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One day I was working on some collage stuff and literally whipped this out in a few minutes.  I was recently reviewing one of my art journals.  Looking through it, reflecting on what it might have to teach me...that kind of thing...and I came across this page.  It made me smile and laugh.  I love this bird stretched out in the grass, hanging on for dear life and yet looking so balanced and poised.  The playful line, "Look what we found" reminds me of what happens when I create.  It often feels like, "Wow, I had no idea that was there."  It is playful, a little hairy and soulful all at the same time. 

I love coming across this stuff months after I create it.  In the moment, it may not seem very important but it sits and waits for me.  When I return to it and am ready, BAM, I get the gift and for today, that was the reminder of how much I love this work and how it takes me to places I might not otherwise go.  It teaches me and stretches me and helps me to grow.  Amazing!!!!
 
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!