In my 40s I decided to join my then teenage daughter in painting.
It changed my life. It also gave me a valuable lesson in How to Hear the Quiet Whispers of Your Heart.
Don’t believe everything you tell yourself about yourself.
When I started painting, I had spent most of my life telling myself I had no artistic talent. I thought it was true.
Committing myself to exploring my painterly ways in my 40s taught me that I was not always right. That in fact, the things I tell myself about myself are often based on my fears, not my heartfelt desire to live a true and authentic life. And, often, when I say, “I can’t do that” what I’m really saying is I’m afraid of looking stupid. I’m afraid of failing. I’m afraid it won’t be perfect.
Which brings me to the second thing I learned about How to Hear the Whispers of Your Heart.
Get rid of ‘Can’t’.
Can’t is an easy way to let yourself off the hook of turning up for yourself in your life where ever you are, however you are, even in your fear.
If you’ve never done something before and you catch yourself saying, “I can’t do that”, challenge yourself. Allow yourself the grace of doing it imperfectly.
When I said, “I have no artistic ability” I was really just giving myself a soft landing and an excuse not to try something new. Sure, when I look back on some of my earlier pieces I can see how little I knew about colour, composition, light, depth – everything. But, if I’d never picked up that brush, I’d have missed out on the immense pleasure I’ve experienced over the years of creating art that speaks to and from my heart.
In the process, I’ve learned lots about colour, composition… and I’ve strengthened my creative voice and found incredible joy rising up from within the depths of my being.
I still sometimes catch myself saying, “I can’t…” That’s when I must listen for my heart’s whispers by reframing the ‘can’t into an invitation… “I have never tried that before. I wonder what will happen when I do?”
Which of course, brings me to the most important thing I’ve learned as ‘a creative’.
Listen for your heart’s whispers.
Your heart knows best. It is wise. It is loving.
The heart speaks in loving whispers, not angry shouts. Sometimes, you have to listen really deeply for the whispers because the fear that lives at the base of your skull shouts so loud it can be confused as ‘the truth’. In fear’s strident nature, it can become a habit to allow fear to drown out your heart’s quiet truth.
The way to tell the difference between heart truth and fear posing as truth is to ask yourself, “Does this voice hurt me or inspire me?”
If you hear angry, loud messages that are telling you you’re not going to make it, you’re not good enough, you’re stupid or anything negative and hurtful, it’s important to acknowledge that it is fear having its way with your real truth – you are worthy. You are good enough. You are magnificent, brilliant, a shining light.
In those moments when you realize the shouting within is becoming the ‘truth’ you’re accepting as yours – Stop. Breathe. Listen. Deeply. And ask yourself ‘Wonder Questions’… “I wonder what is really true here?” “I wonder what will happen if I just… step here, do this, experiment with this idea, stop listening to ‘can’t’…
Develop the practice of allowing the ‘shouts’ within to become an invitation to get still and listen for the quiet whispers of your heart.
Remember — The heart speaks in loving whispers, not angry shouts. Listen for its whispers.
Years ago, I did something I didn’t believe I could. I started to paint. My life is so much richer, vibrant, loving because I risked turning ‘can’t’ into possibility.
What about you? Are there ‘can’ts’ in your life yearning to be transformed?
Listen to the quiet whispers of your heart.
Namaste.
Dare Boldly 
Threw the “can’ts” out of my life long ago. A senior boss once told a group of colleagues – do not come to me with a plan that says we cannot do this job. Give me a plan that says it can be done. Think outside the proverbial box. I took that to heart and I know his advice has steered me into places I never would have considered, professionally and personally.
Thanks for today’s post, great reminder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your boss was very wise — I had a boss who said, “Don’t bring me problems. Bring me solutions.” The challenge was, he was part of the problem with our team not being able to come up with solutions! 🙂 Tee hee.
You always impress me with your fearless navigation of life, love and living. You inspire me my friend. ❤
LikeLike
You are such a natural painter
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Beth! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t is dead and buried. Don’t be digging that thing out of the grave.
I love this post in every possible way.
I was (occasionally still dabble) a big “can’t” person. What is up with that? I have been allowing myself to g’head and try. So what if I am not that good at whatever it is. If it brings me joy, it’s worth it, right?
I always lamented I didn’t have a creative bone in my body because for me, being creative meant being able to draw or paint (my dad forgot to pass down that gene, apparently). There are so many ways to be creative, though. I am through my food, through the cakes I used to make, through my writing and surely other things I’ve yet to discover.
So yeah. We must quiet the mean voices in our head and bring in the loving ones.
Oh dear… sorry for the novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes Dale — if it brings you joy, it’s worth it!
You are so very creative — I look at your photos of your meals, and read your words and always feel uplifted and connected. Being a friend, sharing your gifts are all creative expressions you share that ripple out into the world to create better for everyone.
And ha! no need to apologize — I didn’t think it was a novel (is it possible the one judging you is you? 🙂 ) And yes, we must quiet the means voices – we wouldn’t speak to our friends that way, why do we speak to ourselves like that? Silly humans!
I just watched a video a friend sent yesterday of a little girl telling her parents to ‘settle your mean’ — I loved that expression! 🙂 Hugs my friend — you can write as many words on my blog as you wish – I enjoy all your comments ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
Note I said used to think I wasn’t. Yes, there are so many ways to be creative. Not all require paper and paints. And what a sweet thing to say.
K, you know what I meant 😉 And yes, the mean voice used to live in my head all the time.
I love that. ‘Settle your mean’… Hugs right back! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, my can’t couch is where I take my lazy breaks! lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL — Too funny — I like, ‘my can’t couch’ — I’m taking the upholstery off mine so it’s not so comfortable! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Listening to the quiet whispers is so hard for some to do, I wonder if I listen or not
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fact you ask is a wonderful sign you do! ❤
LikeLike
beautiful article and great piece of artwork! i absolutely love this post! thank you for sharing💞
Follow @everythingtips for tips and recommendations if interested! It would mean a lot to me!🥺🤍
LikeLike