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Affirmation Touchstones-Gioia and Tabitha
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Affirmations: The Three P's
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Here at Creative Wellbeing Workshops we often get asked how to be more positive, but
it's not always easy to just "think positive!" We sometimes need gentle reminders to shift negative trains of thought. A
ffirmations are short positive sayings or phrases that can serve that purpose.
The word "affirmation" originally comes from the Latin root
affirmare
, meaning to steady, or strengthen. Affirmations help fortify our resolve. They can remind us of empowering thoughts and inspire a more positive outlook. Some of Gioia's favorite affirmations come from Clarke & Dawson's book, Growing Up Again; s
ayings such as, "You can grow your whole life through," "You can trust your inner wisdom," and "You are lovable at every age."
Whereas, Clarke and Dawson address their affirmations to
"You"; others use "I" messages. Some suggest following the 3 P's rule:
present tense,
personal,
and positive. This means that we want the affirmations: 1) to be couched as if they were already happening; 2) to relate to us meaningfully; and 3) to be aspirational. In other words, w
e want them to feel authentic and believable as well as realistic enough that the unconscious mind doesn't reject them. For example, rather than saying, "I am rich" we might say "I am becoming financially secure." We also want it to associate it with a positive feeling, like safety, comfort, achievement, or connection. So instead of saying, "I am a super model" we might say, "I feel attractive" which is more about positive esteem.
A creative way to remind ourselves of theses sayings throughout the day is to make
Affirmation Touchstones
. You can create these touchstones out of the small clear round glass drops, sometimes called decorative fillers, which can be found at craft stores or dollar stores in the floral department. Gioia likes the "jumbo" size, which are about 1.5 inches wide. They cost a few dollars for a bag of 20. The affirmations become visually appealing with the glass above them reflecting color and light. You can also use flat pebbles or rocks and then paint them or collage words onto them. You might even make them into magnets to post on your fridge or filing cabinets.
More favorite affirmations:
I don't just Bounce back, I BOUNCE FORWARD!
I am focusing on what is working in my life
I am finding the silver lining
I can balance my commitments to the world and to myself
Or you can just use "power" words like kind, safe, grow, support, create, believe, love, brave, focus, be, and so on.
Positively yours, Gioia, Tabitha (Gioia's Daughter), and Rebecca
(Thank you again, Tabitha, for contributing so much to this newsletter!)
Art Directive
Pick one of your favorite affirmations or inspiring words and make some Affirmation Touchstone. Use decorative colors, paper, and handwriting (be sure to make it small enough so that it will fit). Paste the paper onto the back with Modge Podge, white glue, or other glue that dries clear. With rocks, you can also paste paper, but you can also use metallic markers or acrylic paints. Put them on the window sill, in a small saucer, or put one in your pocket. Or if you want to make them into magnets (small round magnets also available at craft stores) use a hot glue gun or super glue. Share them on our facebook page.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Art and Wellbeing Podcast Interview "Real World Woman...Sex, Money, and Food!"
When:
Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 6-7 pm
Where: Access through this link or those listed below
Rebecca will be interviewed on Alexandra Harbushka's celebrated podcast "Real World Woman...Sex, Money, and Food!" Learn more about using art to manage stress and improve wellbeing. To access the podcast, click here for ITunes or Stitcher
DC AREA
Rebecca will be in DC September 21-October 5, 2016 and available to meet with clients at the Jenifer Street Studio.
Altered Books: Letting Go and Letting In
When: Saturday, October 29, 2016 1-5 pm
Where:
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
1632 U Street NW, Washington DC 20009
To Register : call 202 483 8600 or click here
We're listing this workshop early because it tends to fill up. Come explore the world of altered books, an art form where old books are recycled into new works of art. In altering a book, we might draw or paint on the pages or cover of the book (gasp!), or add magazine images, stamps, or stickers. Using mixed media collage--books can be adorned with fabric, leather, beads, wire or found objects. Techniques such as cutting out niches, making pockets and doors, transfers and texture building can be used. Inspiration may strike when the artist finds a word, letter, or image that becomes an interesting background or focal point that generates a personal artistic response.
Altering books provide a symbolically rich means of exploring the process of letting go and letting in, renewal and transformation, especially when we make art intentionally for healing and to engage in growth and change.
No artistic experience is necessary. All materials will be provided. We will have plenty of books to alter but you are welcome to bring any books that you would like to alter or that you think someone else will enjoy.
Objectives 1) Attendees will be able to list three ways that altering books can be used to explore therapeutic concerns.
Objectives 2) Attendees will be able to engage in three techniques in the altered book process.
Objectives 3) Attendees will be able to explore three ways to apply what they've learned about altered books to their personal and professional lives.
Snacks will be provided,
Metro accessible, Red & Green Lines
Suggested Donation $45
($55 with Continuing Education Credits* for mental health practitioners)
Smith Center programs are open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.
ARIZONA
Miraval
Friday, September 9, 2016-Monday September 12, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016-Tuesday, September 20, 2016
She is available for private consults on site. Go here for reservations and schedule. Below are the workshops she will be running.
Positivity: 9 Strategies for Maximizing Wellbeing
Friday, September 9, 2016 TBA
Friday, September 16, 2016 TBA
Tapping into the power of positivity is one of the most accessible ways we have to quickly improve our overall well-being. Learn the nine most important strategies that research tells us will maximize positive emotion and experience.
Transforming Awareness Workshops
Saturday, September 12, 2016 1-2:30 pm
Saturday, September 17, 2016 1-2:30 pm
Through dynamic and simple art techniques that tap into parts of the brain and consciousness that are not available through talking alone, Art Therapist Rebecca Wilkinson helps you access and explore who you are in new and magical ways. You will feel a deeper sense of acceptance and appreciation for yourself and walk away with tools to live more authentically and mindfully in the world.
Letting Go and Letting In
Monday, September 19, 2016
3-3:45 pm
The only thing constant is change. Life is always a series of transitions, large and small. Often these transitions are painful and confusing even as the lead us on a path to growth and transformation. This class will discuss practical approaches to letting go and moving through transition to facilitate healthy living and reduced suffering.
Optimizing Your Strengths
Monday, September 19, 2016
5-6 pm
Become a Strengths Spotter. Discover and activate strengths in you and those around you. Learn to identify your top signature strengths, differentiate between strengths that deplete you and those that energize and engage you. Find out how focusing on strengths can transform your relationships with your spouse, friends, family members, co-workers, bosses, and even total strangers.
Mandalas for Mind/Body Connection
Friday, September 9, 2016 4-5:30 pm
Monday, September 12, 2016 1-2:30 pm
Friday, September 16, 3016 3-4:30 pm
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 3-4:30 pm
Mandalas are ancient symbols representing unity and can be a reflection of the inner self. In this workshop, we will engage in a body scan meditation followed by making mandalas as a tool for developing mental, emotional, and physical awareness. Be open to what insights may be revealed!
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At Creative Wellbeing Workshops, we enable people and organizations to:
- feel less anxiety, stress, negativity
- reduce burnout and get more enjoyment at work
- increase sense of competence and energy about their work
- reignite passion for what gives our lives meaning
- identify and develop the strengths that engage and energize us
- shift our perceptions so that we broaden our options and view our lives through a different lens
- experience more positive emotions such as gratitude, peace, forgiveness, love, joy, zest, and a sense of being present in our lives
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We look forward to working with you!
Rebecca Wilkinson & Gioia Chilton
Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC Like us on Facebook for weekly links and inspiration! |
Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC has been by approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (#6566). Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Creative Wellbeing Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of those programs. Look for upcoming trainings in the DC metro area and Tucson, Arizona!
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Creative Wellbeing Workshops founders, Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT and Gioia Chilton, PhD, ATR-BC, LCPAT are Registered and Board Certified art therapists with over 20 years of clinical experience. Creative Wellbeing Workshops is an approved continuing education provider for the National Board of Certified Counselors (#6566).
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