Perfection Trap

I am close to releasing my first group coaching/e-learning class, a 30 day art challenge using mandalas.

I thought it would be smart to do a test run or two before I made a recording for my e-course. While I plan on first running this as a month long group session, getting a recording done while the fire in my belly is how I like to roll.

I'm glad I did a test run. The theme of my art class is that the reward is the process. The focus is on creating and coloring mandalas to help de-stress and manifest change in your life. Regardless of your artistic ability, the mandala can help express your feelings and can be used for meditation.

I first started to use on of my fancy compasses and created a beautiful and perfect circle. I figured it was going to go smoothly, but then the compass and I didn't get along and my next few circles were catty wompass.

I started to get frustrated, but then decided to chill out and realize that this was part of the process. There was nothing stopping me from erasing a few lines and "fixing" the circles after I had made all the circles I wanted.

Once I had crafted a mandala that I liked, I chose colors that I felt would be soothing. I traced a few circles with markers, and filled in others with color pencils. I tested my gel pens, and crafted an image that was purely a reflection of my mental state.

It wasn't pretty. But it wasn't ugly either. I could judge it or I could look at it as 60 minutes of my life that I was able to release some stress. I wasn't in a place to begin a meditation, but I was certainly drawn to stare at the center of the image and may do so later when I look over all the art that I create this week.

If you are interested in joining the Theraputic Art course either as a 1-on-1 session or as part of a group, contact me at swingkitten726@gmail.com to be put on the interest list.