The request has been made...how do we shut the thing up?  I've been watching these young people all week as the muppet arises through distraction, avoidance, fidgetiness, you name it.  We've been talking all week long about...what do you do when you can't get the thing to shut up.  Here's what we've come up with so far:

Ask it a question:  Is that true?  Is that really true?  How would it be if I didn't listen to this lie?

Replace the muppet's message with a more powerful mantra:  "Yes I can"  "I can so!"  "You're not in charge"  "Anything is possible"  "Can't get it wrong"  "Just be"  Use any phrase that brings you strength and comfort.  All a mantra is, is a thought that you keep repeating.  Whose thought would you prefer to repeat?

Go to the ridiculous:  You are absolutely right...I suck,  I'm the worst, the world is ruined because of me or if I do this...blah, blah, blah

Gather evidence of how the muppet is wrong:  Look at how many places the muppet tried to silence you and the negative repurcussions of that one.  Look at where you ignored it and all went well.  Hit it with the facts, m'aam!

Leap anyway:  sit with the uncomfortable and GO!  Notice what happens.

 
The Muppet! 06/24/2009
 

This week I have the pleasure of co-facilitating a writing camp with 6th through 9th graders.  My partner and I agree that one of the greatest inhibitors to creation of any kind is the "muppet" or critical voice that rides around on our shoulder and continually lets us know that we are wrong or imperfect or stupid or can't do this or.....  We decided that we wanted to begin this camp by addressing head on the voice of the muppet.  And so we invited these young people to create the image of their muppet.  The range and variety was astounding BUT the amazing thing was the commonality of experience.  The muppet silences some and feels like puppet strings to others.  One is firmly held in the grasp of his muppet and is bombarded by should's and don'ts.  Another feels like the weight of the world while others echo the demands of being perfect.  Some pierce, all hurt and get in the way of full expression. 

 

And so I ask you...what does your muppet say to you...how much power do you allow it to have in your life?  What would it be like if you simply took a stance of inquiry and asked your muppet, "Is that true?  Is that really true?"  This has been an amazing process and the gifts of naming the muppet have been huge...more to come!

 
 

I've just returned from a week long family trip.  We love to pack up the tent and head to San Elijo SB for some relaxation and fun.  What always amazes me is how these weeks fulfill so many other needs.  I came to this trip particularly spent and exhausted.  With each day that passed I could feel the ocean carrying away the tension that I held.  On the first night I felt particularly keyed up and decided to sit and watch the sunset.  As the sun moved from its place in the sky to the horizon I imagined all that I held setting with it.  The glow that remained was filled with peace and mirrored the feeling I now held from simply connecting to nature and letting her work her magic!

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Later in the week,  I received a phone call from one of my sisters.  She was sharing with me some difficult situations she is facing.  I listened and shared my thoughts and my love with her.  I looked down at one point and there climbing up the fire pit was this friendly little caterpillar.  Now, I know that caterpillar is a particularly significant sign from nature.  Caterpillar is part of the totem of butterfly and signals the beginning of a transformation.  The good news is that the caterpillar always transforms into the beautiful and free butterfly.  For me,  this was a signal that while my sister may be entering a potentially challenging situation that all will be well and all will unfold beautifully. 

 

I am always amazed by the way nature always lets me know where I am.  It reminds me of what is true and guides me along the way.  This is why I LOVE to bring nature into as many expressive arts experiences as I can.  It is wise.  It is always right on and it always knows.

 
 
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I have fallen in love with this spirit doll that I created.  I love it so much that I decided to use it as the main image in this site.  It came out of some work that I did at an amazing expressive arts training workshop at Sky Mountain.  Anne and Lali, the facilitators there, told us an amazing story of Vasilisa the beautiful.  Here's a link to the story.  http://www.oldrussia.net/vas.html    In this story,  Vasilisa receives a blessing, a gift from her mother in the form of a spirit doll.  This doll guides her throughout the story and utimately brings her to safety.  It was very powerful for me to connect with the idea of the blessings that we pass from one generation to another.  What blessings have I bestowed on my daughter?  And also, what blessings have I received?  It is my deepest belief that listening to our intuition and our inner wisdom is the single greatest gift that we pass along.  This doll, created after this story telling is filled with the energy of wisdom and truth and love of my father.  She has the wings of an angel and the heart of love.  She feels like my guide and I love her.  She embodies what this place is about for me...connecting to one's guidance, inner voice and wisdom...for it is always with us.  All  we need to do is access it.  That is my greatest wish for all who come to Expressive H'arts Studio!  Many blessings to all of you!



 
First Post! 06/09/2009
 

Welcome to day one of my blog here at Expressive H'arts Studio.  I am getting ready for the young group of writers coming to me in a couple of weeks and it is very exciting.  It has been true for me that writing is a way to process my life.  Some days I write terrible stuff and I still feel better for it!  It is my intention with this blog to include sniippets of writing, art, photos, etc. to share the experiences here at the studio.  So...welcome and here we go!