💛 For the Ones Who Stand Beside: A Letter of Strength, A Practice of Release
Jun 13, 2025💛 For the Ones Who Stand Beside: A Letter of Strength, A Practice of Release
Today I walked beside my mother as she underwent tests for her heart. Her heart—a steady, strong vessel of life and love—has begun to struggle. As we sat together waiting for scans and doctors, I felt that quiet storm inside. The kind of worry that hums low but strong. The kind of fear you don’t say out loud.
If you’ve ever walked through hospital halls with someone you love, you know this feeling.
It’s the silent courage of the supporter.
The steady presence in the room.
The voice of calm when things are uncertain.
This post is for you, the one who gives strength when it’s needed most.
The one who shows up again and again.
The one whose presence is a source of peace for someone who is facing the unknown.
But here’s the truth: even givers need care.
Especially when the weight of love becomes heavy with fear, fatigue, or unspoken prayers.
🎨 A Simple Watercolor Practice for Emotional Release
One way I return to myself after a day like this is through watercolor. It's soft. It's forgiving. It flows—like breath, like prayer.
Watercolor Exercise: "Let it Flow"
🖌️ What You’ll Need:
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Watercolor paper
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A brush (round or flat)
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A few calming colors (blues, violets, soft greens or any colors that soothe you)
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A cup of water
Steps:
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Settle your space. Light a candle, turn on calming music, or simply take a moment of silence.
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Begin with your breath. (See breathing exercise below.)
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Dip your brush in water and load it with color. Let the paint move freely across the paper.
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Paint in slow, curved lines. Don’t try to form anything specific. Just let your hand move with the rhythm of your breath.
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When you feel ready, paint a single symbol or word. A heart. A spiral. A single word like “Peace” or “Release.” Let it be your offering to the moment.
This is not about the outcome. This is about your nervous system. Your spirit. Your breath.
🌬️ Breathwork for Calming the Nervous System
Try this before or during your painting:
The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique
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Inhale slowly for 4 counts
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Hold your breath for 7 counts
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Exhale slowly and completely for 8 counts
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Repeat 3–4 times
This simple rhythm signals your body that it is safe. It slows the stress response and clears mental fog.
💬 Why Daily Affirmations Matter
Every day, we face noise, expectations, and emotional pull from all directions. A daily affirmation is not just a positive phrase—it is a mental reset. A reminder of truth.
In the Grow Joy Membership, I’ve created a library of Creative Reminders—daily affirmations designed to support your emotional health, shift your mindset, and ground your spirit. We also explore how to create art around these affirmations in journals or sketchbooks, turning each phrase into a living, creative practice.
✨ Affirmation from the Creative Reminders Library
“I support those I love with grace, while trusting in their journey.
I step back with peace, knowing I don’t need to rescue—I am present, but not entangled.
God is working in them, just as He is in me.”
This reminder helps settle the heart when you're overwhelmed by someone else’s pain or progress. It reinforces trust. It interrupts anxious thought loops. It restores perspective and compassion—without burnout.
🌼 You’re Invited: Grow Joy with My Art Sisters
My Grow Joy Membership is a space of ongoing soul care. It’s part of the My Art Sisters community—a place where you receive:
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A library of powerful affirmations (Creative Reminders)
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Gentle art classes that combine watercolor, collage, and journaling
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Monthly themes of emotional and spiritual wellness
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Encouragement to develop a daily practice of beauty, breath, and belief
You don’t have to carry it all alone. You deserve moments of restoration too.
👉 [Link to Join Grow Joy or Learn More]
No matter what you are walking through—or who you're walking beside—remember this:
💗 You are not just a caregiver. You are a soul worthy of being cared for, too.
Let the paint flow. Let your breath steady. Let God meet you right where you are.
