Healing Art Challenge: And the Award Goes to...

It's time to create our own end of the year awards! It's easy to remember the things that saddened us and brought us down... let's find a way to focus on the good things as well!  Your challenge is to artistically interprest a list of  your year's winners for the following categories:

Best Inspirational Person

Best Moment in Nature

Best Lesson Learned

Best Bellylaugh

Best Song /Movie/Book

Best Playful Moment

Best Self-Achievement

Best Outcome from a Difficult Experience

Best Meal

Best Moment of Kindness Witnessed

You can paint, draw, write, photocollage, make a movie, anything your heart desires!  Please email your pieces to friendsinhealing@gmail.com by Thursday, January 6 at 12 pm CST time. Please note that entries that do not reflect the healing nature of the challenge or arrive late, might not be included.  Look for our gallery to go up on that day!

January Book Club: She's Come Undone

Alright readers!  Grab your library cards or head over to Amazon to pick up a copy of She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.  We will be discussing this book in the Education room of the Friends in Healing Chatroom on January 25 at 1 pm CST time.  If you have never read a Wally Lamb book, this is a great place to start.  A brief synopsis from Amazon:

"Mine is a story of craving; an unreliable account of lusts and troubles that began, somehow, in 1956 on the day our free television was delivered." So begins the story of Dolores Price, the unconventional heroine of Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone. Dolores is a class-A emotional basket case, and why shouldn't she be? She's suffered almost every abuse and familial travesty that exists: Her father is a violent, philandering liar; her mother has the mental and emotional consistency of Jell-O; and the men in her life are probably the gender's most loathsome creatures. But Dolores is no quitter; she battles her woes with a sense of self-indulgence and gluttony rivaled only by Henry VIII. Hers is a dysfunctional Wonder Years, where growing up in the golden era was anything but ideal. While most kids her age were dealing with the monumental importance of the latest Beatles single and how college turned an older sibling into a long-haired hippie, Dolores was grappling with such issues as divorce, rape, and mental illness. Whether you're disgusted by her antics or moved by her pathetic ploys, you'll be drawn into Dolores's warped, hilarious, Mallomar-munching world.

I'm really looking forward to using a literature discussion as a vehicle for healing and hope you are too!  And don't forget about your January Movie Club On January 11 at 6 pm CST time as well!  By the way, if you buy your book through one of the Amazon links I've provided below, part of the cost of your purchase goes back to Friends in Healing!

Kaizen Wednesday: Begin at the Beginning

It's that time of year!  We either dread it or look at it as a fresh start.  Time to make our New Year's Resolutions!    This year I'd like to welcome you on a journey with me.  Rather than making a list of life changes that require radical efforts, how about "taste testing" a variety of areas of personal growth?  Each month we will be reflecting and acting upon a different area and making small, concrete actions towards growth each week.  Take a look at what we have in store:

January:  Financial Stability

February:  Healthy Eating

March:  Cleaning and Organization

April:  Social Connection

May:  Exercise

June: Self Care

July: Time for Play

August:  Creative Expression

September:  Spirituality

October:  Brain Power

November: Acts of Service

December: Relaxation

Each week during the month you will be asked to do one small action towards the designated life area.  We will encourage small, easily achievable goals with a high chance for success.  The idea is that getting a taste of reaching the goal in a small way will encourage us to keep some of these goals up throughout the year.  

And I have several ways to support you on this journey.  First, at the beginning of the month I will post possible small actions for the designated life area.  I'm hoping others will add their input as well.  Secondly, each Sunday we will be holding a  "Goal Gear Up" session in the Education room of the Friends in Healing Chat rooms at 6 pm CST time.  Not only a time to discuss your monthly activity, you can discuss any personal goals for the week, get encouragement, and perhaps even a little advice thrown in!

Now what is this "kaizen"?????  Kaizen is the japanese word for continuous improvement.  Mainly used as a productivity process in business, we are going to use tools and strategies from kaizen to our personal goals.  Each Wednesday, I'll be posting ideas and strategies from a variety of kaizen resources.. beginning with

Healing Art Gallery: Angels We Have Heard on High

~rosypose

Gloria in excelsis deo!  Thank you to all those who sent in pieces as we reflect this week on the glorious tidings from host of angels!  May you all have a blessed Christmas with family and friends and remember the true joy of the season in your heart!

~Forktail

~playcrane

~magiccat

~jillie

~rosypose

~amanda16

~magiccat

~magiccat



Music Monday: Little Bethlehem

Healing Art Challenge: Angels We Have Heard on High

Our series of challenges inspired by traditional Christmas carols is coming to a close this week.. and what a fantastic piece of music to be our finale!  This week we will be working together to create a heavenly host inspired by the song "Angels We Have Heard on High."    As you work this week on your pieces, let their joyous refrain echo not only in the mountains and valleys.. but in your heart as well!

Please email your pieces to friendsinhealing@gmail.com by Thursday, December 23 at 12 pm CST time. Please note that entries that do not reflect the healing nature of the challenge or arrive late, might not be included.

And to get the wings of creativity fluttering...

♪

Healing Art Gallery: We Three Kings

December is going by soooooo fast!   And with the time going by, I think we're alll a litttttle too busy!  So with a fewer number of entries in this week's art challenge, I went hunting for some additional pics to add into this gallery.. so it's a mix of the photos I received and my own work.  Hope you still enjoy!  Oh, and isn't this version of "God Rest Ye Gentlemen/We Three Kings" the best!  I can't tell you how many times I hit replay on this one. 

 We three kings of Orient are...

~playcrane

Bearing gifts

~magiccat

We traverse afar...

~magiccat

Field and fountain...

~magiccat

Moor and mountain...

~magiccat

Following yonder star...

~magiccat

O, star of wonder

Star of night

~magiccat

Star with royal beauty bright

~magiccat

Westward leading still proceeding

~Forktail

Guide us to thy perfect light.

~magiccat

♪







Happiness is just one step away.. Or is it?

There was a time I had to haul my laundry in my car, to the laundromat.  I hated doing it.  I thought, if only I could have a washing machine and dryer nearby .. I would keep caught up and be happy.

I moved to an apartment where the laundry was a floor below me.  I hated doing it.  I thought, if only i could have a washing machine and dryer on the same level as me...  I would keep caught up and be happy.

I moved to an apartment where the laundry was on the same level, just outside my door.  I hated doing it.  I thought, if only I could have a washing machine and dryer right in my living space... I would keep caught up and be happy.

Here  I am.. sitting in piles of laundry.. a washing machine and dryer right off my kitchen.  I'm still not caught up.. still not happy  Hmmmmmm....

Before you make lists of what you need .. or what you want to accomplish in the next year to be happy. watch this movie.

Music Monday: O Holy Night

If there is an angel on earth, it certainly is this little girl.  Sing on, Jackie! 

♪

Art Project Tutorial: Follow the Star

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.

~Joseph Campbell












This little piece was created with our We Three Kings Healing Art Challenge in mind, as well as for a Michael's store craft challenge this week that asked us to use wrapping paper, a frame, and wire in a creative way.

I really love the concepte of following something deep in yourself when life gets mucky and complicated, and especially love the idea of a frame looking out onto the world.  Hang this piece in your window when you are finished to remind you to follow your instinct, your inspiration, your creative spirit, as you become tangled up in life's complications.. and  you will be rewarded with a deep connection to the world around you.


Materials needed:
black jewelry wire
inexpensive wooden frame ( make sure the edges aren't rounded)
silver wrapping paper
modge podge
glass beads
children's suncatcher paint
black ribbon

Instructions:
1. Pop out the back and any inserts to your frame, including glass.  (Thrift store frames are perfect for this project!)  Neatly wrap and glue down piece of silver wrap until the paper is fully covered.   Try to use as few pieces as possible.. You aren't really looking for the texture of small pieces glued down like you would normally have with regular decoupaging.

2.  Wrap wire around one side of the frame and twist to hold.  Bead a few beads on the wire and stretch across the frame and wrap again.  Bead a few more beads and stretch across to another side of the frame.
Once you have a  number of criss crosses in  the open area of the frame, begin to twist your wire  around other wires as you cross on the insided.  Continue beading, and crossing and twisting until you have a "nest" of beads and wire.  It is like a "dreamcatcher" effect.

3.  You can actually do the coloring in different ways.. I first tried using sharpie markers as I'd seen a really nice effect on aluminum foil.  But I think there may have been coating on my paper that made the marker ink not adhere properly.  Instead, in the clearance aisle of Michaels, I found this children's suncatcher paint, left over from all the summer camp projects.  I used one whole set for this frame.  You will begin lightly globbing the paint into the areas.  You will need to brush the paint in, let it dry, and paint some more a number of times to get the instensity of color and in order to fil the entire areas with color.

4.  Create a hanger of thin black ribbon and hang in a window with a suction cup.   Lovely!!!  Your own stained glass window to your soul!

Sunday Sketches: Just a Little Candy Cane...



Today's Sunday Sketch might make me lose a couple friends.. Yikes!  Over just a little candy cane!  Well hopefully it won't be that serious!

During the week I have been reading up a little on the history of the candy cane.  Despite all those cute little Christmas poems people give out about the "true" story of the candy cane.. versions that say  a candymaker from Indiana developed that candy cane as a Christian tool are more legend than fact.  The red stripes my help one remember Christ's blood, the shape may be like a shepherd's staff or "J" for Jesus, the white may be a reminder of Christ's purity, and the cane may be hard.. lik the rock that God's church is founded on.   No, originally candy canes were white, from France.. but yes, it is likely that they were given by a choirmaster to children as they prepared for a nativity play in order to help keep them quiet.  (Sorry, I dont think keeping kids quiet is part of God's divine plan by any means.)

What's interesting, besides the nature of urban legend, symbol, and fact,  is alllllllllll the trouble this little candy cane has gotten into.  In the last few years, a neighboring town  to mine has made national news over a nine year old boy who in 2004 brought candy canes to  holiday party at school with the Christian version of the symbol's nature attached.  He was stopped from doing so, as were several other students in upcoming days.  The school district later revised their strict policy against passing out any religious-themed material by stating that such material could only be passed out before and after school, at three annual parties, during recess and at designated tables in school. Middle and high school students also can hand out items in hallways and during lunch. Some parents said the policy diluted the free speech rights of their children.

In June of this year, the Supreme Court, (oh yeah, that's the big guys and gals) declined to hear an appeal  from parents who sought to stop the district from regulating when students can hand out religious materials.  As far as where this has gone since then.. it is still in the courts but way above my legal expertise to really understand what's going on.

But....

Believe it or not, I do have a few thoughts. 

I am a deeply spiritual person, was raised in a strong Christian home, and am committed to supporting the faith experiences of other people.  I believe in relgious freedom which this country was founded on.  That  doesn't mean I agree with people swearing on the Bible in court, "In God We Trust" on our coins, and prayer time in schools.  Nor does it mean, that I think children or adults to need "pretend to be atheist" in school or anywhere else for that matter.

It's time for us all, on both sides of the issue, or in the middle, to find a way to express our beliefs and support the expression of others faith beliefs without it actually being, or being considered proselytizing.  But here's the rub.. that means.. freedom for everyone - Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Wiccan, Unitarian, Atheist, Agnostic, and, yes, Muslim.  (Forgive that I left lots of faiths off the list but you get what I mean.)

I spent many years as an early childhood teacher... working with the youngest of the young.  Parents do not need to fear even young children being exposed to faith systems that are not the heritage of the family.  All one needs to say is "This is what some people believe and practice.  This is what our family practices."  Besides,  when we become so aggressive and tight trying to protect our children from exposure to ideas different than our own, kids are smart and pay a lot more attention....

Healing Art Challenge: We Three Kings



Only a few weeks left until Christmas, and only a few art challenges left inspired by traditional Christmas carols!  I can honestly say, that I can think of now better way to celebrate than to create!  Certainly beats standing in checkout lines and putting pressure on your credit cards! 

This week our challenge is to create works using the spirit of "We Three Kings."  Take time to look up the lyrics.. lots of different ways to go with this one.. gifts, kings, travel, stars!  As always, we welcome any mediums.. poetry, photography, art, or music.  The more variety the better!

Please email your pieces to friendsinhealing@gmail.com by Thursday, December 16 at 12 pm CST time.  Please note that entries that do not reflect the healing nature of the challenge or arrive late, might not be included.

Now.. for a little musical inspiration... I found this and was absolutely amazed by this instrument.  What a sound!  I want one!

And if that didn't perk your curiosity.. how about this one?



♫

Healing Art Gallery: O Christmas Tree

~Hidden Child

It surelly is the most wonderful time of the year!  We had a delightful week of inspiration looking at all the unique Christmas trees around us as we made pieces as a response to the old Christmas carol "O Christmas Tree."    Enjoy this lovely acoustic version of the sound I found while you view the work this week!  And as always, please honor our participants by leaving a kind note! ♫

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging;

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging;

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when 'tis cold and drear.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging!

~magiccat

~playcrane

~painting and poem by rosypose

~Forktail

~zootalors

~merbear

~magiccat

~~Betty Crocker Wannabe

And as a very special treat, Kristin, from Betty Crocker Wannabe, has generously allowed me to share her lovely artwork as a free online printable! ♥  Just click ♪ here ♪ to get yours!  Would make a great last minute Christmas gift!

Continued holiday blessings to you and yours!

♥

Menorah Lighting: Day Eight

My apologies for being really late putting this one up.. but for the final video I wanted it to be the best it could be.  This has been a very inspiring week for me.. learning how to make still motion videos, connecting to some great music.. learning about this wonder faith holiday.  As exhausted as I am, I'm a little sad for it to be over! ♥  A special thank you to all those people who encouraged this project.  You are a blessing to me.  Although Hanukkah is less about "lighting the house within" than "illuminating of the house without,"  I have received so much from this week that I hope to stay with me until the next lighting of the menorah candles.

The last day of Hannukah is known as the Zot Hannukah, and is seen as end of the Yom Kippur season.  This is a day to repent out of love for God. In this spirit, many Hasidic Jews wish each other Gmar chatimah tovah, "may you be sealed totally for good." 

On the eighth and final day of Hanukkah, the final prayers are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♥

Menorah Lighting: Day Seven

Okay, somewhere in the world, it's still the seventh night of Hanukkah.  I tried hard to get this one done on time.. just didn't work out that way....

So to the topic..

When I was researching songs, I found "This Little Light of Mine" on a number of Hanukkah music compilations.  I was a little struck by this.. as I guess I had always thought this was a Christian song.  But it makes such good sense for it to fit in with Hanukkah, as one of the major themes I am seeing is moving beyond yourself.. lighting yourself so you can shine on others, especially the vulnerable and oppressed.

Now, I'll admit.. growing up listening to little songs like this.. the meaning of "sharing your light"  was mostly about evangelizing. But with the heat of struggle between different faith systems that we see today, similar to the struggles of earlier times, I think it is time to look at this idea a little further.  I found these poignant words from an article by Rabbi Sid Schwarz entitled "Hanukkah and Interfaith Dialogue: Increasing our Shared Light" in the Huffington Post:

Two thousand years later, we are still fighting the same battles. In a world that is changing so rapidly, religion provides comfort, continuity and timeless certainty to millions of the faithful in the world. But often that religious package also includes heavy doses of triumphalism, chauvinism and intolerance. It is incumbent on religious leaders to help their adherents distinguish between the elements of faith that foster peace and understanding and those that lead to prejudice and extremism.

As with Christmas and Kwanza, Hanukkah falls during the winter solstice. It is the darkest time of the year. Appropriately enough, all three festivals have as a central symbol candles and light. If we are to move our world closer to the messianic ideal articulated in the sacred texts of most of the world's religions, each of us will need to find ways to light a candle, increase the light and banish away the darkness.

On the sixth day of Hanukkah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♫

Menorah Lighting: Day Six

Today is the traditional "Hava Nagila" song which is used for many festive celebrations.  Consider the translation:

Let's rejoice! 

Let's rejoice!

Let's rejoice and be happy!

Let's sing!

Let's sing!
Let's sing and be happy!

Awake, awake brothers!

Awake brothers with a happy heart!

Awake brothers, awake brothers

With a happy heart!

A commandment to be happy!  Are there not times that we all need to hear these words?  So often we think that happiness is beyond our control.. and yet happiness is merely a perspective, a choice we can make on how we will view the world.  Happiness does not mean an absence of pain or difficult times, but it does mean finding ways to be grateful each day and to take joy in the lives we lead.  Awake with a happy heart!

On the sixth day of Hanukkah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♥



Music Monday: I Heard the Bells



Menorah Lighting: Day Five

Yesterday I spoke of the holy play given to us in holiday.. and what better extension of this than the Hanukkah dreidel!  "Dreidel" is the Yiddish word for what is called a "sevivon" in Hebrew, also the word for "to turn."  A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top used to play a popular game in which children take turns spinning the top in order to acquire coins, sometimes, chocolate coins.  But there is a wonderful symbolism to this little game.  According to some historians, Jews first played with a spinning top during the rule of the Greek King Antiochus'. In Judea, Antiochus had outlawed Jewish worship, so if guards came by when they were studying Torah, Jews would pull out a little top and pretend they were playing a game.  This little dreidel is a symbol religious freedom.. the ability of a people not let others determine their ability to lead a faithful life.

Today's song is the traditional "Sevivon Sov Sov Sov."  Here is the translation of the lyrics...

Dreidel spin spin spin

Chanukah is a nice holiday

Chanukah is a nice holiday

Dreidel spin spin spin

It's a joyous holiday for the nation

A great miracle happened there

A great miracle happened there
It's a joyous holiday for the people

On the fourth day of Hanukkah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♫

And my apologies for putting one of my Hebrew letters upside down in the video!   I misread a pattern for a dreidel I had found! 


Sunday Sketch: Decorate

I try to decorate my imagination as much as I can. 

 ~Franz Schubert

For today's Sunday Sketch, I am reflecting on the power of creativity to "decorate" one's life.  I think Einstein had it quite right when he said that "imagination is more important than knowledge."  Without the ability to imagine a new way of being, a new life for one's self, a new solution, a new perspective, where can we be?  Surely there are times that imagining is difficult work.. and that is when it's time to decorate.. through the inspiration of books, music, art, conversations with wise friends, time spent in nature.  As you decorate your house during this festive time, think of ways to decorate your mind as well! ♥

Menorah Lighting: Day Four



Today I think about all the joyous ways we come together during holidays to be with families and friends.  Although there are serious roots to our faithful gatherings, God gives us moments for holy play... time to eat special foods, drink special drinks, play happy games, and share happiness.  Enjoy your time with friends and loved ones!

On the fourth day of Hanukkah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,

and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♥

Menorah Lighting: Day Three



Today's music is the traditional Israeli folk song, "Shalom Chaverim,"  often sung as a goodbye to others.  Although I was not raised Jewish, I grew up singing this song as part of my Christian heritage, often as an ending to my school day at the Lutheran parochial school I attended as a child.

Shalom, chaverim,

Shalom, chaverim,

Shalom, shalom;

L'hitra'ot,

L'hitra'ot,

Shalom, shalom.

Shalom, o my friends,

Shalom, o my friends,

Shalom, shalom;

Till we meet again,

Till we meet again,

Shalom, shalom.

The Hebrew word shalom is understood by many around the world to mean peace.  The root of the word shalom means to be complete, perfect and full.  This day, as you wish, shalom to those around you, may you bless them with the peace that comes by being in harmony and completeness.

On the third day of Hannukah, the following blessings are recited:

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us by His commandments,
and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanakkah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe,

Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

♫

Healing Art Challenge: O Christmas Tree

O  Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!  How lovely are your branches!

Here we are, already into our second art challenge for December.  This week we will be creating pieces inspired by the lovely traditional Christmas carol, "O Christmas Tree."  You may paint, write, photograph, bake, gardern, make music.. any creative endeavour you choose.  Please send your submissions to friendsinhealing@grmail.com no later than Thursday, December 10 at 12:00 pm CST time.  Entries that come late or do not directly relate to the theme or the healing nature of the art challenge may not be chosen for the art gallery that will go up that day.  Have a wonderful time decorating your trees!

And here's a little musical inspiration for the week!  Enjoy! ♪♫♪



Healing Art Gallery: Silent Night

This is the first Healing Art Challenge in a series this month that reinterprets traditional Christmas carols. This week is "Silent Night." I've included a music player for you to listen as you view the wordes and images. (You may want to turn it off for the one video submission we have this week.)

As always, please leave a kind note if you appreciate or are inspired by any of these lovely pieces!  And thank you to all of our participants!  Check back tomorrow for the theme for next week!





~Hawk3y15








Silent night...

~Forktail

Holy night...

~Forktail

All is calm...

~shiny

All is bright...

~letmebe

Round yon virgin...

~zoo

Mother and child...

~magiccat

Holy infant so...

~Lady J

Tender and mild...

~magiccat

Sleep in heavenly peace...

~playcrane

Sleep in heavenly peace.

~Vimsen

~HiddenChild