WHAT IS YOUR CATHARTIC RELEASE?

A recent death in the family reminded me of the difficult phases we go through when losing someone: Getting that initial call, grieving tears, trying to be strong (or not), visitation, funeral service and offering solace.

That’s an enormous amount of weight in terms of stress quickly pressing down on a person. Softening the blow is important for those of us with a chronic disease, because this added “weight” may in fact keep us out of commission longer than the average person.

 This is why, I believe, it is important for us to have some sort of outlet, something constructive, perhaps in the arts that bring forth a cathartic release.

My artistic stress reducer is writing, although I am not the grammarian by any stretch (as I’m sure my regular blog readers can attest) yet, it is still something that brings me a level of joy and comfort.

What do you like to do? Cooking, baking, gardening, photography, drawing, painting, sewing, landscaping, woodworking, the list goes on and on.  Is there something I didn’t mention? Give us some ideas.

Jail time, is also stressful, so try to keep it legal, teepeeing your neighbor’s yard or “tagging” (graffiti) the highway underpass, and should not be included in your “art” therapy.

Here are some helpful websites and blogs that may get you going or enhance your interests:

  ART

http://www.soulcollage.com/

SoulCollage^® is a creative and satisfying collage process. You make your own deck of cards - each collage card representing one aspect of your personality or Soul. Use the collage cards intuitively to answer life's questions and participate in self-discovery.

http://www.zentangle.com/ 

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Zentangle Youtube Video

http://www.youtube.com/user/Zentangle

ART LESSONS

http://artbysuzannegibson.blogspot.com/

http://artlessonsbysuzanne.blogspot.com/

http://wineandwatercolors.blogspot.com/

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

http://www.photographyblog.com/

GARDENING

http://allanbecker-gardenguru.squarespace.com/

http://inmykitchengarden.blogspot.com/

http://www.gardeningblog.net/

COOKING

http://smittenkitchen.com/

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/

SEWING

http://www.sewing.org/

JEWELRY MAKING

http://www.ninadesigns.com/blog/

I hope you find your cathartic release

Love you

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