Creative ManiFestival Day 28

Today we're going to complete our "closer look" at each of the 10 steps by presenting Steps 9 and 10. Then, with only two days left in the course, I'll be throwing some new ideas your way, and also help you formulate an action plan for the future. After all, the end of the course is really just the beginning!

STEP 9: Use creative exercises to explore blocks or resistances around the topic.

To drive an automatic car, we use a combination of the accelerator and brake pedals. To move forward, we need to take our foot off the brake pedal, and press down on the accelerator. Merely lifting up the brake pedal, without pushing the accelerator, will not get us far. And pushing the accelerator at the same time as the brake pedal won't either. It's the combination that does it.

If we extend this metaphor to the process of drawing prosperity into our lives, we can compare releasing the brake pedal to letting go of resistance, and compare pushing the accelerator pedal to moving forward with positive thoughts and actions.

In other words, merely taking positive steps and reframing our thoughts, actions, and beliefs won't get us moving very far, unless the resistances are dealt with.

Resistances are the internal blocks that keep us from fulfilling out desires. These are blocks in our beliefs or thought processes that keep us from being successful, happy, and fulfilled. Sometimes resistances manifest themselves as external blocks, and it may seem that the world is against us! However, more often than not, the external blocks are reflections from limiting beliefs that we are holding, ourselves.

Earlier in the course, you've already explored a few techniques that apply your creativity to the act of releasing resistance. In this case, the exercises were specifically centered around releasing clutter, using your creative supplies, and coming into an acceptance that you can and deserve to sell artwork.

Here are a few more ideas of ways you can use your creativity to tackle resistances:

a. Try a movement exercise where you perform a "pas de deux" with your resistance. Put on some music that seems to exemplify your relationship with your resistance. Use your body to portray each "character" - first yourself, and then your resistance. Allow your resistance to move through you in powerful, passionate ways. Then use your body to allow the resistance to surrender while you and your resistance become one and inhabit a single body as you dance together. After the exercise, write down and/or meditate upon any discoveries.

b. Create a simple movement ritual which you use to release resistance. For example, you could develop a ritual in which you literally "shake off" defeating thoughts by shaking your right arm, as if you were grandly shaking a tambourine.

Or you could stand with your feet apart and your arms out to your sides, so that your body is a 5-pointed "star", that acts as a shield from negative thinking. Play with your body to develop such a tool, and use it as often as possible to help you diminish resistance.

c. If you are battling with an "I can't..." that repeats over and over in your head, try this: take a large piece of paper or poster board and write down an "I can't..." statement. Then write four subsequent statements, using the same words in each blank, following the progression below.

As you write each statement, ILLUSTRATE it with collaged images, drawings, symbols, and/or icons. This is a progressive affirmation that enables YOU to take the power away from the resistance to remind you that YOU are in charge. By adding the illustrations as you go, you are allowing each different level of the progression to sink in more deeply than if you were simply writing them down.

- I can't __________
- If I really wanted to, I could _________.
- I could ___________.
- I can __________.
- I __________.

Here's an example:

- I can't earn any money as a writer.
- If I really wanted to, I could earn money as a writer.
- I could earn money as a writer.
- I can earn money as a writer.
- I earn money as a writer.

Remember, you would spend a good chunk of time illustrating each one of these statements.

You might want to try this exercise spread over a few days, rather than all at one sitting. This will allow each level to sink in more deeply, which enhances your chance for success in truly reaching the next level with your full belief.

d. Draw a portrait of resistance with your eyes closed, and don't lift up your pencil. Just let it go where it takes you. When you feel it is complete, open your eyes and examine the portrait. Make note of anything realizations you've had or things you've learned.

Then close your eyes and ask this question: "What is the best action I can take with this portrait?"

Allow yourself to be guided as to the action that you take that will be for your highest good. It could be that you are guided to burn the page, or paint it with bright colors and hang it up, or anything else that comes through to you. Whatever your first impulse is, do it.

STEP 10: Actively invoke in the release-create-share-receive cycle in a way that is related to what you want.

Earlier in the course, we participated in this cycle by morphing clutter into both gifts and products to be sold. Please remember that you can sell art in the "Art Adoption for Abundance" section of The Shoppes of Artella whenever you are ready. Do NOT worry if you have not done that exercise yet! This is ongoing, powerful work, and you have an open invitation to use this forum.

But there are many other ways that this cycle can be used, outside of releasing unused art supplies. I have found, over and over, that this four-step cycle is practically a guarantee for bringing a desire full circle.

On a practical level, it opens us up to highly creative thinking and problem-solving. Often, the main thing standing between us and our desires is that we are trapped in linear thinking, believing that there is only one "standard" way for our desire to come to us. Brainstorming to get ideas for this cycle automatically places the desire in the right brain, and allows all kinds of inspirations to come through.

On a spiritual level, I believe that invoking this cycle from a pure heart immediately opens us up to abundance. When we can experience as much joy from releasing, creating, and sharing as we do from receiving, we become magnets for the perfect opportunities, people, events, and things that will bring our desire to us. By holding pure intentions and opening ourselves to these key elements, we make it much easier for God/the Universe to take care of the details.

So, brainstorm about other ways that you can invoke this powerful cycle by writing down this question in large letters:

In what ways can I release-create-share-receive?

...and let yourself go wild with brainstorming ideas. Write down even the ones that seem far-fetched. Allow yourself to think beyond "physical" items, and look to ways that you can use this cycle to release, create, share, and receive, using your time, talents, and gifts.

Keep this list where you can see it often and reflect on the different ideas from time to time, trusting that when it is time for you to put one of the ideas into action, you will have all of the appropriate motivation and tools necessary.

Here are some questions to ask to help you get your brainstorming going:

- What do I want to get rid of, either tangibly or intangibly? Is there some way that I use the action of getting rid of this to start the cycle?

- What have I always had a hunch about making or doing? Does that idea inspire a way to use this cycle?

- What is something that someone I know really needs or wants, that I have to share? How can that be a part of this cycle?

- What do I really need or want? How I can use this cycle to come to that conclusion?

When Steps 1-9 have built a strong basis of clarity and creativity around your desire, this cycle puts the concepts into action. Once your foot is released from the brake, this cycle joyfully presses the accelerator pedal to bring you toward your dream.


Material copyrighted by Marney Makridakis of artellawordsandart.com. Used with permission by license.