Renewal of Creative Path
For ten years, now, I’ve followed a process known as the Renewal of Creative Path. The Renewal process can begin at any time. But it’s ideal to take it up in the heart of winter, when nature pushes us in, in, and inward, leaving us little choice but to examine the fullness of our lives.
What brings on a state of connection?
This is the first question the renewal process asks. And behind that, there’s another question. What does it mean to be connected? We consider this in three parts:
Connection with self
Connection with others, and
Connection with nature
In a state of connection, we feel fully, joyfully alive. Or, sometimes, we feel peaceful, centered, and aware. Connection may suffuse us with a wild love. There are even times when we dwell in sorrow, but still feel deeply, richly, importantly connected.
The process further probes the state and sources of connection, asking us to identify patterns of synchronicity and the help of nature, to name our gifts, and to explore elevated moments that reveal the pathway of our soul’s journey.
It's not all sweetness and fun! We're also asked to consider what works against connection in our lives, to release expectations, and to offer forgiveness where it’s possible.
For the finale, we paint ourselves a conceptual picture of our year to come, populating it with situations and activities that nourish, and fill us with excitement and wonder. (You can paint a literal picture, too. I’ve done it many times!)
Rippling outward, we share the results of our exploration with those of our friends and family who can fully hear and encourage us, inquiring also about their hopes, and inviting a weaving of shared vision.
For me, the results of following this process have been thrilling, revelatory, sometimes excruciating, and always rewarding.
I imagine you, reading this in the cocoon of your home, riding out frigid days, mulling over your own life. What brings on a state of connection for you? What works against it? What is your ideal scene for the year to come?
Connection with self
Connection with others, and
Connection with nature
In a state of connection, we feel fully, joyfully alive. Or, sometimes, we feel peaceful, centered, and aware. Connection may suffuse us with a wild love. There are even times when we dwell in sorrow, but still feel deeply, richly, importantly connected.
The process further probes the state and sources of connection, asking us to identify patterns of synchronicity and the help of nature, to name our gifts, and to explore elevated moments that reveal the pathway of our soul’s journey.
It's not all sweetness and fun! We're also asked to consider what works against connection in our lives, to release expectations, and to offer forgiveness where it’s possible.
For the finale, we paint ourselves a conceptual picture of our year to come, populating it with situations and activities that nourish, and fill us with excitement and wonder. (You can paint a literal picture, too. I’ve done it many times!)
Rippling outward, we share the results of our exploration with those of our friends and family who can fully hear and encourage us, inquiring also about their hopes, and inviting a weaving of shared vision.
For me, the results of following this process have been thrilling, revelatory, sometimes excruciating, and always rewarding.
I imagine you, reading this in the cocoon of your home, riding out frigid days, mulling over your own life. What brings on a state of connection for you? What works against it? What is your ideal scene for the year to come?
I hope you’ll join me in the dance of wonder!
Renewal of Creative Path bears the influence of the Mohawk, the Lipan Apache, the Hawai’ians, the Akamba, and others. Some of these contributed their wisdom through chains of knowledge passed from person to person. Others kindly stewarded the development process directly, as Jon Young, of Living Connection 1st, worked with a network of nature connection mentors to create a format useable by everyday modern people around the globe. Deepest gratitude to this web of creation!
