So I try not to re-post things I find online...buuuut I found this little story online and found it to be touching. Listening to a person's heart is the deepest truest element of what being therapist (and I argue human being) is... See if you agree.

Shared from Ijourney.com, Sept 21, 2009-

When I was a little bitty kiddy, about five, my Dad began a process … anytime somebody came and said something to us, my dad would say, "You remember what he said, honey girl?”  I would tell my father what the person said until I got so good at it that I could repeat verbatim even long presentations of what the person had said.

And he did this all the time.

Finally, one day there was this old gentleman, Richard Thompson. I still remember his name, he lived across the street.  And every time my Dad started to mow the lawn, there came Mr. Thompson. And so I would stand out there.

Dad says, “You might come and listen to this man, honey girl.  He’s pretty interesting.”  And so I listened to him, and then my dad would say, “What did you hear him say?” And I would tell him.

Well, eventually I was repeating all the stories he liked to share with my dad verbatim.  I knew them all by heart.

And my Dad says, “You’re getting pretty good at that.  But did you hear his heart?"  And I thought, what?  So I went around for days with my ear to people's chest trying to hear their hearts.

Finally my Dad created another learning situation for me by asking my mother to read an article from the newspaper.  He says “Well, I guess if you want to understand that article, you have to read between the lines."

I thought, "Oh, read between the lines. Hear between the words."

So the next time I listened to Mr. Thompson’s stories, I tried to listen between the words.  My Dad said, “I know you know his story, but did you hear his heart?” And I said, "Yes.  He is very lonely and comes and shares his memories with you again and again because he’s asking you to keep him company in his memories."

It just came out of me.  In other words, my heart echoed his heart.

And when you can listen at that level, then you can hear not only the people. If you really pay attention, you can hear what the Universe is saying.

--Paula Underwood, clan mother of the Turtle clan, Iroquois nation

Hi All! I have been hoping for a few artists to feature on this site & since the second most desired topic was in fact "artists & their art" here we are!! If you wish to be featured please feel free to contact me! At this time I will feature artists freely and just appreciate the content. Perhaps a little reciprocal advertising of sorts would help? Anyway, I would love to hear from you!

I decided to do the interviews in a brief 20 Questions style... I think as artists and lovers of art we can get really wrapped up in the language we use to talk about our art...we can get wordy (I am sooo guilty of this.) So I ask the artists who respond to the 20 questions to be brief. I love hearing what they have to say when that have to get down to the "bare bones" of what they do. 

Enjoy!

Brent Adrian & His Meat-

Brent is a researcher at ASU here in Arizona and a painter.  He is a the husband of a fellow art therapist friend  and I am excited and honored for him to be the second featured artist on Run Mad Blog!!

6. Least favorite medium and why?

 

9. Can art-making pay the bills?

    Lately, I've been working on paper- the texture is organic and somewhere between panel and canvas.  I've also been working with cold wax medium for the first time.  The resulting finishes are matte and almost fluffy, which is a departure from the glossy surfaces I was working with previously.  I've also been really trying to push the quality of the edges in the paintings lately.  And the brightest highlights are always a challenge as they have to be very specific in terms of their shape and color.  They end up getting repainted over and over until I get it right. 

12. What is/was your favorite piece of art you have ever created?

    I'll answer the next question along with this one.  I don't really have an all-time favorite or least favorite.  As time goes on, I like some better than others, but in general, I'm the most excited about the most recent work and tend to be less attached to older pieces. 

14. Sum up your artistic perspective or artist's statement in 10 words or less. (List form may be best...)

    These days, I paint in the evening.  This hasn't always been the case, but you have to adapt to different schedules as your life changes.

17. How do you tap into the creative flow?

Hi all-

I'm back, did you miss me?? Happy October. I am now a married lady! haha.  We went on a wonderful "Wedding Tour" where we visited several National Parks and many friends and family along the way!

Now I am getting settled back home and off to the races once again.

Keep checking back! Thanks for waiting for me while I lived life ;)

-The marrying and traveling madly blogger.

Hey All,

Just an FYI 

I was out of town for 3 weeks at a art therapy institute. Had hoped to post but was way too busy!  Now I am getting married in 3 weeks!!

Expect posts to be few and far between for now. I'll get back up and running as much as possible and hopefully back in full swing after we return from our travels near the end of September.

Thanks for understanding!, 

 The Running Madly, Studying, Wedding-ing, Honeymooning Blogger. :)

So I normally don't get into my personal life much here...that isn't really why I blog.

But I thought I would share one little "secret" of mine and my reflections on it over the past week.

I am 25 & I don't have a driver's license.

(Maybe I should have mailed this anonymously to PostSecrets or something instead! haha)

Yes, that's right... I am about to be married...about to have my Master's degree in counseling...I can do therapy with children and groups and follow brain based therapeutic models that even I can't pronounce...but yet I have not yet learned to drive. There are several reasons why...none of which really matter anymore because, frankly, I'm fed up. Sick of asking friends to cart me here or there, Really sick of having to speed shop at my favorite stores because my poor (soon to be) husband has to tag along, etc.. There will be some growing pains I'm sure- but I am already relishing my impending freedom. 

 As you know, this only proves that no matter who you are or where you come from you have your own issues. We all do...and thats okay! (Say it with me...)

So, like I said- I'm fed up....I decided to take behind the wheel training again. I am taking it through Desert Driving School (free plug!) with Scott- who is the CEO. He has been great; does a good job of putting me at ease and not making me feel like I'm special ed.  So if you are in the Phoenix area and need such services I highly recommend them. 

 Anyway, after doing some driving over the past couple weeks I'm feeling much more comfortable and could be terrorizing the road without a licensed passenger in no time. (Scott, if you are reading this-  I promise I won't actually terrorize the road, I will be very responsible and make my head checks before I change lanes and not let other jerk drivers frazzle me...haha.)

My new found realization (see below) has everything to do with the new copy of Scienftic American Mind that I just received called "Can You Be Too Perfect?" 

Perfectionists, research shows, can become easily discouraged by failing to meet impossibly high standards, making them reluctant to take on new challenges or even complete agreed-upon tasks. The insistence on dotting all the i’s can also breed inefficiency, causing delays, work overload and even poor results. Perfectionism can hurt health and re­lationships, too. It is associated with anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, writer’s block, alcoholism and depression. Such problems may be prevalent: a 2007 study that evaluated more than 1,500 college students revealed that nearly one quarter of them suffered from an unhealthy form of perfectionism."

Reluctant to take on new challenges- yup....(driving: case in point)

Difficulty completing agreed upon tasks-yup (when I can't do them "up to par" I put them off...)

Writer's block- Doh!

Here is the biggest thing I have learned from driving again...

We all make 1000's of mistakes every day.  I made so many mistakes the first day back on the road that I could have easily believed that driving was not for me, again. Problem is- I was still behind the wheel of a car...I still had the responsibility of my own life, the life of my passenger and the others around me in my hands. Those mistakes HAD (and have to) roll right off. Sure you learn and try not to do it again (I still content that a car is a rolling weapon- must use with caution!) BUT you can't let those mistakes get you down. 

There is no way to obtain Driving Perfection... I (at least in the rhelm of driving) HAVE TO convert my un-healthy self-effacing perfectionism into the healthy kind. I have no choice... I can not and will no longer restrict my opportunities to live as I want or go where I want. Hopefully I can translate this new found "Imperfection-ism" into other parts of my life- maybe I'll post more often and turn my graduate school papers in on time....maybe.    ;)

 Thanks for reading!

-The soon to be Driving Madly Blogger

Hi All! I have been hoping for a few artists to feature on this site & since the second most desired topic was in fact "artists & their art" here we are!! If you wish to be featured please feel free to contact me! At this time I will feature artists freely and just appreciate the content. Perhaps a little reciprocal advertising of sorts would help? Anyway, I would love to hear from you!

I decided to do the interviews in a brief 20 Questions style... I think as artists and lovers of art we can get really wrapped up in the language we use to talk about our art...we can get wordy (I am sooo guilty of this.) So I ask the artists who respond to the 20 questions to be brief. I love hearing what they have to say when that have to get down to the "bare bones" of what they do. 

Enjoy!

Rachel Roemer and her Ladies-

Rachel is an artist and art teacher living in Wisconsin. She is actually a very dear friend and I am excited and honored for her to be the first featured artist on Run Mad Blog!!

Artist 20 questions-

1. Why do you make art? -  in 5 words or less

It is who I am. 

2. Name an artist (living or dead) who you would like to be your mentor.

Chuck Close or Toulouse-Lautrec

3. Name an artist (living or dead) that you would like to kick in the shins...(this would generally be your least favorite artist.)

None really, all have some influence good or bad...

4. Are you comfortable with the term "artist"? why or why not?

Yes but I have a problem when asked to define what an artist is. 

5. What is your favorite medium and why?

Soft pastels, the colors blend together really nicely. I like the ability to combined clear definition with softness.(If that makes sense.)

6. Least favorite medium and why?

Oil based ink because I work really messy and it is a ginormous pain to clean up!

7. Does/Did anyone in your family make art?

Yes. My dad has an art degree, my mom pursued one for awhile and both my sisters have good artistic abilities. 

8. When did you first realize you had some sort of artistic talent?

When I was about four, I won a drawing contest or something goofy like that.

9. Can art-making pay the bills?

If you choose to work your butt off to achieve that, I do it for personal gratification but feel weird asking for money for my art.

10. Do you think making art is therapeutic?

YES A MILLION TIMES YES.

11. Tell me about your most recent work of art....

I am currently drawing larger than life size portraits with companion pieces. The companion piece is a part of the body that the featured person in the portrait chose as their favorite. I have been trying to create work that is more personal and meaningful about the females in my family. 

12. What is/was your favorite piece of art you have ever created?

Right now it is a drawing I did of the side of my sister's neck.

13. Your least favorite creation?

Probably something I did in high school that had to do with 9/11. I was trying to get a piece of artwork in an art show and I thought going with something topical and emotional would be a shoe-in.

14. Sum up your artistic perspective or artist's statement in 10 words or less. (List form may be best...)

Demonstrate the female perspective of my female relatives about themselves and their bodies.

15. Is art essential?

Absolutely. Art helps complete the human being. 

16. You are at your most creative- what time of day is it?

Morning or evening. Pretty much anytime but afternoon when I am sleepy and want an after lunch nap.

17. How do you tap into the creative flow?

I just start working, I also have to play music or movies I enjoy. The noise around me helps me get to a good place and it is easier to start creating work and get into the flow.

18. How separate are you from your art?

I am very connected to my current work, it is more personal and I am actually feeling good about what I am creating. I have very little connection to my older work especially the stuff that were pretty much just assignments I was completing.

19.  Tell me about a project you wish you could do but can't- why can't you?

There was a political piece I did in my college sculpture class where I envisioned an elaborate way to display it that would have been huge and a lot of construction that I never got around to creating.

20. You are moving to a remote island. You have several necessities for survival but you can only take 2 items with which to make art. What are these 2 items?

Paper and pencils...I do love the basics.

Well apparently besides spreading  knowledge (tainted by my personal opinion) I have other incentives to continue to blog- I am also taking care of myself, both physically and mentally! Besides being cathartic (which most writers and therapist or avid "journalers" already know) writing also provides some physiological benefits.

So, according to a recent Scientific American Article entitled "Blogging--It's good for you" ...well blogging is good for you! hah. 

 Whatever the underlying causes may be, people coping with cancer diagnoses and other serious conditions are increasingly seeking—and finding—solace in the blogosphere. “Blogging undoubtedly affords similar benefits” to expressive writing, says Morgan, who wants to incorporate writing programs into supportive care for cancer patients....

Some hospitals have started hosting patient-authored blogs on their Web sites as clinicians begin to recognize the therapeutic value. Unlike a bedside journal, blogging offers the added benefit of receptive readers in similar situations, Morgan explains: 'Individuals are connecting to one another and witnessing each other’s expressions—the basis for forming a community.' "

 

A recent article from Woman's Day online cited Blogging as the #1 way to boost your mood in minutes- 

1. Start a blog. Like journaling, it gives you an outlet for your feelings. “But it may be even better for triggering happiness because people can leave you positive comments,” says Caroline Adams Miller, coauthor of Creating Your Best Life."

So, with that being said: Start a blog!! Build a Community!  Speak up! (or at least comment on mine...I promise you'll feel better!)

Therapeutically blogging  & feeling better already! ;)

- The Run Mad Blog Lady...

Question of the Week:

As a society, do we really care about a celebrity's death more than the hundreds dying in Iran just the day before? Do we care more about a million $$ talent than a million children starving to death- right now?? 

Can you make a comment that will restore my faith in humanity?

- The madly confused blogger...who may have been stopped in her tracks.

 PS. here is an MSNBC article about what happened on the internet yesterday w/ MJ and Iran etc... They say that just because everyone was tweeting & posting things on facebook about Jackson doesn't mean they 'forgot' about Iran...I have to beg to differ there. I mentioned this to some friends also and many didn't even hear about the massacre that had just occurred! What are we all paying attention to?? Sure, even in Iran they are mourning for him... I just think we need to keep a little perspective that's all. We don't pay enough attention as it is to what happens in the world, let alone when we are allowed to be distracted by something like the death of a pop legend...Voices of dissent are there for a reason NBC, thank you very much.

If the title of this blog post (minus the "spoiler alert" part) was a question the answer would be "disappointing."

I saw the ad for the new Sandra Bullock movie "The Proposal" a few weeks ago when I went to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine (oh yeah.)  As a woman who proposed to her man (he agreed, we are getting married in September, and no he is not chained up in my basement... I don't even have a basement.) Anyway, as  a woman who proposed I was stoked (yes I said stoked..) to see this poster. I thought "Could it be! Pop culture is catching up!?" 

 Sadly, I was wrong.  In my naive excitement  didn't notice the suits or the fact that she seems to be pushing him up against a wall... I haven't seen the movie yet (I admit)...I really don't know if I will.  But I've seen a few previews. Its a movie where some mean boss coerces her employee (Ryan Reynolds, who coincidently was in the wolverine movie...) into marrying her because she is getting deported. What the hell. THEN (according to the synopsis) as if that isn't bad enough...when they really fall in love he comes back and proposes...because of course the only legitimate proposal is when the man proposes to the woman. arrggggg!!

Do all female power types in movies have to be like Legally Blonde or  this? For a woman to know what she wants and pursue a man does she have to have some ulterior motives ? (think the SJP movie Failure to Launch... )

 Do women have to curb their strength by wearing the color pink and using the word "like" excessively? (I'm certainly guilty of the latter, and occasionally the former.) Why do we watch and enjoy movies like "The Hangover" and laugh at men being fools and make movies where when women are in power they are bitches...( I know its all satirical, but it does say something about our society...)

 I think there is a happy medium people..its called EQUALITY.

Thoughts?

6/25

After posting this I found Joss Whedon's (creator of Buffy the vampire slayer, etc.)  speech when being honored by Equality Now. He makes some great points.

An Excerpt- 

-Why do you create these strong women characters?"

Why are you even asking me this? ... Why aren't you asking 100 other guys why they don't? ...because equality is not a concept...it is a necessity...We need it to stand on this earth as men and women."

hmm...maybe this is why I think so much on the future, why I struggle to stay in the present:

"A change agent lives in the future, not the present. Regardless of what is going on today, a change agent has a vision of what could or should be and uses that as the governing sense of action. To a certain extent, a change agent is dissatisfied with what they see around them, in favor of a much better vision of the future." -Dennis Stevenson

To Blogger Sally McGraw at alreadypretty.com being an agent of change means not identifying as  a  activist, but enacting small changes in her circle of friends:

"I don't campaign for body image issues by lobbying Congress or volunteering at clinics that treat eating disorders - I'd rather work within the circle of people whose lives I can touch. Directly.
Affecting the people you can touch directly is simple, rewarding, and lasting. As we've been saying a lot recently, just one well-timed compliment can cause someone to open like a flower. Reaching out to someone who already trusts you reinforces that trust and creates safety. The simple act of listening reminds people that they are valued and cared for and supported and loved."

 Really deep Question of the Week that might just force you to look inside of yourself (no, not literally...)

What does "being a change agent" mean to you?