cultivate the Power of Discernment in Art and Life

*“The Bliss of Breath” by Heather Hanson*

Imagine having a compass that can guide you in life and in art, helping you navigate complexities, uncertainties, and even your own doubts. This compass exists. It's called discernment. And the more you connect with yourself via your own creativity - whether it’s music, writing, painting, drawing, cooking, dancing - the more you will increase this super power called discernment.

The Connection between Art and Life

Art and life are intertwined in a glorious dance of creation, expression, and evolution.

I now know that art is creative problem solving, requiring a series of decisions in each moment which gradually bring my artistic vision to life. And the more I create, the faster, the more sure footed, the more decisive, the more confident I become in my life.

The same is true for us all. Just as an artist paints on canvas, we paint the canvas of our lives everyday with our choices and actions. What is life, really, other than a series of decisions and consequences, made one after the other? What if we all tapped into the practice of deliberate discernment, choosing from a space of knowing and alignment to what matters to us? To our truth?

Understanding Discernment

Discernment is the ability to judge well, to understand the subtle differences between choices, and to decide based on deep, intuitive understanding. Creative embodiment practices such as painting, writing, dancing, singing, etc. set the environment for body connection and intuitive development, which are key to powerful discernment. These activities encourage you to quite literally feel into yourself as you work.

Expressive painting of a woman in bold colors by Heather Hanson — *“Exactly What I Wanted” by Heather Hanson*

For example, when I’m painting, I’m purely focused on the activity to encourage artistic flow. This concentration is deliberate, and involves me becoming aware of the sensations in my legs, arms, hands, the feelings in my heart, my gut. When I drop down into these spaces I’m able to make rapid decisions in my process based on feeling - select the right color, paint the right brush stroke, locate the right place on the canvas - and this very rarely involves my logical mind (side note: moving into flow did take me learning and mastering the practice of painting, which very much involved my logical mind!)

It may sound like a laborious deal. And I guess it was - at first. But like anything, with enough practice it becomes easier, until you are doing it without even realizing. You are just living in the flow. My decision-making process now is nearly instantaneous, and the result of practice, focus and intentionally developing my discernment power in art and in life.

How I keep my discernment strong

For me, cultivating my intuition and discernment is paramount. Meaning, where I used to go to the physical gym every morning (like really - first thing at 5:00 AM), my spiritual growth practice now takes highest priority, and has for the past seven years. I see it as the root of all I do. The prime mover as it were.

So, I practice listening and acting on my intuition on a daily basis - prayer, meditation and journaling upon waking (well coffee pouring first), and then painting every morning. I think of it like an intuition and discernment warmup.

Because I’ve spent the morning in the meditation chair and at the easel, when I sit down in the afternoon to work on “business operations,” (which require me to engage my left brain logical mind), I’m able to more easily slip into my discernment and make choices that align to my authenticity. Budgets, taxes, answering emails - all become faster. I tune in, listen to my intuition, and act. I used to just labor forever on what to say in an email!

The Power of Letting Go

Letting Go in Art

In art, we are often faced with the decision to keep or let go of certain elements. This process requires discernment, knowing what enhances the artwork and what detracts from it. Many times I have fallen in love with an area of a painting, and worked so very hard to make it “work” in the overall scheme of things. But at the end of the day there is a realization that my special mark (line, shape, whatever) just isn't adding to the painting. It’s not helping the composition, and it’s detracting from the real message. Not contributing to the overall painting.

So what do I reach for once I decide it’s got to go? I grab my special blend of white and a trowel. And then I layer it on thick over the no-longer-necessary element. The once loved mark is gone! Yay!

And then I breathe a huge sigh of relief as the painting becomes lighter, more focused, sharper. Clearer. And all of the pain, the angst of making that decision: poof! Gone like magic. Relief flows, as does my energy.

Letting Go in Life

Just like in art, we need discernment in life to decide what serves us and what doesn’t. It's about letting go of things that no longer align with who we are.

However, in order to let go of what’s no longer serving, we must understand who we are. What matters to us. What we enjoy. What we don’t.

Practicing creativity will support you in this understanding. As you create, you will be learning who you are at your core, and feeling it in your bones. And the really great part? Your creative practice is a safe space because it’s just paint. Pencil. Paper. A dance move. Music. A forgiving playground and practice arena for the bigger decisions that must be made in life.

Because letting go in life can feel a lot more challenging than reaching for the tub of white paint and a brush (although sometimes it feels like the paint is harder!).

Allowing space for the new to be born

When we let go, we create space for new possibilities, growth, and transformation. It's not about losing; it's about gaining what truly matters. Allowing space to open in your life is like giving yourself room to breathe. Think about when you are spring cleaning, decluttering, any of those activities where you allowed yourself a good throw out. Clear out. You felt better. (Is there anything more liberating than a clean closet or pantry?).

The same is true with relationships that no longer serve you. That you have outgrown. With clothes you never wear. With food that just doesn’t help you on your journey (I threw out Lay’s classic chips this weekend!). With activities you said yes to even though you might really have wanted to say no.

The more you practice letting go in your creative practice, the easier letting go in life becomes.

the “Full Body Yes "

The Ultimate Discernment Tool

A “full body yes” is when every fiber of your being resonates with a decision or choice. It's when your heart, mind, and spirit are in complete alignment. You can feel it. It’s a knowing.

How do you know what it feels like? Imagine something that you know for sure, and then feel that. For me it was the day my children were born. As I gazed at them, I knew for sure - with my entire being - that I loved them. And there would never be a doubt.

Now, I know what that feels like. That is my “knowing feeling.”

Now for You

Do the same exercise and then feel it in your body. Ask yourself: when was I in my unshakeable knowing of love, of the rightness of something? For example, I know the feeling of grace when I see a beautiful sunset, the sureness of love when I gaze at my husband and feel an overwhelming sense of joy, or the miracle of life as my child reaches for my hand and says “I love you Mom” without me even asking. (Pro tip: have the memory at your fingertips to recall whenever you doubt.)

Once you acquire that feeling, you have your “full body yes,” which is now available to you as a decision making tool in your discernment practice. When you find yourself making a decision, search your body for that feeling and then make a decision from that space. You will be in your knowing.

For the advanced level-up

Try making decisions only from that space of a “full body yes.” When faced with a decision, check in. Feel. Does it resonate in your knowing? If Yes - then full steam ahead! If No - then drop it without worry, concern or anxiety. (I’m still working on this by the way - probably my whole life!)

This discernment practice goes for all things: from what you watch on television, the books you read, to the remarks you make to your children, your partner, your friends, the way you greet (or not) the server at your favorite restaurant or the clerk bagging your groceries.

Because they all matter. There are no inconsequential decisions.

Discernment as a Path to Authenticity

Discernment leads us towards authenticity in art and life. It guides us to create art that is integrous to who we are, and to live a life that is congruent with our values. It’s about trusting your intuition, and believing in your ability to make the right choices. Practicing discernment brings clarity and focus in your creativity, and enhances decision-making abilities in personal and professional spheres.

How does this show up?

In my art, I’m able to more easily discern what I put on the canvas: the color, the form, the design. I’m able to deliberately imbue the painting with my highest intention, to know in my heart that what I am creating is filled with love.

In my life, It’s about how I communicate with the world. How I stand in my integrity in all of my relationships. It’s in what I choose to eat, where I shop, how I spend my money, my energy. In short: how I LIVE.

How to Cultivate Discernment

Engage in self-reflection practices like meditation, journaling, or expressive arts such as mandalas or SoulCollage®. These are your “spiritual gyms” and serve as a lower stakes sandbox for learning and cultivating your intuitive based decision making.

Purposefully surround yourself with supportive communities and mentors who value discernment. I remember I didn’t even realize what discernment was until I began spiritual direction training at Haden! Members of my cohort would say “I’m in a process of discernment,” and I was like “Huh?” Then over the course of the 2 years I realized that I had also been in a place of discernment for what felt like my entire life! But I also learned that I could get faster, get more clear, by deliberately cultivating that practice in my art, and then allowing that to flow over into my life.

Embrace the power of letting go of what is no longer serving you. Discernment empowers us to release the unnecessary in art and life, guiding us towards living into our “full body yes.” And the more space we create in our lives - the physical, psychological, emotional space - the more we are able to then be filled up with the energy that aligns to the truth of who we are. The noise is quietened, we are overflowing with our own knowing, life purpose, liberation and clarity. You aren’t worried about the wording in your emails. You’re not worried about what food to eat. You're not caring if someone is staring at you dancing down the grocery aisle if you want to. You just…ARE. You simply…BE.

And you never worry about being alone. Because you aren’t. You’ve come home to your Self. You’re armed with your own personal super power, your compass of discernment.

Now, go forth this week and be Bold.

Be Discerning.

Be You.

tap into your super-power