<aside> 💡 This week you are being asked to examine your payoffs in remaining stuck. You will explore how you curtail your own possibilities by placing limits on the good you can receive. You will examine the cost of settling for appearing good instead of being authentic. You may find yourself thinking about radical changes, no longer ruling out your growth by making others the cause of your constriction.
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Exercise 1, Morning Pages: Check off the days you’ve done morning pages.
Exercise 2, Artist Date:
Details of Date:
Have you had the experience of hearing answers during this leisure time?
What did you do for your date?
How did it feel?
Have you taken an artist date yet that really felt adventurous?”
Exercise 3: Did you experience any synchronicity this week? What was it? Try inaugurating a conversation on synchronicity with your friends
Exercise 4: Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Describe them.
Exercise 5, The Virtue-Trap Quiz:
The biggest lack in my life is …
The greatest joy in my life is …
My largest time commitment is …
As I play more, I work …
I feel guilty that I am …
I worry that …
If my dreams come true, my family will …
I sabotage myself so people will …
If I let myself feel it, I’m angry that I …
One reason I get sad sometimes is …
Does your life serve you or only others? Are you self-destructive?
Exercise 6, Forbidden Joys: List ten things you love and would love to do but are not allowed to do. Very often, the mere act of writing out your list of forbidden joys breaks down your barriers to doing them. Post your list somewhere highly visible.
Exercise 7, Wish List: One of the best ways we can evade our Censor is to use the technique of speed writing. Because wishes are just wishes, they are allowed to be frivolous (and frequently should be taken very seriously). As quickly as you can, finish the following phrases.
Exercise 8: The reason I can’t really believe in a supportive God is … List five grievances.
Exercise 9, Starting an Image File: If I had either faith or money I would try … List five desires. 1.
For the next week, be alert for images of these desires. When you spot them, clip them, buy them, photograph them, draw them, collect them somehow. With these images, begin a file of dreams that speak to you. Add to it continually for the duration of the course.