tell them who they should be, what they should do and what they should have, dictate their life. And so they live a life unexpressed, with their story untold, their song unsung.
I suggest we treat ourselves to an afternoon or two, or twenty, devoted to revisiting the stories we read and adored as children. We marveled at these stories, these characters, because they called out for us to acknowledge and embrace who we are at our deepest core. We were inspired to live loudly and create expressively. Winnie the Pooh, Dennis the Menace and Dr. Seuss remind us that we are individuals with unique gifts to bring to the world. Our purpose in life is to....
"Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss.
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering creative people in the visual & performing arts to create more profoundly, more prolifically, and more profitably. Empower yourself to trust your intuition, acknowledge your truth, and disarm your fear and self-doubt. Valery spent years developing and implementing a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower other creative people to express their full potential. Join now at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Artist Resource/Marketing Directory" too!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Blocked Creatively? You Might Just Be Swimming Upstream
Where you are in your creative expression mirrors where you are in your life flow. If you are blocked creatively it is an indication that there is a disruption in your energy flow. Something isn't working. And the harder you try to push on forward the more blocked you become. You become exhausted, literally drained, depleted, unmotivated. The couch beckons, the television calls, every distraction imaginable is suddenly luring you away from your work. Doing anything else feels better than fighting the block.
Why is that?
Life, and art, is about flow. Effortless flow. Passionate flow. Creative flow. If you're struggling in any area of your art or your life you are swimming against the stream of life instead of with it. You're emotions, thoughts and actions are out of alignment with who you are. Therefore, you are frustrated in your lack of ability to fully express yourself in your art, your relationships, your business matters. You are the block. You are getting in the way of your creative expression. Essentially you are in a state of self-sabotage when you are blocked, when you swim upstream.
There's a difference between being blocked and a pause. A pause is for the purpose of reflecting, getting a different perspective, replenishing yourself is purposeful. You feel good when you pause momentarily because you know that this action will result in the forward progression of your achievement. The pause is a part of your natural flow.
A block, on the other hand, doesn't feel good. And it may be permanent if you don't deliberately turn yourself around to flow with the stream.
Now, no one does anything without getting something out of it. What are you getting out of being blocked? Here's a hint: Have your Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) to do other things instead of your work? Yes, when you are making excuses you are in fear. You may be focused upon your misguided belief system that you're not good, talented, creative, smart, skilled, worthy, ad nauseam, enough to successfully complete the project, task, goal at hand. You may fear failure. You may find yourself blaming others for your inability to create or succeed. This is a victim mentality that is a huge block to creative expression.
What does staying blocked allow you to do? It allows you to stay right where you are in your current comfort zone. You may not like you're current comfort zone but it's what you know, so it's comfortable, and safe. You may not like thinking that you're not whatever enough or thinking that others control your success but it's what you've always thought. To change is frightening. Who would you be without those thoughts, those blocks?
As I mentioned earlier, if you are blocked, you are out of alignment with who you are. If you are out of alignment with who you are you are blocked, struggling, swimming upstream. "Well, then" you might be saying, "If I am out of alignment with who I am, who am I?" And that, is the question you must ask yourself.
To find the answer to that question you must ask yourself the following question:
"If there were no expectations; money was not an issue; my current abilities (or lack thereof) were not an issue, and I knew I could not fail: Who would I be, what would I do and what would I have?"
Spend some time with this question. I suggest writing down your answers in a journal. There is something about putting your truth onto paper that gives it power; brings it into reality. Take your time. Breathe. Dig deep. Pull out your truth from your core.
And when you are finished read your answer to yourself and visualize yourself as already being, doing and having that. This is who you are! What you desire most is a reflection of who you are. Hold this vision. Write an "I am" statement around it. Keep this statement nearby where you can refer to it in the moments you are blocked. If a thought, emotion or action is out of alignment with that statement, turn the thought, emotion or action around. How else could this be perceived? What could I do differently? Go with the flow instead of against it.
"The creative act is not hanging on, but yielding to a new creative movement. Awe is what moves us forward." - Joseph Campbell
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering creative people to succeed in their craft and business. She teaches people in the visual and performing arts how to tap into and trust their intuition, acknowledge their truth, and disarm their fear and self-doubt. No longer willing to continue as a starved creative spirit who lived conditioned inauthentic life Valery spent years developing and implementing a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower other creative people to express their full potential. Join now to create more profoundly, more prolifically, and more profitably at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Artist Resource/Marketing Directory" too!
Why is that?
Life, and art, is about flow. Effortless flow. Passionate flow. Creative flow. If you're struggling in any area of your art or your life you are swimming against the stream of life instead of with it. You're emotions, thoughts and actions are out of alignment with who you are. Therefore, you are frustrated in your lack of ability to fully express yourself in your art, your relationships, your business matters. You are the block. You are getting in the way of your creative expression. Essentially you are in a state of self-sabotage when you are blocked, when you swim upstream.
There's a difference between being blocked and a pause. A pause is for the purpose of reflecting, getting a different perspective, replenishing yourself is purposeful. You feel good when you pause momentarily because you know that this action will result in the forward progression of your achievement. The pause is a part of your natural flow.
A block, on the other hand, doesn't feel good. And it may be permanent if you don't deliberately turn yourself around to flow with the stream.
Now, no one does anything without getting something out of it. What are you getting out of being blocked? Here's a hint: Have your Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) to do other things instead of your work? Yes, when you are making excuses you are in fear. You may be focused upon your misguided belief system that you're not good, talented, creative, smart, skilled, worthy, ad nauseam, enough to successfully complete the project, task, goal at hand. You may fear failure. You may find yourself blaming others for your inability to create or succeed. This is a victim mentality that is a huge block to creative expression.
What does staying blocked allow you to do? It allows you to stay right where you are in your current comfort zone. You may not like you're current comfort zone but it's what you know, so it's comfortable, and safe. You may not like thinking that you're not whatever enough or thinking that others control your success but it's what you've always thought. To change is frightening. Who would you be without those thoughts, those blocks?
As I mentioned earlier, if you are blocked, you are out of alignment with who you are. If you are out of alignment with who you are you are blocked, struggling, swimming upstream. "Well, then" you might be saying, "If I am out of alignment with who I am, who am I?" And that, is the question you must ask yourself.
To find the answer to that question you must ask yourself the following question:
"If there were no expectations; money was not an issue; my current abilities (or lack thereof) were not an issue, and I knew I could not fail: Who would I be, what would I do and what would I have?"
Spend some time with this question. I suggest writing down your answers in a journal. There is something about putting your truth onto paper that gives it power; brings it into reality. Take your time. Breathe. Dig deep. Pull out your truth from your core.
And when you are finished read your answer to yourself and visualize yourself as already being, doing and having that. This is who you are! What you desire most is a reflection of who you are. Hold this vision. Write an "I am" statement around it. Keep this statement nearby where you can refer to it in the moments you are blocked. If a thought, emotion or action is out of alignment with that statement, turn the thought, emotion or action around. How else could this be perceived? What could I do differently? Go with the flow instead of against it.
"The creative act is not hanging on, but yielding to a new creative movement. Awe is what moves us forward." - Joseph Campbell
Valery Satterwhite is an Artist Mentor who specializes in empowering creative people to succeed in their craft and business. She teaches people in the visual and performing arts how to tap into and trust their intuition, acknowledge their truth, and disarm their fear and self-doubt. No longer willing to continue as a starved creative spirit who lived conditioned inauthentic life Valery spent years developing and implementing a proven unique "Inner Wizard" methodology to empower other creative people to express their full potential. Join now to create more profoundly, more prolifically, and more profitably at http://www.InnerWizard.com. Get Free "Artist Resource/Marketing Directory" too!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Are You Creatively Blocked or Are You Resisting - How to Know the Difference
Artists of every kind; painters, photographers, sculptors and actors will tell me that they are blocked. When we examine their specific challenge we discover that often they are not blocked, the are really resisting moving forward. There is a vast difference between the two. If you're struggling with your creative expression and vocation here's a way to determine whether your are blocked or unconsciously resisting as an artist.
First of all, let's take a look at what the definition of 'block' is. A block, in this context, is an obstruction; something that hinders or prevents the progress of accomplishment. Resistance, on the other hand, is the action of opposing something; a refusal to comply. We also say that something is resistant when it serves as a protective coating.
If you are blocked creatively, you may have doubts about your work, your ability to be successful, your talent. If you are resisting, you have little energy or desire to be creative and take any creative action as an artist or in the business of art. Creative blocks will come and go. Resistance can become chronic.
If you want to know whether your challenge is a block or a resistance look within. Pay attention to your self-talk, that seemingly endless chatter that is with you throughout your waking hours. If this self-talk is telling you that you're not talented or good enough to continue further then this is a block. You are in doubt, perhaps, of your ability to create what you want to express in this particular work. You're stuck, not knowing what next action to take to progressively move forward. You masterfully create distractions to take you away from your art, practice, rehearsal, audition, important meeting. And you've been doing this resisting stuff for a long time. Clearly identify the thoughts that created this blockage, this boulder. Remind yourself that this inner voice of doubt, this Inner Critic, is just a little scared of moving ahead. You're starting to stretch beyond where you've gone before and this little Inner Critic is scared so it is holding you back through inaction, indecision. Choose to take one small step in that direction, and then another, and you'll discover that you're flowing creatively again.
However, if you haven't doodled a noodle, picked up a brush, sung a song, gone to an audition or tinkled the ivories in weeks and weeks and weeks, then you're in a state of resistance. This resistance needs to be closely examined too if you wish to move beyond it. Instead of being in doubt about what's possible you are frozen in fear. What if I fail? If I continue to be an artist as my vocation will I end up living in a box by the side of the road? What if no one likes what I create? What if my work (me) is criticized publicly? Why even bother, when I'll only be rejected again. Will I die, lose my soul, give up on who I am? Deep down inside, you believe that it will be the end of the world if you continue on your path as an artist. In this state you are resisting who you are. You are resisting your own creative expression. And I'm sure you're depleted of energy, exhausted, heavy hearted. Powerless to move forward.
Yes, you are powerless because you have given up your power. If you ask yourself what within you is creating this resistance you may discover that you are shoulding all over yourself. You tell yourself constantly with that self-talk that you should do this, you should do that and yet you don't. I'm sure you have Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) why you can't continue on in your chosen path as an artist that is your birthright. But the truth is, you've become a victim of your fear. You've become a victim of the circumstances, events, and experiences in your life instead of the powerful creator that you are. You may even be feeling an urge to eF Everything And Run (F.E.A.R.); quit being an artist, an actor, a musician, a writer, a singer. You may have decided to 'get a real job'. Truth is, you quit on yourself and that feels terrible. And you are beating yourself up over it. And that feels even worse. This is no blocking boulder, this state is a massive wall of resistance. You are so afraid that you've literally thrown a protective blanket on your burning desires.
Again, it's time to examine your thoughts. This time, you're looking for deeper fundamental beliefs about what's possible for you to achieve as an artist. Perhaps you are reminding yourself that "you'll never earn a living as an artist" or 'artists are not business people and therefore doomed to fail".
Are the thoughts true? According to whom? How can you know, absolutely, that they are true? Can you find any evidence to the contrary? Who would you be, what would you do and what would you have if you didn't have these thoughts? For example if you're Inner Critic is telling you that you'll never earn a living as an artist, own that thought. Bring it up from your unconscious self-chatter into your consciousness. Shine light on it. Examine it. Is this true? According to whom? How can this person or these people know that this is true? Is it absolutely true that you'll never earn a living as an artist? Is any artist earning a living? Find more and more evidence that artists do, indeed, earn a living. If they can, so can you. How would you show up in your day as an artist if you didn't have that thought? What would you do? What would you create? What would success look like to you? Now be that! Hold the feeling you have as you envision yourself as a successful artist within you. Show up in your life, and as you approach your art, in that feeling state. You'll be amazed at the new inspiration, new opportunities that suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere for you.
So, You have a choice to make. If you are blocked, you can move beyond it. If you are resisting, you can quit. Get a real job. Tell yourself that you really don't want to be an artist and stop whining about it OR you can dissolve your fear. Which do you choose?
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches artists of all kinds how to get out of their own way, eliminate personal and professional roadblocks, so they can fully express their artistic vision and succeed in the business of art. Empower the Wizard Within, tame the Inner Critic, unleash and Inspire the Muse. Get Free Artist Resource Directory today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
First of all, let's take a look at what the definition of 'block' is. A block, in this context, is an obstruction; something that hinders or prevents the progress of accomplishment. Resistance, on the other hand, is the action of opposing something; a refusal to comply. We also say that something is resistant when it serves as a protective coating.
If you are blocked creatively, you may have doubts about your work, your ability to be successful, your talent. If you are resisting, you have little energy or desire to be creative and take any creative action as an artist or in the business of art. Creative blocks will come and go. Resistance can become chronic.
If you want to know whether your challenge is a block or a resistance look within. Pay attention to your self-talk, that seemingly endless chatter that is with you throughout your waking hours. If this self-talk is telling you that you're not talented or good enough to continue further then this is a block. You are in doubt, perhaps, of your ability to create what you want to express in this particular work. You're stuck, not knowing what next action to take to progressively move forward. You masterfully create distractions to take you away from your art, practice, rehearsal, audition, important meeting. And you've been doing this resisting stuff for a long time. Clearly identify the thoughts that created this blockage, this boulder. Remind yourself that this inner voice of doubt, this Inner Critic, is just a little scared of moving ahead. You're starting to stretch beyond where you've gone before and this little Inner Critic is scared so it is holding you back through inaction, indecision. Choose to take one small step in that direction, and then another, and you'll discover that you're flowing creatively again.
However, if you haven't doodled a noodle, picked up a brush, sung a song, gone to an audition or tinkled the ivories in weeks and weeks and weeks, then you're in a state of resistance. This resistance needs to be closely examined too if you wish to move beyond it. Instead of being in doubt about what's possible you are frozen in fear. What if I fail? If I continue to be an artist as my vocation will I end up living in a box by the side of the road? What if no one likes what I create? What if my work (me) is criticized publicly? Why even bother, when I'll only be rejected again. Will I die, lose my soul, give up on who I am? Deep down inside, you believe that it will be the end of the world if you continue on your path as an artist. In this state you are resisting who you are. You are resisting your own creative expression. And I'm sure you're depleted of energy, exhausted, heavy hearted. Powerless to move forward.
Yes, you are powerless because you have given up your power. If you ask yourself what within you is creating this resistance you may discover that you are shoulding all over yourself. You tell yourself constantly with that self-talk that you should do this, you should do that and yet you don't. I'm sure you have Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) why you can't continue on in your chosen path as an artist that is your birthright. But the truth is, you've become a victim of your fear. You've become a victim of the circumstances, events, and experiences in your life instead of the powerful creator that you are. You may even be feeling an urge to eF Everything And Run (F.E.A.R.); quit being an artist, an actor, a musician, a writer, a singer. You may have decided to 'get a real job'. Truth is, you quit on yourself and that feels terrible. And you are beating yourself up over it. And that feels even worse. This is no blocking boulder, this state is a massive wall of resistance. You are so afraid that you've literally thrown a protective blanket on your burning desires.
Again, it's time to examine your thoughts. This time, you're looking for deeper fundamental beliefs about what's possible for you to achieve as an artist. Perhaps you are reminding yourself that "you'll never earn a living as an artist" or 'artists are not business people and therefore doomed to fail".
Are the thoughts true? According to whom? How can you know, absolutely, that they are true? Can you find any evidence to the contrary? Who would you be, what would you do and what would you have if you didn't have these thoughts? For example if you're Inner Critic is telling you that you'll never earn a living as an artist, own that thought. Bring it up from your unconscious self-chatter into your consciousness. Shine light on it. Examine it. Is this true? According to whom? How can this person or these people know that this is true? Is it absolutely true that you'll never earn a living as an artist? Is any artist earning a living? Find more and more evidence that artists do, indeed, earn a living. If they can, so can you. How would you show up in your day as an artist if you didn't have that thought? What would you do? What would you create? What would success look like to you? Now be that! Hold the feeling you have as you envision yourself as a successful artist within you. Show up in your life, and as you approach your art, in that feeling state. You'll be amazed at the new inspiration, new opportunities that suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere for you.
So, You have a choice to make. If you are blocked, you can move beyond it. If you are resisting, you can quit. Get a real job. Tell yourself that you really don't want to be an artist and stop whining about it OR you can dissolve your fear. Which do you choose?
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches artists of all kinds how to get out of their own way, eliminate personal and professional roadblocks, so they can fully express their artistic vision and succeed in the business of art. Empower the Wizard Within, tame the Inner Critic, unleash and Inspire the Muse. Get Free Artist Resource Directory today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
Are You Creatively Blocked or Are You Resisting - How to Know the Difference
Artists of every kind; painters, photographers, sculptors and actors will tell me that they are blocked. When we examine their specific challenge we discover that often they are not blocked, the are really resisting moving forward. There is a vast difference between the two. If you're struggling with your creative expression and vocation here's a way to determine whether your are blocked or unconsciously resisting as an artist.
First of all, let's take a look at what the definition of 'block' is. A block, in this context, is an obstruction; something that hinders or prevents the progress of accomplishment. Resistance, on the other hand, is the action of opposing something; a refusal to comply. We also say that something is resistant when it serves as a protective coating.
If you are blocked creatively, you may have doubts about your work, your ability to be successful, your talent. If you are resisting, you have little energy or desire to be creative and take any creative action as an artist or in the business of art. Creative blocks will come and go. Resistance can become chronic.
If you want to know whether your challenge is a block or a resistance look within. Pay attention to your self-talk, that seemingly endless chatter that is with you throughout your waking hours. If this self-talk is telling you that you're not talented or good enough to continue further then this is a block. You are in doubt, perhaps, of your ability to create what you want to express in this particular work. You're stuck, not knowing what next action to take to progressively move forward. You masterfully create distractions to take you away from your art, practice, rehearsal, audition, important meeting. And you've been doing this resisting stuff for a long time. Clearly identify the thoughts that created this blockage, this boulder. Remind yourself that this inner voice of doubt, this Inner Critic, is just a little scared of moving ahead. You're starting to stretch beyond where you've gone before and this little Inner Critic is scared so it is holding you back through inaction, indecision. Choose to take one small step in that direction, and then another, and you'll discover that you're flowing creatively again.
However, if you haven't doodled a noodle, picked up a brush, sung a song, gone to an audition or tinkled the ivories in weeks and weeks and weeks, then you're in a state of resistance. This resistance needs to be closely examined too if you wish to move beyond it. Instead of being in doubt about what's possible you are frozen in fear. What if I fail? If I continue to be an artist as my vocation will I end up living in a box by the side of the road? What if no one likes what I create? What if my work (me) is criticized publicly? Why even bother, when I'll only be rejected again. Will I die, lose my soul, give up on who I am? Deep down inside, you believe that it will be the end of the world if you continue on your path as an artist. In this state you are resisting who you are. You are resisting your own creative expression. And I'm sure you're depleted of energy, exhausted, heavy hearted. Powerless to move forward.
Yes, you are powerless because you have given up your power. If you ask yourself what within you is creating this resistance you may discover that you are shoulding all over yourself. You tell yourself constantly with that self-talk that you should do this, you should do that and yet you don't. I'm sure you have Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) why you can't continue on in your chosen path as an artist that is your birthright. But the truth is, you've become a victim of your fear. You've become a victim of the circumstances, events, and experiences in your life instead of the powerful creator that you are. You may even be feeling an urge to eF Everything And Run (F.E.A.R.); quit being an artist, an actor, a musician, a writer, a singer. You may have decided to 'get a real job'. Truth is, you quit on yourself and that feels terrible. And you are beating yourself up over it. And that feels even worse. This is no blocking boulder, this state is a massive wall of resistance. You are so afraid that you've literally thrown a protective blanket on your burning desires.
Again, it's time to examine your thoughts. This time, you're looking for deeper fundamental beliefs about what's possible for you to achieve as an artist. Perhaps you are reminding yourself that "you'll never earn a living as an artist" or 'artists are not business people and therefore doomed to fail".
Are the thoughts true? According to whom? How can you know, absolutely, that they are true? Can you find any evidence to the contrary? Who would you be, what would you do and what would you have if you didn't have these thoughts? For example if you're Inner Critic is telling you that you'll never earn a living as an artist, own that thought. Bring it up from your unconscious self-chatter into your consciousness. Shine light on it. Examine it. Is this true? According to whom? How can this person or these people know that this is true? Is it absolutely true that you'll never earn a living as an artist? Is any artist earning a living? Find more and more evidence that artists do, indeed, earn a living. If they can, so can you. How would you show up in your day as an artist if you didn't have that thought? What would you do? What would you create? What would success look like to you? Now be that! Hold the feeling you have as you envision yourself as a successful artist within you. Show up in your life, and as you approach your art, in that feeling state. You'll be amazed at the new inspiration, new opportunities that suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere for you.
So, You have a choice to make. If you are blocked, you can move beyond it. If you are resisting, you can quit. Get a real job. Tell yourself that you really don't want to be an artist and stop whining about it OR you can dissolve your fear. Which do you choose?
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches artists of all kinds how to get out of their own way, eliminate personal and professional roadblocks, so they can fully express their artistic vision and succeed in the business of art. Empower the Wizard Within, tame the Inner Critic, unleash and Inspire the Muse. Get Free Artist Resource Directory today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
First of all, let's take a look at what the definition of 'block' is. A block, in this context, is an obstruction; something that hinders or prevents the progress of accomplishment. Resistance, on the other hand, is the action of opposing something; a refusal to comply. We also say that something is resistant when it serves as a protective coating.
If you are blocked creatively, you may have doubts about your work, your ability to be successful, your talent. If you are resisting, you have little energy or desire to be creative and take any creative action as an artist or in the business of art. Creative blocks will come and go. Resistance can become chronic.
If you want to know whether your challenge is a block or a resistance look within. Pay attention to your self-talk, that seemingly endless chatter that is with you throughout your waking hours. If this self-talk is telling you that you're not talented or good enough to continue further then this is a block. You are in doubt, perhaps, of your ability to create what you want to express in this particular work. You're stuck, not knowing what next action to take to progressively move forward. You masterfully create distractions to take you away from your art, practice, rehearsal, audition, important meeting. And you've been doing this resisting stuff for a long time. Clearly identify the thoughts that created this blockage, this boulder. Remind yourself that this inner voice of doubt, this Inner Critic, is just a little scared of moving ahead. You're starting to stretch beyond where you've gone before and this little Inner Critic is scared so it is holding you back through inaction, indecision. Choose to take one small step in that direction, and then another, and you'll discover that you're flowing creatively again.
However, if you haven't doodled a noodle, picked up a brush, sung a song, gone to an audition or tinkled the ivories in weeks and weeks and weeks, then you're in a state of resistance. This resistance needs to be closely examined too if you wish to move beyond it. Instead of being in doubt about what's possible you are frozen in fear. What if I fail? If I continue to be an artist as my vocation will I end up living in a box by the side of the road? What if no one likes what I create? What if my work (me) is criticized publicly? Why even bother, when I'll only be rejected again. Will I die, lose my soul, give up on who I am? Deep down inside, you believe that it will be the end of the world if you continue on your path as an artist. In this state you are resisting who you are. You are resisting your own creative expression. And I'm sure you're depleted of energy, exhausted, heavy hearted. Powerless to move forward.
Yes, you are powerless because you have given up your power. If you ask yourself what within you is creating this resistance you may discover that you are shoulding all over yourself. You tell yourself constantly with that self-talk that you should do this, you should do that and yet you don't. I'm sure you have Found Excuses And Reasons (F.E.A.R.) why you can't continue on in your chosen path as an artist that is your birthright. But the truth is, you've become a victim of your fear. You've become a victim of the circumstances, events, and experiences in your life instead of the powerful creator that you are. You may even be feeling an urge to eF Everything And Run (F.E.A.R.); quit being an artist, an actor, a musician, a writer, a singer. You may have decided to 'get a real job'. Truth is, you quit on yourself and that feels terrible. And you are beating yourself up over it. And that feels even worse. This is no blocking boulder, this state is a massive wall of resistance. You are so afraid that you've literally thrown a protective blanket on your burning desires.
Again, it's time to examine your thoughts. This time, you're looking for deeper fundamental beliefs about what's possible for you to achieve as an artist. Perhaps you are reminding yourself that "you'll never earn a living as an artist" or 'artists are not business people and therefore doomed to fail".
Are the thoughts true? According to whom? How can you know, absolutely, that they are true? Can you find any evidence to the contrary? Who would you be, what would you do and what would you have if you didn't have these thoughts? For example if you're Inner Critic is telling you that you'll never earn a living as an artist, own that thought. Bring it up from your unconscious self-chatter into your consciousness. Shine light on it. Examine it. Is this true? According to whom? How can this person or these people know that this is true? Is it absolutely true that you'll never earn a living as an artist? Is any artist earning a living? Find more and more evidence that artists do, indeed, earn a living. If they can, so can you. How would you show up in your day as an artist if you didn't have that thought? What would you do? What would you create? What would success look like to you? Now be that! Hold the feeling you have as you envision yourself as a successful artist within you. Show up in your life, and as you approach your art, in that feeling state. You'll be amazed at the new inspiration, new opportunities that suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere for you.
So, You have a choice to make. If you are blocked, you can move beyond it. If you are resisting, you can quit. Get a real job. Tell yourself that you really don't want to be an artist and stop whining about it OR you can dissolve your fear. Which do you choose?
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches artists of all kinds how to get out of their own way, eliminate personal and professional roadblocks, so they can fully express their artistic vision and succeed in the business of art. Empower the Wizard Within, tame the Inner Critic, unleash and Inspire the Muse. Get Free Artist Resource Directory today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Creative Empowerment: 6 Steps to Shape Your Life
You create your life as an artist uses color. There is no experience that you cannot change. In this miraculous life you are given the gift of a creative being. And with this gift that is your birthright you create your reality according to your beliefs. It is your creative energy that makes your worldly experience. The only limitations to what you can create are within the beliefs you hold.
You create your life through the inner power of your being. This creative power is, and always has been, within you. Affirm this magical power of beingness and use your creative abilities with understanding abandon. Honor your self as you move through your life and create your experiences.
Trust in the destiny and the state of grace in the person that you are. Even if you feel lost at times or have difficulties trust and believe in your powerful ability to create lemonade out of your lemons. Trust your inner self. You can't go through life not liking, rejecting or even fearing who you are and expect to grow spiritually and creatively. A life filled with rich color, beauty, energy and fulfillment begins with a very simple and important step. That first step determines which road you travel, what you create, for your life experience. Will you create your most delicious imaginings or will you create struggle and disappointment? If you want experience what you long for, what calls to you as a creative being, then that first step must be one of affirming who you are as an individual, your truth, personal boundaries and passions.
You make your own reality. You choose the colors, the textures and the artistic style that is the canvas of your life. You are constantly dipping your brush into your palate, the colors of which are based on what you believe about yourself, the world, and other people. How you arrange those colors on this metaphorical canvas are also based on these same beliefs. If you don't like the image you are creating, you must change you colors and arrangement. Using the same color arrangements over and over again that create what you don't like over and over again will never produce the creative expression you are reaching for.
Your beliefs follow you and shape your experience. Period. If you believe that you don't have the talent to create anything new and innovative, you won't. If you believe that you have to have money to make money, you'll never make any money if you don't have any right now. If you believe critics who tell you that you just don't have what it takes to make it then you'll never make it. Belief systems, the egoic programming that runs you (or what I lovingly call the Inner Critic) loves to be right. So, it is constantly on the look out for experiences that prove the belief that is holding you back. And where it can't find evidence, it will create the experience in the form of self-sabotage.
If you think that you might be running some of this buggy programming and have affirmed that this Inner Critic holds the power to create your life experience instead of you it is time to debug and disarm the thoughts and beliefs that aren't working for you. Here's a little formula that will help you change the colors of your life experience.
1. Be mindful.
Notice the thoughts and beliefs you hold. Notice that self-talk chatter. Pay special attention to thoughts that limit you in any way.
2. According to Whom?
When you identify a statement that undermines what you want to experience ask, "According to Whom?" Who, specifically, made this statement? "They" is not an answer. If you accept the source, whatever the source may be, as the definitive authority without question then you have turned over your power to that individual or thing. In any area of your life where you have let go of your personal power you will find struggle and dissatisfaction. Period.
3. Is it True? How do I know it's true?
Ask yourself if the belief is true. Do you know, with certainty, that this belief is true? Absolutely?
4. Look for evidence that supports the opposite of this belief.
For example, if you believe that you have to have money to make money look for evidence of people who started out with nothing and amassed fortunes. If you believe that you'll never make it at whatever you aspire to do, look at all the people who have made it. If they can, so can you. The difference between someone who has made it and someone who hasn't is the knowingness and firm belief that they would make it. It's really as simple as that.
5. Create a new belief based on this new evidence.
Based on the new evidence that you have found that proves that the old belief you held isn't absolute and isn't really true. Reframe the belief into one that supports you. For example, lots of artists have become famous, successful and rich. I no longer believe that as an artist, I'll never make any money.
6. Who would you be, what would you have, what would you do without this belief?
Imagine what your life would be like without this belief. How would it be different? How will you feel? What would you be doing? What will you have in your life that you do not have now? You can be, do and have all that you imagine by letting go of the beliefs that are holding you back from that experience.
You can use this formula to examine any area of your life that is not working for you. Explore the beliefs that are creating the experiences that you do not wish to have. Create new beliefs.
What colors will you paint on your canvas of life?
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." - Henry David Thoreau
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches creative people how to tap into their intuition and truth, disarm their self-doubt and fear so that they can empower the wizard within, inspire the muse, and fully express their creative potential. Get free mini-booklet "Discover Your Inner Wizard" and inspirational creative empowerment tips at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
You create your life through the inner power of your being. This creative power is, and always has been, within you. Affirm this magical power of beingness and use your creative abilities with understanding abandon. Honor your self as you move through your life and create your experiences.
Trust in the destiny and the state of grace in the person that you are. Even if you feel lost at times or have difficulties trust and believe in your powerful ability to create lemonade out of your lemons. Trust your inner self. You can't go through life not liking, rejecting or even fearing who you are and expect to grow spiritually and creatively. A life filled with rich color, beauty, energy and fulfillment begins with a very simple and important step. That first step determines which road you travel, what you create, for your life experience. Will you create your most delicious imaginings or will you create struggle and disappointment? If you want experience what you long for, what calls to you as a creative being, then that first step must be one of affirming who you are as an individual, your truth, personal boundaries and passions.
You make your own reality. You choose the colors, the textures and the artistic style that is the canvas of your life. You are constantly dipping your brush into your palate, the colors of which are based on what you believe about yourself, the world, and other people. How you arrange those colors on this metaphorical canvas are also based on these same beliefs. If you don't like the image you are creating, you must change you colors and arrangement. Using the same color arrangements over and over again that create what you don't like over and over again will never produce the creative expression you are reaching for.
Your beliefs follow you and shape your experience. Period. If you believe that you don't have the talent to create anything new and innovative, you won't. If you believe that you have to have money to make money, you'll never make any money if you don't have any right now. If you believe critics who tell you that you just don't have what it takes to make it then you'll never make it. Belief systems, the egoic programming that runs you (or what I lovingly call the Inner Critic) loves to be right. So, it is constantly on the look out for experiences that prove the belief that is holding you back. And where it can't find evidence, it will create the experience in the form of self-sabotage.
If you think that you might be running some of this buggy programming and have affirmed that this Inner Critic holds the power to create your life experience instead of you it is time to debug and disarm the thoughts and beliefs that aren't working for you. Here's a little formula that will help you change the colors of your life experience.
1. Be mindful.
Notice the thoughts and beliefs you hold. Notice that self-talk chatter. Pay special attention to thoughts that limit you in any way.
2. According to Whom?
When you identify a statement that undermines what you want to experience ask, "According to Whom?" Who, specifically, made this statement? "They" is not an answer. If you accept the source, whatever the source may be, as the definitive authority without question then you have turned over your power to that individual or thing. In any area of your life where you have let go of your personal power you will find struggle and dissatisfaction. Period.
3. Is it True? How do I know it's true?
Ask yourself if the belief is true. Do you know, with certainty, that this belief is true? Absolutely?
4. Look for evidence that supports the opposite of this belief.
For example, if you believe that you have to have money to make money look for evidence of people who started out with nothing and amassed fortunes. If you believe that you'll never make it at whatever you aspire to do, look at all the people who have made it. If they can, so can you. The difference between someone who has made it and someone who hasn't is the knowingness and firm belief that they would make it. It's really as simple as that.
5. Create a new belief based on this new evidence.
Based on the new evidence that you have found that proves that the old belief you held isn't absolute and isn't really true. Reframe the belief into one that supports you. For example, lots of artists have become famous, successful and rich. I no longer believe that as an artist, I'll never make any money.
6. Who would you be, what would you have, what would you do without this belief?
Imagine what your life would be like without this belief. How would it be different? How will you feel? What would you be doing? What will you have in your life that you do not have now? You can be, do and have all that you imagine by letting go of the beliefs that are holding you back from that experience.
You can use this formula to examine any area of your life that is not working for you. Explore the beliefs that are creating the experiences that you do not wish to have. Create new beliefs.
What colors will you paint on your canvas of life?
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." - Henry David Thoreau
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches creative people how to tap into their intuition and truth, disarm their self-doubt and fear so that they can empower the wizard within, inspire the muse, and fully express their creative potential. Get free mini-booklet "Discover Your Inner Wizard" and inspirational creative empowerment tips at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Affirmations: The Most Important One
“Art is essentially the affirmation, the blessing, and the deification of existence” - Friedrich Nietzsche
While traveling the road of life's journey of growth and fulfillment many people recite affirmations such as "I am rich without a hitch" or "I am strong, I am safe and all is well." These affirmations are used to create and develop a positive attitude to life and what's possible for you in that experience. Even those that do not believe in the power of affirmations will say that they "can't hurt" so you might as well say them.
Affirmations can, indeed, hurt and continue to reinforce the very block that it is being used to overcome. For example if the next thought you have after you recite the above affirmation examples are "But there's a glitch" or "Who am I kidding?" then all you are doing in your continued recitation of the affirmation is to reinforce feelings of not being rich and not being strong, safe and well. All you really do in that case is reinforce the negative. And you continue to stay stuck right where you are without any forward positive movement on your journey.
Before you throw your hands up in despair, there is an affirmation that reinforces a 'can do' positive state of self-esteem and being-ness. It's very simple. Easy to remember. The total affirmation is one word. And that word is...
YES!
The word affirmation means saying YES to yourself, your creative expression, and the life you lead. It is accepting your own unique personhood, your own talents. When you affirm you declare solemnly and formally as true. You declare your individuality. You embrace your life, own it, and let it flow through you. You no longer resist it. The greatest strength you could ever have is in your ability to affirm yourself. This affirmation is the acceptance of yourself in your present as the person you are. Within that acceptance you include qualities that you wish you did not have. In that light, affirmation is the loving recognition of your own integrity and value.
Now, this doesn't mean that you like every piece of every experience that you have. Even with these experiences you can affirm your own life force. You can maintain your personal boundaries and refrain from saying yes to events, issues or people that trouble you. Saying yes in this context is not about accepting whatever gets thrown at you. You affirm your uniqueness, say yes to who you are, even at times when you say no. Saying yes to you is about being at cause. Declaring your right to make decisions. Deliberately creating your experiences and owning those experiences without judgment. Without resistance. If an unwanted event is experienced, you affirm yourself in that experience and through examination of that unwanted event reveal how you were at cause in that experience. And make the correction the next time around. When you affirm your life you have the complete understanding that you form your own experiences and emphasize your ability to do so.
That one little affirmation of yes, delivers to you the power to create anything you want to experience or produce in your life.
Say yes. Yes to what you've experienced. Yes to your right to want what you want. Yes to who you are. Yes to the full expression of your creative soul.
"The supreme virtue in art is soul, perhaps it is the only thing which gives it the right to be.” - Willa Sibert Cather
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it in your creative expression and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. Learn how to say YES! Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
While traveling the road of life's journey of growth and fulfillment many people recite affirmations such as "I am rich without a hitch" or "I am strong, I am safe and all is well." These affirmations are used to create and develop a positive attitude to life and what's possible for you in that experience. Even those that do not believe in the power of affirmations will say that they "can't hurt" so you might as well say them.
Affirmations can, indeed, hurt and continue to reinforce the very block that it is being used to overcome. For example if the next thought you have after you recite the above affirmation examples are "But there's a glitch" or "Who am I kidding?" then all you are doing in your continued recitation of the affirmation is to reinforce feelings of not being rich and not being strong, safe and well. All you really do in that case is reinforce the negative. And you continue to stay stuck right where you are without any forward positive movement on your journey.
Before you throw your hands up in despair, there is an affirmation that reinforces a 'can do' positive state of self-esteem and being-ness. It's very simple. Easy to remember. The total affirmation is one word. And that word is...
YES!
The word affirmation means saying YES to yourself, your creative expression, and the life you lead. It is accepting your own unique personhood, your own talents. When you affirm you declare solemnly and formally as true. You declare your individuality. You embrace your life, own it, and let it flow through you. You no longer resist it. The greatest strength you could ever have is in your ability to affirm yourself. This affirmation is the acceptance of yourself in your present as the person you are. Within that acceptance you include qualities that you wish you did not have. In that light, affirmation is the loving recognition of your own integrity and value.
Now, this doesn't mean that you like every piece of every experience that you have. Even with these experiences you can affirm your own life force. You can maintain your personal boundaries and refrain from saying yes to events, issues or people that trouble you. Saying yes in this context is not about accepting whatever gets thrown at you. You affirm your uniqueness, say yes to who you are, even at times when you say no. Saying yes to you is about being at cause. Declaring your right to make decisions. Deliberately creating your experiences and owning those experiences without judgment. Without resistance. If an unwanted event is experienced, you affirm yourself in that experience and through examination of that unwanted event reveal how you were at cause in that experience. And make the correction the next time around. When you affirm your life you have the complete understanding that you form your own experiences and emphasize your ability to do so.
That one little affirmation of yes, delivers to you the power to create anything you want to experience or produce in your life.
Say yes. Yes to what you've experienced. Yes to your right to want what you want. Yes to who you are. Yes to the full expression of your creative soul.
"The supreme virtue in art is soul, perhaps it is the only thing which gives it the right to be.” - Willa Sibert Cather
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it in your creative expression and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. Learn how to say YES! Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
Affirmations: The Most Important One
“Art is essentially the affirmation, the blessing, and the deification of existence” - Friedrich Nietzsche
While traveling the road of life's journey of growth and fulfillment many people recite affirmations such as "I am rich without a hitch" or "I am strong, I am safe and all is well." These affirmations are used to create and develop a positive attitude to life and what's possible for you in that experience. Even those that do not believe in the power of affirmations will say that they "can't hurt" so you might as well say them.
Affirmations can, indeed, hurt and continue to reinforce the very block that it is being used to overcome. For example if the next thought you have after you recite the above affirmation examples are "But there's a glitch" or "Who am I kidding?" then all you are doing in your continued recitation of the affirmation is to reinforce feelings of not being rich and not being strong, safe and well. All you really do in that case is reinforce the negative. And you continue to stay stuck right where you are without any forward positive movement on your journey.
Before you throw your hands up in despair, there is an affirmation that reinforces a 'can do' positive state of self-esteem and being-ness. It's very simple. Easy to remember. The total affirmation is one word. And that word is...
YES!
The word affirmation means saying YES to yourself, your creative expression, and the life you lead. It is accepting your own unique personhood, your own talents. When you affirm you declare solemnly and formally as true. You declare your individuality. You embrace your life, own it, and let it flow through you. You no longer resist it. The greatest strength you could ever have is in your ability to affirm yourself. This affirmation is the acceptance of yourself in your present as the person you are. Within that acceptance you include qualities that you wish you did not have. In that light, affirmation is the loving recognition of your own integrity and value.
Now, this doesn't mean that you like every piece of every experience that you have. Even with these experiences you can affirm your own life force. You can maintain your personal boundaries and refrain from saying yes to events, issues or people that trouble you. Saying yes in this context is not about accepting whatever gets thrown at you. You affirm your uniqueness, say yes to who you are, even at times when you say no. Saying yes to you is about being at cause. Declaring your right to make decisions. Deliberately creating your experiences and owning those experiences without judgment. Without resistance. If an unwanted event is experienced, you affirm yourself in that experience and through examination of that unwanted event reveal how you were at cause in that experience. And make the correction the next time around. When you affirm your life you have the complete understanding that you form your own experiences and emphasize your ability to do so.
That one little affirmation of yes, delivers to you the power to create anything you want to experience or produce in your life.
Say yes. Yes to what you've experienced. Yes to your right to want what you want. Yes to who you are. Yes to the full expression of your creative soul.
"The supreme virtue in art is soul, perhaps it is the only thing which gives it the right to be.” - Willa Sibert Cather
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it in your creative expression and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. Learn how to say YES! Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
While traveling the road of life's journey of growth and fulfillment many people recite affirmations such as "I am rich without a hitch" or "I am strong, I am safe and all is well." These affirmations are used to create and develop a positive attitude to life and what's possible for you in that experience. Even those that do not believe in the power of affirmations will say that they "can't hurt" so you might as well say them.
Affirmations can, indeed, hurt and continue to reinforce the very block that it is being used to overcome. For example if the next thought you have after you recite the above affirmation examples are "But there's a glitch" or "Who am I kidding?" then all you are doing in your continued recitation of the affirmation is to reinforce feelings of not being rich and not being strong, safe and well. All you really do in that case is reinforce the negative. And you continue to stay stuck right where you are without any forward positive movement on your journey.
Before you throw your hands up in despair, there is an affirmation that reinforces a 'can do' positive state of self-esteem and being-ness. It's very simple. Easy to remember. The total affirmation is one word. And that word is...
YES!
The word affirmation means saying YES to yourself, your creative expression, and the life you lead. It is accepting your own unique personhood, your own talents. When you affirm you declare solemnly and formally as true. You declare your individuality. You embrace your life, own it, and let it flow through you. You no longer resist it. The greatest strength you could ever have is in your ability to affirm yourself. This affirmation is the acceptance of yourself in your present as the person you are. Within that acceptance you include qualities that you wish you did not have. In that light, affirmation is the loving recognition of your own integrity and value.
Now, this doesn't mean that you like every piece of every experience that you have. Even with these experiences you can affirm your own life force. You can maintain your personal boundaries and refrain from saying yes to events, issues or people that trouble you. Saying yes in this context is not about accepting whatever gets thrown at you. You affirm your uniqueness, say yes to who you are, even at times when you say no. Saying yes to you is about being at cause. Declaring your right to make decisions. Deliberately creating your experiences and owning those experiences without judgment. Without resistance. If an unwanted event is experienced, you affirm yourself in that experience and through examination of that unwanted event reveal how you were at cause in that experience. And make the correction the next time around. When you affirm your life you have the complete understanding that you form your own experiences and emphasize your ability to do so.
That one little affirmation of yes, delivers to you the power to create anything you want to experience or produce in your life.
Say yes. Yes to what you've experienced. Yes to your right to want what you want. Yes to who you are. Yes to the full expression of your creative soul.
"The supreme virtue in art is soul, perhaps it is the only thing which gives it the right to be.” - Willa Sibert Cather
Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. The ultimate mission of the International Association for Inner Wizards is to reconnect you with the incredible power that is already within you and to encourage you to recognize it, use it in your creative expression and rely upon this resource that is your birthright. We simply deliver back to you that which is already your own. Learn how to say YES! Get free mini-book "Discover Your Inner Wizard" today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.
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