The quick and "easy" medicine of gratitude

Gratitude is a practice, not an accident. Like all practices sometimes it is easier to access than others. However, it is certainly always available to us. And, goodness, it is nourishing! When we make conscious time to turn our thoughts towards gratitude, we are rewarded with the sweetest medicine.

To help you connect a little to your own gratitude, here is a little guided meditation for Thanksgiving 2020. It has been for many a very complicated year and being grateful might feel like a particular struggle.

Case in point, it was very difficult for me to find a spare moment to record this because of all the “fullness” of my life right now. In different times it would certainly be more polished and better recorded. Still, I submit it in all its imperfections, and I remain grateful for the ability to share the gifts of my spirit with you, fellow traveler.
May it shift our perspective a bit towards beautiful humility and our deep connection to all things good.
-g

Bonus idea: Make ART! Use the template provided to draw, write, color, or collage your gratitude tree. Then hang your art somewhere where you will see it when you need reminding of just how grateful you are.

1. roots- what or who nourishes me?

2. trunk- what or who supports me?

3. branches- what or who calls me to grow?

4. leaves- what or who receives my gifts?

Bonus, bonus idea! Do a little gratitude ritual/practice that I like to call Gratitude Gulps.

Simple instructions; When you drink water today, for every sip you take bring to mind a person, place, asspect, experience, or thing that you are grateful for. No wrong answers and be silent about it, no one needs to know. Just drink your water like normal, while thinking of things you are thankful for. Easy.

The goal is to be quickly refreshed, in body and spirit.

Me and My Shadow

My friend and creative partner, Amber Lackey, normally works with me to co-host a Holiday Arts Workshop at Halloween each year. This year we had to cancel because of rainy cold weather and so we got together to create a little something for those of you who long to walk with your Ghosts.

Plug this track in on your next walk and enjoy a guided meditation/mini ceremony all for your self.

A little note to the travelers that this is not psychotherapy; rather it is ceremony and play. If it works for you use it, if not do what does.

Happy Halloween!

Get Behind Me, Satan

I had a powerful spiritual experience this past month in a group I was leading. It was a watercolor class, designed to allow the participants to relax and enjoy the free flowing fun of a simple medium. But I know, as much as any other teaching artist, that any time you invite people into a creative process you are also inviting something darker...more sinister. 

The course went as planned and all participants seemed to enjoy the activity. It wasn't until afterward that I realized something strange and powerful had happened. As we were cleaning up one of the older women in the class approached me. Her gentle energy instantly grabbed my attention.

"I just want to thank you." she said. 
I listened.
"I am going to say something the only way I know how and it is going to sound crazy.", she whispered.
I nodded.
"I have had this thing lately, this devil. It has been in my way and it has been telling me things; lies."
"go on", I said.  
"Well, today when we started our class I thought there was no way I could do this, that whatever I made would be terrible. Then I realized it was the devil speaking to me and I told him to get out."
"Then what happened?"
"Well, I loved it. I am so proud of what I made", and she held up her artwork for me to see. 
I smiled at her "beautiful".
"It is. So, thank you for helping me get Satan behind me."
"Oh, I think you did that all on your own. I hope you start to banish him more often"
She smiled.
"He has no power here". 
She chuckled and gave my arm a squeeze.
"He sure doesn't"

Who knew that the strength and might of the very devil could be swayed by simply picking up a brush and dipping it in water!

Although I don't often think in terms of demons, I did know exactly what she was talking about. It is what I call the "inner critic", but has had many names throughout the ages. It is simply the part of ourselves (or our egos) that tries to stop us from being who we fully are. 

The devil's intentions are sometimes honorable. This part of us is just longing for survival, it wants to save us (or our egos) from annihilation. Sweet...kind of...because, most of the time we can keep it in check. Sometimes, however, our inner critic gets out of control. It starts working over time, day and night, stopping us in our tracks by letting us know how weak, undesirable, incapable, and unloved we are; lies!

It is in these instances that we must figure out a way to get the devil behind us. We must say "you have no power here" and let him slip out for a coffee break. Once he is no longer blocking our view, we can return to the light and see our own beauty.

Similar watercolors