Michelangelo devoted the last 20 years of his life to art for the glory of God.

What a busy two weeks! My apologies for the pause. I’ve gone back to school fulltime and it’s been an adjustment – but more on that later. I’m excited! This may be the youth of my old age but we’re never too old to dream, learn, or grow.

Time to draw from the Quote Attic. I’ve saved tons of quotes regarding the source of inspiration from different artists. Maybe a couple will surprise you:

“In Medieval Christianity, the artist was understood to be the vehicle through which God’s creative inspiration found form. Through his disciplined training and craftmanship, the medieval Christian artist brought the implanted vision to reality, cognizant that the inspiration and the artwork were gifts from God, and that the artist was merely the vehicle for God’s inspiration. Therefore, the artist took no individual credit but rather identified himself as a craftsman, not as originator or creator.” ~ Diane Apostolos-Cappadona and Lucinda Ebersole, Women, Creativity, and the Arts

“Something sacred, that’s it. It’s a word that we should be able to use, but people would take it in the wrong way. You ought to be able to say a painting is as it is, with its capacity to move us, because it is as though it were touched by God.” ~ Picasso

“We [U2] have to write songs that raise the temperature of the room and find words for feelings you can’t express. And then, as Quincy Jones says, you wait for God to walk through the door. Because in the end, craft isn’t enough.” ~ Bono, lead singer, U2 rock band

“Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician because music gives pleasure as we never can…I’m Honory President of the American Humanist Association, but I simultaneously say that music is the proof of the existence of God.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., American writer

“Even denying God, to serve music, or painting, or words is a religious activity, whether or not the conscious mind is willing to accept that fact.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle, writer

“Songwriters, choreographers, playwrights, painters, and many others have accomplished much that has had impact without ever asking for help from or consciously collaborating with the Holy Spirit. This does not blow our theology; to the contrary, it points out the great love of God, who pours out not only His great gifts “on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt.5:45), gifts of talent and other blessings, but also basic gifts that are so easily overlooked–nature, sunlight, the air we breathe, the functioning of our bodies.” ~ J. Scott McElroy, Finding Divine Inspiration

Not all artists and writers acknowledge God’s influence in their creative process. Madeleine L’Engle once said that if an artist denies God in his life, his work still affirms him since “all true art is incarnational.”

Oh, to be a conduit of Life, whatever creative path we take!

Compassion burnout can leave us overwhelmed and exhausted.

Having battled my own state of overwhelm the last couple weeks, I couldn’t blog until a few issues were faced and handled. As Martha Stewart  says, “it’s a good thing.”

I learned about a phenomena called “secondary Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome,” a condition that intensifies as we’re immersed into other people’s traumas, emergencies, or chronic ills. Let’s not get too technical. Call it compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, or burn-out. When we continuously care and invest in others, it’s not long before we slip into emotional/physical exhaustion if we’re not resting and getting adequate support for ourselves. Late in life, I’m still learning this. Sometimes the stress I’m facing feels worse than when I worked on a medical unit where half my patients were terminal. A temperament that takes on the burdens of the world soon crashes under its weight.

Ah, but we forget – we can only do as God energizes us.

I, for one, am practicing the fine art of calm this week. After a trip to the emergency room and cardiologist, I’m resting well. It’s okay to pull back, regroup, recuperate. God is perfectly able to help the very people we think won’t survive without us.

So what is this secondary post traumatic stress syndrome? People like nurses, social workers, therapists, military vets’ wives – caregivers of any kind, really – are subject to the same symptoms as the ones they care for. Furthermore, if we’ve come undone, it might be a sign we’ve yet to deal with our own stuff.

Here’s an interesting quote:

“You can be traumatized by exposure to other people’s traumatic stories, energy, and emotions. Don’t let your life be overwhelmed by others’ traumas, and be sure to get plenty of support and help for the feelings that come up for you in working with other peoples’ traumas. If you have had traumas in your own life that you are not finished dealing with — and most of us do — then you can expect that the memories and issues and feelings associated with them will be retriggered by working with other peoples’ traumas. Get help sooner rather than later in dealing with whatever comes up for you. It can be a great opportunity and lead to greater health and healing for you as well as the people you are helping!” ~ Ed Schmoochler, PhD.

Sounds wise. We may not face daily trauma, but continual stress wears us down. Some of us have forgotten how to care for ourselves. If we linger too long in our “situation room,” it’s easy to get sucked into that black vortex of despair. With that in mind, I’m sharing simple tips to ground us – things I needed to do just last week:

* Acknowledge you’re sinking. We’re talking physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion here. The first step is telling yourself the truth instead of ignoring the symptoms.

* Take a break. If you’ve hit the wall – even if you’re not quite there – pull back and take care of yourself NOW. The world won’t stop spinning. Pray. Let go of guilt. You’ve heard it before – if you don’t take care of yourself, you’re no good to anyone else.

* Ask for help and talk to someone. Let it out. Give yourself permission to be human. God helps me many times in the absence of others, and sometimes He sends a compassionate friend who is able to listen, care, and hear from the heart.

This isn’t all I have to say on the subject. Before the next post on handling “overwhelm,” would you share with me whatever’s stressing you lately? Something weighing on your heart? Are you caring for others full tilt with no support? I’d like to hear from you.

Part One: Navigating the State of Overwhelm

Easter blessings to you and yours

A blessed Easter to my readers. ♥

We’ll soon press the topic of moving past the state of “overwhelm,” looking more closely at journaling, emotional healing, and laying hold of more than enough as we grow tired of lack. Different issues may affect our creativity on some level, but how greatly we benefit when sharing with each other our personal journeys. Thank you, all, for your recent inspiring comments.

A few quotes for now:

“Instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t, I give myself reasons why I can.” ~unknown

“Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”  ~ Judy Garland

“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” ~Anne Frank

“We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things… [but] there are times when we stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves or its memory. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.” ~ James Carroll

“Our problem is, we are so well-versed in listening to our mind, will, and emotions (or our souls), that we simply cannot hear the whisper of the Spirit in our spirits.” ~ Wanda Winters-Gutierrez

We’ll learn to listen to the whisper of the Spirit, breaking away from negative core beliefs that hinder us. We all long to respond to God’s creative call, so let’s just do the next thing, remembering:

Daily decisions are holy moments. When we make them, Heaven stands to attention. ~ Wanda Winters-Gutierrez

what causes you to feel overwhelmed lately?

If we live in a chronic state of overwhelm, we pay high taxes: Anxiety, poor health, burnout. Continued stress without let-up finally crushes a creative spirit – unless for some reason you find it motivating. I don’t. Life sometimes inundates me to the point of paralysis. I can’t write, can’t paint, can’t decipher a simple recipe. At those times my brain, like a battery, is lucky to operate on one cylinder.  Enter the Land of Overwhelm and tread carefully. Not a great place to visit. Certainly no place to live.

How do we go from busy to incapacitated? Not exactly overnight. When I find I’m caving to indecision, exasperation, or full-blown panic, I’ve usually been riding a shuttle to chaos for way too long.

How to get there quickly:  

• Trying to do everything perfectly.
• Juggling too many balls due to others’ expectations of us.
• Not knowing how to prioritize. Trying to get it all done.
• Forgetting to set healthy and reasonable boundaries. Fear of saying no.
• Focusing too much on outcomes.
• Being a control freak. Not asking for help.
• Lack of adequate support and personal care time.
• Unexpected curve balls, totally out of our control – which we all experience.

Signposts of the Overwhelmed: 

We manifest tension and stress in varying ways. Some examples:

• Poor sleep. Can’t fall asleep or keep waking up.
• Feeling tied up in knots.
• Not really motivated anymore.
• Feeling resentful when people ask favors.
• Crying easily … or inability to laugh.
• Short-tempered. Every day feels like “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
• Negative thoughts become harder and harder to fight off.

It’s hard to deny physical symptoms. My blood pressure goes up, chest feels tight, and the side of my neck throbs when I’m highly stressed. Anxiety should not be my co-pilot, yet  things that normally bring pleasure become burdensome when I’m overwhelmed. Some report stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, or a sense of doom. Depression steals our joy when we’ve lived too long in a state of overwhelm.

Next post we’ll discuss what to do. Please share if you’re feeling overwhelmed. We’re on this path together. ♥

journaling...

* If you wrote your life story, what would the title be?

* What is your heart bursting to tell someone?

* What time of day is your most favorite and why?

* What life event do you wish you could expunge from your memory?

* What are the “Top Five” items on your bucket list?

Okay, ready – set – go!  And maybe share, if you don’t mind?

“Your journaling is also a way to hold onto God during times when life feels slippery and out of control. Or when you realize the control you had so carefully planned out is an illusion.” ~Helen Cepero, Journaling as a Spiritual Practice

Writing that flows from a deep vulnerability will bless others. But forget others. Your journal is private and not for publication. Vulnerability opens wide the avenue of healing and I’m all for going there.

On journal pages, hearts are free to roam. You might also consider software like Life Journal but I like writing in longhand. Call me sentimental. There’s something therapeutic (and very portable) about scribbling thoughts in a comfy notebook.

If you’re a writer, old journal entries preserve your life experiences. Later, when you’re not so raw in the “moment,” they’ll be useful for essays and articles when the time is right. But not now. Right now we’re just making daily appointments to be real on paper. Looking forward to easing down this path with my readers, especially since a few of you are considering a journal for the first time.

Permission to write freely. 

However you choose to keep a journal is up to you. I can suggest certain habits but you’ll find your own rhythm. Today I bought a new black moleskine journal. While I may incorporate quotes, scriptures, and doodles, this is not my art journal. I have others for that. Our focus here is to capture thoughts and feelings. One rule:

Don’t censor yourself.  

As you delve into the habit of daily reflection, journaling brings your life into better focus. It brings you the grace of discovery.

Benefits of journaling: 

• Journaling strengthens our immune system by reducing stress.
• It frees pent-up emotions, thereby reducing anxiety.
• Journaling helps us find our own voice and develop a language that’s truly authentic.
• Journaling is a safe place to grieve, vent, pray, explore, and heal.

Let your journal be your traveling companion. 

Journaling brings clarity where we’re stuck. It gives voice to our struggles. Journaling, if nothing else, chronicles our personal history and faith journey. We don’t have to go on an archeological dig – just be real. God waits to walk with us. Whatever lies beneath the surface is already in His hands if we but trust. I’m eager to share more with you, but hope something here encourages your heart:

“Buried in the stuff of our lives, underneath the running current of daily activities, lies the treasure, if only we are willing to risk looking and seeking.” ~ Helen Cepero

“When we begin to write regularly, letting the process be our guide, everything will take care of itself. Show up at the desk regularly and with commitment. That’s really all you have to do.” ~ Louise Desalvo

“If you feel that your writing about a particular topic is too much for you to handle, then do not write about it. If you know that you aren’t ready to address a particularly painful topic, write about something else. When you are ready, then tackle it. If you feel that you will flip out by writing, don’t write.” ~ James Pennebaker

Let me know how your journaling goes. Share your own suggestions and discoveries in the comment section. I love hearing from you.

~~~

Resources:
Writing as a Way of Healing by Louise Desalvo
Journaling as a Spiritual Practice by Helen Cepero

I can’t afford a Roma Lusso journal (pictured above) but there are plenty beautiful volumes at reasonable prices such as these variety of moleskines and others. Let me know your favorites.

Blick’s moleskine journals

Spill it out...the renderings of your heart.

“One of the most important rules of journaling is that you need to be free to write the worst junk in the whole world.” ~  Helen Cepero, Journaling as a Spiritual Practice

Through the years I’ve journaled rather intensely, only to abandon the practice when a certain mood would hit. In 1993, I shredded four years of personal essays, anecdotes, ramblings, and personal memories that I’ll never retrieve again. I hate that. Those were emotionally challenging years documented in black and white – part of the problem, perhaps. The fear of someone finding my most intimate scribblings became a bit frightful. Or maybe I listened to my inner critic too much: You are being way too negative.

Such journaling flourished, however, because the truth showed up. Never mind my emotions took crazy twists and turns. Writing those four years sustained me and opened my eyes. So while I’m trying not to go to lunch with Regret, the question begs…

Why is it so easy to sabotage the very things we want to do, such as journaling?

This is the dark side of journaling for me. Self-sabotage. Refusing to come to the place where God might really make me aware of His presence. Yes, right there where I’m spilling blood. Is it safer not to write it all down? You tell me. God confronts me gently today as I find several half-finished journals resting in boxes and drawers. Even though He knit writing into my DNA, I wrestle and resist. There is always the temptation to throw out the journal or…never begin. Maybe something here will help us (at least myself) but first, a rather important insight from Helen Cepero:

“Your journal is like the sifter my children used to pan for gold. If you are willing to dip your journal into the stream of your life, even though it may mean getting a bit wet and muddy, you will find the gold of your own life, and God’s eternal presence.”

Journaling can be a spiritual practice. 

This is the bright side. I don’t write for my own sake. Or maybe I do. Sometimes writing is trying to make sense of life and discover that God-with-us is more than metaphor. I desperately need to see Him working through the details of my offbeat life. Even thought I don’t see immediately, journaling helps expunge some of life’s pain when I give voice to what’s happening inside. It’s a safe place. Because when we pay attention to our dreams and desires, as well as wounds and gunky heartache, well, isn’t this where we let Him walk with us? Isn’t this where we get real?

I don’t want to merely skim the surface of life. 

Journaling helps me enter the depths more intentionally. Because if you think about it, journaling is like that and God is present in those depths. Is that scary? Maybe. But it’s safe to spill out these heart renderings. We all have them. Let’s talk some more about journaling as a spiritual practice in upcoming posts.

I’m looking for God to unfold His story in my life while I sift through the junk.

I think you are, too.

~~~

Nugget for today: Be honest instead of being however you think others want you to be. Your journal is the perfect place to begin.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Just a few nuggets for my artistic friends. If you don’t feel particularly artistic, let me tell you – there’s treasure down deep. ♥

“A picture is a poem without words.” ~ Horace

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. ~ Pablo Picasso

“An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.” ~ Charles Horton Cooley

“An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it.” ~ Paul Valery

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” ~ Emile Zola

“Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame.” ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” ~ Michelangelo

“The writer, when he is also an artist, is someone who admits what others don’t dare reveal.” ~ Elia Kazan

Which quote speaks to you?

Inspiration is everywhere.

“A creative block is the wall we erect to ward off the anxiety we suppose we’ll experience if we sit down to work.” ~ Eric Maisel 

How do we stoke those creative fires and avoid writer’s block? Here’s what I think:

The desire to write grows with writing. To blog or write for publication, we become more  intentional – no way around this. Happenstance won’t cut it. Sure, trying to work daily almost guarantees resistance; excuses line up at our door. Press through and watch what happens. Count on God to inspire. The more we write, the more that creative muse begins to whisper and flow.

To blog intentionally means to plan and persevere. This is not about perfection. It’s about prioritizing the things that make your heart sing. To aim at nothing is to hit it every time. So set goals that are reasonable and kickstart a new plan. If you hear me talking about stoking the muse I’m merely encouraging us to train our hearts and minds to look for daily inspiration. Make an appointment with your muse. Value your own work. Remember why you’re writing.

Tip of the day: 
Either we learn to spot inspiration, or go after it with a club. It’s there waiting for you. 

Could something here help? 

• Daily journaling – pouring out thoughts and observations without censoring.
• Traveling with a notebook in your purse or car to jot down random thoughts.
• Keeping a draft folder filled with themes, ideas, quotes for later reference.

Finally, be encouraged.

The more you write…the more you write!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege

 and our  adventure to discover our own special light."

 ~ Mary Dunbar ~