Let Your Voice Lead was the title of the intenSati writing workshop I attended today (@ Equinox). Bobby actually joined me; I was really happy he came. The workshop was 2 hours and it consisted of an intenSati class (1 hour) and then a writing workshop about personalizing the intenSati affirmations (also 1 hour). It was led by Lindsay, who I’ve mentioned before.
The class was great, of course. The affirmations were:
- I am powerful
- I am inspired
- I am confident
- I have desire
- I am ready to write
- I am willing to write
- I am able to write
- I am writing RIGHT NOW
- I am free to succeed
- I let my voice lead
- I intend to open my heart and grow; with courage and discipline I write what I know
Because we got there late I actually wasn’t that sweaty by the end but Bobby was sweating buckets. He thought it was pretty fun.
Then we did some writing exercises based on the affirmations. We did 7 minutes per exercise, and they were…
- Write a story about desire. (I wrote about figuring out what I desire – happiness. Oddly enough, so did Bobby.)
- Remember a time in your childhood when you felt confident. Be very detailed. (I had a lot of trouble remembering a confident time. I think I spent 5 minutes thinking and 2 minutes writing.)
- Write about the affirmation, “I am free to succeed.” (I wrote again about happiness and doing things just for ME.)
- “Let your voice lead.” Write a conversation that you have in your head with yourself (generally these are the conversations with the “devil on your shoulder”). (I wrote about body image. I may post this conversation sometime because Bobby thought the ending was funny.)
- Write about how you can save your own life/make your life better. (This was pretty easy – we all have goals!)
My favorite fuel of the day was this huge bowl of oatmeal and maple syrup and almond milk. I always put salt in my oatmeal (think I’ve mentioned that before).
It was a whole cup of dry oatmeal and it could barely fit in the bowl. I am so glad that oatmeal is back in my life. I went for over a month without it for some reason.
This picture looks weird because I always let my oatmeal sit for about an hour before I eat it so that it gets nice and thick. This time I put in the milk before I let it sit so the milk got weird looking. If I don’t have time to let it sit, I will put it in the freezer.
Are you a writer? Does writing help you? Do you wish you wrote more? How did you get into it?
I’d love to read your ED conversation!
I’ve been a fiction writer since I was a little kid. I went to grad school for “Professional Writing” (a fancy sounding title meaning I spent 2 years writing books, short stories, plays, screenplays, you name it). I absolutely love writing and don’t know what I’d do without it in my life. I go through long phases when I don’t do any writing aside from writing in my journal or blogging, but I don’t think I’ve gone an entire day without any writing at all. I always have post-its and a pen on hand for random inspirations 🙂 Your workshop sounds really fun!
Hi Maggie, I usually read you on Google Reader so I haven’t really noticed your new format until today – I LOVE IT!!!! It looks absolutely amazing and I especially love the part about you being a happy seeker 🙂
I love writing, it’s always been a source of head-clearing for me. I write long emails to friends, I write little short stories or ideas for stories in Word or journals, and I keep a LiveJournal. Most entries are friends-only and the ones that aren’t are private. I don’t use it like a blog, how most users do.
“Hugastic” hehe 🙂
I enjoyed reading those affirmations. I like to write, but I’ve mostly written research papers and science articles in my life, which has been a detriment to my creative writing. I’d like to get back into writing for fun, though (like I”m trying to do now!).
Have a nice Sunday! 🙂
Oh wow, I don’t think I’d have the patience to let my oatmeal sit for a whole hour before eating it! But it does look mighty tasty! Glad both you and Bobby enjoyed the writing workshop today. 🙂
SAY YES TO WRITING!!! hope this was a good experience for you and bobby.
so cute on your flustered-ness with bobby… love my girl, love!
I’m so glad you talked about writing today! One of my favorite things! I love your affirmations. I keep both my journal and my blog, and between them I try to write everyday. It’s very soothing, and I try to keep a no judgement rule. If I need to just get something out and it doesn’t sound pretty or lyrical, so be it. I consider writing part of my daily me time, and my clearer head is happy for it!
Yes, I have kept a personal journal for years, ever since I can remember. Once my brother stole it (when we were little) and wrote comments and things in it. I remember burning that journal. It’s funny now, but I was so upset then.
Writing is very therapeutic and it is fun to look back after years have gone by and see where you were at emotionally.
I think you would be very brave to share your conversation with the blogosphere. I do like a funny ending! 🙂
I’ve never been a writer and always wanted to be one… or at least write more. With the blog I’ve been improving on that… although I’m still bad writer… I find letting my voice go and organize my mind easier! 😀
oatmeal? it’s back in my life too, although not in the sweet form yet. 🙂
Sounds like a great workshop! I love writing…putting thoughts/ideas/feelings into words is so cathartic to me.
I like my oats cooked/cold too 🙂
I’ve got to try that sometimes!
I love writing. Its my outlet. Its the whole reason i started to blog… that any my love for food.
Your oats look creamy and delish! I love my oats creamy! I hate thick and pasty oats. blech.
I hope you get to try Thaison! Its really populat and the price is right for NYC! the Address is 89 Baxter street, maybe when you go we can meet up!
Hey Maggie! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your writing style and the look of your blog. I look forward to reading along!
Oh- and don’t you love asking boys to take pictures? It’s a good thing they are cute, huh?
Hey!
I was in that class too – it was ASTOUNDING & moving.
Great to read another’s perspective.
I write. I wouldn’t call myself a writer (which is silly) but I write. Journal mostly and this blog.
wow what a beautiful blog! I love the colors and layout…thank you for stopping by my blog! I love meeting new bloggers, esp those who live in NYC =)…we just had a blog meet up ayer, I wish we would have crossed paths earlier so that you could have attended but I am sure another one is right around the corner..have a great day!
hey girl!! i didn’t know you were in nyc 🙂 we have to meetup soon!
I love that you and Bobby went to the class together. Gosh…I’m trying to think of a time I felt really confident when I was young. I was pretty insecure back then. Oh yeah, just thought of one involving basketball. Ha, so funny, haven’t thought about that in years.
OATMEAL!!!!
Wow, that class sounds fantastic. I’ve always enjoyed the physical and mental connection of yoga. And doing a workout (sweating out toxins) then exploring your thoughts on paper sounds wonderfully therapeutic. I might have to attempt to create my own class!!
I LOVE the affirmations…thank you for sharing those! Great class, wish i coulda come with 🙂
sounds really interesting!! I like the questions they have you ask.
OMG! I have not seen your new layout/makeover! It’s soo nice! I love it. And am totes jealous of your fitness schedule. I want to go to the cittyyyy!
And on the oat container- doesn’t it tell you to put salt in it anyway? i don’t.. but i used to, i think.