Gifts of Imperfection: Continuing Art Journaling

OSHER 780-001 Dates: Thursdays, 3/31/16-5/12/16 no class 4/28/16 Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Location: Commander's House, Fort Douglas Instructor: Martha Hales, martha@marthahales.com Course Overview Week 1: March 31, 2016

Revisiting The Gift of Imperfection: Courage, Compassion, and Connection

WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: All class discussions are drawn from The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown WE WILL BE CREATING: We will be creating our author self portrait and a special affirmation page.

HOMEWORK (Heartwork): Find a picture of something that makes you feel calm and peaceful. Do you love the ocean? Freshly mowed grass on a summer evening? Or maybe the sound of rain on the roof as you are falling asleep brings you peaceful feelings.

Week 2: April 7, 2016

CULTIVATING CALM AND STILLNESS Letting go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle

WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: Guidepost 8, Cultivating Calm and Stillness, pages 105 through 110 In this lesson, we will learn how to tell when anxiety becomes a lifestyle. We will also explore how strategies of calm, stillness as an emotional clearing, and breath can force us to think about what we could do differently when faced with chaotic, stressful times.

WE WILL BE CREATING: A double page spread in our art journal. We’ll use stickers, glue, paint, a copy of your photo, and other creative supplies. We’ll be answering journal prompts describing what calm means to us and we will create a Calm Map.

HOMEWORK (Heartwork): Spend some time cutting images from magazines and catalogs that depict: reasons for “numbing,” (taking the edge off). Find some representation of stressors in your life. Finances, kids, work—any and all can lead to feeling stressed out. Find some pictures of what you use to numb. For me, I would find pictures of cookies and chocolate. Most importantly, snip images of things you like to do—or could do instead of numbing-- that bring you joy. Snip pretty flower arrangements, craft projects, outdoor activities-you get the idea. Read Guidepost 3, Cultivating a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness, pages 63 through 76.

Week 3: April 14, 2016

CULTIVATING A RESILIENT SPIRIT Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness This Guidepost is so jam-packed full of goodness, we will be spending two weeks here. When we're totally overwhelmed, afraid or feeling super vulnerable, it's easy to slip into a very dark place. For this lesson's exercise, we'll come to terms with why and how we numb, and come up with a list of things that bring us joy instead.

WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: Guidepost 3, Cultivating a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness, pages 63 through 76.

WE WILL BE CREATING: 1. In your journal, create a collage of what drives you to numb. Cut out magazine pictures and words that capture the feelings, experiences and/or situations that drive you to numb. Use double-sided tape, soft gel matte or white glue to affix them to the page. If you can't find pictures that represent your thoughts, write them out with colored pens or markers. Decorate around your picture with your art supplies.

Week 4: April 21, 2016

CULTIVATING A RESILIENT SPIRIT: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness

WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: Book: Guidepost 3, Cultivating a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness, pages 63 through 76

WE WILL BE CREATING:

Create a collage of what you use to numb. 3. Finally, create a third collage of what truly brings you comfort. What refuels you? 4. Reflect on the three pages you created and make a "comfort wisdom" list. Write down all the things that truly take you to a place of joy. Decorate around your list with your art supplies. Use this list during a time of struggle to remind you of the choices and activities that really lift your spirit and bring you back into your power.

HOMEWORK (Heartwork): This week, look for or take a current picture of yourself. Read Guidepost 5, page 87-92 Think of a mantra that rings true to you. Sit with it for a couple of days before you commit to it. Say it to yourself when you're facing uncertainty—does it feel like a soft place to land?

Week 5: May 5, 2016

CULTIVATING INTUITION AND TRUSTING FAITH: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty

“When you can't get to your intuition, your mantra can get you back to being able to hear yourself. Your mantra is the megaphone for your intuition. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: Guidepost 5, CULTIVATING INTUITION AND TRUSTING FAITH: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty

WE WILL BE CREATING: A Mantra Page HOMEWORK (Heartwork): Read Guidepost 9, pages 111-116 Think about something you are really good at. Perhaps sometimes it has gotten you into trouble (especially as a child), but it is a quality that is deeply intrinsic to you, and it comes out in every aspect of your life. It is something you can't help, but it is also something that can be a very powerful force for meaning in your life.

Week 6: Cultivating Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed To

One of the first steps on the journey to finding meaning and purpose in our lives and in our work is acknowledging what we do well—these are our superpowers. Of course, we also have to get clear on our kryptonite. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING: Cultivating Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed To

WE WILL BE CREATING: For this lesson’s creative assignment, we will identify our superpower as well as our kryptonite.