We take something that\u2019s supposed to originate from our hearts and let it stem from outside of ourselves\u2014society, social media, coworkers, magazines, ads.<\/p>\n
Art can help us to dive deep. Art can help us to access our truest desires and yearnings.<\/p>\n
According to Sara Roizen<\/a>, ATR-BC, LCAT, \u201cArt taps into our innate role as creators and provides a direct visual outlet for our inner worlds, hopes, dreams, and desires\u2026 Art accesses our inner wisdom and can coax material from the unconscious.\u201d<\/p>\n This is vital because we tend to hide behind our words, \u201crunning from our true desires, or masking things we feel,\u201d said Amy Maricle, LMHC, ATR-BC, an artist and art therapist who wants everyone to experience the healing power of art. Maricle is the owner of Mindful Studio<\/a> where she teaches classes and offers creativity coaching.<\/p>\n \u201cArt making can be a much more visceral, sensory and immediate experience,\u201d Maricle said. \u201cWe can stand back, look at what we\u2019ve created, and use the associations that pop up to gain insight into ourselves and our desires.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s important that the intentions you set are nourishing and meaningful to you. Specifically, Roizen noted that intentions are words, phrases or images that both inspire and soothe the mind and heart. In fact, when you first choose an intention, she suggested checking in with your heart: Does my heart seem to expand with warmth when I think about this intention or say it out loud? Do I find myself smiling? <\/em><\/p>\n When checking in with your mind, consider if the intention excites you, and if \u201cthere is an opening of your mind,\u201d Roizen said. Is there a positive shift in my perspective? Does it follow me during my day? <\/em><\/p>\n For instance, several months ago, Roizen chose \u201cabundance\u201d as her intention: \u201cThe more that I thought about the word, the more my mind seemed to scan for examples of abundance throughout my day. Instead of seeing a lack of things in my life, my brain was beginning to scan for the examples of abundance.\u201d<\/p>\n Whatever intentions you come up with, art can help you explore them further. Art can help you honor your intentions, and even discover them in the first place. The key is to give yourself permission to make\u2014in any form, in any way. Below, Roizen and Maricle share creative, playful, invaluable techniques to experiment with.<\/p>\n Create an intentional bowl. <\/strong>Choose one word to represent your intention, and use Model Magic (an air dry clay) to sculpt a small bowl \u201cthat will provide a special nest-like space for the intention,\u201d said Roizen, who pens a blog on art therapy<\/a>. Not only does this remind you of your intention, but the tactile act of using clay helps to soothe and center our emotions, she said.<\/p>\n These are some of Roizen\u2019s favorite words, which might help to spark your own ideas: \u201cClarity, Adventure, Hope, Resilience, Abundance, Creativity, Healing, Growth, Joy and Harmony.\u201d Again, make sure you pick precisely what resonates with you.<\/p>\n Create intentional rocks.<\/strong> \u201cPainting intentions on rocks is a fun and inviting way to give our intentions three-dimensional form,\u201d Roizen said. Start by taking a walk, and search for smooth rocks. If you already have an intention, think about it as you\u2019re walking, she said.<\/p>\n Once you find a rock or two, use soap and water to clean it, and paint pens to write your intentions. Roizen loves Posca Paint pens. You also can create elaborate designs, and when you\u2019re done, apply a weather resistant clear coat to the rock, she added.<\/p>\n Draw your favorite animal.<\/strong> It\u2019s likely that if you have a favorite animal it\u2019s because you\u2019d like to incorporate some of their qualities into your own life, Roizen said. For instance, recently, she painted a snail with a spiral shell. As she meditated on her creation, she realized that her intention was \u201cto slow down this year so that I could inhabit my life more fully. The snail represented my desire to dial it down and adopt a slower pace. The spiral shell symbolized my need to go inwards, recharge, and practice self-care.\u201d<\/p>\n Begin by creating your own image of your favorite animal (using any art materials). Roizen encouraged readers not to try to create a realistic portrait. Instead, \u201cfocus on the emotion, color and energy of the image.\u201d<\/p>\n After you\u2019re done, ask your animal image these questions, which you can journal: \u201cWhat are your strengths? What type of environment do you thrive in? What drains your energy and what nourishes you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs you go about your day, tap into the animal\u2019s unique qualities and see if you can carry these qualities into your actions,\u201d Roizen said.<\/p>\n Play with this intentional process.<\/strong> Maricle recommended readers practice this mindful, artful process: Focus your attention on your breathing pattern. Visualize an image, texture, color, sound or smell that embodies what you feel would be wonderful for you in this year. Use the first thing that comes to mind, \u201ceven if it seems strange or illogical.\u201d<\/p>\n Next return to noticing your breath, and return to noticing where you\u2019re sitting and what you\u2019re doing. Then play with any of these art prompts (and \u201ctry to allow colors and lines to choose you\u201d):<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve finished one of these prompts, Maricle suggested the following: Stand the piece upright, and look at it from 6 feet away. Turn it, and step back again. Snap a photo, and look at the smaller size. Then explore these questions in your journal: What does my art piece include? <\/em>(You might write everything from it\u2019s big to it\u2019s blue.) What are the connections between what appeared in my visualization and what appears in my art? What do these images, colors and symbols reveal about what I most need right now?<\/em><\/p>\n Maricle stressed the importance of approaching these questions with a sense of curiosity and playfulness. \u201cSymbols can be a powerful way we give ourselves advice.\u201d<\/p>\n Creating art helps us to connect to ourselves. Because it helps us to access something deep within us. It helps us to listen to our innermost desires and dreams.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to further explore your intentions through art making, Roizen suggested working with a trained art therapist. You can learn more at the American Art Therapy Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Image from Sara Roizen of one of her intentional bowls; used with permission. <\/em><\/p>\n Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We tend to set intentions without really listening to ourselves. We set intentions without actually going within and identifying what we genuinely need and desire. Instead, we set intentions that we think we should. I should be more productive. I should earn more. I should meditate. I should change my <\/p>\n Read More<\/a>\n
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger<\/a> February 8, 2019<\/p>\n