Healing With Art

Healing with Art as We Grieve

Healing with Art as we grieve shifts our focus into the present. The world has changed. How do we move forward through the unknown?

Greg Braden compares the global grief to the experience of dying as studied by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. The stages relate to us all as we go through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and hopefully come out one day into acceptance. The familiar world we’ve known, loved, and took for granted, is gone.

How do we shift our focus, to use this time to heal and move forward? First of all, sheltering in place is an opportunity. It gives us more Time and Space to find ourselves. We decide what to do each day. I hear people say, ‘I always wanted to work from home’. Look at this as a huge form of Freedom to pace your own life, your day. How do you choose to spend this precious day in your life?

Secondly, time to slow down is a gift. We can now become the creators of our lives. The healing journey is both emotional and physical. They are intertwined. Immersing the body in all the senses improves health and well being in every way. Doing Art takes you away from the world out there where you have no control, and into your personal inner life of the imagination. This brings balance for you in both worlds.

Thirdly, making art brings your focus into the Now. Being Present is where your power lies. You begin to see as an artist sees. When you pause on the path to soak in life, colors become brilliant, dragonflies appear, birds start singing, and life becomes fuller. Slowing down creates the memories of your life. Plus, using all the senses triggers a deep primitive part of us that knows and understands the real world that is so often invisible in a fast paced life. We begin to create new priorities for our personal happiness.

So no matter what stage of grief you find yourself, know that you are not alone. We can move through this together. Art is my way and if you find yourself called to the creative life, make sure you sign up at Dragonfly Art Studio for free classes, updates, and to meet other artistic mystics.