On Reflection

Definitions of reflection on the Web:

• contemplation: a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
  
• the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
  
• expression: expression without words; "tears are an expression of grief"; "the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition"
  
• mirror image: a likeness in which left and right are reversed
  
• the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material); "he studied his  reflection in the mirror"
  
• (mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed
  
• the ability to reflect beams or rays
  

I am going to talk about reflection, in terms of the time you spend giving things your intent consideration. To narrow it down even more, I’ll concentrate on reflecting on your creativity. I am, as you may have guessed, convinced that creativity is essential to everyone’s life in one form or another. But today I want to focus on those who are creative for most of the time and who may even make a living from it.

It is important to be reflective throughout your life. It’s probably a subconscious practice many of you already do, but there’s something about bringing it into focus that makes it even more valuable. It makes you really SEE where you’ve been and what you’ve learnt so you can move forward in a way you want to control. I hear many creative people who say they’re stuck, blocked, at a crossroads, or even lacking in confidence. These things can all be kicked back into motion in a direction that suits you. I’m going to suggest one way in this article. Alongside the mental exercise you will need some physical exercise to pump the circulation of not just your blood but your thoughts and ideas. This is really effectively done by just walking. It works wonders!

So onto the mental exercise. I’m going to set out some questions below which are best answered on paper so you can see where you’ve been. One-liners are all that’s required, but reams are just as welcome – whatever suits you. This exercise is for you alone.

I invite you to ask yourself some honest questions:

What do you enjoy in your creative pursuits?

What don’t you enjoy?

What would you like to do differently?

What skills have you learnt?

What have you learnt about yourself?

How have your creative pursuits had an effect on your life areas?:

• Home
  
• Family
  
• Work
  
• Career
  
• Leisure
  
• Health
  

How has it affected your Self?:

• Mental
  
• Physical
  
• Emotional
  
• Spiritual
  

If you identified things you would like to do differently, now knowing which parts of your lifestyle and Self are affected negatively, how could you do it?

If you identified things that were positive, could you improve them?

How do you feel now that you have completed this exercise?

Would you do it again?

If you came out of this exercise feeling that you would want to do it again then consider making this a regular practice. Reflecting openly about your creativity, work, life and leisure can keep you on track and help to change anything that is stale or not working for you. I would think that a monthly, 2 monthly or even 6 monthly reflective sessions would be effective. Keeping up with walking and journaling in between would see you on a very healthy regime.

I hope you found this useful. I know that I can’t live without these formal processes as they keep me focussed and truly happy with my life.

Warm Leaves of the Earth © Deborah Eileen Burrow 2009

available at http://www.deboraheburrow.etsy.com

Today We Make The Clock Redundant

Wouldn’t that just be bliss?

But I hear your resistance already and I understand completely!

How can you possibly have a day without a clock when everything you do revolves around schedules and deadlines?

Well here’s a step by step way of achieving it – I promise you won’t regret it. The aim is to reset yourself back to your basic creative state – and it really works!

1. Look through your diary and identify a day where you have no commitments. Mark it in NOW as a “clockless day”.
2. The night before your clockless day, go around removing clocks from sight from your space.
3. Allow yourself to wake up naturally and gently.
4. Throughout the day, give yourself as long as you need to complete tasks.
5. Eat when you’re hungry and rest when you’re tired.
6. At the end of the day, reflect on how liberating it has been to take all the time you wanted and how you listened to your body’s natural rhythms.
7. Make a date to have a clockless day again!

Remember the only limits are the ones we set ourselves...

On a personal note this week, I have had a rollercoaster of one! I confess that even though I'm a Life Coach, I am just human and I find it difficult to coach myself. So I have to read my own blogs and personal journals to remind myself how to cope! There you are, you are not alone and I am not invincible.
I feel like this One YellowLeaf painting sometimes - isolated and just floating with a loss of purpose. But trust me when I say that with some of the coaching tips I have given you on this site, the very least you can glean is that off-days are transitory and the universe always rewards a forward vision. So make that clock redundant today and feel the benefit of "you" time - you, and I, deserve it.

Have a good week,
Debs

painting above right, "One Yellow Leaf" © 2008 Deborah Eileen Burrow

Keeping a Dream Board

You may be new to the concept of keeping a Dream Board, but I can tell you its one of the most useful tools to keeping your career and life in focus and in balance.

Basically, it is a visual support for your goals, hopes and dreams. It is a notice board filled with representations - you can use magazine cuttings, drawings, postcards, writings, badges, stickers and anything else that helps you keep your dream in focus. You may have smaller dreams to complete which act as stepping stones to the final vision.

How do you start? Well, the most important thing is to know what your dream is. Spend a few minutes with your eyes closed and picture in your minds eye your perfect working day. Starting with getting out of bed in the morning through to getting back into bed again at night. In just a few minutes you will have a pretty good idea of what to put on your dream board. You will include your ideal home, workspace, job/occupation and the people around you. It should also include positive affirmations, and in the centre should be a photo of you when you are smiling!

I put together a Dream Board 10 years ago where I clearly visualised my desired house, studio, hours of work and the people sharing my life. I had achieved 90 percent of it within 6 years. So yes, it’s a long term dream to bring into focus, but without my dream board I would have lost heart, lost my way and probably sabotaged most of my dream. Each day was a step in the right direction and I was determined to get my heart’s desire! Now of course my dream board has been updated and I’m heading toward more happiness as a visual artist.

You can add things to the board over time. For example, a postcard of a fantastic holiday destination, adverts for successful events, and big ticks and smilies where you have achieved something significant. Everything is personal to you – these boards are not to impress others, or to feel ashamed of. Just keep your dream alive!

The only limitations are those which we set ourselves... :)