The Art-A-Day May challenge to support the Mind, Body, Spirit and Heart this past month rekindled my connection to gemmuddles –my imaginary (or not!), magical friends from my childhood. When I was two, I would climb into my parents’ bed and animatedly talk about our adventures. I don’t remember details –my mom told me I would do this –but I feel like they are now reappearing in my art and doodles … little wise creatures whispering to me & creating mischief. They are still speak in a magical language, so I don’t know exactly what they are saying yet; it’s more a feeling at this point … to play, relax and be in wonder & whimsy. Oh, yeah. And to be me.
“Be me.” Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? In practice it’s a wee bit harder. Those creeping “shoulds” and “but look at him/her” creep in with the critic arising strong and fierce.
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A lot of people I work with in the Healing the Healer workshops struggle with this…the critic often comes rearing his or her ugly head when we are painting. (It does with me too!) I like to ask my critic to go to a beautiful place-like Paris to eat chocolate croissants; or to have margaritas somewhere, chillax in the sun & read a good book. I want to let my inner guide have some time to play without interference and criticism!
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Wise guidance from Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Gilbert & other sages help me through the rough patches. Gilbert beautifully says: “Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results – the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen, without fussing too much about it. Work like a monk, or a mule, or some other representative metaphor for diligence. Love the work. Destiny will do what it wants with you, regardless.”
When I think about that, it frees me up to just create and to be (more) unattached to the result. Also, as I focus on self-care and supporting my mind, body, spirit and heart, I can feel a bit of freedom and relaxation. When accessing inner messages and painting from that place, there is really no result that I must have. I think this is an ongoing inquiry and exploration…one I have in my classes and will continue to have here.
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What about you? What is your process for dealing with your critic and allowing creativity to flow…without worrying –or fussing–so much about the results? And do you have any magical creatures that support you to be a little more playful? Share in the comments below!
