Painting BIG!

Dear Wild Creative Hearts,

One dream I have...

Several years ago I helped some friends remodel a home they had purchased for a rental. I was the painter. They decided to put a quick fresh coat in the upstairs of this story and a half. What I loved about it was that the walls/ceiling were angled, not just the two sides at an angle, this was much more. I wish I could better describe it, but just know that it was so very geometric. The other thing I loved about this room was that the baseboards were painted two different colors.

Oh my, the ideas started flowing... Wouldn't it be GREAT to paint the angled portions different colors and carry the colors over the corners of these angled ceiling-walls in places? Wouldn't it be great to paint geometric shapes in this geometric room?

Wouldn't it be great to be given several colors of paint, some painting tools, brushes, rollers, texture-making tools, etc. and be given free reign in a room? What if one color went up one wall in a stripe, across the ceiling at an angle and down another wall? What if I could throw the paint wherever I wanted? What if I wanted to make dots and flowers and paint funny looking creatures?

What if I chose a handful of colors and a word and let it flow from there Play! Love! Harmony! Squishy! Lion! Water! Child!

Hmmmm..... What would be created? Wouldn't it be fun to see?

Painting BIG! I was reminded of this dream because I've signed up to take a painting class called BIG with Connie Hozvicka. The class was recommended by my friend and colleague Tracie Hanson. I am loving the effect the class has had on me and it hasn't even begun! LOL!

What BIG dreams do you have?

Feeling the creative passion,

Lisa

(c)2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved

An Elephant, Indigenous Women and a Light Bulb!

Hello Wild Creative Hearts,

Recently I was feeling the heaviness of burdens like unforgiveness, worry, blame, a belief of not doing things the right way, wondering where I went "wrong". Wow! It was pretty intense. I had been doing energy work that was bringing up a lot of "stuff" to process and heal and this intense heaviness had been the theme. I had been attempting to let it all go and transform it with various energy and healing modalities but not having success.

There was even a point where I thought to myself, "I can't do this alone. What do I need to come out of this?" Of course I was thinking I needed another human body/mind to help me and so I started wondering which teacher/energy worker to contact. Little did I know that Spirit had something else in mind.

Intuitive messages and signs were suggesting that because I was feeling stuck, heavy and well, yes, powerless, to do a "power recovery" shamanic journey for myself. Now this is not about having power "over" someone, but having my own internal power, having confidence, energy and focus in place and in alignment, feeling like it is possible to accomplish my goals. And so, before falling asleep, I lay in bed and intended a power recovery.

I traveled into journey space...

First I met Cougar showing her teeth with a hiss and a deep growl, being her Cougar-self, letting me know to look out and not mess with her. That's one kind of power. She then ran off.

Suddenly I was on the back of Giraffe who has been helping me move forward in my life for several months now. We were running across the African plain. We came upon Elephant. How perfect: Strength and gentle power. I stepped down from Giraffe and Elephant helped me onto her own back with her trunk. Sitting there I felt my energy and sense of self expanding. I grew more confident. Elephant and I merged at one point, Elephant and I became one. Elephant was now within me and I within Elephant. I was taking on the gentle power of this beautiful animal.

The scene then switched to a lively and animated African tribal woman dancing near an outdoor fire. It was night, with trees and bushes nearby. The woman danced around, shadows cast on the bushes. She painted my face and body, placed plants in a wreath on my head and draped plants and flowers around my neck. I joined her in dancing around the fire. Then indigenous women from around the world joined us: a Native American, Celtic, Peruvian, Hawaiian, an Australian Aborigine. We were all dancing around the fire. In a swirl, like a tornado, we became one entity and we reached up to change a light bulb. (!) Then I experienced myself being "stretched" in all directions. I sensed I was stretching the concept of who I am and what I do in the world.

The next morning I woke up and noticed how I felt differently. Everything was in Divine Order, things are occurring just as they "should", there was no wrong doing anywhere and not only did I think this with my mind, I felt it in my body! I felt lighter and happier. Rejoice!

Thank you to all of the indigenous women who helped me "change my light bulb". My light had burned out and I needed it replaced/refreshed. Power Recovery indeed! :) And thank you to Elephant whose gentle strength and power I now can feel. Thank you to Cougar for reminding me of boundaries and thank you to Giraffe who is carrying me forward.


And of course I didn't do it alone, I Partnered with Spirit to reclaim, transform and heal. That was quite empowering in itself. But please don't think I don't ever call on other humans for help. :)

Tip: If you are feeling weak and powerless, stuck and heavy, call on Elephant to guide you back to your expansive and gentle power. And/or ask for your inner light bulb to be replaced. :)

Namaste,
Lisa

You might feel inspired to experience your own Power Recovery Partnering with Spirit session. I can recover your power for you or lead you through your own journey. Contact me at Lisa AT WildCreativeHeart DOT com. More info at my website.

(c) 2010 Lisa Dieken, All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to "scetrini" at photobucket.com for the elephant photo.