Cypress Lake Theatre: Journals

1.  The Deadlies:  Take a piece of paper (other than journal paper) and cut seven strips from it.  On each strip write the following words: ALCOHOL, DRUGS, SEX, WORK, MONEY, FOOD, FAMILY & FRIENDS.  Fold the strips of paper and place all seven in an envelope.  We call these strips the “deadlies”  You’ll find out why in a moment.  Now draw one of the deadlies from the envelope and write five ways it has had a negative impact on your life.  (If you find that you can’t write on it, consider this resistance.)  You will do this seven times, each time putting back the strip of paper so you are always drawing from seven possible choices.  Yes, you may draw the same deadly repeatedly.  Yes, this is significant.  Very often, it is the last impact on the final list of an annoying “Oh no, not again” that yields a break, through denial, into clarity. 

2.  Touchstones: 

Sacred Circle Rules:

-Creativity flourishes in a place of safety and acceptance.

-Creativity grows among friends, withers among enemies.

-All creative ideas are children who deserve our protection.

-All creative successes require creative failure.

-Fulfilling our creativity is a sacred trust.

-Violating someone’s creativity violates a sacred trust.

-Creative feedback must support the creative child, never shame it.

-Creative feedback must build on strengths, never focus on weaknesses.

-Success occurs in clusters and is born in generosity.

-The good of another can never block our own.

Choose a small item that fits in the palm or your hand, in a locket, in your pocket, somewhere that it is always around you.  Choose any number of these and give them to your closest support group - these are your Sacred Circle.  Include a little note with the touchstone letting the recipient know of its power and meaning to you.  Have one extra that you secure in your journal along with a list of those who received touchstones from you.  

3.  Forbidden:  List five things you are not allowed to do:  kill your boss, scream in church, go outside naked, quit your job.  Now do that thing on paper.  Write it, draw it, paint it, collage it.  Now put some music on and dance it. 

4.  Color Schemes:  Pick a color and write a few quick sentences describing yourself in the first person.  (“I am silver, high-tech and ethereal, the color of dreams and accomplishments, the color of half-light and in between.  I feel serene.”)  What is your favorite color?  What do you have that is that color?  Why do you like it?  This is your life. 

5.  Affirmations:

I am a talented person.

i have a right to be an artist.

I am a good person and a good artist.

Creativity is a blessing I accept.

My creativity blesses others.

My creativity is appreciated.

I now treat myself and my creativity more gently.

I now treat myself and my creativity more generously.

I now share my creativity more openly.

i now accept hope.

I now act affirmatively.

I now accept creative recovery.

I now allow myself to heal.

I now believe _____ loves artists.

 

Select five affirmations and live with and work with them for a week.  Write them down on a piece of paper and carry them with you.  Look at them often.  Journal every day by doing a quickwrite jotting down personal reactions to living with these affirmations.  How has your life changed?  Is it for the better?  Are you happier, lighter, etc?  This entry can be very colorful.

 

6.  Positive Inventory:  Answer the following phrases honestly and in great depth:

I have a loyal friend in__________.

One thing I like about my town is _________.

I think I have nice__________.

I am taking greater interest in __________.

I believe I am getting better at__________.

My artist has started to pay more attention to__________.

My self-care is_________.

I feel more__________.

Possibly, my creativity is__________.

 

7.  Creation:  Bake something.  Don’t cook, but BAKE something.  Cookies, a pie, a cake, etc.  Creativity does not always have to involve capital A art.  Very often the art of cooking can help you cook something up in another creative mode.  Share your creation with friends or family and have them write a quick note about your creation.  In your journal write a brief passage about the act of creating sustenance.  Include the notes from those with whom you shared your creation.  Secure the actual notes in your journal and a picture of you and your creation. 

 

8.  Feedback:  Choose any one topic that we have covered so far this year.  Using stream-of-consciousness writing, write for a minimum of five minutes beginning with feedback on the chosen topic.  Your mind may wander.  If it does, GO WITH IT!  Do not stop writing for at least five minutes.   Set a timer and when five minutes have expired, begin closure on your writing.  Allow your mind to lead your pen.  When finished, and closure has been achieved, re-read what you have written.  Do not change anything. 

All Acting students are required to have eight journal entries by the end of each semester. Journals will be collected and graded BEFORE YOUR SEMESTER EXAM. Refer to your department handbook for the journal assessment rubric. Second semester journals will be due May 28th, 2010. All journal entries are private and confidential between the student and the instructor.