Intuitive art heals your spirit

Conversations are surfacing about ways we can heal from the emotional rollercoaster of our country, the United States, as the year 2020 nears its end. I do not know about everyone else, but I am seeking some means for healing. One way I pursue healing is through spiritual practices.  Sometimes I wonder what the angels see. I draw upon the wisdom of the words by Amy Grant, a courageous woman I have listened to since 1980.

 

If I Could See (What the Angels See)

If I could see what the angels see

Behind the walls, beneath the sea

Under the avalanche, through the trees

Gone would be the mystery

If I could see what the angels see…

If I could see what the angels see

Behind the walls to you and me

And let the truth set me free

I would live life differently

If I could see what the angels see.

Amy Grant, 2007, How Mercy Looks from Here

 

Sometimes I wonder if art is the outcome of the messages the angels from our Divine Source are sending us. When I was working through some challenging life events, an artist friend shared the importance of intuitive art and the expression of our spirit in mandalas. Mandalas, meaning circle in Sanskrit, are visual expressions. The belief is that Mandalas are a symbolic representation of the Universe and may be used alongside meditations. My Intuitive Art teacher Elizabeth Sampson shares,

“[Mandalas] are a form of meditation placing you in the present moment and bringing you to a mindful state. The repetitive patterns help to create intense focus and attention to detail. The patterns are soothing and relaxing!”

During some research I discovered that Carl Jung is credited with sharing to the Western World the idea that mandalas may have a therapeutic, healing impact.

“My mandalas were cryptograms concerning the state of the self which was presented to me anew each day . . . I guarded them like precious pearls.” Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, and Reflections

I have found mandalas to be a means of giving me space to visually create what I cannot say in words. The process provides me a space for healing my spirit; intuitive art sessions provide a time to step away from the chaos of the day.

Elizabeth, theDoodle Nurse, empowers me to allow the healing process of intuitive art. “Intuitive art is your subconscious giving you the messages that are for your highest and best,” Elizabeth explains. She shares her gifts on her YouTube channel by guiding others like me who have no art technique training. Elizabeth provides videos with guidance for creative expression that can be done by children and adults with the basic materials of a pencil and paper. Additional art supplies are suggested as one explores the creative spirit.

Visual artists and musicians who share their work with others are courageous individuals. From visual images and words expressed in song, I receive wisdom, healing, and perspective.  My challenge to you is to set a half hour in your week aside to create space for your own healing. Consider intuitive doodling and, eventually, challenge yourself to create a mandala while listening to music that empowers your spirit. 

Podcasts of Courageous Women Revealing Truths

 “Effective life coaching creates the space for the thoughts to be spoken that allows strategic action to move one forward.” KJ Eveleth

The pandemic has given every person I know in this world a moment to pause. What do we do with this opportunity – this opportunity to pause, reflect, and make decisions to propel us forward? A truth revealed to me is this: Smart, creative, courageous women seek other smart, creative, courageous women. In recent months I received the opportunity to cultivate new, healthy relationships with amazing women. I also continued to explore resources to strengthen the spirit.

“Hollowed out,

clay makes a pot,

where the pot’s not

is where it’s useful…

So, the profit in what is

is in the use of what isn’t.”

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, translated by Ursula K. Le Guin, chapter 11, Uses of Not

Le Guin’s comment to this chapter is that Lao Tzu illustrates a “counterintuitive truth.” During the pandemic quarantine we were given a space of emptiness. We were also given a choice of how to use this space. I chose to spend time grounding myself in my spiritual practices AND seeking connection with smart, creative, courageous women. The year 2020 has revealed to me multiple truths as a result.

For many years I have had the pleasure of an amazing, life coaching relationship with Amy K Musson. Life coaching provides space to listen to oneself and then strategically decide what steps to take using this information. Incredible coaches lovingly hold one accountable and intuitively know how to push one to reach their potential. Through the work I do with Amy, many truths reveal themselves because of this space she creates. And, I move forward within this container called life coaching.

Recently Amy introduced me to Margaret Weniger, a woman living her potential. Margaret used this time to create a podcast series called “RisingTide” and her first episode interviews Amy, Insights from a Career in Coaching. This podcast exemplifies the value of life coaching and smart, creative, courageous women connecting with each other. Margaret believes in the power of women sharing their stories. Margaret’s podcast, like effective life coaching, is a container that provides space for the revealing of truths. The interview with Amy contains a density of content that brings me back to listen again and again. With each listening I walk away with another piece of wisdom. The beauty of Rising Tide is the diversity and unique stories of authentic women like Amy and Margaret.

My challenge, both to myself and to the women in my life, is to know our intentions align with our core values and to live with those intentions by taking strategic actions forward. And just maybe, the words and resources on this page will prompt you to listen deeply to the messages sent by our Divine Source so that we ALL live our potential. Thank you, Amy and Margaret, for your example of living your potential.

 

Naming It

It lurks beyond a shadow.
It blurs one's vision.
Maybe it appears out of nowhere.
Maybe it has been there all along.

One day we find it holding us back.
We don't know how to name it.
We oppress the feeling
Not knowing how to distinguish it.

A friend may call it a Gremlin.
Another may call it the Enemy.
But essentially it is the same;
We call it Fear.

If we say we experience no fear,
We have accepted the lie of the enemy.
If we say we only know fear,
We have accepted the control of the Enemy.

Naming it declares the secret.
Naming it releases its hold.
Naming it brings understanding.
Naming it removes its authority.

To go beyond naming the fear
Requires the courage of one's spirit.
To move through the fear
Brings forth strength.

This Immense Place

Bonneville Salt Flats, west edge of Utah

This Immense Place

by Kelly J Eveleth

Salt flats imply a smooth way of travel,
   deceiving the low risk taker.
Soft shifting surface holds the traveler to a crawl;
   when stopping to absorb more of the expanse
   hubs become stuck.
In isolation one asks,
   "How did I get to this immense place?"

Western ridges scream,
   "Rugged terrain, only the strong survive!"
Appearing to be a trail only for the adventurous,
   rocks block the miraculous beyond view.
An everlasting reward awaits those willing to choose
   discernment, applying skills gained along the journey.
Accepting gifts of the Creator
   the sojourner trembles with the humbleness as he asks,
   "How did I get to this immense place?"

"This immense place, you have chosen," breathes the Spirit.
"A desert is where you were and now you are here,
   yet never are you alone.
My whispers empower you to move
   toward majestic beauty
   of this immense place." 
   

When the Sea Beckons

When the Sea Beckons

Like the hummingbirds singing in your ear,

Or like the leaves whispering to the cells of your skin,

How do you respond?

Do you leave the desert sage brush

And let go of your social obligations?

Do you throw an overnight bag in the back seat

And fill your vehicle up with fuel for the 700 mile trip?

When the Sea beckons

This is what my heart spirit desires

Like a child needing the comfort

Of a nurturing parent,

Or a woman desiring

Arms of a lover.

Once the soles of my feet

Feel the damp sand,

My lungs fill with the moist, salty air,

The Sea recalibrates my energy

To the natural rhythm of the waves.

When the Sea beckons

And I respond to its calling

With humble curiosity,

I receive the gifts of the sea.

Influencing Others

Influence: the power or intangible action of one thing or person which brings about an effect on another (Wordsmyth.net)

     Matthew walked home from school in his small town and pondered a word he heard that day. As a third grader he became bombarded with words he did not know as they were not used at home. He decided to ask his mom if she knew what the word meant.

     "Mom, what does the word 'influence' mean?"

     "Matthew, where did you hear that word?" Mom replied.

     "At school. A book said that President Lincoln influenced the Civil War but the teacher didn't explain what influence means."

     "Well, I believe that there is a powerful energy force which people sometimes name as God. Since I believe in God I attend a church service and take you to Sunday School. You trust me as your mom. You know that I will always make sure you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is trust. When I take you to Sunday School you trust that you are being told truth. So, as result of this trust, I am influencing you to believe in God as I do. My participation in activities of the church also influence your decision in the participation of activities at the church. I influence your behaviors," explained Mom.

     "Ok, so does that mean teachers influence how much I learn?" asked Matthew.

     "Teachers MAY influence you. But here is the thing, my intelligent son. Teachers present to you specific content to develop your skills, but you must make the decision to learn. A teacher can attempt to influence, but you must also want to learn," Mom said.

     "So, because she shared a book with us about President Lincoln and I'm curious to know more, she has influenced me to research more and learn about the presidents," responded Matthew.

     "Exactly!"

     Can you identify the people, places, or things in your life which has greatly influenced you? Is there someone who influences how you see yourself which directly impacts the life choices you make, the kind of person you become? And when this person has a long term, positive impact upon you, how do you respond to that person? This last question is the one I have been reflecting upon.

     The word influence has a Latin derivative of the meaning "to flow in."  The beliefs of someone has flowed into me. Someone believed in my gift to communicate through written language. That someone influenced my decision to write, and then to write some more. The practice of writing influenced the quality of my writing as I opened myself to learn more during the experience. I received a gift that has no ending point. I trusted someone who then flowed into my way of thinking in a beautiful way. My problem is this: saying the two words thank you just doesn't seem to be enough.   

City of Girls

I've just finished reading, actually listening to, the book City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. I love the way she tells stories. Interesting how the timing of me selecting and finishing this book relates to other musings of late. The topic? Relationships, and the different kinds of relationships we have. At the end of the book, the author in her unique way reminds us that different kinds of relationships are necessary. As we grow into more of our authentic self, the need we have for authentic relationships also grows. I believe one of our challenges as a society is acknowledging the different kinds of relationships people require and finding the language to communicate within these diverse relationships.

I like how the main character in Elizabeth Gilbert's book conveys the unique dynamics of the relationships she experiences. The character is telling her life story, her perspective, when she is significantly older. In reflections of my own relationships in my younger years compared to the present I definitely see the changes of the needs I have. I also realize more concretely what my needs were when I was younger, why I made the decisions that I did. This reflection helps me in my current season of life. I remember an elementary teacher once telling me, "Kelly, remember that there is always an end in a friend." I was obviously misspelling "friend-freind" but I remember thinking, I don't like that idea. However, now I understand that some friendships are intended to be for a short period of time and others are intended to be for a lifetime. The challenge of course is knowing what kind of relationship each one is meant to be, having the courage to live one's values in that relationship, and through the experience hopefully gain the intended wisdom the Universe desires.

A moment in my adult years occurred in which I asked myself, "Is this relationship a mistake?" I now believe I was asking the wrong question. Numerous alternative questions in regards to relationships are available. This is why I believe in the value of life coaching. Well trained and gifted life coaches have the ability to ask different questions while pushing a person to live their core values. But, as I write this blog, I realize I'm getting away from my original reason for sharing my thoughts.

I really like the book City of Girls.

I'm not a professional book reviewer; I'm simply acting as a consumer of popular general adult fiction. And so, the book pushed me to see another perspective of the different kinds of relationships we may experience. Also, while one kind of relationship works for one person, that same kind of relationship may not work for another. Here's the secret, I think, when considering the different relationships around us: remove judgment. I love reading realistic fiction because a well written story allows me to explore how various relationships evolve and challenges me to ask different questions about the relationships in my own life.