Welcome to Art and Healing Wednesday!!
It’s that time of year when some of my old favorite and new favorite reality shows are on television. My old standby is “So You Think You Can Dance”. I think those young dancers are amazing, have enormous talent, and speak volumes with their bodies. My new favorite is “The Voice”, because the show is geared to talented people regardless of age, and the selection is based on their voice, not a stereotype of what a successful singer should look like. The key in both of these shows is that the contestants are true to their craft. They tell a story, express themselves, and are following their passion…it’s their oxygen.
I understand that with all my heart. As a textile artist I work hard at telling my story through my art. I know that I’m not a painter, sculptor, or performing artist. It’s not about a comfort zone, but an acknowledgment of my gifts and talents. So why am I thinking about doing something different? I’m not looking to shift the focus of art, but add to my repertoire.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how to expand my story telling options. Aside from my textile art I try to write on this blog Monday thru Friday. This writing is a practice for me because it allows me to share my thoughts, create an exchange of ideas, and provide resources that may be helpful on your journey to health and healing. So what’s the problem? No problem. I know that I’m a very verbal person. I like to tell stories and doing it verbally is easy whether it’s to one person or 500 people. I’ve been looking for other methods of accessing hidden secrets in my soul.
When I was in my dissertation class, one of my classmates is doing a Doctor of Ministry and her dissertation is about the collages she’s created and how they impact her life and her spiritual journey. I’ve started toying with the idea of creating collages. It’s an artistic voice, isn’t about artistic talent, and gets me out of my head because it’s nonverbal. The more we can uncover what lies deeper in our minds and our hearts the greater pool of internal resources we have for health and healing. It’s not about substituting but adding to my arsenal of self-expression.
How will you access deeper aspects of yourself? What might emerge when you open yourself up to the possibility of greater self-expression? How do you utilize this outward expression of your soul on your journey to wellness? I’d love to know what creative endeavors may capture your intrigue and aid you on your path to getting better or well. Share your story below or send me an email at greg@survivingstrong.com
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 