Manifesto

The importance of expressing yourself

· Expressing oneself is identity - is connection - is living - is artistic - is survival ·

· Not expressing oneself is blocked - is distance - is limited - is stagnant - is death ·

We can express ourselves in words, images, sound, movements, energy, breath, gaze, gestures and facial expressions.

We can impress ourselves via our senses. Ears, eyes, mouth, nose, hands - impulses and information that go through our nervous system to our brain.

The only sense we cannot directly express ourselves through is the ears, they are only for listening and observing. Unless you are one of the few who can wiggle them.

The eyes also observe through vision, but they can tell deep stories. They can flirt, threaten, greet, wink, stare, show emotions such as boredom, fatigue, sadness, fear, joy. The eyes may weep with tears. And be sensitive to chopped onion and the strong rays of the sun.

The nose can smell beautiful scents, but also wrinkle if something smells bad, this is also a form of expression. It can sneeze, and run if we are sick. And inhale air into and exhale air from our lungs.

The mouth can make movements and express emotions just like the eyes. But the mouth can also make sounds, words and sentences that can create understanding, interpretation, reflection, analysis in the minds of others, which can arouse different emotions. The mouth can also sing, shout, laugh and cry. And inhale air into and exhale air from our lungs, which allows us to make sound. It can

The hands can make gestures, touch, feel, hold, release, dance, tinker, write, paint, draw, play, caress, feel, point, turn on and off, open and close. They can help the mouth and eyes to express themselves or they can speak for themselves.

“The strange process by which 

we put words in each other’s mouths 

and others words in our own”

 - Peggy Phelan

Our climate on our planet and our internal climate, within ourselves, need us to express ourselves. Expressing oneself means taking responsibility and taking one's place in the world and letting go of the need to fit in, please, avoid conflicts, be perfect, compliant, conform and fear of being too much. To express oneself is to speak up and draw attention to what does not work and what we want instead. Choosing to do what is right, but often difficult. When we learn to express ourselves, we take our place in the world and can help make a difference. No matter how big or small. There are many problems in our world that we need to take care of. If we hold back, we are not helping anyone. We all need to take our place in the world and each do our part to create a positive change. Finding the courage to be vulnerable, to show ourselves - as real, intimate and raw as we dare to. Let the world see you, hear us, experience us. And take part in this world, get involved, interact, bravely, daringly, curiously and lovingly.

We express ourselves all day long

How do we express ourselves?

Do we express what we want?

Are we holding back?

If we hold back, why do we do it?

Are we expressing our truth?

Are we expressing ourselves in a healthy and loving way?

Why is it so hard to express ourself?

What are we afraid of?

We all walk around with different wounds on our soul, from our childhood and different levels of trauma we experience throughout our life. We all handle our wounds differently. Our wounds are expressed in the form of different reactions, emotional outbursts, addictions, habits, character traits, choices, needs, physical and/or mental challenges or strengths. Our lives, patterns of action and interests are often an expression of previous experiences in our lives. We try to understand, transform, shape, heal, deny or run from.

If we sweep it all under the carpet, all our feelings, thoughts, ideas, desires or boundaries, it can cause us to become sick mentally or physically, it can affect our ability for true connection in our relations, it can hold us from living out our true potential and ultimately to enjoy our lives.

How can we learn to better express ourselves in a healthy, loving, collaborative and artistic way, that can offer transformation and create connection?

How can we learn to better hold a safe space for each other as we express ourselves, with compassion, patience, respect, love, curiosity and an open mind?

My answer. We need to allow ourselves and each other to learn and to practise. We need to do it with love and curiosity. “I wonder what happens if I ask this person about this?” - not wonder with fear, but wonder with playfulness. Try and explore, as we did as children. Meet each person, as the first time we tasted potatoes or saw a butterfly.

Both when we express ourselves and when others express themselves. It goes both ways.

I think we have all gotten too serious and intellectualized, it creates distance and fear or being wrong or judged. We need to reconnect with our body, soul and our heart, that will create connection, openness and understanding.

Therefore, when in doubt, just ask: “"What would love do?” and go do that.

- Louise