The question I posed this morning was: what virtue do I need to guide me in writing this creative piece that will form part of an artistic offering stemming from our study group? In our discussions yesterday as I posed this activity to the group, some fear surfaced around our abilities to be artistic. We explored the wounds we harbour from our childhood when we were admonished for not having talent in a particular expression of art. These wounds still haunt us and when faced with an activity such as this one, we feel we cannot do it, we shrink into ourselves and avoid it. We relieve the admonishment and experience the same negative and debilitating emotions that paralyse us. These are the feelings that I am very grateful were brought out into the open so that we could discuss them, share our experiences and offer one another solace and succor to begin to heal. It is these same wounds that run through our communities and keep us back from really connecting in authentic ways with one another. We shy away from showing our vulnerable and messy side for fear of not doing it perfectly or that what we may produce may be criticised. Rising above these thoughts and exerting our will to move past these feelings takes our own volition and the encouragement from those around us. It is through the strength, support and accompaniment of a group that we may overcome. It is confirmation that we are enough just as we are and have something valuable to contribute to the whole.
Yes, we all have wounds from our pasts, some more than others. I know it is a struggle I deal with daily. Sometimes the hardest part is staying truthful with ourselves and sorting that from old messages or wishful thinking.