Sunday 2 November 2008

the soul cleansing begins......

ART EVERY DAY CHALLENGE & NABLOPOMO

click on image to enlarge

SOUL COACHING.....DAY ONE


the day started out well though i did end up feeling a tad under the weather by mid-morning. i wonder if this is my ego's attempt at self-sabotage. i am reminded that the 'ego-self' can be very critical and judgemental so, today, i focused on the affirmation suggested by denise - my evaluation of myself is not who i am. the element for this first week of 'soul coaching' is air so i paused many times throughout the day to take deep breaths. this helped me to focus and remain calm and relaxed. denise also recommended a media cleanse so, for this week, i will avoid negative news....funny that, as over the past couple of weeks, i've barely had time to watch any news at all. the same thing happened with my altar.....i already had a basic altar set up two weeks before discovering the next chapter blog. all i needed to do was re-arrange it a little to suit the elements. so it seems like i've been headed towards this direction without even realising it.

the art i worked on today was based on the 'air' element....butterflies fluttering, dragonflies buzzing and feathers gently falling through the air. i also filled quite a few pages in my process journal but i promise to give you all a VERY condensed version here.

the task was to assess my physical environment and answer life questions -

for the most part, i'm very happy with my physical environment....i feel a strong sense of belonging, safety and security in this house. the problem area would have to be the garage which is set up as my art studio but also shares space with general household storage and my sons' workout equipment. when we first moved in, i had it set up so nice but, over the past year, more and more storage items are finding their way into the garage and it's been making me feel claustrophobic as it slowly creeps closer and closer towards my art tables. i think a big clean out is in order. i know that when i have cleared away physical clutter in the past, it has always made me feel cleansed on a soul level too.

life purpose - i am a mother of five beautiful children who are very precious to me. i try to be a positive, supportive and encouraging influence in their lives. i am also an artist and paint when i can. all my life i have felt a strong passion for animals and i aim to use my art to help in animal welfare. that said, i have noticed over the past year that i am feeling drawn to different areas of art and i don't know if this will be an impediment to the cause i am working towards or not. i guess, i will see where this road leads me.

spiritual source - i have always leaned towards metaphysical and spiritual practices. i believe there is a higher power which empowers our soul consciousness within. we just need to learn how to connect to it.

i am learning that all i need to be happy and content with my life is already right here, right now. it's okay for me to set goals, however, i will try not to focus on expected outcomes. i will practise focusing on the present moment with good intention and the rest will follow as it should. can you tell i'm a huge fan of eckhart tolle books? ooops, sorry denise....i love your books too.

blessings to each and every one of my soul coaching friends.

29 comments:

  1. thankyou for sharing.. I too filled quite a few pages and did a condensed version on my blog.. your art is fantastic.. I am creating a collage in my Soul Journal/Book of Shadows and today, I spent time cutting pictures of butterflies and dragonflies..
    as to the ego - ooh yes..those negative and critical thoughts keep popping up.. butterflies and bliss to you for this week xoxo

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  2. Dear Serena, I am so blown away by this post and have nothing soul searching worthy thing to add. I enjoy reading this and I am praying that you will stay on because I want to see you finish this journey (I did mention that I enjoy reading this, right? So, it’s also for selfish reason. I want to see more). I understand completely about how things can creep in and make a generally beautiful place more like a storage; cluttered and disharmonious, sometimes even chaotic.

    Love, Luci.

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  3. Love the detail in the feather

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  4. Your air page is a fantastic graphic design- seriously the layout is beautiful! I love it.

    I walk around generally in awe of people who have more than one kid because- I have no idea HOW people manage that. ONE knocks me on my bum.


    :)

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  5. So sorry Serena, I don't have time to read through your post right now...I'll come back later....but I wanted to add that I love your journal spread!

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  6. It is amazing that you were already on this path without knowing it. It's one of those things in the world that just seems to work out.

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  7. thanks for you comment on my blog....I love your drawing here. The funny thing about my alter is that I always have an alter where ever I live--usually in my bedroom. A month ago I rented a room in a house---it is my bedroom and my art studio and my living room---and I didn't set up my alter until last week--right before the book arrived in the mail...

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  8. Eckhart Tolle has been highly influential in my spiritual awakening, for sure! so I totally relate. It is funny about the media diet because I, too had quit watching the news at all since June! it has been wonderful. It makes me cringe when I hear it now.

    I think you are opening up very nicely online, by the way.
    Peace~
    Dawn

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  9. Look at you go! You have gotten right down to work on your plans for this month.

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  10. hi serena,

    i loved learning a little more about you, and i look forward to learning more in the coming weeks. i also have a passion for (and a house full of) animals!

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  11. It was so good reading you today. I'm really enjoying this part of your commitment (soul coaching). If my life wasn't so hectic right now I would have joined in.

    The drawing is wonderful and I like how you divide it on the page and showcase different things.

    Loved reading your spiritual-ness...

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  12. You seem to be getting a great start (way better than me for sure ;)).
    I read A New Earth this spring and it really changed my life! I am looking forward to this journey!

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  13. I really like the idea of a media cleanse. I also like releasing control of outcomes, thank you for that.

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  14. Hi Serena,

    Over at Soul Coaching, you said you were having trouble completely opening up online, but you've shared much more than I'm finding myself willing to! Thanks for being here to share the journey.

    p.s. I love your art!

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  15. Sounds like working through the book will be an interesting journey for you. I'm so impressed that you have all you need to be happy and content, that's totally awesome.

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  16. 5 children! I can hear the mother in you. I have 3 and love them dearly.

    I will join your art fan club.

    Hug
    Fatma

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  17. I real enjoy about your life purpose mostly about your strong strong passion for animals.
    confession time...I have my passion for different area in my life at time I think of different ceramic pieces that I make the sells would go to my favorite passion but then what I call real world hit and I tell my self your day dreaming

    Coffee is on.

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  18. Thank you all so much for your support and sharing in my experience.

    Shannon - It's all about perspective which I have learned, mainly from Eckhart Tolle books. I rent, I struggle to make ends meet and my life is chaotic but that doesn't have to stop me from being happy and content with my life in this present moment. I'm getting into this attitude of gratitude and it seems to be working fairly well. It's a nice feeling to release myself from the burdens.

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  19. I have some physical clutter to tidy as well (not to mention emotional, but that will follow) -- have faith.

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  20. your art work is outstanding! and i agree with your last comment: it is all about perspective.
    thank you for your wise words, both here and on my comments, about not focussing on expected outcomes. that is sound advice and one i will most certainly try and put into practice!

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  21. Your art is truly beautiful!! I hope to find the time to contribute a few pieces to AED. I'm currently wrapped up in soul coaching :)

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  22. What a rich post - full of art, reflection, ideas and intentions. I hope your art space opens :)

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  23. You are so right--the cleansing occurs on several levels when you begin with the physical one--hehe! I think we must have read some of the same books. :) Synchronisity (is that how you spell it?) that you already had made an altar--a sacred space. This feels like a wonderful time for you! :):)

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  24. Serena I'm just trying to get caught up on the book...already! LOL! And we're only on the first chapter! What am I going to be like half way through it...oh well, I'll just do the best I can. It sounds like you're off to a good start!

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  25. Wow! Serena, you seem to be well underway. I am deeply inspired by your openness and your art. I look forward to sharing this process with you and discovering more about you.

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  26. great post, serena. i love the drawings you did, especially the feather!

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  27. I love your way, Serena, because I have such a resonance with it! I'm reading your post and I'm thinking, "yes, yes, yes" and it's reminding me of the very things I've been going through (except I don't have 5 children, or any). How cool that we have the same name and also share very, very similiar philosophies! BTW, maybe I should sign my name Serena Pia (otherwise, at first glance, it looks like you're commenting on your own blog - and vice versa LOL). Best of luck with your Soul Journey! xoxo Serena Pia

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  28. Simple elegance...satisfying and refreshing at the same time...A beautiful page!

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  29. Thank you all so much for the encouragement and support ~

    Serena Pia......I think that's a great idea!

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