The 19th installment of my #MondayMantra series: I am alchemical.
I was writing in my journal yesterday and the mantra “I am alchemical” flowed out onto the paper. It kind of surprised me at first, but after thinking about it, it made sense for this to be added to my mantra collection.
I’ve done a lot of thinking about alchemy over the last 10 years.
About 10 years ago, a person named Carla commented on one of my blogs that she loved my writing and told me she thought I’d really enjoy reading a book called The Alchemist by Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho. I instantly bought and read it.
If you haven’t ever read The Alchemist and feel like you would enjoy reading a quick story that is about a boy named Santiago and his cool journey (involving using his talents to create a beautiful life), then buy it today. I read it 10 years ago, and read it again this year. I really love the book and have read several others by Paulo Coelho. I like the way he thinks.
What is Alchemy?
Alchemy is defined in three different ways, but my favorite definition is the following: A power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way. (Merriam-Webster).
In thinking about it, transforming things has kind of been my “thing”. I can take something that is “okay” and make it impressive.
Here’s a sampling of what makes me know this about myself:
My husband and I have completely renovated 2 houses and are finishing up our third. They were all “okay” or “meh” before, but with a lot of work, we’ve made them beautiful. We’ve also been able to make a little extra money off of doing this.
I turned good art programs in two separate schools (when I was teaching) into amazing and well-rounded programs. Because of this, one of the schools got an addition added onto it, turning the “art and music on a cart classrooms” into brick and mortar classrooms. I believe the hard work and dedication of myself (and the amazing music teacher and assistant principal) had a lot to do with this.
I can take a 4 dollar thrift store t-shirt and make it look fabulous through accessorizing and more. I love shopping at thrift stores! You save money AND can get one-of-a-kind things. I’ve been shopping thrift stores since I was in high school. I didn’t have much money for the fashion I wanted, so I improvised. I once bought a sweater at a Goodwill store and had comment after comment about it when I wore it to school. I’ll never forget many asking me if I got it at The Gap or Abercrombie (which were THE places to shop in the 90’s). I never confessed to where I got it because I didn’t want everyone running to the thrift stores and buying my meant-to-be finds! LOL!
You could say I’m very alchemical. I have a knack for making “okay” things, awesome. It’s the artist in me.
All humans have the ability to be alchemical. It’s not an easy process sometimes, but you can do it if you really want to.
While you can alchemically change physical objects, you can be alchemical about life situations too. Don’t like where you are living? Move. Again, it’s not that easy, but if you want to make it happen bad enough, you can. Don’t like your job? Get a new one. It won’t happen overnight, but it will in time.
Be an alchemist of your life. Write it, say it or think it (or do all three) until what you want happens for you. It may be a long journey, but stay the course if your heart tells you to do it.
Sending my light and love to all who need it!
Backstory on my mantra series:
A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that is repeated to aid in meditation. You could also compare it to a sort of prayer. I feel my journaling and writing of my mantras is a form of meditation or prayer. It calms me and helps me make better sense of my feelings and all the thoughts swimming around in my mind.
I believe saying or writing something repeatedly, as you already have it, aids one in attaining dreams and goals. If you write something as you already have it, it makes you feel, somehow, as if it is truly happening no matter how drastic or scary it may seem. It's like a trick to help your brain catch up to what your heart desires.