creative brain v reactive brain

"Whatever state i'm in i believe myself"

I was introduced to the 'Inner Map' by Julia Colwell, she explained how we experience our feelings going above and below this 'line' many many times a day.
The idea is that when we are below the 'line' we are in what is called Reactive Brain . . . and it is not usually the best place to make good decisions from.

To NOTICE and acknowledge when I am below the line... is to remember... I'm not in the best position to respond from . . . take a breath/pause. So many things can trigger us to go into states like shame, guilt, despair, sadness, fear and anger. . . probably many of them set up when we were really young. Those 'programs' are still running along in the background and we wonder why we freak out sometimes about something that doesn't seem all that worthy of our despair.
Wouldn't the world be different if more of us could communicate about our feelings in ways like this, imagine if you could let folks know when you realise you are 'below the line'  and need to take care of yourself.
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Sadly . . . I notice, I am experiencing me pushing against me.

Below the line are feelings and beliefs around scarcity, competition and narrow focus, it's quite painful to be there. 
I've been in a cycle of 'growth' and 'stuff' lately... and so the feelings below the line have become a lot more familiar than the ones above.

I was reminded whilst listening to an interview on Sounds True of Rob Bell.. talking about how he 'makes things'- that using my creativity really helps me to shift from disempowered thinking to something else... perhaps...  neutrality, acceptance ... or even a hint of happiness! So... I took the information on the pdf above and added Little dd drawings, expressing the emotions in pictures.

Julia Colwell has a free guided meditation on her site... link is here in case you'd like it.

guided meditation: Reactive Brain to Creative Brain

How to move above the line?
With self compassion and kindness, . . . what if I just give up the need to struggle about it . . . and take some calming, centring breaths.
Coming back inward, gently tenderly, acknowledging the feeling,
I see you,
I feel you
​. . . and let it transform. 

Truly... it's flippin hard being a human sometimes.  Waving to you there and wishing for you a moment of deep kindness and compassion, and may it continuously grow like a beautiful garden in spring.

Denise x

p.s. . . . and I know it can change quite quickly . . .