A talisman is defined (in Webster) as “an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it.”
The Miracle angle as defined by Stryker (2011) allows “us to see the potential for something good in even the most painful experience.” If we are able to look at our resistance, and find the positive potential, we then begin to move from being bound by that resistance to being unattached from it, because we have the ability to see from a new angle.
When I amplified my Distraction sketch, it reminded me of all the things that I needed to do before I could sit and write. I was distracted by laundry, the house not being clean enough, feeling obligated to cook, to support my community, to be up-to-date on everything, to give advice, and to stay in communication with friends. Basically everything became a distraction. Distraction was my big resistance. Following my sketch, I created a three-dimensional object that allowed me to be reminded to redirect my energy. It truly embodied the magic powers that a talisman holds and became the fuel for me to buckle down and write, rather than be distracted by it’s multiple arms trying to get my attention. After I created this totem, I sat for approximately six hours and wrote, it was a turning point I never thought would happen. I still place my totem in my sacred space or next to my computer to remind myself that the task at hand is what’s important, and that I have the power to redirect Distraction.
Hunter Gatherer
Today you will be a hunter gatherer: your task is to find objects in order to create a three-dimensional representation of your sketch. We have a few days to work on this. Spend today gathering things you may want to use. A hot glue gun is a great tool for creating something 3-d, it’s quick, fast, and it sticks. You want this talisman to be portable, so keep it on the smaller side rather than making something big.
I suggest you start at home and see if you have anything you can use to bring your sketch to life. Another great place to look is at your local second-hand store.
Options & Ideas
- Stuff a sock with newspaper, cotton batting, a cut-up old t-shirt and use a Sharpie marker to give it accents, or sew some buttons on it.
- Find a rock, and decorate it.
- Use a paper cup as a base to work from.
- As an alternative, you can create a 3-d collage, using a small box to project your images on.
I know we all don’t have the supplies or skills to make the perfect relic, but I promise you if you hunt and gather in the same manner that you looked for your images in the magazines, the perfect tools will find you. I want to remind you now that it’s more about the process of creation than it is about the final product. Since I created Distraction, three of his arms have fallen off, and some of the sticker letters too. I have the hands next to it, as if waiting for them to be glued back on, but I’m not getting distracted by that.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this project as I know it may be challenging, I am happy to offer my support.
Aim your creative force, and happy hunting!
Chanti