I have been art journaling for many years. I am not really sure when I started. I have journaled or kept a diary since I was just a child, and I would often draw in my journals, but art journaling is different. What drew me to the idea of art journaling is that it allowed me to be messy, to experiment and play with my art supplies in a new way,

Over the years I have taken a few different online classes. One of my favorite teachers is Tamara Laporte from Willowing. This little fox was created following her instructions. It turned out so sweet, I love it. I used watercolors, acrylic paints, and Posca Pens.

I love the idea of just allowing ourselves to BE. Learning to conquer the beliefs that we have learned through life that say it is unsafe to BE our authentic selves is a daunting task. Some of the wounds run deep and the work of getting to the root of a belief can be painful. In the end it is worth it though. As long as you are not hurting others in a physically or mentally abusive way, everyone deserves the freedom to be who and what they are without judgment.

Who I am may make others uncomfortable. Who I am may offend others. It may make them feel any number of emotions. I have learned through life that if me being who I am triggers a person into feeling a certain way that is on them, not me.

Equally, when I am triggered into feeling a certain way by another person just BEing who they are, it is a sign for me to look within and discover WHY I am feeling that way. It is not okay to lash out and judge, ridicule, or shame another person. I believe we can challenge or ask questions about a person’s words and behaviors, as long as we do so with the intention of understanding and healing.

When we begin to understand why each other ARE the way we ARE, and we hold safe place for each other to just BE, healing can happen more easily. We need to give each other the space to be and to change and grow. This world is so full of hurt and programming. Everyone, despite how different their viewpoint may be from ours, has a reason WHY they are like they are, everyone.

We were all raised by families, communities, and societies that all have their own deep seeded beliefs. Some of these have been passed down for generations. Many people do not ever question why they are like they are. They just behave like they were taught to behave because that is how they received acceptance, or how they protected themselves. The healing that needs to take place in humanity is enormous. I do not know if it is even possible to fix.

I do know that it starts with each one of us being brave enough to look within, to do our own shadow work, challenge our own behaviors and beliefs. We are all chained and bound by fear and we need to do the work to free ourselves of every belief that isnt grounded in LOVE.