Vlog
Listen to the Video or Audio version of this episode :).
The Healing Power of Intuitive Drawing...
With Josephine de Jongh & Samia Bano
Looking for a #FunAndEasy way to feel more #CalmAndRelaxed, step out of the #ratrace? Want to get to #knowyourself better, learn to #bekindtoyourself and others?
Listen now to this interview with Josephine de Jongh, Intuitive Drawing Coach, Author of Personal (Life) Stories, Physician & International Intuitive Speaker. Josephine reveals how the practice of #intutivedrawing, a #meditative process of #selfexploration and form of #arttherapy, can help you #knowyourselfbetter, practice nonjudgemental thinking and create more #healthyrelationships with yourself and others. AND BEST OF ALL, you don't have to be a great artist or good at drawing to practice and experience the #healingpower of Intuitive Drawing -- you just have to be willing to #giveitatry!
Interested in taking an online Intuitive Drawing class with Josephine?
Email Josephine at: josephinedejongh2018@gmail.com
You can also message Josephine on WhatsApp: 0031610885494
#artheals #artoverfear #trusttheprocess #expressiveart #meditativeart #expressiveartstherapy
_____________________________________
ABOUT SAMIA:
Samia Bano is the #HappinessExpert, author, speaker, podcaster & coach for coaches and healers. Samia is most known for her book, 'Make Change Fun and Easy' and her #podcast of the same name. With the help of her signature Follow Your Heart Process™, a unique combination of #PositivePsychology and the spiritual wisdom of our most effective #ChangeMakers, Samia helps you overcome #LimitingBeliefs, your chains of fear, to develop a #PositiveMindset and create the impact and income you desire with fun and ease…
Samia’s advanced signature programs include the Happiness 101 Class and the Transformative Action Training.
Samia is also a Certified #ReikiHealer and Crisis Counselor working to promote #MentalHealthAwareness.
Samia models #HeartCenteredLeadership and business that is both #SociallyResponsible and #EnvironmentallyFriendly.
Samia is a practicing #Muslim with an inter-spiritual approach. As someone who has a love and appreciation for diversity, she is a #BridgeBuilder between people of different faiths and cultures.
Although Samia currently lives in California, USA, she has lived in 3 other countries and speaks Hindi, Urdu, and English fluently.
To Book your Free HAPPINESS 101 EXPLORATION CALL with Samia, click: tps://my.timetrade.com/book/JX9XJ
Full Video Transcript
SAMIA: Hello, Salaam, Shalom, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Aloha, Holah, Ciao, Bonjour, Buna, and Privet! It's really, really good to be with you again. And we have a very special guest with us. I know you will be very happy you have joined us today. And our special guest for today is Josephine de Jongh... She is an author of personal life stories, a physician, an international intuitive speaker, and an intuitive drawing coach... So I think that's, that's the part we're going to focus on today. But before we get into any of that, welcome Josephine…
JOSEPHINE: Thank you so much, Samia. That's a great introduction. Yes. And I'm happy to be with you.
SAMIA: Yes, and I’m so happy to have you with us. And Josephine please tell us more about who you are and what you do…
JOSEPHINE: Yes... So I'm, well, I'm a mother of four children. And I studied medical studies and became a physician. I worked in cardiology department, internal medicine, and then in youth healthcare for 13 years. Then there was a career shift towards stories, writing personal life stories together with someone… Yeah, what story wanted to be told... And then my teacher suggested to start with intuitive drawing. And so I did... And yeah, and then I started after one, I think, after half a year, I started coaching others as well, because we thought this might be interesting for other people, too. And nice to do. And so we did… we start the group at home, first in the shop, then at home, and then at several places I gave workshops. And nowadays I do online. So, yeah... and then I again, I made a career shift towards being a doctor again, in psychiatry. Yes, but not the most severe cases. But I work in a multidisciplinary team together with psychologists and psychiatrists and creative therapists… sometimes we do that. Yeah… trauma therapy and that is also very good… but it's quite intense. So I like to do things like intuitive drawing and painting. Aside from that, and also singing in a choir nowadays… that is also give so good energy…
SAMIA: Yes, that sounds like a lot of fun… actually, the... And I really appreciate how you just mentioned being part of a multidisciplinary team, but you're not just part of a multidisciplinary team, just in all the work that you're doing, and the things that you do for fun for yourself, I can see how multidisciplinary you are yourself. That's amazing…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, that is true. And I definitely like cultures and the diversity of people, of plants, of animals… of anything… there's so much randomness. It's so interesting…
SAMIA: Yes, yes... You know, you definitely are my kind of people in that context, because I have a similar nature, where I just love to learn about all kinds of things. And, you know, I know like random facts about all kinds of things... And, you know, I just, I just find it fun, and I find it enriching life. And it's just, it's just cool…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah. And it's so nice to meet people and share some insights and understandings and interests so we can learn from each other. Yeah…
SAMIA: Indeed, indeed. So, Josephine, tell me more about the intuitive drawing part of what you do... What is intuitive drawing for those people who are not familiar with the idea?
JOSEPHINE: Yes. Well, it is... Actually, there are very few rules or no rules at all, you might say. And the idea is that you let it happen in the moment. So you do not make a plan in front… you do not have to have inspiration… can be, but most of the time I don't to be honest. And then drawing, you just maybe you even don't know which color you want to start with, then you can close your eyes and randomly pick a color pencil. And then it doesn't have to be colored pencil, but I like colors. So I usually use colors... And then I start to make it… easy in the beginning… you can draw randomly some lines, crisscross, for the paper. So you make little parts, and then you can start to fill in the little parts. Because if you have no idea, it can be challenging... But when you just start, you will see that things start to evolve. And so my teacher, he taught me, start just with with that way. And I did and the first parts, I still had the kind of team. And then I had no team at all. And I said, "Well, what to draw now? I don't know, I really don't know." But I continued anyway. And then things started to pop up by itself. And I was so surprised. I said, Where does this come from? I didn't even know… I had no idea that that was somewhere in my subconscious mind, or maybe in the universe, who will tell... And but things start to appear. And it was so interesting. And then I continued, of course, I was curious... If this comes up through the paper, what will come more? And so there were many evenings that I was drawing for hours and creating things. And sometimes I had an idea what team it could be related to… very often not really. And when I take a look at what people in my group make, yeah, it's more or less the same. And we all have a different style. So I cannot make what you make, you can make what I make… it is like an autograph. And but that's also so interesting. And what is important is not to judge, just accept whatever comes up… that it is something of you and it is allowed to be there…
SAMIA: That is really, really interesting... So what's some… I can just hear some of our audience members thinking… what's the point of intutive drawing?
AD HERE
JOSEPHINE: ..of doing this? Yeah, well, the benefits thing I'd say is that you step out of the rat race. Actually take some me time and take time for yourself and time to let everything that's going on there, settle down... And that's why we recommend start with drawing instead of painting. Because drawing really goes slow. And it's a way that to get to know yourself better. It's just relaxing and calming down and also connects with your subconscious mind. And it's interesting… people really say, I get to know myself better. And also, yeah, lets go the opinions and judgmental mindset, which yeah, we all have... Yeah. And so we can and it's not gone like that. But at least when you see it happen in yourself or in somebody else you can say, "Oh, okay, there it is again, let go, just let it be..."
SAMIA: Yes... You know, when you had mentioned that judgmental mindset, even the first time, immediately that idea caught my attention. Because, you know, as a happiness expert, I have come to realize that a judgmental mindset is probably one of those root causes of unhappiness in pretty much every situation that you're experiencing unhappiness… if you begin to dig deeper into what's the root cause or what's the solution? How can I begin to address this issue… there will be an element of judgmental thinking that's going on that needs to be addressed. And judgmental thinking is just so normalized for us in our culture, even like, in the way that we teach our children... And I don't think a lot of people even realize that we are necessarily learning or teaching or practicing judgmental thinking at all the times that we are actually…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, no, that's true.
SAMIA: …using judgmental thinking, and whoa... And then when you do become aware, and you're like… okay, I want to change this thinking pattern, and not think judgmentally… at least in the context of the issue that you have become aware of… it's challenging, it can be really hard…
JOSEPHINE: When I start this with people, and actually the biggest challenge’s to overcome that. And some people do not dare to start. They just look at what others have made. But yeah, then it's so strong this belief that I cannot draw. No, everybody can sing. Everybody can dance, everybody can draw…
SAMIA: Yes, yes. You make me think about my little niece and nephew. They're about eight years old now. But, you know, it's like, one of the really cool things you see with kids is that they love to draw. And, you know, they draw all kinds of things. And a lot of it doesn't look great. I mean, if you were to judge it with a critical eye. But we don't… like, when the kids are kids at least, in most cases we give them that grace and that understanding of, hey, here is a way of expressing them, for the kids to express themselves. And they're gonna go through this process of learning. And so yeah, everything's not going to look great. But that's not the point. So we give them that time and space and that allowance, and we know it helps the kids. So what changes…
JOSEPHINE: For the children it is great... Yeah. And I remember now that you say, one day I was at art markets and art fair, you can say, and there were parents and kids around and I had this idea of making a painting of the day. So I had a canvas and everybody who came along, and who would like to do it, could add a little bit part of it. And so there was a little girl, I think she was four or five years of age, and she painted a red slice of watermelon. I think okay, that's nice... that's juicy. I liked that and the red color. And then she was looking at it and she added blue dots as seeds. And she was so delighted and all adult grownups around her, with her, enjoyed that she had the freedom to make not brown seeds like they usually are in reality, that she could make them blue. And so that was so… such a moment of joy and fun and freedom. You can do anything... Just what you like.
SAMIA: Yes, yes. And I think, oh my gosh… Now you just reminded me of something. Most of the time, I mean, I brought this up myself, and I was like, Oh, we allow kids so much freedom and it's so good… etcetera, etcetera. And you just reminded me of a time of an incident where a child wasn't allowed the freedom. Actually, I'm getting confused in my memories… if this was something that really happened, or someone was telling a story about something that happened… but in a story… but in the story, a child made… was making, like, drawing and they colored the sky pink. And a teacher or somebody who saw the child's drawing, who saw they made it pink, failed the child… I think it was a teacher… And they said, oh, you failed. And this is the sky, the sky is not pink. It has to be blue…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah.
SAMIA: And it's like, but why? And there are times when the sky can be pink. What's wrong with…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, yeah. Knowing when you look at the great artists, they often go a bit off track or simplify or make it a little bit over the top or… or, yeah…
SAMIA: Like part of being creative... So I mean, you know, I mean, clearly there is a value to, you know, creating art that is as exact a reproduction of real life as possible. I remember going to one of the museums over here where they were like, there was a certain period in history where in the context of sculpting… because for a long time people don't even have the technology, they didn't have the skill, the knowledge, for how to create sculptures of human beings that looked really realistic. And so far, there was a period where people were trying to get to that place where they could make really realistic-looking human sculptures but that... And then we got to that point. And we were able to make very realistic-looking human sculptures. But that part of the human sculpting experience didn't last very long. Because once people could start creating hyper-realistic sculptures, it's like people were like, what's the point of that? Actually, the culture shifted back to creating sculptures that were exaggerated in various ways…
JOSEPHINE: That's true. True, true. Yeah... And it's so playful. So yeah, I would play for playfulness. And that's also what my teacher says… like, you know, we all we got so serious. We all have to go back to kindergarten playground and just play around a bit. Feel free... Yes.
SAMIA: Yes. And so for you what becomes... what becomes possible when we just play, we just play free?
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, well, it's always very different. As it comes from the subconscious mind. Sometimes I can relate, I can see, "Oh, but this is something I have seen this day." And but I did not draw it intentionally, but it's there... I cannot deny. Yeah... So when I am in the field of flowers, I will make something different than when I am in an event or in a city or in a more hostile environment. There I do not go normally. I don't like to…
SAMIA: Do you… I'm curious... Do you ever use intuitive drawing and painting as part of the therapeutic work that you do?
JOSEPHINE: Yes, yes, sure... Yeah. And I must say that was the creative therapist I have worked together with… Yeah, it's a whole education they have for four years here in the Netherlands. And so it is more guidance. But I do not have that education. And there's still one client I have in this lady. She does not speak, but she expresses herself very clearly in drawing or painting. Yes... And so that's a very good way to let the emotions out.
SAMIA: Yeah, that's interesting. That's interesting. So when used in a therapeutic context, it's a lot more guided. So it's a different… sort of different in that sense… it's like, it would be a little bit of a different experience than if someone just came to an intuitive drawing course…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, I think so. But when I see my online group now, people like it to have a team or some guidelines…. So for them, I always leave the option open to just make whatever comes up to you and what you like to do.
SAMIA: Yeah, that makes sense. That makes sense. I remember… I don't think I've ever taken an intuitive drawing class before… I took one time, an intuitive movement class... And I remember, like, the very first time I went to class, it was a bit challenging for me… because I used to be very inhibited in how I allowed myself to move my body. I didn't always feel very safe in my body. And I remember when I first went to the intuitive movement class, I was like, I don't know what to do...And I found it strange and weird and awkward about doing it. And so it was in that context helpful for the teacher was there, she was like, I'm gonna be moving just as my body desires. And if you want, you can try to follow my movements and see how it makes you feel. But she was always very clear that the goal of our being there wasn't to follow what she was doing. She was like, just use this as a point of inspiration if you're feeling a little short on ideas…
JOSEPHINE: Yes. Yeah, no, that's correct. Yeah. Yeah, I can relate to that. Yes…
SAMIA: And then once you just sort of, like, accept the idea of, okay, you know, you let go of those judgments and fears, etc… and just like you were saying, Josephine, in the context of the intuitive drawing… things just start to come out of you. It's like, and I was like, "Oh, I do know what I want to do." It's like... and it wasn't like, I knew, like five minutes ahead of time what I wanted to do… but it was like, once I made one movement, and I just allowed myself to make a movement, then it was like, oh, then I had an idea for the next movement that I wanted to make. And that's kind of like what you were describing, with what happens when you're doing the intuitive drawing…
JOSEPHINE: Yes, you can, you can compare it a bit towards to the coloring for adults, you have those beautiful patterns. And then you cannot see when you start how you will do all the colors. It's way too much... You start somewhere and then somehow it evolves. You do one color after another. And so you start in one corner, whatever, but somehow it evolves, it's shows by itself, how you will continue. And so then I would consider the intuitive drawing compared to that it's also calming down. But then next level, because coloring, then you're still working in the pattern of somebody else… while in intutive drawing or painting, it comes… you create your own pattern.
SAMIA: Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay, so you just made me think about another really important lesson that I've learned about working with our intuition in general… because in the recent years, you know, I have learned to appreciate my intuition a lot more as a source of knowing, as a way of knowing. And now actually, you know, for example, anytime I'm in any kind of situation, I mean, I try to use my intuition all the time now, as much as possible. But especially when I find myself having any kind of a dilemma or problem, or I have any question that I'm looking for an answer… my favorite way now of figuring out what the answer is, for me, is to check in with my intuition. And one of the things that I have learned about how our intuition works, is exactly what we were just talking about… this, that you don't always… I mean, in fact, I've never had this experience, where you're like, "Okay, I'm gonna seek intuitive guidance on this question.” And the answer just comes to you as a whole. My experience has always been that you like, first, open yourself up to the awareness of what your intuition is guiding you towards. And you have to take that first step, and do what it's guiding you to do. And then it guides you to the next step, and the next step. And the next step. And the next step... And this is just part of how intuition seems to work. And… and I think there is something so profound about realizing this for me… like, that this is a feature… like this is a feature of how intuition works. Because, like, especially when seeking guidance on like really difficult things, oftentimes, you know, like, I know, I had this need to have immediate clarity. Because that helps me feel more in control… I was like, if I know exactly where I'm going and how I'm going to get there, that gives me a sense of control. But, but intuition doesn't work that way. And if you're going to utilize intuition as a source of guidance, as a source of knowing, then you have to accept that its not gonna work that way…
JOSEPHINE: Hmm, yeah, yeah…
SAMIA: Yeah.
JOSEPHINE: It comes one step after another. That's true…
SAMIA: Yes, but then there's also something so beautiful about that. And really, actually even wise about that, because I realized also that if, in, like so many occasions, on so many occasions, I can guarantee this, in the context of my experience, that if my intuition had shown me the big final picture of where it was leading me to, I wouldn't have believed it, that I could actually get there. I'd be like, "This is impossible. I cannot do this." And so the fact that it led me to that place, just one little step at a time, and I could take each of those little steps… Wow... I mean, it was actually there was like, a great blessing in that.
JOSEPHINE: Yes, yes... True. Yeah. I can relate to that. That resonates, yes. It's for sure. Yeah... And so it's also about trusting… hearing it in first place. Trust it… because we tend to think that others know… are more educated or more experienced, or are more convincing. And they cannot know what is best for us, or what is our path… Yeah. Your heart knows best…
SAMIA: Yes, yes. You know, this issue of trust is also such a deep issue in terms of, you know, like when we start to think about, what do we actually trust? And how do we deepen our trust in someone or something, even ourselves, in a situation where we want to deepen our trust… because we see that if we can deepen our trust… like, for example, if we're talking about deepening our trust in our selves, like, you know, there's so many benefits to deepening our trust in ourselves…. you know, you then have more self-confidence, you have better self-esteem, you know, you… there's, you know… you can live with the level of contentment and confidence and just happiness, when you trust yourself more. That is not possible without that self-trust. And so… but so many people struggle with their self-trust, or they don't know how to deepen that self-trust. And so, you know, this question of how do you do that… It is a really, really important question. And I'm seeing that, you know, a practice like intuitive drawing is actually a practice in learning more self-trust.
JOSEPHINE: Yes.
SAMIA: Yeah.
JOSEPHINE: People do get more confidence. Because you can see, hey, not only Picasso can make beautiful art, so can I. How great is that?
SAMIA: So I mean, the question that just popped in my mind right now Josephine, is… I can totally see how people, when they're practicing intuitive drawing, get more confident in their ability to engage in intuitive drawing. Do you have any insight in how they can take the lessons that they're learning in the context of how to become better, more confident, less judgmental, etc, in the context of interior drawing… how do you take those lessons and apply them to the rest of your life?
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, well, that goes by itself... It's just practicing regularly. If you do it only once, that will not have so much effect. But when you do it regularly, then it's becomes natural. It becomes a habit and it works in all fields of your life.
SAMIA: Yeah. Yes, I agree with you… I agree with you on that… oh, that is such a great, great and wise, wise point… because I know, you know, earlier, we were talking about judgmental thinking. And I know one of the missions that I have in working with my clients is to help them develop non-judgmental thinking. And when I talk about developing non-judgmental thinking, I want my clients, and myself, to think non-judgmentally in as many aspects of our lives as possible… ideally, eventually, all of our thinking will be non-judgmental. But, you know, oftentimes we have certain issues where you can really see that it's creating a problem. And so you know, you can address those first… but really, like, my goal as a happiness expert is that eventually, you know, you wouldn't have just non-judgmental thinking across the board. And if I think about how do we develop that, for sure... it's about practice, practice, practice, practice, practice in some contexts. And then, you know, having this awareness and having these conversations like you and I are doing right now, where we are becoming more aware of the benefits of practices like, you know, following your intuition in a certain context or having non-judgmental thinking in a certain context, and then realizing… Oh, this can also benefit me in this other part of my life and that other part of my life... And so then you can begin to realize for yourself how you can apply the lessons you have learned in this one context, to the other context…
JOSEPHINE: Yes, yes, true. Yeah. Yeah, it's… the nice thing about it is that it's not hard. It is… it's playful, and it is relaxing.
SAMIA: Yes.
JOSEPHINE: So I also like mindfulness… I do also with clients. And that also… it's more about state of being, then...Yeah.
SAMIA: You just mentioned about how it's relaxing, and it's playful… And it made me think, not only is it relaxing, and playful, but there's also this element of, you have to allow yourself to be relaxed and playful in order to engage in the process… that sort of actually like goes hand in hand… you allow yourself and then you're able to do it. And then when you do it, it actually helps you become more relaxed and more playful. So it's like a positive feedback loop in that sense…
JOSEPHINE: Yes, it's respectful for yourself. Yeah... Time for yourself. And you just accept what is there, what comes up…
SAMIA: These are such beautiful and amazing lessons for us to learn about how to live life in general…. Basically… the more widely we apply these lessons in our life, the happier we will be... The more fun and easy we will find it to make any change in our life…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, yeah. And you know, it's also helps you to get to know yourself better. But also the other people who are with you. It is very nice to do in a group, actually. And most of the time, at first, the conversations are somewhat more superficial. And somewhere it happens and it goes more in-depth, and it's more one on one to one conversations.
SAMIA: Yes... oh…
JOSEPHINE: No, it just happens by itself, by the process…
SAMIA: Yes... Oh, my gosh, Josephine, you just made me think of my sister and the brilliant work that she does. So her zone of genius is relationships, in the context of… like, she's a people's person. And she has this amazing, amazing, like, ability to not only create really amazing relationships for herself, but she's also able to help other people create amazing relationships with each other. She does a lot of community building work using those skills… particularly in the context of interfaith community building… but you know, like her skills, I mean, the professional part of her work is in the context of interfaith community building… but really, you know, the… what she teaches and practices, you can use that in the context of, you know, any kind of relationships in your life. And I know I have certainly benefited from that in so many kind of like areas, in so many relationships in my life, and using her guidance to improve my various relationships. And one of the… and you know, what you were just sharing about when you do in children drawing in a group and you get to know other people and there's this its own joy in that... you just made me think about… about how actually practicing… like, one of the biggest lessons my sister teaches about how you develop better relationships with other people is actually that you have to practice these lessons of not thinking judgmentally... And like when you're looking at someone else and you're trying to understand them and get to know them, it's so important that you practice these skills that, you know, we've been talking about, that you cultivate as an intuitive drawing person, or practice… that you think non judgmentally… not just about your own drawing, but the other person's drawing… And you trust the process, not only for yourself, that what you are producing is good and valuable, but you trust that for the other person, as well... And you know, so then, when you begin to relate to that other person also from this place of greater trust in the process and thinking nonjudgmentally and taking on this relaxed and playful attitude rather than being too serious…. Yes, then, oh my gosh, can you just imagine, like, what amazing, beautiful relationships…
JOSEPHINE: That is so valuable… quality of our life, but even our lifespan depends very much on the quality of our relationships.
SAMIA: Yes.
JOSEPHINE: In the long-term research done about that… what defines your long-term health and lifespan… and relationships is top one is the number one, even not with the people most close to you. But with just everyone that you meet during the day. The second place is with your closest relatives or friends, and then come things like nonsmoking, and exercising, and good food and things. But most important are the relationships and sense of being part of a community.
SAMIA: Yes, yes, absolutely. Oh, now you just made me think about another story... I'll just quickly share this one because this is one of my favorite stories about happy people. There has been, you know, like so much research that's been ongoing about happiness, in the last, I would say like, three decades, especially… the whole field of positive psychology, which is literally the subfield within psychology that's focused on studying happiness, you know, so it's actually sometimes even called "The Science of Happiness"... It's really taken off and in the last three decades or so... And in this time, you know, so much research has been done on what really allows people to be happy. And there was like this one particular study where they took a more anthropological approach to the question of what allows people to be happy. And what I mean by anthropological approach, for those of you who may not be familiar with this idea is, you know, the researchers actually went out in the world. And they started to observe people... And they actually… one of their core strategies was, they were like... Well, first of all, we have to find the happiest people that we can find. So how do we find the happiest people in the world? And so they actually started asking people… who is the happiest person that you know… and whoever, you know, was flagged by many people in the community as, this person is the happiest person we know. Then they would go to that person and they interviewed them to learn more about them, their lives, their beliefs, etc... So this… going through this process they actually ended up traveling all over the world. And at some point, they ended up in this like little village in Vietnam. And by unanimous consent, they were directed to go meet this little old lady who lived in this like little hut in a rural village in Vietnam… Everybody was like, she's the happiest person that we know. And so they go to see this lady, and she's like, in this little... It was not even like a solid permanent structure. It was like made of, you know, different grasses and leaves, and you know, like those kinds of relatively impermanent materials. So it was like a very simple structure. When they went inside, they saw that she didn't have very many belongings… like, she was set up on a little bed, and she had like a just with a few things. And there was like, one window and one door that had been created in this, like, hut structure where she lived. So you know, you could like tell like, she wasn't rich by any means… in fact, by material standards, she was very poor... She was also disabled… like, she couldn't actually walk anymore because of her disability. So she pretty much spent most of her day just sitting on her little cot, which was placed next to the window. And it was like, oh, and she's one of the happiest people in the world... Or at least in that, in that part of the world? And they were like, so what do you do? Tell us more about, you know, you and this and that... And basically, you know, it was like… she was like, oh, when they asked her, like, what makes you so happy? What allows you to be so happy? Her response was like, so… she was like... But why shouldn't… wouldn’t I be happy? I don't have… you know… I have every reason to be happy, I have such an amazing life. You know, like, here I am and every need that I have is met. You know, I have so many people who love me. You know, I get, you know… they come and they eat with… they bring me food and water and, you know, they eat with me, and they help me take care of myself in all the different ways that I need taking care of. And look, I have this wonderful window, and I can see beautiful trees out of it, and hear, you know, birds chirping, and, you know, see the beautiful sky and, you know, feel the beautiful breeze… and you know, she just started, like so many things to be grateful for…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, gratitude…
SAMIA: And, you know, she was like, why would I be unhappy? And whereas, you know, when you looked at... if you looked at her life from another perspective, like when they talk to the villagers, they're like, oh, you know, she's disabled because of old age. And you know, in her younger days, she went… she lived through the war that happened in Vietnam, it destroyed her family… her family and got killed. You know, I mean, she experienced a lot of trauma and loss in her life, you know. So it wasn't like she didn't have any reason to be unhappy if she chose to be unhappy… But the thing was that, you know, she chose to… to be happy and you know, and focus on all the things that she had to be grateful for... And through looking at life through that perspective of gratitude, she found so much to be grateful for. She was like, oh, my gosh, and, you know, the thing that really like one of the biggest lessons that I learned from this story was also that, you know… it's like she was experiencing so much abundance in her life, particularly like the relationships… Like so many, like, people in the village… like, everybody in the village loved her, and they did what they could to help her. They came to visit her… this and that... And that created all kinds of ease and joy and happiness in her life… Yes... And I'm like, you know what? What if she was like a crabby old lady… how many of the same people would come to help her and serve her as they did? Or even if they did come to help her and serve her, but she was crabby and angry and things like that, how many of them would come and do it with joy and happiness? And if they didn't come with joy and happiness... how would that impact her happiness, you know, even more… Because it's like, our emotions are also infectious, you know…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah... yes, yes. Yeah. So it's either, you could say, it's either a positive spiral or a negative spiral.
SAMIA: Yeah.
JOSEPHINE: ….your choice… If you are aware of it. Yeah.
SAMIA: Yes. And so it's like, by practicing these skills that we are learning through intuitive drawing, you know, you can actually… and then applying those lessons more broadly into your life... you actually get to create the all the happiness and the joy and abundance that you want to see in your life. You don't just have to wish or hope… you're actually doing something very real to actively create it for yourself… and draw it and attract it and attract more of it into your life…
JOSEPHINE: Yes. And you know, it's always good I would say… Like, sometimes dark things come out. I remember one lady who joined for the first time… she was holding a pencil like this... And it was black... We, the other group members, are… okay.... But my teacher said… very good… the trash has to come out…
SAMIA: Yeah.
JOSEPHINE: And when that happens, it's fine... You don't be shocked by that. It's perfectly okay… what is also nice, what sometimes can happen is that a person who thinks he's quite depressed, start drawing all kinds of flowers or butterflies, or just lovely things that you see. Hey, there, you've been focusing all the time on that one black dot, but there is so much more... light of you. So that can also be an eye-opener in that way.
SAMIA: Yes. Oh, this idea of… let the trash come out... So beautiful, also, and so profound. And so deep... It makes me think another one of my teachers… and... I mean, you know, like, it's like... if you don't let the trash out, where's the space for all the beautiful things to stay? You know... So it's like, in some ways, you have to let the trash out. And you have to keep… anytime the trash comes, a little bit of trash gets created, it's like, alright, let's take it out, let's take it out… so that we can leave the space free and clear for something amazing and beautiful that we do want to be there…
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, actually my EMDR trauma therapy is a lot like that. So yeah, just cleaning up… and wash it out a bit… and then people experience more space for the actual things in life… live in the here and now.
SAMIA: Oh my gosh. Josephine, you keep making me think of things that I want to talk to you about. And oh my gosh, we are pretty much out of time for today…
JOSEPHINE: Yes.
SAMIA: Do you have any last thoughts that you would love to share?
JOSEPHINE: Yeah, I would say… just do it... Try it out... And try to overcome a thought like that… you are not able to do it or that you have no inspiration or if that you didn't draw for a very long time... It's not about the results. It is about the process. Just give it a try. And what's also very nice about it is that it is an activity you can do with people of all cultures, all religions, all ages... There is… amd it unites… so it's about connecting, connecting with your deeper inner self and connecting with the people around you.
SAMIA: Yeah.
JOSEPHINE: Yes, I'm very enthusiastic about it. And I do it now for eight years, and I will keep promoting… I’m very sure… pretty much sure about it.
SAMIA: That's amazing Josephine. And just, again, in the last few words that you shared, you brought up more things that I would love to talk to you about. And I will encourage our listeners to please connect with Josephine… please connect with Josephine so you can continue to learn more from her and with her… You know, I'm sure just as I have so many amazing insights that have been getting in our conversation and keep wanting to talk to you more and more, Josephine… many of our listeners, I'm sure you're having this experience as well. So you know what, it doesn't have to stop. We will be dropping Josephine's links in the show notes, so make sure you check the show notes and connect with Josephine. And until we connect next time, I just wish you lots and lots and lots of peace and joy... :)
JOSEPHINE: Thank you so much, Samia. Yeah... I really enjoyed this and it was… felt so valuable for me. Yes...
OUR PEACE OF MIND GUARANTEE
Because we’re committed to doing onto others what we would have them do onto us, all our programs come with a Peace of Mind Guarantee.
We know you’re going to love our programs. We’re so confident about the quality of our programs we’ll give you full access risk-free for 30 days. If you decide the course isn’t right for you, then you may request a full refund up to 30 days after your purchase.
Copyright © 2018 Academy Of Thriving