Free wRiting, What happens as I am witnessed, have and affirm my truth in InterPlay? How is it affecting how I live my life?

I believe that in one of my focus sessions I had briefly stated that I was very comfortable with " Change" - Change not only is my friend but has and still does represent not only survivival but also a whirling vortex of the spirit.

Internally , When presenting my truth in focus sessions I found my self ossilating between experimentation with new ideas, to wondering if I had exposed to much of myself and perhaps should have maintained better boundaries in regards to my subject material, to feeling
frightened by the Open beauty of the eyes and ears that have said to me non-verbally, " I see you, I hear you, You are Here and I am here."

I have completed reading 2 great books
One of which was Spirit Taking Form: Making A Spiritual Practice of Making Art by Nancy Azara. I felt that I was on a journey and decided to go quite literally where my psyche was pulling me. I was just thinking of one of Dr. Seuss's Characters... saying... " Oh... Oh.. the Places I Go!".. well thats like what its like.

This the Website for Nancy Azara: http://www.nancyazara.com/home.html
and a link to a blog from the Brooklyn Museum http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/community/blogosphere/feministbloggers/

I had not realized it but as a woman and as an Artist how important the fuel of affirmation truly is: not only to recieve it but also to give it. Thru out history Women Artists have always been there but only existing in the the anonymous shadows of time. I am constantly on the lookout for historical Women Artists.

The Other Books that I had finished was Choreographer Twla Tharp: The Creative Habit. This was truly useful to me and sits as a resource on my book shelf & This is a great fun link to Dancy/Dancy a U-Tube piece of Twyla Tharp choreographing a new piece.. Ahhhh..
all the arts are an inspiration to themselves... : )


See everyone tomorrow.
debbie.


I have watched the Documentary Arna's Children which was about a woman who created a Theatre program for Palestinian Children under Occupation in Jenin Camp . the following link to her website has all kinds of information : http://www.arna.info/Arna/articles.php

Prison Pilgrimages.

I have not written about my experience with the Inside/Out Prison Initiative or the 3 years working with the Fathers in Prison Group.

Every time I walked thru the security check and crossed the Wire Fence I entered into an inbetween world : between dark and light. A place where shadows and men lived. Where Hope , despair and yet - a non-judging God lit candles in it's dimness.

What does Affirming and being affirmed create?

This has been a great week. It began with a 2 1/2 hour session of restorative yoga at the Yoga Room and it was the first time I have experienced singing bowles in such a completely spiritual and meditative context. Then a wonderful, playfully erotic shower with my male friend and on to Monday to a talk by Father Roy Bourgeois, M.M on the challenge of " Peace" at the remembrance of the anniversary of the assasination of Archbishop Oscar Romero and marking the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq- thru to reading a great book entitled, " Spirit Taking Form" by Artist Nancy Azara. Cleaning the House and feeling complete.


Interesting how one was a sort of stepping stone for the next affirmation. The restorative yoga
class creating the affirmation of the Holy. Around me, and I could feel the inner light in side of me, that presence of the divine and the inner voice resonating. The shower was also Holy. For the first time I felt like a silly wild child letting go of her inhibitions and just loving the warm water, soap and the other silly wild child playing with me. Everyone has the opportunity to heal. We get to play and affirm our right to learning to love ourselves, each other and the world again and that evening We were peace makers in the shower. A. is an ex-gang member from east l.a and sexual abuse survivor and I with my history. I am always learning that my past and his is a part of us but does not define us individually .

Native American Prayer

" Sundancer, dance into the light , We give our whole being to open up our sight

That we may see the vision, every landscape unfold

that we might dance through the crack between worlds . "

The Book actually has been very helpful to me in confirming and affirming my inner world and addition to allowing me to create a vision beyond the times when I feel stuck artistically.

Pilgrimage To the Sacred.

yesterday i went to the Hermitage Library to return items and before leaving walked into the
The Hermitage Exhibit. Inside was the Exhibit on the Hermitage Slaves . As I walked past them I had encountered 3 Large almost Life Sized Re-prints Slave Portraits and felt an energy. Is is possible that photos had captured something of a life force, whirling particles unseen- reaching out to its viewer or maybe a shadow of a time and otherly place memories . A Pocket, a spiraling Vortex, Was it Possible to be caught up inside it? I went up to one and touched her foreheadand then moved it across her brow. It had lines , firmly planted knarled dark roots on a sweaty moist earthen face & I touched this face - I wiped sweat off her brow. The other woman , Betsy was holding the hand of a small child. My eyes rested on her old face, a caress to her spirit and then moved to the two hands , joined mine in a a firm grip. I touched those hands, I join their link. I feel her warm breath as she whispers into my h. ear. t

Affirmation.

Writing Assignment: Experiments with Affirmation

What seems so big its too much?
How can I incrementalize it and enjoy the speed of my body?


Well I have had some learning moments with Art making. I was doing another small piece and becoming more unhappier and dissatisfied by the moment and yet decided to make it into a
self teaching opportunity not nessesarily about technique but about being comfortable within myself when work doesn't come out the way i wanted it to.

Last night i cut it up into to smaller parts, perhaps to be used for smaller fun prodjects later on.

and you know what..
I felt free !!!

I had taken myself out of my own self imposed box.

i have taken a botanical Print book out from the library and my next step is to study it.

My energy seems to be coming back.
as i have been operating low low energy for quite a while now.

In terms of Affirmations.
Ah.. I remember when I was in treatment for Sexual/Ritual Trauma . There were no such
Programs in the State of Tennessee and consequently Traveled out to the South West,
New Mexico for a specialized Program.

It was an incredible Holistic Program. But i remember one activity was the Affirmation Cards that we made. They were simple ones. It was an incredible program and i was so lucky to get out there.

Because the first most cleansing affirmation that i had ever recieved were the simple words :

I believe you.

Well. Its Done.

and am taking a short break from

Design/Painting.

d.

the pic on the right came out a bit on the bright side.

Funny. But as I kid I remember gobbling up ( reading) all of Fin-Fan Moomingtroll

books written by Finnish Writer Tov Jansson

oh yea and below I have pasted an Ilustration by Tov Jannson.

She did all of her own Illustrations.. Perhaps I'd have called my small piece, " Spring Time for A MoominTroll" d