What are you priorities? In a busy life,
priorities are what you make time for no matter what. Some things in life are
not and never will be priorities like, ironing, having tidy drawers, keeping my
files in order and grocery shopping. Some things are always priorities as
making time to exercise, research, meditation and spend time with my family.
When you are confused about saying yes to someone, ask yourself, “Is this a
priority?” If not, saying no may be the best course of action. There is only so
many hours in the day. If I am going to fill up that time, I want to fill it
with priorities. That way I don’t feel over tired, stressed or that I am
wasting my time.
Art Therapy Exercise and Priorities
Gather some art supplies and sit. Start by getting comfortable, feeling
grounded in your chair and noticing your feet and legs. Take a minute to notice
how your feet are feeling. Take some time to relax your feet and let them make
contact with the floor. Notice the chair under your legs and buttocks and
adjust yourself to get even more comfortable in your chair. Take a deep breath
into your stomach. As you pause here, staying with your stomach, notice if you
sense a colour, image or feeling here. Bring awareness to your back. Are you
sitting in a way that is comfortable and supportive for your back? Now move to
your chest. Can you breath freely? Is your chest open or closed? Now move your
awareness to your hands and arms. Take time to sense into your hands,
stretching the fingers. Bring awareness to your neck, head. Release any tension
in your jaw and neck area. Do a body scan and observe what parts of you feel
the most energized. Now notice what parts are holding any pain, stress or
worry. Spend a few minutes working with helping the parts that are holding
tension to become more relaxed and fluid. Now gently turn inward, sensing into
your inner throat, chest and then resting in the belly area. As you stay
Present and aware of yourself sitting in the chair, give yourself a gentle
invitation to focus on what you feel to the priorities right now in your life. Take
some time to notice where in your body you sense this the strongest, and sit
with it for a few minutes. See if you can hear from its point of view, what
this part of you has to tell you. You might write down or draw its response. Now
while staying in presence, take your art materials and create on your paper
what you just sensed in your body. Stay body centered as you continue to move
your hand on the paper. Check back to your body to see if any fresh information
is emerging. Now ask yourself what in your life right now takes up your time
but really is not a priority. Ask yourself is this a priority and if not, ask
yourself if you really want to continue giving that activity or job your
precious time and energy? Take some time now on your paper exploring ways that
you can remove these activities from your life. Who else could do them? Which
jobs do you need to eliminate? Bring this exercise to a close by choosing one
word to reflect how you are feeling in the present moment.
6 comments:
Timely. I just quit a commitment that was driving me batty...and for days felt bad. Got sick, recovered and feel like I'm drifting. I will sit and do this exercise later this evening. Right now, I'm off to the store to lay in some needed supplies. Wish I lived closer to you, and could join a group for awhile!
great article.
Karen, I find your posts always create such endless comfort in my mind ... have you done coaching in a classical (mentor) sense of it in addition to your art therapy? (just seems so natural in you!) We haven't chatted for a while, but if/when you are in Toronto (or if I ever head out your way), a session with you would be such a treat!
I'm with Ms. Perfect timing. You always have a way of soothing...I can only imagine what you're like in person. Hugs dear lady.
Such kind comments. Thank you all. Karen
I just want to say what a fantastic blog you have that is quite informative and helpful to others. I'm really glad to stumble upon this site and be more connected to other forms of art therapy. Will certainly be bookmarking. Thanksyou. :-)
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