Writing about my miscarriage helped me let go


I just finished a blog post about this poem, which I wrote a few years ago.  Even though writing the poem released a lot of emotions, writing about it again felt too personal to post.  I guess I’ll just post the poem and keep the rest tucked away in my journal.

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Pottery and paintbrushes bring healing to hospitalized kids


Healing and transformation is a regular occurrence at Detroit Medical Centers Childrens Hospital. Coming from the hands of artists from Pewabic Pottery?

via Pottery and paintbrushes bring healing to hospitalized kids- Artserve Michigan.

Excerpt

 “Art centers you,” said Serra. “When you’re sick or stressed it’s important to be centered. The program focuses less on the therapeutic movements of doing art and more on the creative process. It’s more art-making than art therapy.”

For Serra and the Healing Arts Team (volunteers, child life specialists, nursing staff, and artists) things are beginning to pay off. “We’re starting to hear from physicians who are impressed with the program,” said Serra.  Recently, a physician stopped by to watch an artist work with a child. “The doctor was really moved to see the child doing what any other child would be doing,” said Serra.

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for. Georgia O’Keeffe

Seeing (infra)Red


Amazing photography. So calming.  From the blog draw and shoot

I have spent a bit of time playing with infrared photography. I love the ethereal quality and the grain this type of photography produces . And the light, such incredible light.  Admittedly these images are a few years old but I still find them compelling. I haven’t taken any infrared pictures lately because these require film. Remember film? When was the last time you bought a roll of film? I really should… … Read More


Unrealistic Expectations Often Lead To Unhappiness


I found this article on Big Think.  Growing up, I learned that you had to prepare for the unexpected, to sharpen your coping skills, and be willing to alter your course as things changed.  I am often surprised when I see an acquaintance continually suffer through disappointment because “things didn’t go like I thought they would.” 

WANT TO BE HAPPIER? RECALIBRATING YOUR EXPECTATIONS MIGHT HELP
Maria Konnikova on September 1, 2011, 9:00 AM

I’m hungry. I head to the fridge—but first, I shake my head and say mournfully to myself, there’s nothing to eat. I’m not looking forward to the process of choosing from what I know to be inferior choices. Imagine, then, my surprise when I open the door and see a plate of… it doesn’t actually matter what, as long as it’s (1) something I’m really in the mood for and (2) something I’ve completely forgotten about. How happy am I?

Now, picture the opposite: I’m hungry. I head to the fridge, full of keen anticipation. I know that the piece of cake that was left over from last night is still there, eagerly awaiting me in its full beauty on a perfect white plate. I open the door and see a plate of… nothing. Sometime between last night and this afternoon, someone else ate my cake. Who. Ate. My. Cake. I had it all pictured in my head—how I’d get it out, how I’d sink my fork into it, take the first bite, feel the wonderful crumbliness on my tongue—and now, my hopes have been shattered. How upset am I? Continue reading

The Four Agreements


Do you remember when this book was hot about ten years ago?  I read it and donated it, but found myself wanting to read it again “with new eyes,” as I like to say.  Here are the four agreements, which I find very powerful:

The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz

Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity.  Say only what you mean.  Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.  Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you.  What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.  When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. Continue reading