Dear Beautiful Human, The conversation prompt in my art classes this week has been, “What kind of permission do you need today?” At first, folks are a bit puzzled by the question. But before long, a crescendo of chatter erupts, and—pleasing me most as prompter—the word “permission” gets used about four dozen more times in the 2.5 hour session, as people keep noticing more ways they need to give it to themselves, or to each other. Permission to Be Imperfectly Ourselves 🤓 Sometimes what’s needed is permission to be as we are. Other times, it’s to be different than we’ve been before: looser, freer, less of a rule follower. Almost always, it has to do with no longer wanting to live up to someone else’s ideas of what we’re supposed to be like. With permission to be fluid and changing and exploratory. In my case right here, I’ve given myself permission to NOT EDIT A SINGLE WORD OR PAUSE out of this recording I made for you. 🥹 I did tack on a few minutes of active imagining at the end, where I practice speaking in the present tense about where we are in 2035 after much effort has been done on this specific topic*. Other than that, I’m trusting myself—and you—with my unscripted monologue. 😅🤞🏽 What the topic is, exactly, I’ll let you wonder about for a few moments, while you settle in for a listen. 😉 Can You Detect the Permission I’m Calling for in the Recording? So now if you’ll please scroll back up top and hit the “▶️” button, I’d love to talk with you about an important skill that we’re being trained out of, and ways we can build it back up. ✨💪🏽 Note: You are fully qualified and all permissions have been granted! ✅ 🙌🏽 One More Permission Request 🙏🏽 I don’t often say this because it sounds so silly and needy (I’m giving myself permission anyway): When you hit the “❤️” button after reading or listening, it helps me know that at least one person found my work valuable. That means something. And when you leave a comment, it feels like an enormous gift of reciprocal energy. ⚡️🎁⚡️ I love hearing how my ideas land with you and what you’re thinking about. You’re invited (always!) to do this via email or in the comments section. Or the next time we see each other in person. 😘 This One’s More Like a Command 😬 Finally, please vote! If you’re new at it or you need a refresher, the League of Women Voters has info to get you up to speed. Click here. What a privilege to be living at this turning point in history, where we get to reimagine how to be responsible ancestors. I’m honored to be doing it alongside you. 🥳 With full permission from Creativity herself 🤩,Pam *I’m borrowing a strategy from Rob Hopkins’ inspiring podcast, “From What If to What Next” where he puts his guests in a time machine and sends them approximately 10 years into the future. Then he asks them to describe for the audience what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste after this period of time where everyone has done everything they could possibly do to make things more equitable, sustainable, just, healthy, etc. This has become a new practice for me when I’m feeling cynical or despairing. 🫠 ➡️ 💡 Upcoming Events I’ve actually taken a few things off my calendar (permission to slow down ☺️), but here’s one you can note for later: Holiday Pop-Up SaleWhen: Saturday, December 12th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pmWhere: Pam’s “Imagine” Studio in NE Portland I’m teaming up with the Wee Baking Company again to bring you a laid-back, whimsical-and-delicious shopping experience. You can look forward to Claire’s Scottish baked treats. 😋 And from me:💗 mosaics💗 “doodle books”💗 original artwork, reprinted artwork, and cards💗 ceramic ornaments💗 and a section of new-to-you art materials, because I’m doing another studio sort-through right now! 🤓 Mark your calendar and tell a friend or two! We’d love to see you there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pamconsear.substack.com/subscribe
