Monday, November 19, 2007

Affirmations

Who would have thought that a blog entry called Blurts would be one of my most responded to posts? Could it be that we are most comfortably interconnected through the inner critic of our minds? That voice that tells us we are not really writers, painters, artists? In the aforementioned post, I shared with you a walk down memory lane and posted my "blurts" (negative self-talk/beliefs) of four years ago. I wish I could say that they no longer exist, but alas that ugly critic still pops up more often than I like. However, thanks to the topic of this post, Affirmations, I have at least moved forward a tiny bit.

Julia Cameron author of The Artist's Way says "if we can become one-tenth as good at positive self-talk as we are at negative self-talk, we will notice an enormous change." Enormous? Maybe. Four years ago I could barely write for myself and now have the courage to share with others on a regular basis. Maybe I have taken bigger steps than I realized. But, I digress.

The challenge for today is to make peace with our blurts and turn them into positive affirmations. So take a look at the previous post and see what happens when we listen to that kinder, gentler voice who wants us to succeed.

Here are my responses:

1) I am only 47 (half my lifetime) and I can already eat, walk, read & write!
2) I am smart. I can learn to write. I can write!
3) Follow God. He will give me the time.
4) Lame excuse. I am willing to learn to let myself create.
5) My creativity heals myself and others. There is a divine plan of goodness for my work.
6) As I listen to the creator within, I am led.
7) Through use of my creativity, I serve God. God will show me what is 'productive.'
8) Artists are brilliant. They can experience and share things in a way no one else can.

Wow. A little older, maybe a little wiser, but the affirmations feel so much truer than those silly old blurts. I feel stronger already. So, lovely readers, here's your chance, bring on those positive affirmations! I can't wait to read!!!

photo by janey

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

1) If I aim for perfection and miss, I'll be happier than if I aim for mediocre and hit.
2) Maybe sometimes what I do will impress and surprise me.
3) I can gain inspiration from others.
4) I'm becoming much more self-aware.
5) When I allow it, what I write will write itself.
6) I am a wholly original being.
7 & 8) It doesn't matter if sometimes I sound pretentious or make a fool of myself. There are lessons in everything.
9) If the writing frees other creativity within me, that will find a way to be expressed.
10) The creative life doesn't need to be defined, it defines itself.
11) My inward journey is the most important.
12) My competitiveness can be a positive if I channel it by challenging myself to make the best use of my God-given gifts.

Sue said...

*Takes a deep breath*

Okay. I'm scared my inner sarcastic bitch is going to take pre-eminence, seeing I'm due to get my period, and will just sit there on my right shoulder going, "Right. Sure. THis is just so pahetically schmaltzy. Thsi is crap."

Shut up, inner sarcastic bitch.

Okay.

1) There's nothing new under the sun but no one else sees exactly like me, or livs where I d, at this point in time. So in another way, my point of view is unique and should bear expression
2) Things don't have to be "literary" to be good. In fact, some of the best stuff is the most plain written. Sometimes, literary is ego driven.
3) Literary is good! :) Poetry. The deep things said in deep ways. Literary is good.
4) If my mind is cluttered, writing will begin to unfurl it. It's always the way.
5) Same for boredom
6) The fridge was grotty yesterday and can stay grotty till tomorrow
7) I have so much worthwhile to say. Sometimes good stuff comes out of my brain and I don't know where it came from. That's a gift from God
8) Rewriting can wait for half an hour. Now, this is fun part, swimming in the deep ocean (cold and scary and sharks, but still fun)
9) Smoking a joint would sure be fun, but this is tapping into the same enjoymnt I get from smoking a joint, and for free
10) I don't need another cup of tea. I'm just scared to "face the void". Of course I am. It's scary. But still. I don't need another cup of tea.
11) Maybe I can write three paragraphs instead of two. But if this is all I wrote, I shall not despise the day of small beginnings.
12) See 8)

Okay, that was better than I thought and didn't feel schmaltzy at all! :)

Kayce aka lucy said...

well done, tess & sue. the u.s. contingent appears less brave than you two :-)

tess' #5) "When I allow it, what I write will write itself." and sue's #7) "I have so much worthwhile to say. Sometimes good stuff comes out of my brain and I don't know where it came from. That's a gift from God." were the two that really jumped out at me.

there is something so powerful about letting the holy step into our writing (which is what i hear in both those affirmations.)

thank you for sharing!!!

Dianna Woolley said...

Well, I do NOT have time to read but my already blurry eyes decided to drop by my favorite site for a peek before I turn in for the night and.....and I'm up to the challenge - my affirmations are:

1. There's no perfectly good reason why I should not be able to craft fine jewelry.

2. My hand crafted jewelry will not look like handmade jewelry because my excellent taste (how’s that for affirmation or is that just arrogance?) will not allow it to look “home did.”

3. Of course it will be costly to purchase because it will be so beautiful that I won’t be able to part with it.

4. It’s not silly if that’s the direction that I want to go in right now. I’ve been working for the past umpty-ump years and have prepared well for the time of doing things – cause I want to!

5. If someone tells me it looks awful, I will just mark it up to their lack of good taste! …..without criticizing them, of course – I am a no GWCC kind of woman these days.

6. Everyone will want to wear it and I’ll consider being generous in sharing my finished pieces with them

7. And of course they will want to buy it….I will just have to decide whether to hoard or to sell

8. I’m getting the jewelry idea planted in my mind by sharing it with others – which in itself takes some nerve

9. It will be good for my brain, new synapses no doubt

10. Yep, I think I’m going to do it

Kayce aka lucy said...

Sunrise Sis--yippee!!! i love those affirmations and can't wait to see (and wear) your lovely creations!!! well done!

storyteller said...

Here goes ...
1. Writers become authors by sharing what they write, and I can do that too if I choose ... in fact, I've already begun the process by Blogging for a month! :)
2. Visitors to my blogs do read at least some of what I write, and sometimes leave supportive and encouraging comments.
3. When I listen to inspiration and record my thoughts on the page, patterns emerge that make sense and bring clarity to my mind and communications.
4. Perfection is boring and seeking it a waste of my time & energy. I am creative and spontaneous. I write in unique and different forms that people find intriguing.
5. Repetition of good ideas helps us all discover and/or remember what we need to know.
6. I am lovable and capable ... what comes through me can make a difference for myself and others.
7. I have plenty of time to do everything I enjoy and write too.
8. My life will continue to be good whether or not I'm famous.
9. Doing what I enjoy and sharing what I write can may prove beneficial to others.
10.Robert Frost published his first poem when he was in his 60s. I'm only 63 and in excellent health.

Exhaling ... reading these affirmations over, I'm feeling proud of myself for returning to this task and sharing with all of you here. Thanks for your patience :)
Hugs and blessings,

Kayce aka lucy said...

bravo, storyteller! i love all of them and particularly the reminder about robert frost! that is quite inspiring for we late bloomers :-)

well done. keep writing & breathing!!!

His Girl Friday said...

a affirmation list of single words, each loaded with meaning: loyal, creative, curious, stubborn, loving, friendly, adventurous, witty, pensive, passionate.