In this episode, I share a deeply personal experience where I went against my own best advice and picked up my phone first thing in the morning. Seeing an artist’s successful post on Instagram triggered feelings of inadequacy and despondency. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others and feel like we’re not enough. However, I turned to my toolbox of coping mechanisms to process these feelings. I encourage listeners to join me as I discuss the importance of identifying the spiritual truth behind our emotions. By putting down my phone, focusing on nature, and reflecting on my unique purpose, I found a way to realign myself.

I use the metaphor of an oak tree and a blue jay to illustrate how each of us has a unique role and creative DNA. Just as the oak tree and blue jay each serve a distinct purpose, so do we as artists. It's vital to appreciate our unique gifts rather than compare ourselves to others. Drawing inspiration from nature, I realized the importance of embracing our individuality and creative expression. In this episode, I guide listeners through a brief meditation to help realign with their spiritual truth and appreciate their unique contributions to the world. Join me for a Spiritual Declaration to reinforce your unique creative path.

Podcast Host CJ Miller interviews Dr. Renée Ostertag and Wilene Dunn about their new book, Getting My Happy Back: How to Think and What to Do When Body and Mind Collide.

In this episode, Dr. Renée and Wilene delve into how their book combines personal stories with pain management techniques and insights into emotional intelligence. They discuss how the nervous system and our thoughts impact our experience of pain and tension, and how understanding this can lead to better self-improvement.

The discussion includes practical advice on using Mark Brackett's Mood Meter, a tool that maps emotions to a color-coded grid, to help shift our emotional states. Dr. Renee explains that recognizing our physiological states—whether in the red, blue, yellow, or green quadrants—can aid in navigating and alleviating pain more effectively.

Wilene shares a personal story about throat pain and how Dr. Renée’s World Storytelling Process helps identify and address underlying causes. They highlight that naming and understanding our emotional experiences allows us to shift our states more fluidly, enhancing our mind-body connection.

The episode also explores how stepping out of familiar comfort zones can be challenging due to chemical dependencies in the nervous system, but underscores the personal growth achievable through emotional and physical transformation. CJ uses his TikTok experience to illustrate how storytelling can reshape perspectives.

Dr. Renée Ostertag, an award-winning health and wellness speaker, specializes in ergonomics, pain management, resilience, and nervous system regulation. For more information, visit www.greentreemind.com.

Wilene Dunn, CEO, author, and coach, supports aspiring authors through her site, WritingThatBook.com, offering valuable guidance and support for writing and publishing projects.

In this episode, CJ Miller addresses the common question about art techniques and tools. He emphasizes that true spiritual artists listen to their inner voice and follow their interests, rather than adhering to conventional methods. CJ advocates for a liberated approach to art, where any tool can be used, and there is no single "right" discipline. This episode focuses on:

• Consciousness and Creativity: Learn how to focus your consciousness to enhance creativity and align with your true self.
• Intuitive Listening: Practice connecting with your higher self through intuitive listening and discover the power of your inner voice.
• Release of Judgment: Explore the importance of releasing judgment to foster a more authentic and free creative expression.
• Tools and Techniques: Understand that an artist can use any tool at their disposal and that there are multiple ways to express inner knowing.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual Alignment: Spiritual artistry is about aligning with your higher self and tapping into the creative intelligence within you.
• Creative Freedom: There is no right or wrong way to create; embrace the myriad ways to express your inner knowing.
• Inner Focus: Learn to quiet your mind and focus your consciousness on different parts of your body to enhance your creative flow.
• Intuitive Space: Get into the intuitive space of the moment when you are in the art studio, allowing for a unique creation that only you can produce.
• Higher Self Guidance: Remember, your higher self is always telling you where to go; you just have to listen for it.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a Sacred Space Meditation to listen to before you enter your art studio. This meditation is crafted to help you feel the presence of spirit within you, encouraging a profound connection with the eternal, spiritual you.