What one thing will you choose?

Well, it happened again. I overdosed on CNN.

Fires. Hurricanes. Flooding. Covid. Political infighting. You name it… no more would fit inside me.

I seriously contemplated crawling into bed and staying for a month or so. Sadly, my back is in a bad mood and I suspect we need a new mattress so that was a no go.

I gazed out at the garden, seriously in need of its seasonal change to fall, but given the back situation, plus the rain and heat and humidity, that was a no go, too.

Then one of my favorite Intentional Creativity® Coaching tools began to tap on my consciousness. Just in case you, too, are feeling overdosed on news and other sad, challenging things, this adventure might just be helpful!

It goes something like this… get a marker or three and a handy sheet of big-ish paper and a bit of quiet time.

This part is important… for steps one and two, we are not drawing an image. We are just thinking about thinking and moving the marker.

1. Divide your paper, mentally, into approximate thirds, left to right. (No actual lines needed.) In the left third, let yourself feel into the hard things and while you’re feeling, just let your marker do what it does. Watch. (Judging, while tempting, is not part of what we’re doing right now!)
2. Moving to the right third of your paper, and choosing a different marker if you like, let yourself feel into what better would feel like and just let your marker do what it does. Watch. (Ditto, not judging.)
3. See what you notice.
4. Now, in the center, sketch your version of a bridge between the hard things and what better would feel like. A path. (You can’t get this wrong!)
5. Then, the wondering! What is one step you could actually take to begin to cross the bridge??? (Yep, just one!) Write it down. Make an image. Sit with it a bit.
6. When it feels settled (and probably a bit obvious!) there are three more questions… Could you? Would you? When?

Here’s what happened for me…

I could add some new energy to my studio. Energy in tune with what I see in the near future…

I would. (Oh, yes!!!)

When? Well, as soon as Bill could help with wiring a couple of paintings and then help hang them. (They’re big canvases and there’s – you know – the back thing…)

And then, one more question… What could I do (while waiting for Bill’s help) to value and express what I learned?

That one was easy!

Prayer dots! (And a few Celtic spirals and swirls!) Just me and the paintings… no CNN!

As you can see, the paintings are up. A Tree Woman adventure created by three generations of Boardman women!

Another #WIP which decided, a bit ago, to rest where it is for now and help out as a background for Zoom time.

Both keeping company with The Fiercely Compassionate Artist whom you may have met on Sunday, and Bella Mama, whom we need now more than ever.

And, while all that was in the works, Our Lady of Guadalupe is very nearly finished, complete with her message for this moment.

And, Legend #4 has made huge progress. And – huge fun – when I looked at last night’s photo of her this morning, I saw her face! Already there, waiting for me to find it!!!

It has been just the journey I needed! All from a few questions, a scrap of paper, a couple of markers, and a bit of trust in my own voice.

Holler if a guide to bridges might be helpful! suesvoice@gmail.com

ps… Peter, Paul & Mary are singing away, the big dogs are napping, and I have more dots to make!

pps… Fun, new gift items in my shop…