The Power of a Sensitive Heart

Happy New Year!

Welcome to Doodle Therapy!

I had planned to write about the new year with positive and creative intentions, but have not been able to get this topic out of my thoughts.  It selected itself for the first post of the new year, and for whatever reason, maybe it needs to be heard.  

We live in a society that has far greater respect and admiration for toughness and harshness.  Gentleness, sensitivity and compassion are considered by many to be signs of weakness and make anyone possessing these qualities, a target for criticism.

You learn early in life to hide or deny these qualities or toughen up.  A lifetime of playing defense to hide or deny who your really are, takes an enormous amount of energy and a heavy toll on one's spirit.  Not only that, it means that you have bought into the belief that these qualities are really faults or flaws in your personality that should be disowned, which is even more damaging.

The truth is, if you are sensitive, it is your greatest gift.  But, it can be a double-edged sword and can also bring you the greatest grief.

Being a sensitive soul may make you more easily hurt.  But I wonder... are sensitive people really thin-skinned, or is it that they are more likely to be the target of thoughtless or harsh criticism?  When you are constantly subjected to pain, it either becomes super sensitive or calloused.  And, Isn't extreme toughness just a calloused facade?

I believe that sensitivity is a strength that ,has far more power than toughness.  It is sensitivity that is:

• your source of intuition
• what enables you to recognize and pick up on the subtleties - to get the subtext
• your source of compassion, empathy and kindness

It is the sensitive souls that are able to sense what someone else may really mean, need or feel.  They know when something is wrong long before anyone else.

Yes, sensitive types are more in tune with their emotions, maybe to the discomfort of others.  And yes, quicker to cry.  Is that because they are weak, or is it that their emotions are closer to the surface.

Being a sensitive soul, I've been told over and over, you're too sensitive, you shouldn't care so much, you shouldn't take things to heart or let things affect you so much.  Should, should, should!  It could just make you want to scream!

There finally came a point in my life when I wasn't willing to listen anymore to the comment "you're too sensitive".  The turning point came when I was able to simply and firmly say to someone making that "accusation", "or maybe you're just too insensitive".  My "accuser" was silenced - at least momentarily; but never brought it up again.


It took a long time to truly appreciate that my sensitivity is one of my best qualities.  It's the foundation of everything else that I am.  During my self-help, "perfecting the product" days, I worked very hard on eradicating that perceived imperfection.  How ironic, that all my attempts at perfecting, were really creating more imperfections.


I now try to remember to respond to that "accusation" with, "and that's what I like about me best!"

So, what does all this have to do with creativity?  For one, I believe that art that comes from the heart is your best work - it's coming directly from the source and has the ability to connect deeply with others.


If you are blocking your sensitivity and who you are, you are blocking the flow of creativity.  When that protective layer is pulled away and your heart is allowed to open fully, the light and beauty of what is inside will spill over, infusing your work with your true spirit.


Who you really are is what is in your heart, not what is in your head.


The world has its place for the tough minded, but now, more than ever, we need the strength of sensitive hearts who have the ability to bring more peace, empathy and compassion into this world.  There's nothing wrong with being tough, but we need to balance and elevate the value of those with strong, sensitive hearts.


If you are one, find and surround yourself with other like-hearted souls so you can securely start to shed the protective layers blocking your light. Collectively, we have something valuable to give to this world.


Wishing you a new year filled with love, light and creativity!


Happy Doodling!

Creativity - What Holds You Back?

Is it the fear of what someone will think of your creative endeavors.  Are you afraid that it won't be good enough, won't be perfect?

If it's any of these, I would ask you to consider this.  Would you stop a child from creating something because it isn't perfect?  Would you discourage them because of what others may think?  Even if you can argue that you would to protect them; would it really be beneficial if the message is, what others think is more important?

So, why would you want to inflict such restrictions on yourself?  If you have not been able to experience the joy of creation, watch someone while they create.  Instead of focusing on what they are creating, and comparing your ability to theirs, focus on them.  Do they look like they are immersed in the process, relaxed, stress-free or happy?  That's what you want to aim for - not the talent or the skill.  That will develop and transform once you allow the creative process to chart its own course. 

Michelle Cassou has written the best books on overcoming blocks.  Her books have had a profound effect on my work.  They have helped me break away from my perfectionist tendencies.  They still creep in, but I don't allow it to get in the way anymore.  I have learned to accept and love what emerges.

Doodling has helped here in a big way.  Knowing that what you are doing is "just doodling", puts your expectations at a lower level and makes you less judgmental.  You're likely to be less focused on the outcome.

If you continue to doodle, journal style, on a regular basis without judging the outcome, you will begin to see your own symbols and style emerge.  Keep at it, and your work will develop and transform itself while transforming you at the same time.  All you need to do is allow it to happen! 

Click here, to see how to set up a daily doodle journal.  

There will be moments when you really dislike what you created.  Fight the urge to throw them away.  In fact, I would suggest that you keep them and look at them often.  Allow what feelings or thoughts to come up.  They provide the secrets and clues to the issues that need attention.

I have found that the images that I dislike most, have revealed the most to me.  And when I took the time to "listen to their message", I eventually came to find them intriguing and sometimes ended up liking them more than the others.

Take the time when you can, even on a scrap of paper, and just take a few minutes to draw something - anything.  Are you feeling uneasy or conflicted on what to do?  Is there an overpowering thought directing what you "should" do?  Is it directing you away from something you would like to do?  That's the voice that gets no say in the matter!  Pay attention to how it is making you feel, but follow your heart instead.

There is no joy in following orders to do something you "should" do.  The joy is in the process of discovering and transforming what is deep within you.  Allow that to emerge and blossom!

It can take a long time if there have been a lot of barriers and tight controls.  But it will be very much like caring for a delicate, new plant in your garden.  You may not see much growth at first.  That's because what is underneath the surface is spreading out and developing its strength and foundation.  Once these roots are securely grounded, it will start to flourish.

Be patient though, there may be few or no flowers in the beginning.  Sometimes they won't show up until the next year.  But, when they do, it will be a burst of beauty.

Bringing out the beauty and light within you is worth the time and effort and is definitely worth waiting for!

Happy Doodling!

Creativity, Transformation and Spring

Sprouts of new life, vibrant colors emerging - it's an inspiring and uplifting transformation.

There is so much work to be done this time of year - cleaning, preparation, getting rid of the old to make way for the new - it's all good and very therapeutic.  But, what can be overlooked is the opportunity to take this time to reflect and transform your creative spirit.  What better time than spring to try something new.

Your doodling journal can be where you explore new ideas, try drawing in a different style or different subject matter.  An open heart and open mind is all you need.

Take time to pay attention to what is stirring inside.  If you don't know, a good question to ask yourself is:  If I could do whatever I want right now, what would it be?  Write your thoughts down, or at least, make a mental note of them.  And don't allow "but I can't because...." to take over your thoughts. 

Maybe, practically speaking, it's not something you can do at the moment, but don't allow that to stop you from visualizing or thinking about it.  You are what you focus on; therefore, you can do or become what you want.  So, think of this as a time for planting seeds of intention.

As with all the work that is involved with your yard and garden, you will need to give the same amount of care to your newly sprouted ideas and intentions.  Your life is no different than your garden - it can flourish and become lush in its growth and beauty, or it can be ordinary and just survive, or worse, it can wither from neglect.

Give it the care it needs in the early stages of growth, allow it to find its own path, support it and give it the nutrients and foundation it needs.  Your ideas and intentions will also need to be protected from the weeds - don't allow negative thoughts or people to take over. 

Your dreams will thrive if you can provide them with sunny, positive energy and a constant flow of creative juices.  Creativity is what brought them to life and is what will make them flourish.

Keep your doodle journal at your side to record the journey and help you find the answers you seek.  If doubts or negative thoughts sprout up, get them out on paper to help eliminate them.

Try this as a way to literally wipe out negative influences:

• Doodle, draw or scribble whatever the thought feels like, then draw something that eliminates or overpowers it.  Even scribbling over it or just crossing it out will work.
• However, if the feeling is still there or you now feel more anxiety, continue to draw what you feel until you start to get a better understanding of what it is that you are feeling.
• You want to transform or eliminate the feeling, not just cover it up.

Deeper feelings and self-doubt are the tougher weeds that will appear often.  You will need to keep an eye on them and continue to be vigilant about eliminating them.

If you keep up with your Daily Doodle Journal, you will be able to monitor your feelings and progress.  Progress that will lead to transformation. 

Using the law of attraction along with your creativity is a powerful way to transform your ideas and intentions into your dreams.  If you would like more information on the law of attraction, here are a few of my favorite books on the topic.

Happy Doodling!