Life lessons can come at a high cost

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — C.G. Jung

In group therapy today, we talked about the subconscious — how it tries to protect us, but sometimes ends up holding us back. That quote from Jung hits deep, and it ties right into how we process emotion and experience through art when we rebuild.

Our subconscious works like an anchor — it keeps us grounded, but sometimes it also keeps us stuck. It drags us toward old patterns because they feel familiar, even when they’re painful. We call it fate, but really it’s just unexamined feelings that end up coming out as unintended behaviors steering the ship.

If we aren’t willing to examine our feelings we stay stuck, and life still takes its toll. The truth is, if we’re going to pay the price through our mistakes for the lessons life gives us, we might as well learn what we paid for.

Yesterday’s Artist Hour piece was a traditional-style anchor, layered with traditional details and with  symbolism — Neptune, representing protection and the unknown, and an octopus, symbolizing knowledge and adaptability. The anchor reminds me of home and memory, while the others remind me that learning means venturing into deeper waters.

Today’s sketch was a ship in a bottle — the ship anchored safely inside, but the cork pushed out and a rowboat resting on the sand near the opening. It’s a quiet reminder that safety can become a cage. You can’t explore new waters if you never leave the safety of the bottle.

Sometimes the lesson is simple but hard to act on:

You can’t grow if you won’t go.

 

If you want to explore capturing symbols of your life lessons, or commemorating your adventures, reserve a session or consultation with us at https://honorandink.com/