I’ve always loved the poem ‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph:
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter…
I always have a sense that Jenny’s inner rebel is talking and looking forward to a time when she can hold more sway.
I believe we all have an inner rebel! Sometimes s/he shows up as resistance or stubbornness or righteous indignation. Sometimes s/he shows up as a champion, a fierce love, a truth holder, or even a protective momma or pappa bear. Those were the ways in which Marcy Nelson-Garrison described our inner rebel in her Creativity Summer Camp I participated in this summer.
I’d like to share with you Marcy’s invitation to meet with your Inner Rebel.
When we are working towards our vision, whether for our life broadly or, as many of you are doing with me currently, for your radical wellbeing, sometimes we need to bring that Inner Rebel to the table. We need to harness that feisty, passionate energy in service of our goals.
So look around the room you are in as you read this and see what comes to mind as a symbol of your inner rebel, or you could google inner rebel and find an image that speaks to you as representing your inner rebel or you could go for a walk and look for a symbol of your inner rebel…
Once you have an image or symbol to work with, you can use these questions to explore it’s meaning for you.
- What stands out for you in the image/symbol?
- What are the qualities, energy or mood of the image/symbol?
- What does the image/symbol tell you about your Inner Rebel and how it advocates for you, the people in your life and/or your vision for your life
Let’s take it a little further and consult with your Inner Rebel on some questions that could support your goal achievement.
- What would make success easier?
- Where do you want me to light a fire?
- What truth do you insist I look at?
As I mentioned, I spoke with my Inner Rebel over this past summer. She had views on how I could be doing more, sharing more of my own content and materials and creating my own programmes to serve you!
Ultimately that conversation lit the fire to create my Radical Wellbeing programme! We are now around half-way through that 4-week programme and you can still join in! If it sounds of interest check it out here and on joining I’ll send you the back recordings and worksheets and you can attend the remaining workshop/s live!
I was glad I listened to my inner rebel! What about you, what is your inner rebel calling you to do or be?
And hopefully you’ve read Jenny’s poem to the end?
…But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Hopefully you too are inspired to ‘practice a little now’ and allow your inner rebel to come more to the fore today!
Please share your comments and inner rebel experiences in the comments below!
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