Don’t get overwhelmed with the quick passage of time, ground in the present to control those feelings.

Appreciation of the moment provides control that is otherwise experienced as living in the past or future, where nothing can be altered or known. Running from the ghosts of our past or fear of the future, keeps us in limbo resulting in anxiety, stress, or depression from living outside of what we can control. Our actions can only have control in the present. Do what you can, but if there’s nothing you can do, let go of those unreachable expectations for the benefit of your mental health.

Art is a perfect method to practice staying present. Creativity exists in the moment through thoughts, feelings and actions. Inspiration and process are extensions of the moment and are very grounding. Designing a project, gathering materials, touching textures, playing with colors, and focusing on making, are all examples that result in connecting the interior world to the exterior and support a centered way of being.

Activities involving the senses benefit a centered perspective. Cooking, dancing, music, fixing, meditating, walking, and writing are a few examples of daily life that improve well-being through the senses and require a present state of mind. Commit to daily self-care routines to reduce stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. It is not selfish to ensure this time for yourself. You are the engine of your world, so maintain it as a necessity to thrive. Others may judge or be jealous, but your wholeness will benefit them in the long run as you interact as a balanced and strong addition to their world. Do not be afraid to walk away from those who can’t see you improve as they will only keep you down for their control.

Many years ago, I was stuck in darkness and I realized I hadn’t done any art for years. I let others make me feel my art was a waste of time and of no value. One New Year’s Eve, I made a commitment to myself to put art as the top priority in my life…no matter what, because I knew its importance for my happiness. That commitment changed my life. I made an art space at my home, took classes, stood up for my time to make, met other creatives, educated others about art healing, did independent study to combine art into health education, worked as an artist in a hospital, created an open art studio for university staff, and wrote a book!!!! That decision changed my entire path to be harmonious with who I am and what I value and was very empowering.

We all have an innate gift within…define, nurture, and let your purpose be to share it!
This is one of my recent projects I wanted to share (see below). I combined my nature walks with art making which provided much joy and inspiration through that process. Invention, inspiration, physics, problem solving, determination, being present, were all required and resulted in calm, improved self-esteem, joy, grounding in nature, and building connection when I share to be witnessed.
 
ART HEALS!
ART ON YA’LL!!!!

Morning walk brought to you by barnacles, oyster, murex and hermit crab.

I am often asked why I post this on art and health sites. My answer is there is a whole being that needs complete care and attention. Maintaining separation between interests has its place, but when healing PTSD, it’s all hands on deck! Integrating all parts of our life support long lasting healing. The beauty found in nature inspires creativity AND increase circulation to improve health. Hope, stress-reduction, beauty, connection and good health are management tools for PTSD triggers.
Moral injury is one of the key components of PTSD. Without attending to our spirit, we can’t completely heal. Much loss and alteration occur from trauma and become a thorn preventing the wounds to close.  My hope is to present visuals and conversation that inspire creativity, move someone to take a walk, crack a smile, warm a heart and feel a sense of who they are. These integrative actions help one to feel more grounded and connected, thus reducing PTSD symptoms.

Aeosop Fable
As two Men were walking by the sea-side at low water, they saw an Oyster, and they both stooped at the same time to pick it up. One pushed the other away, and a dispute ensued. A third Traveler coming along at the time, they determined to refer the matter to him, which of the two had the better right to the Oyster. While they were each telling his story, the Arbitrator gravely took out his knife, opened the shell, and loosened the Oyster. When they had finished, and were listening for his decision, he just as gravely swallowed the Oyster, and offered them each a Shell. “The Court,” said he, “awards you each a Shell. The Oyster will cover the costs.”

 




Integrating art and mental health can be a game changer to get unstuck and heal. Being present with materials and process allows expression and release and of the unspeakable. This acknowledgment results in validation and understanding. The beginning of healing!






Art process
Lora (parrot)
Palm husk, cholla, date palm seed branch, paper, seed pod, tape, beads

My new project is inspired by my friend’s Amazon Parrot, nature and invention!
It took awhile to figure how to make the head. It ended up being quite simple, newspapers wrapped with masking tape then coated with gesso. The seed pod beak turned out perfect once fit into the newspaper before wrapping. Paper feathers will cover the head.
Next I have to figure out how to connect the head to the husk…stay tuned!

The process results in happiness and inspiration , a foundation to maintain good mental health!
Art Heals!!!
Art on y’all!!!

Sand Endures
Millions of shell, rock and creatures
Crushed relentlessly over millenniums
Particles of the past and present mingle
Ridges and dips, texture and patterns, life and death
Sand’s cemetery nourishes
Houses life
Marks time like a metronome
Leaves evidence of those before
Resiliency always wins and beauty remains.

There is much to learn from sand for our own mental health resiliency. The struggle is daily and relentless, but we can learn longevity survives best when going with the flow. Resisting the flow only hurts ourselves and muddies the waters. Tuck and roll, dip and dive, meet the surge with grace, which is how sand teaches us to persevere.

Sand teaches us beauty comes in many forms. All live side by side and accentuate the unique characteristics of their differences with splendor. We can learn much from this in our own lives. Sand moves seamlessly to join outcasts and transforms variations into a single fabric of life living cooperatively in the rules of survival.

Sand teaches us about life and death.  It caresses the remains of struggle to provide a fertile landscape for life to dwell. Slowly and surely life and death mesh into the grains of sand to become a seamless weaving of existence. Firm, soft, rippled, fine, coarse, smooth all fit together as a beautiful mosaic to be seen by us as a living textbook of lessons to be learned.

Life’s lessons abound in nature only needing to be recognized in our own reflection and lives. Take a moment to consider how you fit into its embrace.
 
What do you learn from sand?