WELCOME TO WEEK 6

LET’S RECAP LAST WEEK

HELLO, DEAR ONE. I am almost in tears writing this section, knowing it is our last week together. What a journey, what a gift! I am beyond grateful for the experiences we have had together, and experiences I hope we will continue to have. However, before I get too mushy, let’s recap last week.

Let’s just call it like it is- there is truly no such thing as failure. But, we experience the feeling of failure rather often. Failure, is in essence, an act of comparison. If we let go of outcomes, comparison traps, and ideas of self loathing, what is left? Process. We are always in process. We are all works in process/progress. Process IS progress.

Often I hear artists complain of “blocks”. All a block is, is the refusal to make “bad art”. We feel we cannot succeed if we do not execute something perfectly…but what if the beauty is in the doing? What if by making “bad art” (and a lot of it!), we are actually freeing ourselves to true abundance?

Abundance is all around, and what we appreciate appreciates. So if we want to begin to attract in greater abundance, allow yourself to see and appreciate all that you have…for it is plentiful, my friend!

WEEK 6, UNIT 1

My friend, we have come to the last week of our journey together (I cannot believe it! I remember writing this course back in January…how is it June?). You garden is flourishing, I know this, because I have seen it in class every week. Let us look back on all we have done…
- We have tended to our land, noticed, and found its history and narrative
- We have created natural fertilizer, and composted from our past
- We have let go of what no longer serves us, and created a space of rich soil for growth
- We have planted our seeds and believed in our hearts.
- We have created systems of support, and cultivated inner trust.
- We have embraced failure, and noticed our abundance.

And now, we have the pleasure of gathering our harvest. To harvest, is to gather. Harvest comes from the Old English hærfest ‘autumn’, and German Herbst, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin carpere ‘pluck’ and Greek karpos ‘fruit’. This is your time to notice what has now fruited in your life, and allow yourself to take it.

We live in a grind culture, a culture that suggests that there is never moments of admiration or pause, but rather, a consistent marathon of tasks and to-do’s. There is no room to breathe, no room to admire.

However, let us look at the natural systems all around us- what do they suggest? It is natural to have seasons of growth and abundance. It is natural to stop, admire, and take stock of all you have made. It is natural to let the fruit fall from the tree, and share your abundance with others. It is then natural, to pause in admiration.

To harvest is to pause from generating, and instead, begin to look at gathering. So pause, dear one, and begin to look at all that you have made. Now is the time to share your beautiful gifts with the world.

JOURNAL PROMPT

This week is one of reflection. Allow yourself to step back and notice all you have done…

  • What has changed for you in the past 6 weeks? How have you changed?

  • What subtle shifts have you seen in your own life?

  • Name your fruits- have you created anything in the past six weeks?

  • What gifts do you feel you have to share with the world?

  • What gifts feel like they are only for you, for you to hold close to your heart?

  • What is still growing, and may need tending?

WEEK 6, UNIT 2

And here we are, friend. The last unit of the last week. Let’s take a deep breath together! Ready?
Breathe in…1…2…3…4….Breathe Out…1…2…3…4.

How are you feeling? What is coming up for you today? It is normal for there to be a mix of excitement, relief, sadness, or enthusiasm. If you are feeling like a stew of feelings, that is normal. If you are feeling nothing, allow me to say this is normal as well!

Today, as we close out our series, we will be looking at cycles & appreciation.

All living beings are in cycle. Time is cyclical. Patterns are cyclical. Allow us to see that we have made one revolution, from beginning to end, and are now entering a new cycle in your life: one on your terms. I have said it before, but my greatest heart-wish is for you to leave this class feeling you can do this all over again, but with your own guidance.

Remember our meditation where we encountered our future selves? They will always be there for you, just as your inner child will always be present. How can your future self help you to step boldly into this new cycle in your life?

Today is but a mile-marker on our journey, a journey that has no beginning nor end, but one that loops back inside itself. Like the ouroboros, we now meet back at the beginning, and see plainly that the start of our new adventure is simple another loop deeper within. This journey is an infinite circle the continues turning inward, as you eventually find yourself creating a home in your heart.

Let us mark the day- we were here. We will venture on. Let all that pass in our wake say- “They were a voice. They were a leader. I continue in their path.”

YOUR MANIFESTO

As a last gift to yourself, I invite you to write a manifesto, of sorts. Feel free to title it. It can be anything, “10 Principles for Jenny’s Creativity” or “12 steps to Finding Yourself.”…you get to decide on your manifesto.

This should be your guiding light. Make sure to include your “core values” or “compass” points from week 3.

Need inspiration? Here’s mine!

**Please post your new manifesto in the Discord if you are comfortable doing so**

LIVE CLASS

In class, we will be sharing our “seeds”. These speeds may have sprouted, flowered, or perhaps are still growing roots deep beneath the soil! Wherever you are at is ok.

There is no pressure to prepare anything- we are simply sharing our harvest. Think of this as sharing your fruit- bring the basket, but don’t feel the need to bake a pie!

See you soon!