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This piece grew out of a hike at a nearby trail.  I set out one early morning with my daughter to enjoy our "mountain" and to connect with nature.  As we headed out on the trail I looked down and saw this root in the trail.  I knew that I had to create art with it so I picked it up, left a gift in return and carried it with me throughout the entire hike.    

The next day was a group day at the teen center where I work.  We were working on the idea of recovery and what it felt like, looked like, etc. in our lives.  I was using a technique called "object art", in which you choose an object as a symbol of, in this case, your recovery.  Once you select the object, you begin to create around it.  You can use paint, fabric, collage, whatever moves you.

I was really clear that this root was a critical symbol of my recovery.  A word here on recovery...I am using this word very broadly.  It is my belief that we are all in and out of recovery all the time.  It doesn't mean that all of us use and abuse a substance but it does mean that we all move in and out of our balanced and complete states and any time we are attempting to return to our original state we are in the process of recovery.  So it is with this definition in mind that I began this project.

What I learned is profound.  It was the classic roots and wings conversation.  In order to fly, I must be rooted in truth, the earth, who I am, my principles and then and only then can I fly, like Prometheus, close to the sun. 

I love this piece.  It is simple but is filled with motion and truth and hope and is a reminder of what I need to remember to return to my original state.


 
 
My stumbling and bumbling can be your gain!  It's been an interesting time for me of late...My art is looking different than it has ever looked before and I could feel the heaviness that I was carrying around with me.  Here is the good news,  no one is alone and there are an abundance of resources out there for all of us.  When I wasn't able to use my processes;  journaling, movement, art, meditation, to shift my energy,  I asked for help.  I called an amazing energy worker, Glen McCarlie, who was able to help me shift my thinking and ultimately, how I felt, in about an hour.  It's important to remember that when we find ourselves in a loop that we can't seem to get out of, ask for help. 
After talking with him it has been amazing to watch and feel how different things are.  I have been able to tackle  projects that have been sitting around for a while.  I have been able to face people that I was struggling with and I feel like myself.
It's interesting...I'm in the process of creating a project for the teen center where I facilitate expressive arts therapy.  The director has asked me to focus on the theme "Recovery Happens".  Apparently, it is recovery month and the entire center is celebrating it.  When I looked up the word origin of the word 'recovery',  it said, " to return to one's original state".  I love this.  It means that we are all in and out of recovery all the time.  And in this case,  I've been needing recovery for the last month.  It feels like being back in my 'original' state and I am incredibly grateful.
Grateful that I know Glen and that I have such a positive working and learning relationship with him and grateful that I know it's okay to ask for help.   Just a gentle hand to hold a mirror up for me and to remind me about who I am.  Thank you Glen!  and Thank you to me for doing whatever it takes  to 'recover'!