Journalling to My Self

 This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
– William Shakespeare

To thine own self be true. If only it were that easy. Most of us … after many years of questionable upbringing“, sibling rivalry, an education system that seemed bent on knocking the stuffing out, and a society where everything, even the pain we suffer, is measured … are still striving for a perfection that seems forever just beyond our reach.

So we talk to our friends and we buy self-help books (occasionally reading them,) go to workshops, see a therapist, do some counselling, visit psychics and commune with whoever we pick for our higher power, desperately trying to be better, to grow, to become healthy, balanced, grounded or whatever the term is at any given moment. I can admit to all of the above, and a lot more besides, over the years. Approaching that magical age of 40 I got to thinking.

I create… We all create. I won’t get into the intimate details, but as either man or woman we have the ability to create a child – and it don’t get much more creative than that! And whether I build a bookcase, write a book, set the table, prepare supper, I create the best bookcase, manuscript, dinner table, meal, that I can.

I was created… (and I’m going to keep this so non-denominational, it’s not true) … Whoever, Whatever, However … I was created. Somehow I don’t think that He, She, It said: “I know, I think I’ll make a really lousy Shena today!” I believe that what was said was: “I think I’ll make the best possible Shena that I can.”

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Meanwhile here I was trying to be better, improve, change, grow, ground myself, you name it. Wasn’t that like someone bringing me over a nice dish for supper that they had created, and I blithely add spices, whip up a sauce, or sautee it in brandy … without even tasting it first? How insulting! It occurred to me that maybe all I really had to do was to stop trying so hard to be perfect and just be who I was created to be ~ myself.
Which is where this all began, being true to my self…
(to be continued…)

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Shena Meadowcroft is an Intuitive, Writer, Artist and Teacher who lives on, and works from, Gabriola Island in the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia, Canada where she is surrounded by birds, squirrels, raccoons, the occasional otter who wanders by, the sound of the seals and the sea lions in the bay and song of the whales and foghorns in the Strait ~ and lots and lots of journals.

Art – Writing – Life Blog:     www.byshena.blogspot.com
Intuitive Insights Blog:    www.shenameadowcroft.blogspot.com

Welcome to our Art Journalling Blog

I connected with Liz Rosky, the founder of Colour a Child’s World, online about a year ago and recognized her immediately as a kindred spirit in so many ways. Someone with an inherent sense of right and wrong and a willingness to stand up and be counted for what she believes in. Imagine my delight when Liz told me about her plans to bring art and journalling to the children of Honduras –  I could imagine no better person for the job!

Over the last twenty years I have taught journalling and art to so many people, of all ages, from all walks of life. Unanimously they would agree that their journal is by far the single most valuable tool that they have by their side today.

I am honoured that Liz has asked me to take care of our Art/Journalling Blog. Anything I can do to help put this same tool into these childrens’ hands, which they will be able to carry with them throughout their lives, will make a difference. And that is what matters most.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you,
Shena

 Shena Meadowcroft is an Intuitive, Writer, Artist and Teacher who lives on, and works from, Gabriola Island in the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia, Canada where she is surrounded by birds, squirrels, raccoons, the occasional otter who wanders by, the sound of the seals and the sea lions in the bay and song of the whales and foghorns in the Strait ~ and lots and lots of journals.

Art – Writing – Life Blog:     www.byshena.blogspot.com
Intuitive Insights Blog:    www.shenameadowcroft.blogspot.com