I'm writing this post to let you in on a little secret: No one, not even therapists, have it all together. And guess what: that is how it's supposed to be because we are human. I think it's important to be honest about this. Society has a large expectation of us all to show how great things are and to appear that we are pretty much only happy all the time. I think this is the root of why we suffer so much. When we don't feel completely happy, we shame and blame ourselves for feeling or try not to feel whatever less pleasant emotion we are feeling. I think it's healthy to acknowledge all of our varying emotions and to remember that we are never alone in it. We are part of a whole human race that all feel these kinds of things too, often in silence. In lieu of recent suicides shared in the media, I want to make space for people to express themselves and to realize these feelings will pass and shift. Feelings aren't final, and they need to be normalized.

Here's a little blurb about my own discomforts and realizations along the way. When I am lost and struggling to find meaning in this twisting, sometimes chaotic life experience, I have to remind myself to return to art making. It's not always easy to express when doubt is creeping in and I feel like I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. The truth is, I do not know what I'm doing and no one does. I think we can feel like we have some control of some things in life, we can create stability but in reality there is something bigger happening and we are not in charge. Any time, I try to go against the current and fight what is, I get pushed back down and then, eventually I remember that all I have to do is to be, to simply go with the flow, the movement around me. I am a part of it. I am not different than all that is around me. I am connected to it and it is connected to me.

So last night, I began to make art after a decent period of not giving myself the space and time to make and be creative. I finally sat with myself and I felt something shifting, something alive waking up. I didn't really like what I made. It didn't feel like "good art" but it was raw and it was me. I went to the bathroom and noticed a little bug, actually a scarab beetle. This symbol of the Egyptian scarab beetle has held important meaning for me as a symbol of transformation and the creative intelligence and eternal force that lives within all of us. Seeing this little guy resting on a washcloth last night, felt like a message, a reminder that I'm not alone and I can trust who I am and what is happening. I still have nothing figured out and feel a bit twisty but I am reminded to remain present and continue to follow my intuition and trust where I am at without judgement and harshness. Basically, I am allowing myself to surrender, forgive myself for getting hooked, and to just let go. In that space, there is a freedom.

Read Article

http://peacefulplanetproject.weebly.com

Peaceful Planet Project is an online collective project that will eventually turn into a film displaying peaceful intentions and prayers for this planet expressed creatively through art, music, and spoken word. Our intention is to create a forum for people to come together and make a difference in a small way that is meaningful and powerful. In a time, when it's easy to become disenchanted about humanity with its systemic struggles, narcissism, greed, and hunger for power, this is the time, now, more than ever to rise up, listen to Mother Earth, and actively do what we can. This is a step towards connecting with each other and manifesting a shift towards hope and gratitude.  As humans, we have been creating art for the last 40,000 years. Art is more than superficial aesthetic, beauty to behold. We believe art is a change agent and through collective expression, we can make a difference by sharing this language that is rooted in compassion for all sides, for humanity as a whole. Please join us with your artistic voice. All art appreciated that expresses peaceful intentions.

Any medium including filmed dance, music, photography, paint, drawing, collage, clay, poetry, and recorded audio as well. This is not about being a professional artist, simply using art as a means to express dreams for the planet. Please let go of the inner art critic.

Deadline: March 15, 2017. Film will be released in Spring 2017.

Send digital image (150-300DPI jpg.) to hkate11@gmail.com

​marianne.com/how-stay-sane-and-loving-during-the-presidential-election/

When we get out of the glass bottles of our ego,
and when we escape like squirrels turning in the
cages of our personality
and get into the forests again,
we shall shiver with cold and fright
but things will happen to us
so that we don't know ourselves.

Cool, unlying life will rush in ,
and passion will make our bodies taut with power,
we shall stamp our feet with new power
and old things will fall down,
we shall laugh, and institutions will curl up like
burnt paper

D.H. Lawrence