Saturday, February 1, 2014

A Personal Manifesto



One of the assignments that I completed recently for school was the creation of a personal manifesto. A manifesto is a declaration of your values, beliefs, and intentions. It was quite a powerful exercise in cultivating clarity and perspective. Creating a manifesto is a positive way to bring forth our inherent wisdom like a bright light that seems to put any habitual, everyday fears and doubts in perspective. 

I really liked what I read in one article on writing a manifesto--it said that the creation and sharing of it is like drawing a line in the sand between past and future. It is a very empowering way of saying "This is who I am, and this is what is important to me." It isn't wishful thinking--it is a clear and direct way of communicating the values for which we stand. 

I found that when I began the process, so much came to the surface and I felt as though I could write many pages! It is a work in progress but I have distilled my manifesto down to the top 20 most important values:

1) Ask the big questions first and allow yourself to live into the answers.

2) I believe in the unlimited power of Love--not as sentimentalism, but as a solvent alchemical force for healing and transformation.

3) Creativity is an essential aspect of being human. Becoming who you are is your art. Make at least one thing everyday. Begin anywhere.

4) Life is not rational--it's an utter mystery. Trust the process.

5) I don't believe in having to choose between being spiritual or materialistic--I believe in being magnanimous and kind either way.

6) Welcome challenge. Befriend uncertainty. Don't be afraid to try a gazillion different things until you clarify what you love.

7) I believe in the medicinal properties of nature, poetry, art and music--frequent doses of beauty will realign your molecules.

8) Move your body everyday. Send it love while you do.

9) I believe in the power of telling your story; not the reenactment of the drama.

10) Your deepest wound is your greatest gift to the world--learn to make it your ally. There really is nothing wrong with you.

11) Surrender is strength-make it the heart of your spiritual practice. Gratitude is the secret to happiness-make it a daily habit.

12) I believe that the world is our mirror and family relationships are a magnifying glass. Handle with care.

13) "Playing" your roles means not taking yourself so seriously. You are not what you do. You are not who other people think you are. You won't begin to know yourself until at least 30.

14) I believe in good alignment-not perfect balance.

15) Resistance isn't a barrier-it's a threshold. Crossing it will lead to greater freedom.

16) Always be involved in some type of learning. It will expand your reality.

17) Real honesty will remind you that you are just like everyone else and separate you from most.

18) You belong here. Let your true presence grow louder.

19) You can't do it alone-find others on which you can rely. 

20) Above all, believe in your soul longings-they are calling you to your unique destiny. Following your call won't be easy, but nothing will satisfy you as much.

This month I encourage you to write your own manifesto. Take some time with your journal and begin to invite your own life's wisdom and experience to speak. What do you know for sure? Who do you want to become? What is most important to you? Just let yourself write uncensored and see what begins to take shape. Then try to narrow it down to the most relevant nuggets. After you have completed it, try sharing it with someone and post it somewhere visible where you can be reminded of it each day. Your manifesto can serve as a potent guide for decision making and bringing you back to center when you feel lost. This process can be revisited as often as you like to add or amend what you've written and can also be tailored to your business or specific art. Have fun and notice what the process is like for you. I bet you know a whole lot more than you give yourself credit for! Enjoy!