Truth time. I don’t want to write this blog today. I drive across the state once a week – one week I drive to see my girls and the next week I drive back to my boys. It takes about six and a half hours so I don’t usually work much on the days I drive.
Today I drove away from my girls, so sad :(, and I spent most of my time cleaning cobwebs from the shadowy parts of my brain. I would listen to a podcast then shut it off and sit in silence, contemplating, while managing not to be side-swiped by the big rigs that think they own the road.
I knew writing this blog was on my calendar for today, so sprinkled in my brain were thoughts of not wanting to write this blog. I kept thinking I wasn’t really feeling up to it. I can write it tomorrow. Maybe I should clean instead -because you know there is always something that needs cleaning when the boys are left alone! (Is that too sexist?)
Don’t worry…I will add value to this post…
I didn’t know what I was going to write about. I didn’t even want to think about what my topic was going to be… so I didn’t (not till I sat down to write anyway). I was too busy trying to figure out exactly why I think the thoughts I do and how I was going to change them into thoughts that are better for me; thoughts that would help me get the things I really want.
Last week I sent an email about planning. (If you didn’t receive this email because you’re not subscribed, go subscribe now so you don’t miss out on the extra tidbits I share in email. Then if you’d like to read about the planning plan I have started implementing, please email me and request the email titled: “Two secrets to be excitingly productive”. I am happy to send it to you!) In this email I noted the importance of sticking to your plan – no matter what! – if you really want to achieve your goals.
No matter what
With this new way of scheduling my days I’m kicking ass on my productivity! And I do really want to keep up that momentum. I am currently working on getting ahead on my blog writing, and I knew that if I want to reach that goal, I need to write today.
So, instead of giving in to what I feel like doing today and allowing myself to wallow in my shadowy spaces, I made myself sit down and write. So… here I am… sticking to my plan. I still have about an hour till my boys get home so let’s see if I can finish this post in that time!
I know I will thank myself tomorrow.
In consequence, you get a short blog (with a long intro!) about embracing shadows. I think there is a whole lot of value inside the parts of our minds that are filled with cobwebs.
I’m not sure I have a whole lot to say on the subject but think about this: if we don’t know what sadness feels like, how can we know what happiness feels like?
We need contrast
We need to know what feels “bad” to know what feels “good”. If you protect your kid from ever feeling hurt or angry or sad, how will they ever learn what love, joy, or happiness feels like? If their life is 100 percent great, will they know that? No. And they won’t appreciate the ups of life. It’s the same for us. We can’t expect to be happy all the time and really, we don’t want to. Think about it.
Know yourself to empower yourself
Exploring your shadows also lets you get to know yourself better. How can that not be a good thing!? We need to be aware of, and understand, the feelings we are creating for ourselves if we ever hope to change them into feelings that get us what we want.
I love the quote by Rachel Hollis: “Sadness and pain are things you have to sit with and get to know or you’ll never be able to move on.”
So, I invite you to investigate and embrace your shadows this week. When looking within, we find mayhem. A jumble of thoughts and feelings, a tangle of shadows and light. Don’t escape. Find your compassion. Learning to lean into every part of yourself is an invaluable skill.
You may discover something about yourself that will blow your mind.
Happy cobweb cleaning!
Thank you so much for reading!
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Hello! I’m Lisa Mae ~ Emotive Seascape Artist
I paint, write, and create the motivation I need to keep me going and sharing it with you sets my soul on fire! I use soft pastels to create vibrant, luscious seascape paintings inspired by the energy and clarity the ocean illuminates in me. I share my creations with hopes of inspiring you to find joy, connection, and fulfillment so you can create the life of your dreams and feel truly alive!
I also want to illuminate this world we all share by giving back to the oceans with every print sold.
We are all connected. Together we can be the change.
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