Embracing Appreciation
Welcome to the Second Issue of Artful Awakening!
Hello, dear readers! It's exhilarating to dive into the second issue of Artful Awakening. This month, our theme is all about appreciation – an often understated yet powerful tool in our journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The adage Whatever you appreciate is our guiding star.
The Power of Appreciation
Appreciation is more than just a feeling; it's an active choice, a way of being. It transforms our perspective, alters our vibrations, and opens us up to a world of abundance. This month, let's practice appreciation - not just in fleeting moments but as a continuous journey.
Start Simple: Take a minute each day to sit quietly and ponder over what you appreciate. It could be the warmth of the sun, the comfort of your home, or the smile of a loved one. Let yourself genuinely feel the emotions these thoughts bring.
Appreciating Yourself
One of the hardest things to do is appreciate ourselves. It's time to change that. Name five things you appreciate about yourself. They can be your strengths, your quirks, your achievements, or even your struggles that have shaped you. Can you name more? Go on a rampage of self-appreciation, acknowledging everything that makes you, you.
Finding Light in Triggers
Triggers often reveal our deepest vulnerabilities and lessons. Can you find appreciation in what triggers you? Is there a hidden lesson, a strength gained, or empathy developed? Every trigger has a light within; it’s about finding it.
This Month’s Affirmation
Our affirmation this month is a powerful mantra that aligns us with the energy of appreciation and abundance:
"Today, I consciously choose appreciation in every moment, for everything and everyone – each trigger, every habit, and all people. I embrace the lessons within me and appreciate who I have become. This sense of gratitude reveals abundance, clears my path, and breaks down barriers. By valuing life's gifts, I draw in joy, peace, and prosperity, gracefully overcoming my limitations."
Along with this affirmation, I have designed specific journaling, meditation, and sketching prompts to deepen your practice of appreciation. Reflect, meditate, and create as you explore these prompts.
Journaling Prompt:
Reflect on the affirmation, "Today, I consciously choose appreciation in every moment, for everything and everyone – each trigger, every habit, and all people. I embrace the lessons within me and appreciate who I have become. This sense of gratitude reveals abundance, clears my path, and breaks down barriers. By valuing life's gifts, I draw in joy, peace, and prosperity, gracefully overcoming my limitations."
1. Begin by writing down three aspects of your life (people, situations, experiences) that you often find challenging or difficult. For each, explore how you can shift your perspective to see these as opportunities for gratitude and learning.
What lessons have they taught you?
2. Reflect on a recent situation where your initial reaction was negative. How can you reframe this experience through the lens of appreciation? What positive outcomes or hidden blessings can you find in this scenario?
3. Think about a habit you struggle with or a personal trait you often criticize in yourself. Write about the positive aspects of this habit or trait. How has it served you or contributed to your growth?
4. List five small, everyday things you usually overlook and express gratitude for them. Describe why they are important and how they enrich your life.
5. Envision your life path clearing and barriers dissolving as you practice gratitude. What does this path look like? Write about how embracing gratitude can lead to more joy, peace, and prosperity in your life.
6. End your journaling session by reaffirming the affirmation, and note how you feel after shifting your focus towards appreciation and gratitude.
Meditation Prompt:
1. **Finding a Comfortable Space**: Choose a quiet and comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Sit or lie down in a relaxed position.
2. **Deep Breathing**: Begin by taking deep, slow breaths. Inhale through your nose, feeling your lungs expand, and exhale through your mouth, releasing all the tension.
3. **Mindful Awareness**: Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the present moment. Notice the sensations in your body, the rhythm of your breath, and any sounds around you.
4. **Affirmation Introduction**: Gently introduce the affirmation, "Today, I consciously choose appreciation in every moment, for everything and everyone – each trigger, every habit, and all people. I embrace the lessons within me and appreciate who I have become. This sense of gratitude reveals abundance, clears my path, and breaks down barriers. By valuing life's gifts, I draw in joy, peace, and prosperity, gracefully overcoming my limitations."
5. **Reflecting on Appreciation**: Visualize scenarios from your daily life – interactions with people, challenges, and your own habits. As each scene plays in your mind, apply the lens of appreciation to it. See how this shift in perspective transforms your feelings about each situation.
6. **Embracing Lessons and Growth**: Contemplate the journey you've had so far, the lessons you've learned, and the growth you've experienced. Acknowledge and appreciate who you have become as a result of these experiences.
7. **Visualizing Abundance and Clarity**: Imagine your life as a path that's clearing up, where barriers dissolve as you practice gratitude. Visualize this path leading you towards joy, peace, and prosperity.
8. **Repeating the Affirmation**: Silently or aloud, repeat the affirmation. With each repetition, feel the words sinking deeper into your consciousness, reinforcing the choice to appreciate and value your life.
9. **Absorbing the Energy**: Spend a few moments basking in the feeling of gratitude and the positive energy it brings. Notice any changes in your body, mind, and emotions.
10. **Returning Gradually**: As the meditation comes to an end, slowly bring your awareness back to your breath. Take a few more deep breaths and then gently open your eyes. Take a moment to ground yourself before getting up.
11. **Carrying the Message**: As you go about your day, carry the essence of this meditation with you, reminding yourself of the power of appreciation in transforming your outlook and experiences.
Sketching Prompt: "Visual Symphony of Appreciation"
1. **Setting the Scene**: Prepare your sketching space with an array of your favorite drawing tools – pencils, charcoal, colors, or whatever resonates with you. Sit in a comfortable spot where you feel relaxed and inspired.
2. **Reflect on the Affirmation**: Before you start sketching, take a moment to deeply absorb the affirmation. Think about the concepts of appreciation, growth, and transformation it embodies.
3. **Visualizing Gratitude**: Begin by visualizing symbols or scenes that represent gratitude and appreciation for you. It could be anything – a sunrise symbolizing a new beginning, hands holding a heart to represent love and gratitude, or even an open door symbolizing new opportunities.
4. **Incorporating Personal Elements**: Introduce elements that are unique to your journey. Sketch something that represents a challenge you’ve overcome or a lesson you've learned. It could be as abstract as a winding path or as specific as a book or a person.
5. **Harmonizing with Nature and Life**: Consider adding elements from nature, such as trees, birds, or rivers, to symbolize growth, freedom, and the flow of life. Include representations of people and relationships that have shaped who you are.
6. **Infusing Symbols of Joy, Peace, and Prosperity**: Draw symbols that resonate with joy, peace, and prosperity for you. This could be a radiant sun for joy, a peaceful dove, or a blossoming flower representing prosperity.
7. **Creating a Cohesive Composition**: Assemble all these elements into a cohesive sketch. They could be connected in a literal way, like a path running through different scenes, or more abstractly, like a collage of images and symbols.
8. **Adding Colors and Textures**: If you're using colors, choose a palette that reflects the emotions and vibes of appreciation and abundance. Use textures and shading to bring depth and emotion to your artwork.
9. **Reflect and Appreciate**: Once your sketch is complete, take a moment to appreciate your creation. Reflect on the process and how the act of drawing itself is a form of gratitude and acknowledgment of your journey and growth.
This sketching prompt is not just about creating art; it's a journey of self-discovery and reflection, capturing your interpretation of appreciation and abundance on paper.
In conclusion, let this month be a beautiful symphony of appreciation. Appreciate the little things, appreciate yourself, and find appreciation in challenges. As you do so, watch your world transform, filled with more joy, peace, and prosperity than ever before.
Embrace this journey, and remember, the act of appreciation is the first step to an awakened, artful life.
Stay tuned for more in Artful Awakening Issue #3. Until then, let's live a life filled with gratitude and wonder.
XOXO, Missy
P.S. Your voice and experience matter. Join the "Artful Awakening " Facebook Group to share your reflections, your sketches, and insights as we journey together. Let's paint this path with shared stories and mutual growth.
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