Write It Down: Return to Joy
By: Christy Van Horn, LCPC
Expressive Arts Therapist
Have you ever thought to yourself, “If only I could do this,
AND make a living?” Then the thought
becomes, “That’s ridiculous. I have a family to feed and need the insurance.” Now back to your regularly scheduled
life.
I see and hear the symptoms of depression and anxiety daily. The stories connected to the symptoms have
begun to share a common theme, too. Familiar
statements like, “I struggle to get up in the morning?”, or, “ I can’t focus at
work,” and “I don’t know why I feel fine until I open the door to work” Of course, I keep my ears open for any biological reasons
for depression and medications can help bring balance. However, I think there is another element at
work. What if the feelings of lethargy,
irritability, and low motivation were
less about clinical depression, but rather a wakeup call from your Inner
voice, reminding us of that we deserve something better? And,
what if we too, know that we are not living our fullest life on all 8
cylinders? Well, You might have figured
out by now that “little voice” does not go away! The symptoms of annoyance and frustration
return as resentment and depression, and you end up seeking help for what you
might think is damage beyond
repair. While this is never true, before
there is inward self- implosion, there is an easier question to ask: “Where can I begin to build a bridge between
these two voices that will balance our survival needs and our soul’s needs?” They are not separate, and as you make one
change, everything shifts towards your greatest happiness.
If this resonates with you, I would like to introduce author
Henriette Klauser. In her book, Write it
down, Make it Happen, Knowing what you want and Getting It, Klauser,
lays out a clear and easy path to changing your life through the simple act of writing!
No exceptions. She helps any reader
realign with their inner voice and truest desires. She understands the normal blocks that
prohibit us from listening to our dreams, and offers skills to move through our resistance. Importantly, Klauser explains that you will
find your own way of writing that works for you, whether journaling, writing on
scrap pieces of paper, or note cards.
There isn’t a wrong way. Just the
power of writing is a step of bringing them to fruition.
As she guides you into rediscovering and manifesting your
highest life and desires, she weaves in stories of celebrities who used this
technique without even knowing! Before he
was a famous actor, Jim Carey wrote a check to HIMSELF, for ten million dollars. He then folded it and put it in his wallet
from that day forward. Of course we know the end of the story, as he has more
than doubled that paycheck with each movie he makes. And, before she was Suze Orman, the financial
Guru to Oprah and more, Orman was a waitress not earning more than four dollars
an hours. She began a job at Merrill
lynch terrified that she wouldn’t make her quota. She continued to write over and over “ I am
young, powerful, and successful, producing at least 10,000 dollars a month,” (2000,
p. 18), Well, you know the rest of the
story!
If you hear your
inner skeptic coming out and asking, “So, if this really worked, why haven’t we
all become millionaires or a singing sensation on tour?” I can relate, and this is a totally valid
question. In my mind, there are two
important points to help address this, which I wish Klauser would have
identified more clearly.
As a culture, we are becoming more attune to how our
thoughts manifest our reality. You may
be noticing more talk and literature describing the Laws of Attraction and
Manifestation, and even The Law of Abundance.
While so important, these are only a three of 12 Universal laws, not
including sub-laws. Take the Law of vibration
for example. This explains that all, and
thoughts and feelings have a certain vibration; that we will attract that which
matches our feeling, or vibration. While this is also proved in scientific
communities, Suze Orman’s, experience is an example of this law in action, as
shares, “I replaced a message of fear, and my belief that I was inadequate with
a message of endless possibility” (2000, p. 18)
If you are not seeing the results you would like, there ask yourself
what negative thought or belief may be in the way to moving into your highest
life.
As to why we are not all millionaires, well, as you begin
this process, your highest self begins to come forward. Your truest dreams and desires shift to align
you with you highest good. What you
thought you wanted, fame and to be recognized, might be clarified in the need
to be valued for exactly who you are.
What that tends to look like in our society, is fame. Ask any performer or celebrity, it comes at a
dear price, including the peace of independence and autonomy. Perhaps you are meant to be on stage, and
sharing the spotlight with Justin Bieber, or Taylor Swift. Well, you catch my drift! But maybe the openings point you in a new
direction, to leading retreats and seminars to help people tap into their
highest life. A great gig, if you ask me!
I also feel it important to clarify one more point: As you
begin your process, remember to include intangible needs and wants. It’s easy to focus on getting a great job
with a salary and benefits, but take it a step further to include things like a
healthy work environment, as well as great boss who respects and values your
work. As
you script the interview process, add things that describe how you want
to feel, i.e., “ I am feeling calm, and articulate. I have
a great connection with my interviewer, and we even share a laugh.”
With this step, you will manifest your perfect job, and the things that
you didn’t realize actually make a good job, GREAT. If you forget this step and
find yourself in a job that compensates well, but with a boss who must check
every detail, don’t be discouraged. At
least you know the process works, and what you really want!
If you return to the
statement of, “If only I could do this and
make a living, ” has anything shifted? What
would it feel like to wake up and jump out of bed to greet the day? You love your new job so much, that you have
no idea where the time went! AND YOU
ARE GETTING PAID FOR IT!! You have
already experienced a shift to higher vibration into your best life of joy and
abundance, away from fear and limitations. Today, write it down and watch what
happens. See if your feelings of
depression shift and anxiety turn to excitement!
Christy can be contacted at (301) 712-9015 ext. 1034 and Healingarts432@yahoo.com
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