Transforming Limiting Beliefs

"You have a belief about what is beautiful and what is ugly, and if you don't like yourself, you can change your belief and your life will change. It sounds simple, but it isn't easy. Whoever controls the belief, controls the dream. When the dreamer finally controls the dream, the dream can become a masterpiece of art."
~Don Miguel Ruiz

When I was in high school, I had the privilege of taking a 2-dimensional art class. I had always loved drawing as a child and after watching PBS on Saturday mornings, would attempt to paint "happy little trees" like Bob Ross. I was excited to create and expand my skills as an artist, but I had no idea at the time the depth of understanding that would come out of one simple art class.

We began our lesson by making charcoal drawings of various found objects. The teacher darkened the room and shined a light on the cloths and lamp posts and vases and our job was to accurately depict the shadow and light being cast on them. At first, I remember being challenged by this assignment. I had a difficult time understanding that there are no true lines in art--that what we perceive as lines are merely concentrations of shadow and light creating the illusion of 3-dimensionality on the page. Once I understood and applied this concept; however, I was exhilarated. I wanted to draw everything in sight! (what can I say folks...when I get excited, I go all out. :)

Our final project of the semester was an acrylic painting--we had to choose a photograph and paint what we saw. I chose a photograph of two white ducks looking upon a newly hatched duckling. At first glance, I was overwhelmed. It appeared that the primary colors in the image were white and black. How was I supposed to create an interesting painting out of that? I approached my teacher trying to wrap my mind around this concept when he asked me a question that shifted my world view in more ways than one. He asked me to look at a shadow formed on one of the ducks. "What are all of the colors that you see within that shadow?" It had never occurred to me to see black and white in terms of color! I painted those ducks with so much passion, taking into account every nuance of color--I'm pretty sure my mom still has that painting. :)

Just as I struggled to see the relationship between shadow and light, and the color existing within black and white, it has become clear to me that we all struggle to see beyond the rigidity of our own belief systems. When I opened my eyes to see the world as it truly is, I was overwhelmed by the beauty that exists in all of its subtlety. When I look within my being and truly experience the thoughts and emotions that are flowing through me, I am equally amazed.

My main job as a coach is to be an art teacher for the soul. My clients come to me seeing the world in a very specific, and often limiting way, and it is my job to help them expand those perspectives to see that the world is not merely black and white, light and darkness. Life is not simply about good and bad, failure and success, joy and sorrow. Sadness and pain are not always "bad," and success doesn't have to mean how much money you have in the bank, and you can certainly fail a single task without being a failure. My job is to shine a light on all of the limiting beliefs that the ego creates in hope to protect us, and my client's job is to see and create life as it really is.

Does being a success really mean that you have to work your butt off? Are you truly a failure if you walk away from a relationship that is no longer working? What are the gifts that come from honoring your sadness? What are the opportunities that you create for yourself AND others when you follow the path of your joy?

I invite you to close your eyes and feel the complexity of emotions that exist within you. Do you notice how joy can exist within your sadness, how calm can be present within your anxiety? Just like shadow fades into light and vice versa, our emotions often contain nuances of one another. As you allow yourself to feel your emotions as they truly are, I invite you to feel the joy that comes out of that awareness. To see and feel the world as it is is true freedom. Today, I invite you to paint your life from this place--what would happen if you step beyond rigid lines and black and white thinking to create what you really want for yourself? I look forward to discovering the masterpiece that you create!

Would you like some assistance in stepping outside of your stuck beliefs in order to create from a place of openness and possibility? I would love nothing more than to help you discover the beautiful life that awaits you. Through a series of powerful inquiries and looking at your Astrological Chart I can reveal some powerful tools that you have within you to start living a life of passion and purpose, NOW. Contact me for a free sample session so that we can explore the many ways that my coaching will support you in living your best life OUT LOUD!: igniteyourvoice@gmail.com.

With Love and Deep Gratitude,

:)Melissa Simonson
Spiritual Life Coach
www.igniteyourvoice.com

©2008 Melissa Simonson

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? No problem!--as long as you use this entire blurb with it: As an Inspired Speaker and Spiritual Life Coach, Melissa Simonson combines wisdom gleaned from Zen Buddhism, Astrology, New Thought traditions, both ancient and contemporary philosophies, with a BA in Psychology, to create a safe and accepting space for her clients to explore their dreams, release the beliefs that are no longer serving their Higher Purpose and manifest joy in their lives, NOW. To receive her FREE articles containing life-changing insights and coaching tools visit www.igniteyourvoice.com.