Every time I read a phrase, a song comes into my head! The one that came to mind during my morning pages work was “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon. The lyrics are cute and they rhyme! I’m not looking for ways to leave anyone or anything, however, here is today’s writing prompt!
“List 50 specific and positive things that you like and approve about yourself exactly the way you are.”
Walking in This World by Julia Cameron
So I took out a sheet of ruled paper and numbered 1-25 on the right side and 26-50 on the left, not thinking I would need much space. Once I started, I realized this was not going to be just a morning writing exercise, this was going to be an all day affair. It’s 3pm and I am at 37!
“The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people’s expectations.”
― Julia Cameron
This year I am continuing my commitment to Julia Cameron’s “The Complete Artist’s Way” Creativity as a Spiritual Practice. As many mornings as I can, I sit down and read a short section and then follow the writing prompt or “task” that it suggests. I am now in the second book of the trilogy, Walking in This World. The opportunity for personal growth, fuel for thought, self-awareness and positive energy is amazing.
Rarely does a day go by that what I learned in the morning isn’t immediately shared with a client or friend. This practice has become a source of creative resilience for my daily life!
As I made my way through the list, it really hit me smack dab in the center of my Third Eye that the strengths work I have done through coach training and self-discovery as well as the work I do with every client has had a huge impact on how I validate my personal uniqueness. It has given me language and tools for self-validation.
What if I had not done this work? What if you haven’t done this work?
The point of this exercise is to have this list handy when I find myself knee deep in insecurity. Knowing how to “self-validate” gives me the opportunity to act independently and not have to wait for someone else to say the magic words! I trust that it will also prompt me to validate others more easily in the future!
Try it! Find fifty ways to validate yourself today! Let me know what you come up with!
Tuned In Coaching is Tuned In to You! 