tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55327696842673634142024-03-13T12:10:34.182-07:00creative wellness servicesSupria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-57739692178522582792022-02-06T07:38:00.001-08:002022-02-06T07:38:12.554-08:00Stitching as Meditation and Connection to Ancestors <p><br /></p><p>Lately I have been compelled to sit and stitch - as a way to meditate
and as a way to get in touch with a place that is deeper than my own
self - a place where I feel connected to the ancestors of my own lineage
but also to the ancestors, teachers, wise elders who have gone and they
still have so much to share and say - it feels like I can see them all
conspiring to share some BIG prophetic news for us, those who are left
still living on this planet in physical form - they are nudging us to
keep on the journey of awakening and to do some real hard work - the
times are calling for it....</p><p>Stitching is a way for me to slow down to listen and pay attention....and channel their nudges, voices so to speak...</p><p>Here
are some snippets of the stitching work I am doing for an art piece and that was inspired by an awake dream on January 29th, 2022
and a poem that came to me from an ancestor about my living relatives -
my mother who is turning 80 in 2022 and my cousin, Millie who I feel
connection to.- who lives in Spain...</p><p>The poem is called SARI
(pronounced Shari) - and the images here are of stitches on a sari - my
mom had- wore, and then an tea towel I found at a thrift store this week
of The Queen's Silver Jubilee 1977 -poignant as the poem is set in the
70's when my mum was living in England, newly migrated there after
marrying my father....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBfOOcwrJ6A7hrF4pXvzD3oW-mPx1go4zMRL_-SZ7QAZOEqV5oPrKTHNlZ5j3sFl3FGrrrcyr8BL5muDJuFn_zaZHf9HJCqER30lgsprG-eX7acqs4admeEmznqZXdeM-ubm9DcGf8wD0Lo8nEVtWbAtbTtV3ezZysaqVbHHFgBX7DjFc4T9VllFeK=s1390" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1390" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBfOOcwrJ6A7hrF4pXvzD3oW-mPx1go4zMRL_-SZ7QAZOEqV5oPrKTHNlZ5j3sFl3FGrrrcyr8BL5muDJuFn_zaZHf9HJCqER30lgsprG-eX7acqs4admeEmznqZXdeM-ubm9DcGf8wD0Lo8nEVtWbAtbTtV3ezZysaqVbHHFgBX7DjFc4T9VllFeK=w515-h515" width="515" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrE130S9vu7tNhk0F1LwHKP2l_hEu59mJxlZAxtM2d-LlLgjTOJLeFjLS-X75Emy708FIcPMW9c4mh_JeYYxJ2zaRlPCUa_qtLJdE1Zv2lzzLDeuNhMkfM5TTZu89wuliul3pqguTyM04GWdhIXNo7vAwNZwNuFCaFBlQ_jPOzuv-Oi_8-70zqWkYC=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrE130S9vu7tNhk0F1LwHKP2l_hEu59mJxlZAxtM2d-LlLgjTOJLeFjLS-X75Emy708FIcPMW9c4mh_JeYYxJ2zaRlPCUa_qtLJdE1Zv2lzzLDeuNhMkfM5TTZu89wuliul3pqguTyM04GWdhIXNo7vAwNZwNuFCaFBlQ_jPOzuv-Oi_8-70zqWkYC=w497-h373" width="497" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguf9bFFzkViCrzgCpWnoHejesK9gfeFLR2p_QmUJdEOwgk12ioHP5e5aAObHptHhuJfcmAX23egI-7R0DyOS6MtiAD937Bo1KilorBfMm0_67WnJX-Wd_2jgH5KYxlm8z0NV550j8702b2K5-adWREuTaZjtEHD-hqOU2vT7dx4h8IoUoZi7Gz6hcp=s1636" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="1512" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguf9bFFzkViCrzgCpWnoHejesK9gfeFLR2p_QmUJdEOwgk12ioHP5e5aAObHptHhuJfcmAX23egI-7R0DyOS6MtiAD937Bo1KilorBfMm0_67WnJX-Wd_2jgH5KYxlm8z0NV550j8702b2K5-adWREuTaZjtEHD-hqOU2vT7dx4h8IoUoZi7Gz6hcp=w478-h517" width="478" /></a></div><br /> <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This
an awake dream which came first out of this process - was an
incredibly powerful blessing and I am still reeling from it - it came to
me - through me - in the wee hours of Sat. January 29th - and it came
in the form of this writing - a poem - in my mother’s voice- who is
still living, turning 80 this year - this is story my cousin Millie told
me - she and I are very close, she a year older than I - she was just 4
years old when this happened to her - she was with my mother, who was
about 30 yrs at the time, in England. I was born in England 1968 and
lived there till 1981, this is in the 70's - I was told this story in my
20's but this day in 2022 it came flooding back to me - from somewhere
deep - in the form of this need to write - this is what was birthed……I
am deeply grateful for this gift</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">More context - <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">British
rule /colonization ended 1947 - left the country fragmented - stirred
up lots of hate and wars between those left - wars between Muslims and
Hindus began and countries got divided and many people were murdered and
brutalized in these wars…my mother’s family, her father had a new job
offer, in the next state over, they were travelling to that new
location, everyone except my uncle, my mother’s older brother was on
that train in 1950, they had third class tickets, an aquaintance of my
grandfather’s saw them on the platform, and invited them to go to the
first class section of the train, that train was intentionally
terrorized, derailed and so many people died on that train, my mother
lost both her parents that day, my grandparents gone, her two older
sisters died too…my mother and her younger brother were the only
survivors from my family. Had they stayed in the third class they would
have survived, only the front end of the train received the most
impact- death and loss….My mother has shared snippets of this horrendous
day, she says she saw her father bleed to death from a severed leg, she
couldn’t help - she was only 8 - she couldn’t find her brother for
hours and they never found her mother for days - who had been thrown
from the train into the ganges - the river - and she was found much
later - Mira was her name and she is often with me and in my art work…<span face="Slack-Lato, appleLogo, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I have been spending days since this awake dream compelled to share this story in the form of an art installation piece -</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f8f8; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I am mindfully working on it with many stitches of red thread to honour all those deaths and blood lost…..</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b data-stringify-type="bold" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sari (pronounced Shari):</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Stripped of my sari,</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">you - white boys - skinheads of the national front</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">threw stones at me</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">stones and discarded pop cans</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">rubbish is what we were to you</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">trash is what you saw</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">My 4 year old niece and I</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">we were existing, living</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">maybe even enjoying this beautiful day</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">on an english urban shopping street</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You showed me how I didn’t belong</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">we didn’t belong</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">called me PAKI</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">more stones of the tongue this time</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">told me to “go back to where I came from ”</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But where I came from</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">you took that too</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">stole all the riches of this homeland</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">left it destitute</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“puritanized” it and “christianized” it</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">left hate and desolation when you departed</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">it no longer belongs either</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Turned all the gold</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the colours of tumeric, crimson, chartreuse, fushia</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">with threads of gold - pure cotton and silk</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">that wrapped our bodies</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">with such beauty</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Now all stripped away</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">for pants and shirts</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">beige, grey, black and white</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">pin stripped, polyester blends</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I disappeared long ago into that</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">grey horizon</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">a deep morose and silence set into</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">my bones</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">From my parent’s brutalized bodies</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">my sisters murdered</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was only 8 then</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Invisible now deep in my body</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">my spirit and voice robbed</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">passed onto my children</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">these are the ancestral burdens</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">now seeped into their bodies</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">deep in the sinew - now part of their dna</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The time of reckoning has arrived</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">divisions and borders</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">crumble today</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">they no longer belong</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">now - the tide is changing</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the gold rich tumeric still flows</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">was never destroyed</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Only hidden from your eyes</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">for protection</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It SPIRIT</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">can never be broken,</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">this spirit, my spirit, our spirits</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">now blinding in its beauty</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1d1c1d; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d1c1d; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">rich with its big bold and loud colour</span><span class="c-message__edited_label" color="rgba(var(--sk_foreground_high_solid,134,134,134),1)" data-sk="tooltip_parent" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: default; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></p><p>by Supria Karmakar (conduit for my ancestors)<br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p></p>Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-44176801467635036452020-04-01T10:07:00.001-07:002020-04-01T10:07:49.818-07:00When There is Dark Then There is Also Light - One Cannot Exist Without the Other<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">“How<br />Did the rose<br />Ever open its heart<br />And give to this world<br />All its<br />Beauty?<br />It felt the encouragement of light<br />Against its Being.<br />Otherwise,<br />We all remain<br />Too<br />Frightened”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">― </span></span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Hafez</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I can imagine, like most people, you might be experiencing a mixture of emotions, such as fear and uncertainty during this global pandemic with Covid-19. It is a time in our lives where many of us, if not all of us, are having to rethink the way we do things. It is not business or life as usual, instead we are all having to develop new routines and different lifestyles. Many people are working from home now, some are trying to figure out how to manage with reduced hours, or potential losses and changes. These feelings you might be experiencing as a result from these fast-paced changes are real, and with some mindful practices, gentleness and compassion, these feelings you are experiencing can be honoured.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Perhaps in this current situation and with the feelings we are experiencing, we can find ways to transform them from fear, worry, anxiety, and misfortune into hope and opportunities.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Many of us are practicing physical distancing, or what the media is calling it social distancing, at this time, as am I. I have fully transitioned to online counselling and/or some phone support, where appropriate. The online platform I am using is both PHIPA and PIPEDA compliant and fully encrypted. Clients have told me these past several weeks that they have found online counselling to be as effective, as in person counselling, where I am able to be fully attuned to you and I am able to offer the bi-lateral processing required for EMDR, the mindfulness practices and exploration of the parts of you that are being activated. Many clients shared how pleasantly surprised they were at the end of their online sessions, at how well it went and how easy it was to transition to this new normal. With a simple encrypted link that you are provided you are able to join me for an online session, there is nothing for you to download. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In the meantime, stay safe and be well, practice physical distancing and maintain social connection by reaching out to others, ask for assistance and use all the resources you have worked hard to establish to maintain a mindset of calm and peace. Fear and stress contribute to the breakdown of our immune systems, so more than ever using the de-stressing techniques is important.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Look for the light in the darkness. Be the light, it is inside of you. Focus on what you can control, and the only thing we can control is our own responses and the environment of our own inner mindset. Be generous, kind and patient with each other and know that the way through this is together.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I am here for you, you are not alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Here are some resources that help with the triggered feelings of fear and anxiety to help calm the internal system so you can see a pathway forward more clearly:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Butterfly Hug: <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJrqscvtU" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJrqscvtU</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Peter Levine’s Voo Sound: <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zAseaIyFA&t=2s" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zAseaIyFA&t=2s</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DeB_CGtOJM" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DeB_CGtOJM</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Artwork by Supria Karmakar "Uplifting Our Hearts", Encaustic Mixed Media </div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Angela Herzog's video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEW2SET02qY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0qDt8YmBIOcWSI-74TMSINDunNiMWyY-a6zJ9ZKqQCceT5p9PLGF7vr_g" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEW2SET02qY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0qDt8YmBIOcWSI-74TMSINDunNiMWyY-a6zJ9ZKqQCceT5p9PLGF7vr_g</a></span></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"></span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-38014523162532931382020-03-01T10:27:00.002-08:002020-03-01T10:27:29.045-08:00Self-Compassion can Unite us all <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“We are not the survival of the fittest, we are the survival of the nurtured.”</div>
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~ Louis Cozolino</div>
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Even more than ever we need to magnify the nurturing of all things in order to heal, and a key to this is to begin with yourself. To practice self-compassion can bring about a deep nurturing for the world and all species living on the planet. Specifically, practicing the three steps of self-compassion that Dr. Kristin Neff speaks about, mindfulness, seeing the common humanity and sending kindness can bring a softening to the pain and suffering being experienced in your life, as well as, providing an opening and a connection to others in their suffering. This may seem counterintuitive or it might even go against what you might have been taught. Often, I hear from those I work with, that to care for oneself, to practice self-compassion, is to be ‘selfish’, or is thought of as being self-centred or even more ostracizing, to be narcissistic. Who wants to be labelled selfish, self-centred or narcissistic? I would venture to say that these labels keep us segregated from our true healing and from each other. </div>
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Self-compassion can unite us. Now, practicing self-compassion doesn’t mean striving and having yet another thing we put on ourselves as we “should” do, or I “shouldn’t feel this way", or “I deserve to do this or have this ”or “ others have it worse than me”, Dr. Kristin Neff speaks of this as diluting self-compassion, it doesn’t work with these conditions. Instead true self-compassion involves a need to directly recognize that something is hurting right now. Saying to yourself something like, “I am suffering, and this hurts”, “this belongs right now”. The practice of RAIN, helps with this connection to oneself for healing. First, Recognize that this is suffering; Allow it to be there, not to judge it or fix it, bravely let it be there; Investigate the suffering, being curious about it, not in a thinking way, but in an embodied way, how does your body feel with this suffering, and ask yourself, what does your being need right now to be Nurtured? Tara Brach speaks to this practice in her new book Radical Compassion and shares that after RAIN practice there is a blossoming of space in ourselves and for others. </div>
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For those who have trauma and/or childhood adverse experiences, (and this is more widely prevalent than we might think), the first step of self-compassion might mean to provide yourself with some kindness, some safety with mindfulness and then recognizing the common humanity in that experience. This may mean mindfully recognizing the need to say YES to your NO; this is different than shutting down the experience of suffering, instead be aware of your suffering, and mindfully with kindness placing some boundaries of safety for yourself in that moment. It is okay to be with your NO, this is kindness to oneself.</div>
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Self-Compassion notes and resources:</div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-72704356717675819912019-11-15T07:25:00.000-08:002019-11-15T07:25:36.188-08:00Oh Sweetheart - You are enough as you are - Not too much or too little....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><b>Oh Sweethear</b></i><b><i>t </i></b>- these two simple beautiful words have the power to so soothe my heart. This week during a peer networking meeting a colleague shared <a href="https://www.lifewithoutacentre.com/" target="_blank">Jeff Foster</a>'s Poem - <i>A Prayer for the Overwhelmed. </i>I had heard this poem once before at a silent meditation retreat, and the revisiting of this poem was so timely. My heart burst with gratitude to hear it again.<br />
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What a lovely way to greet oneself - hearts open wide with these two simple loving words.<br />
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On days like this, grey gloomy ones, I notice how extra hard it is to move, to motivate my body, my parts of my self, to get outside and do the one step at a time dance....So I am reminded to lean into these feelings, to be with them, greet them with these two simple words...."oh sweetheart"....There is no other way I have to be, there is no need to push through, to be 'strong' or no need to pretend. Instead I can choose to be just what I am right now....As I notice leaning into the grey of the day, I feel a softening. This is what it means to be with all the good, bad and the ugly....The part of me that can get melancholy on days like this needs comfort and cozy, an acceptance to be slow and mindful...I don't need permission to do this, I need acceptance of self to do that, to listen deeply to what my blue part is saying and to allow her to just be as she needs to be. And this shall pass as quickly as it arose... <br />
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Here is Jeff Foster's Poem: A Prayer for the Overwhelmed<br />
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Oh, sweetheart.<br />Life is overwhelming for you at times, l know.<br />Don't listen to the ones who call you over-sensitive or too weak for this world.<br />Your sensitivity is exquisitely beautiful!<br />But you must learn to stay close to yourself.<br />You must learn to breathe.<br />To invite curious attention deep into your body.</div>
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Allow yourself to feel overwhelmed,<br />and you won't be overwhelmed, I promise.<br />It's just a feeling.<br />A precious part of you longing for love.<br />It will pass when it's ready.<br />Let it stay awhile.</div>
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Don't pretend to be strong, the one who has it all 'figured out'.<br />There will be time for answers soon enough.<br />Now, simply give 'the overwhelmed one' safe passage in your heart.<br />Drench the feeling of overwhelm with gentle attention; bathe it in overwhelming love.</div>
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It's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes, it really is.<br />Even the strongest feel overwhelmed, for their strength lies in their vulnerability.</div>
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Your sensitive nervous system is perfect, and l love you for it. </div>
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And it's all okay, here.<br />It's really okay, here in the arms<br />of the present moment.</div>
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- Jeff Foster </div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-16549290468397421682019-11-05T16:51:00.002-08:002019-11-05T16:52:32.759-08:00Eco-Anxiety also known as Solastalgia - Do you have distress caused by climate change? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13px;">Worldwide there is an increase in humans experiencing mental health distress about the corresponding science that reports on the climate crisis and emergency. This mental health condition has been termed as ‘eco-anxiety’ or ‘Solastalgia’ (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18027145&source=gmail&ust=1573087758522000&usg=AFQjCNEh-0c15s_nezaRwehN9WUCGtQb5w" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18027145" style="color: #426faa; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/<wbr></wbr>pubmed/18027145</a>)</span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;">Recently, the Global Climate Strike Week of Action events saw millions of people taking the streets protesting and demanding government action now for change, before we reach the point of no return. These protests were spurred on by Greta Thunberg’s strike almost a year ago. Her solo strike was a way for her to do something about her emotional and mental health distress about the future and feelings of being betrayed by the inaction of governing forces not caring and corporate greed. See <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.fridaysforfuture.org&source=gmail&ust=1573087758522000&usg=AFQjCNESNT7Wy_B3Y7yyRXWbvdX1YVDlRw" href="https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/" style="color: #426faa; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.fridaysforfuture.<wbr></wbr>org</a> for more information on the movement she created. For the Global Climate Strike Action week, 1,000,000 people were Canadian; thus 1 out of every 6 strikers globally was Canadian, as well as we were 3rd globally for total # of strikes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Getting involved in some way with your community helps with the mental health distress.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Other ways to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression regarding the demise of our home, the planet earth are:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">· Talk about how you are feeling with others, friends, family, other activist groups, a therapist who understands this issue – this would help with the isolation, release some tension and stress</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">· Take action - join community groups, write letters to your local politicians, take part in local peaceful direct action, participate in art activism – this helps with feeling less stuck</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">· Switch Off Social Media – taking a break from all the alarming news, the data, statistics and science being shared about the climate change/emergency</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">· Look After Yourself – participate in self-care, meditation, create art, get back to nature, listen to music</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">· Participate in individual lifestyle changes – reduce or eliminate use of single use plastic, eat plant-based meals, reduce fossil usage, walk, bicycle, buy locally, practice minimalism, shop at second hand stores, reuse</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">For more details visit: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dd1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2%26id%3D4f9cb1b7b5%26e%3Dbd558417c3&source=gmail&ust=1573087758522000&usg=AFQjCNENUaoJLfDvUsKi9x_BnJuXpUsFdA" href="https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2&id=4f9cb1b7b5&e=bd558417c3" style="color: #426faa; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">https://patient.info/news-and-<wbr></wbr>features/climate-change-eco-<wbr></wbr>anxiety-how-to-cope</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Above all else know you aren’t alone with this feeling of eco-anxiety/Solastalgia.</span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-92173410591033631052018-11-03T04:01:00.001-07:002018-11-03T04:01:41.405-07:00Forming a Habit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Forming a Habit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Habits dictate our experiences in life and can embody our identity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Habits can be helpful or unhelpful.<span> </span>How do we develop the ones that bring us closer towards our highest and most authentic self?<span> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I was recently inspired by <a href="https://jamesclear.com/" target="_blank">James Clear</a>, author of <b>Atomic Habits </b>and interview on the <a href="http://www.richroll.com/podcast/james-clear-401/" target="_blank">Rich Roll podcast</a>, take a listen for the full details and inspiration</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As humans we experience problems big and small, and when we do, we look for solutions to those issues.<span> </span>These solutions can become behaviours; which when repeated enough times can become a habit; sometimes these habits might work for a while and sometimes they do not work over the long haul.<span> </span>By the time we realize a habit is no longer serving us it might be hard to break and develop new ones to replace it; but it is not impossible.<span> </span>The fantastic thing about our human brain is that we can change the way it fires and wires.<span> </span>Creating and establishing new habits are the foundation for self-mastery, and can dictate new life experiences. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Developing new habits and keeping them small and manageable helps with their success.<span> </span>Additionally, treating ourselves, and our attempts to develop new habits with gentleness and non-judgment is key when we slip up; as we will slip up from time to time.<span> </span>James Clear shares his 4-laws for habit and behavioural change in his book and on this podcast, they include: </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Making the new habit obvious<span> </span><i>(the cue</i>)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Making the new habit attractive<i>(the craving)</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Making the new habit satisfying<span> </span><i>(the reward)</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Like wise breaking unhelpful habits and behaviours, the opposite factors apply:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">For example if you have a desire to drink more water in a day or week; to make it obvious could mean to have several bottles of water <i>(the cue)</i>available everywhere you spend time, a bottle in the car, office, home, by your desk and/or couch etc. Making it attractive <i>(the craving) </i>might be having it in bottles you feel good to drink from, i.e.: glass bottles.<span> </span>Making it easy is similar to the first point making it readily available <i>(the response) </i>vs. having the other more unhealthy options such as juice or pop invisible. Finally making it satisfying could mean having the water tasty, infused with fresh fruit or vegetables such as cucumbers etc.<span> </span>Satisfying also means being aware of the <i>rewards</i>, such as feeling more satiated, being more hydrated, having more energy, experiencing less achy joints, noticing better skin complexion and the flushing out of toxins from our bodies, and better stress management overall.<span> </span>Enjoy setting a new habit today, focus on the starting line vs. the finishing line, and keep an eye on the path vs. the mountain peak.<span> </span>Enjoying the vistas along the way. </span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-37937264880779918022018-10-16T07:39:00.000-07:002018-10-16T07:39:09.264-07:00Benefits of Laughter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black;">Recently I decided I would take on some brave things in my life, face the places and aspects that make me uncomfortable. One of those things was to join an 8-week improv class at <b><a href="https://www.themakingbox.ca/" target="_blank">The Making Box,</a></b> (<a href="https://www.themakingbox.ca/">https://www.themakingbox.ca</a>) here in Guelph, we are 4-weeks in and I am both loving it and acutely aware of the angst I feel whenever I have to do something spontaneous, living from my heart vs. being in my head with a group of 15 other people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> I have noticed that I tend to live in my head, it is my fall back; so I have begun to stretch those improv muscles, diving in and embracing going with the flow. What I have loved about this experience so far, is witnessing and experiencing the generosity of the group. A kindness towards each other is exchanged in all of our discomfort and the ability to laugh at our own quirkiness. Most of all I have loved laughing a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> This got me thinking and noticing the benefits of laughing and crying, and generally the whole spectrum of human emotions we can experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Emotions do not lie, and there is great value in paying attention to them. Too often we can fall into old limiting habits that we either learned growing up from our families, friends and from society overall. Such judgments as, “she is too emotional”, “you are too sensitive” or “boys don’t cry”; all of these sentiments seem illogical. Being emotional, or sensitive and/or to cry, no matter your gender, is to feel alive and something to celebrate. I believe it is the thoughts associated with these emotions that keep us stuck. Or the behaviours, the way in which we treat ourselves for having these emotions, the self-critical voice, which can rear its ugliness and keep us down and stuck.<br /><br /> So the practice of loving kindness, both in tone and the actual words we choose to use, towards others and ourselves is so important to pay attention to.<br /><br /> Try laughter as a remedy. You might find it helpful too. Here are some other links you might find beneficial in exploring how laughter can be thy medicine:</span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dd1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2%26id%3D5127cf56d6%26e%3Dbd558417c3&source=gmail&ust=1539785506145000&usg=AFQjCNFWPJfEm7NIUgAYd5rfxVbmpijKGw" href="https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2&id=5127cf56d6&e=bd558417c3" style="color: #426faa; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.psychologytoday.<wbr></wbr>com/ca/articles/200504/<wbr></wbr>laughter-the-best-medicine</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Dd1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2%26id%3D9687942723%26e%3Dbd558417c3&source=gmail&ust=1539785506145000&usg=AFQjCNHPdsGZaA0jjrSrcc_cXlwi7y38YQ" href="https://paradigmcentre.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d1b6b005bb2ed97a07f01ffc2&id=9687942723&e=bd558417c3" style="color: #426faa; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.psychologytoday.<wbr></wbr>com/ca/blog/the-athletes-way/<wbr></wbr>201609/how-self-initiated-<wbr></wbr>laughter-can-make-you-feel-<wbr></wbr>better</a></li>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-4023034045304467422018-02-17T06:20:00.000-08:002018-02-17T06:21:03.633-08:004-In Response a short film by Sandy McLennan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have had the most fun with this current exhibit at the <a href="https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/galleries/minarovich-gallery/" target="_blank">Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA)</a>, called <b>Response (and Responding) </b>a collaborative art exhibit with <a href="http://beverleyhawksley.com/" target="_blank">Beverley Hawksley</a>, <a href="https://carmenhickson.myportfolio.com/" target="_blank">Carmen Hickson</a>, <a href="http://beavervalleyglass.com/?page_id=5" target="_blank">Tanya Zaryski </a>and myself, <a href="http://supriakarmakar.com/index.php/welcome/art_home" target="_blank">Supria Karmakar. </a><br />
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Our process started in November/December of 2016 when Shelley Carter, a board member of the Elora Centre for the Arts suggested my name to the curatorial team as a possible artist to show in the gallery. I knew that I wanted to show with others - doing things as a group and in community is so much more meaningful. Beverley Hawksley was suggested as a possible creative partner, whose work I had become very familiar with and loved deeply; and I have also always admired Carmen Hickson and Tanya Zaryski's work, and so we were formed. I was delighted they said 'YES' to working together. <br />
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From there unfolded a series of emails and a few meetings, to discuss a possible theme for our collaborative. While discussing our process and the meaning of our works, it became very apparent that there was a common theme and thread in the way we each worked. We found that each one of us responds to our creative energies from within, and that this is a deep and sacred relationship with our creative muse; one in which we give ourselves over in complete trust and allowance. So that the works can be birthed organically and authentically in commune with our creative muse. We decided that our exhibit was going to be about RESPONDING, to our calling to create, both to produce individual works but we also knew we wanted to create work with each other, to have the opportunity to respond to each other's work by working together.<br />
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So in October 2017 we all got together at the beautiful home and studio of Beverley Hawksley and <a href="https://www.sandymclennan.com/" target="_blank">Sandy McLennan</a> in Huntsville, Ontario. I remember the drive clearly, the beautiful fall colours were inspiring and I was filled with anticipation knowing we were going to work together in a creative unfolding for our group exhibit. Each one of us brought a piece of art work from either its rawest form or in the beginning stages to share with one another, with our creative muses. We did not know how the day was going to unfold. That was the first step in trusting the calling of our creative muse. It was a meeting of our creative muses as much as it was a day for us to work together. We spent the day over food and connection discussing our works, ideas, what we were being called to create and discovered a beautiful unfolding. <a href="https://www.sandymclennan.com/" target="_blank">Sandy McLennan</a> took 4 hours + footage of our day together and created a beautiful short documentary called <a href="https://vimeo.com/251804502" target="_blank">"4 in Response"</a>. The short film is a wonderful piece of work and captures the magic of our process. Thank you Sandy. The art works are still being exhibited at the Elora Centre for the Arts until March 8th, 75 Melville St. Elora. Very worth a drive to Elora for a visit. <br />
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Love to hear your comments and thoughts on this film and our process. Thanks to everyone that came out the night of the showing. For those that couldn't make it here is another opportunity to see the film: <a href="https://vimeo.com/251804502">https://vimeo.com/251804502</a><br />
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-47879810252145702502018-01-05T20:37:00.001-08:002018-01-05T20:37:25.355-08:00Response (and Responding) - A 4 Woman Art Exhibit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Response (and Responding)</b><br />A 4-person exhibition of exploratory work by Beverley Hawksley, Carmen Hickson, Supria Karmakar, and Tanya Zaryski </div>
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Sunday January 14th – Sunday March 4th, 2018<br />Minarovich Gallery at ECFTA - <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">75 Melville St, Elora, ON N0B 1S0</span><br /><b>Opening Reception<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />Sunday January 14th, 1 – 4PM</span></b></div>
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Response (and Responding) features the work of Beverley Hawksley, Carmen Hickson, Supria Karmakar, and Tanya Zaryski. Exploring the theme of art as embodiment of mindfulness, these four artists working in a variety of mediums, challenge themselves to engage more deeply with their individual and collective creative process. Response (and Responding) addresses the space between action and reaction; the quiet reverberations moving from the creative source to the maker and from the maker to the viewer. Opens Sunday January 14th and runs through March 4th in the Minarovich Gallery at the Elora Centre for the Arts.</div>
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In conjunction with the exhibition, “4 IN RESPONSE” (2017), a short film by Sandy McLennan exploring the collaborative art making process of Beverley Hawksley, Carmen Hickson, Supria Karmakar and Tanya Zaryski will be shown as part of the Elora Women’s Film Society Event on February 15th. Following the screening there will be a Q & A with the artists. Event begins at 6:30PM in the Harris Exchange at the ECFTA.</div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-74583144742094143842017-11-02T12:45:00.001-07:002017-11-02T12:51:20.743-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What is balance anyway?</span> What is recovery?</span></h2>
I don't know about you - but I have been experiencing that finding a place of balance or determining what is a natural start to my day or the end of my day more difficult to locate. The constant pull to being perpetually PLUGGED in has contributed to this state of affairs, as well as, being self-employed perhaps? <br />
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However, I would wonder and am curious about whether many people are experiencing this similar challenge of finding balance? Maybe or maybe not...We all have so many pulls for our attention, work, life, family, friends, home chores, financial commitments, when is there down time, what is recovery time? what does that mean to recover and to rejuvenate?<br />
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Let's face it, life's demands can be stressful, and it has become critical to our health to find recovery and rejuvenation time.<br />
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<a href="https://findingmastery.net/" target="_blank">Michael Gervais</a>' podcast - <b>Finding Mastery, conversations with Michael Gervais</b> in a recent podcast with <a href="https://findingmastery.net/arianna-huffington/" target="_blank">Arianna Huffington, </a> was helpful to assist with answering some of these questions. Arianna Huffington is the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, the founder of The Huffington Post, and the author of 15 books, including, most recently, Thrive and The Sleep Revolution. She has also been named to Time Magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people and the Forbes Most Powerful women list. </div>
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<span style="color: #484848; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The mission of Thrive Global includes, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">changing the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that burnout is the price we must pay for success" (</span>https://findingmastery.net/arianna-huffington/).</div>
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Some of the take aways on how to turn it off and do 'recovery and rejuvenate' are:</div>
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<li>Turn in your electrical devices at the end of the day, to put them to bed outside of your bedroom at least 30 minutes before going to sleep yourself - check out the parody <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Smartphone/dp/B01MSNORQD?SubscriptionId=AKIAI3M2EAQXFJQJU6TQ&tag=associatetag2-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01MSNORQD" target="_blank">"Good Night Smart Phone"</a> free on Audible </li>
<li>Declaring an artificial end of your day as we don't necessarily have one anymore because we can be plugged in all the time</li>
<li>Focus on getting a good night sleep - making sleep a priority & taking naps etc. - a fatigued brain leads to lack of mental clarity, staleness, illness and earlier death</li>
<li>Meditation - focus on being more present, authentic, grounded versus doing 'more' in your day</li>
<li>Avoid comparison mind, look to self vs to others for betterment </li>
<li>Growth and betterment are incremental and don't happen overnight - small baby steps </li>
<li>Weaving in more JOY in your life - finding small moments of joy in your life, celebrating your accomplishments and successes no matter how small or large</li>
<li>Embracing failure - failure is a stepping stone to success</li>
<li>Loving Kindness to self - Non-judgmental tone and self-compassion</li>
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My joy this past week has been more <a href="http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html" target="_blank">forest bathing: </a> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This is the healing way of Shinrin-yoku </span><b style="color: #222222;">Forest</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Therapy, the medicine of simply being in the </span><b style="color: #222222;">forest</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the </span><b style="color: #222222;">forest</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> atmosphere" or "</span><b style="color: #222222;">forest bathing</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">If you are interested in exploring recovery and rejuvenation in a supportive, compassionate and non-judgmental environment connect with me<a href="http://supriakarmakar.com/" target="_blank"> here</a><a href="http://here./">.</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u><br /></u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="http://here./"></a></span></span></span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-212312176935029732016-03-20T09:19:00.002-07:002016-03-20T09:19:50.281-07:00The Cycles of our lives, our history and our future….Samsara the Wheel of Life….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've just spent the last two days (+) preparing and facilitating a creative process art play shop…..called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1718259245074750/" target="_blank">"The Samsara Project" - A Creative Shrine Play Shop. </a><br />
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Samsara being the 'Wheel of Life that we create'…. the patterns of our lives, that are created, that show up, arise and pass, the constant changes, transitions, of joy and suffering.<br />
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What do we do with what arises? With the suffering, loss and grief that show up? How do we react to the pain, as well as the joys, the accomplishments, the gains?<br />
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On so may levels of our lives this cycle, this samsara can be seen…not only in our daily lives, as well as over the generations, in the historical, political and social patterns of our world. This is perhaps where the saying "History has a tendency to repeat itself" comes from.<br />
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How do we react and address what shows up? Can we create meaning in our world about what happens, be it love, loss, death, grief, sadness, loneliness, winnings and fallings, beginnings and endings?<br />
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That is what The Samsara Project is for me? Coming to an awareness about the moments we create? or that are created out of our control? Ways to find peace in those moments, in our daily lives and in our historical patterns? Do we learn form it? Or are we going to come back to it time and time again addressing the same patterns. Instead we could lean into the discomfort…the suffering, the pain, the desire, the wanting, the discontentment. Perhaps doing so will give rise to the opposite, the ease, the joy, the satiation, contentment, etc.<br />
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All the while remembering these will pass, the wisdom of impermanence. <br />
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What are the patterns in your own life that are cycling? showing up? What is the most relevant to your own liberation? Where can you become unstuck? <br />
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The places we are broken and cracked is most definitely where we can find love and light, peace and joy….even as it is temporary ---- The cycle can expand us, through the ebbs and flow, change is certain. How are you going to act now?<br />
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To quote from <a href="http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=13eb080d8a315477042e0d5b1&id=d5c62fbe75&e=cbf6f8d441" target="_blank">Rebecca Solnit </a> <b><span style="color: #990000;">Hope in Dark Times, Resisting the Defeatism of Easy Despair, and What Victory Really Means for Movements of Social Change…</span></b>.<br />
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"This is an extraordinary time full of vital, transformative movements that could not be foreseen. It is also a nightmarish time..Full engagement requires the ability to perceive both …Power comes from the shadows and the margins, that our hope is the dark around the edges..not the limelight centre stage….<br />
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Also from Rebecca Solnit, "You row forward looking back, and feeling this history is part of helping people navigate toward the future. We need a litany, a rosary, a sutra, a mantra, a war chant of our victories. The past is set in daylight, and it can become a torch we can carry into the night that is the future". <br />
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Thanks again to <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/" target="_blank">Brain Pickings</a> for some insightful reading and speaking from the heart that helps other hearts grow and make sense of powerful emotional and transformative times.<br />
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-47764583100804403352016-03-14T05:25:00.001-07:002016-03-14T05:25:07.963-07:00Another post on how creativity is good for our wellness and health….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever felt that sense of flow, that sense of being so full when creating art, getting lost in the process and not worrying about the outcome?…That is the magic moment…the place where we are creating wellness in our lives.<br />
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I have felt this flow when I take the time to just play, to let go of outcome, embrace those happy mistakes and create just for the sake of creating. I have decided that I am going to take this year to do that…after my May art show commitments, I have taken a conscious moment to decide to create only for my own wellness and growth. <br />
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I think this is how I can expand and take time to push my artistic edges. So after 10 years of being on the Elora-Fergus studio tour, I am going to take a sabbatical from it this year and any other art shows.<br />
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I will continue to embrace not only my own artwork in this way, as well, I will offer opportunities for others to do the same, creativity for the sake of wellness. Here's to embracing getting lost in this new transition.<br />
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Here is a link to some other thoughts on how <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201512/creativity-wellness-practice" target="_blank">creativity serves our own health and wellness</a>. Enjoy your own creativity, creating for your own sake. <br />
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-92153231045461413342016-03-01T17:56:00.000-08:002016-03-01T17:56:44.250-08:00Transformations- An Altered Book Arts Exhibit - Call for Submissions and New Program in April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Call for Artists Submissions</span></strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Transformation: An Exhibition of Altered Books</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Artists are invited to submit altered book works for an exhibition at the Town of Halton Hills Helson Gallery from September 14 to November 27, 2016. The exhibition is open to Ontario artists at emerging, mid-career and established levels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transformation is an exhibit about the evolving nature of books and our lives. Everyday changes abound, politically, socially and psychologically, we as human beings are transforming. This is an invitation for artists to work with this theme of transformation in ways that intrigue the artist, viewer and community, to engage in the concept of change and evolution, using the book as the medium.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The exhibition celebrates the book as object and submitted works should clearly incorporate the physical elements of a book or books, ie. pages; covers; spine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Each artist may submit up to three works. Works should not exceed 48 inches in any dimension. Works may be two or three dimensional, ie. suitable for wall mounting or display on a shelf or plinth. Works may combine various media and should be created within the last two years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Artists should submit digital images in jpeg format not exceeding 1 MB in size. Each work may be represented by a maximum of two images (ie. one overview and one detail). Please include a description of your work with title; media; dimensions, date along with a short statement and CV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transportation and in-transit insurance to and from the Helson Gallery will be the responsibility of the artist. COD shipments will not be accepted. <strong>Submission Deadline: May 15, 2016</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.haltonhills.ca/gallery/CallToArtists.php" style="color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">http://www.haltonhills.ca/gallery/CallToArtists.php</span></a><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exhibition Jurors:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Supria Karmakar, Artist and Curator</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Judy Daley, Helson Gallery Curator</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For additional information and to submit please contact:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Judy Daley, Helson Gallery Curator</span><br />
<a href="mailto:judyd@haltonhills.ca" style="color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">judyd@haltonhills.ca</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">905-873-2601 ext 2536</span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Also at the Helson Gallery: Altered Book Workshop with Supria Karmakar</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Using mixed media, collage techniques and the vintage layers of a book, participants will have an opportunity to create a new structure from an old hard covered book. Join us for this five week workshop April 2 – May 7 (note: no class will be held on April 23) led by noted altered book artist Supria Karmakar. Fee: $200 plus $60 materials charge owed to the instructor at the first session (cash or cheque only please). For details and to register contact Judy Daley, Helson Gallery Curator</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Helson Gallery is located in the Town of Halton Hills Cultural Centre in downtown Georgetown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9 Church Street, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 2A3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For further information: 905-873-2601 ext 2536</span><br />
<a href="http://www.haltonhills.ca/gallery" style="color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">www.haltonhills.ca/gallery</span></a><br />
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-48903447931430026412015-11-23T07:59:00.000-08:002015-11-23T08:00:27.663-08:00Metta Mindfulness Silent Retreat - The Insights and the Spacious Spaces…..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Imbetween Spaces, Encaustic Mixed Media, 2015.</span></div>
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I had truly forgotten the sweet feeling of quietness, to invite peace, ease and happiness into my life, with each daily moment, and the embracing of these imbetween spaces.</div>
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Coming off a 4-day silent Metta, (the Pali word for lovingkindness and friendliness) mindfulness meditation retreat, run by <a href="http://www.truenorthinsight.org/index.php/en/" target="_blank">True North Insight (TNI) </a>with three powerful teachers, Molly Swan, Jill Davey and Patricia Rockman, where the theme was on the <a href="http://www.truenorthinsight.org/index.php/en/39-schedule/residential-retreats/residential-retreats-2015/152-the-heart-of-mindfulness" target="_blank">'heart of mindfulness'.</a> The journey with all its conditions were as they needed to be, which I see now but didn't at first. The <a href="http://www.loyolahouse.com/" target="_blank">Loyola House</a> in Guelph have these beautiful trails to get lost within and the food was soul nourishing and healing. The container provided by these three wonderful women has filled my heart and soul with love, gratitude and peace - it has been a gift.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRpMvs96Ec8/VlMtCt3Tw8I/AAAAAAAADns/ZHFMm2KP1K8/s1600/lh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRpMvs96Ec8/VlMtCt3Tw8I/AAAAAAAADns/ZHFMm2KP1K8/s400/lh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This gift of mindfully sitting, walking, eating in silence for four days has provided a new awakening that is only a sliver of what still has yet to unfold. The coming into silence was anything but silent in many ways, the incessant chatter from my own mind, the memories of sweet blissful love, and the haltering sorrows of loss and heartache, all came sweeping into this silence, and for days it continued…<br />
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The first two days was filled with my excruciating sleepiness, pure exhaustion came flooding in and the pain of sitting in every joint….was this exhaustion or avoidance? <br />
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I try to sit, meditate, to be still, to allow what may surface, reciting the metta phrases of love, safety and peace…yet all I get is sleepiness, I fall asleep, time and time again…. I try, really TRY, I hold my posture, breathe deeply, even force my eyes to open but all I get is sleepiness, it finds me time and time again..this is my struggle. Again I ask, is this exhaustion or avoidance or an invitation to renunciation?<br />
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It crosses my mind, "what have I done, is there still time to leave, to run away?". …But deep within I know I am here in the right time and place. I'm here as I need to be. The day seems endless the sitting (the falling asleep in my case) the walking, the standing, the walking, the eating, all in silence, and all with intent and so it goes on….all the while inviting Metta, for self, for the benefactor, the friend, the stranger, the unfriendly one, and all beings….sending Metta through myself, my heart making space for them all.<br />
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This reminded me of Rumi's poem, the GUEST HOUSE, to invite each guest with welcome arms, to sit, drink with them to listen intently. And so I get through the first day (barely) and the second day there seems to be a sweet settling, and I think maybe I can actually get some meditation done today, to sit, but 'nope' sleepiness arrives at my door again. This is when I realize the exhaustion is my guest to welcome in, to sit with to have tea and listen to intently. <br />
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That evening <a href="http://riversoundretreat.com/home/" target="_blank">Jill Davey</a>, gives a magnificent Dharma talk on 'happiness'…What is it? How do I get it? How come everyone else seems to have it? And like some, I too want those 'boots', - Yes that will make me happy, right? The newly renovated garage, the perfect kitchen, and the pristine English style garden, with just the right amount of wildness, with no weeds…this will do it, bring me happiness? Right!!!…Happiness is within - The making do with what is showing up, inviting a welcoming embrace for it all, being mindful with our thoughts, our reactions, our preferences, dislikes and likes, being loving with our imperfections….Being curious about it all, that is how I find my 'awake', whether it makes me happy or not. This is what is finding peace and harmony is, being in the moment - a perspective.<br />
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Sometimes we aren't able to change the conditions, or control the variables, to try to do so only brings challenge and suffering, like my 'forcing myself to stay alert and awake'…when I came to accept the state of exhaustion, it lifted, and I found I could truly listen….this was my guest on the last day - and I began to be able to feel the metta for myself, for those around me and for those in the room with all the sweet annoyances, and even for those that have hurt me intentionally and /or unknowingly. Out of which, I realize that I have only begun, touched the tip of the iceberg, and there is so much yet to feel, to deeply explore, to be awakened to. To make the space for metta daily, to see, feel and connect and slowly and softly tread this earth as I continue the unfolding. With a full heart I feel more space and welcome it all, whatever may arrive at my door.</div>
Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-52757868196863255972014-05-20T14:54:00.000-07:002020-03-03T17:43:58.298-08:00Some altered book ideas to consider when making your own book…..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3KAzGG9JxQ/U3vFUVabJUI/AAAAAAAADKo/JqT2nm4_pLs/s1600/Hard+cover+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3KAzGG9JxQ/U3vFUVabJUI/AAAAAAAADKo/JqT2nm4_pLs/s1600/Hard+cover+books.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Above: </b>Hard covered books to alter…. </div>
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<b><i>The</i></b> <b><i>ingredients for choosing a book to alter include the following:</i></b></div>
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-the cover needs to be hard covered and intact with the spine</div>
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-sometimes I choose a book based on a theme of interest</div>
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-also consider the feel of the book …for instance is it thick enough for a niche or drawers</div>
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- the font, the size, the colour of the cover, any graphics that might be in the book can enhance the altered book</div>
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-If the cover or spine is ornate or embellished in anyway, it might be used as part of the design</div>
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-Sometimes the content of the book might inform the theme for your altered book or it might unfold as a part of a process carried over a few weeks, months etc. </div>
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-pages need to be able to withstand paint, collage - heavier porous papers are best vs. shiny thin papers</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scwYAuKSTbU/U3vH_VsJpZI/AAAAAAAADK0/KBgAWljlJ7M/s1600/Altered+Books+Spines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scwYAuKSTbU/U3vH_VsJpZI/AAAAAAAADK0/KBgAWljlJ7M/s1600/Altered+Books+Spines.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Above: </b> Spines for altered books should be intact and strong, the best spine from this photo is the green book, the second from the bottom. The book on the top has a spine that looks a bit too slanted to one side/direction, and this may cause the book to not sit flat…but that can be an interesting look to the overall design too depending on your vision and preference</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuTjEu77tOs/U3vJIiq2i7I/AAAAAAAADLE/kD_MqvC_6u4/s1600/Altered+Book+Cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iuTjEu77tOs/U3vJIiq2i7I/AAAAAAAADLE/kD_MqvC_6u4/s1600/Altered+Book+Cover.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Above: </b> An example of an altered book cover, the theme of this book is "Art, Nature and the Soul"…..It is an old manual on teaching art…..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSckS06pRYs/U3vMzltxsEI/AAAAAAAADLM/uuhAwsv636A/s1600/Layers+Altered+Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSckS06pRYs/U3vMzltxsEI/AAAAAAAADLM/uuhAwsv636A/s1600/Layers+Altered+Book.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Above: </b> Layers of pages with collage, paint techniques etc. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Atm_9drMOqU/U3vNK1WpoRI/AAAAAAAADLU/LA9jfypVqPw/s1600/Niche+Altered+Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Atm_9drMOqU/U3vNK1WpoRI/AAAAAAAADLU/LA9jfypVqPw/s1600/Niche+Altered+Book.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Above: A prepared niche</div>
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Enjoy choosing your books and exploring ideas, a theme for your project. I will continue to post here some other tidbits in completing an altered book & collage process.</div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-19028427087733311682014-05-04T18:36:00.001-07:002014-05-04T18:51:35.038-07:00"Creativity Needs Space to Present Itself…"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTh8HoF3Er8/U2bkKlvLGII/AAAAAAAADJ4/lgCIkU27564/s1600/collage+1+what+inspires+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTh8HoF3Er8/U2bkKlvLGII/AAAAAAAADJ4/lgCIkU27564/s1600/collage+1+what+inspires+me.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Above</b>: A section of a collage in my art journal…..This collage explores the things that inspire my heart.</div>
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Recently I heard <a href="http://www.robinsharma.com/blog/05/how-to-keep-a-journal/?utm_source=EM-AllSuper-BG&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=050414&utm_campaign=RSSS14" target="_blank">Robin Sharma, say in a video he shared on the benefits of journalling</a>, <b><i>"Creativity needs space to present itself."</i></b>….This is so true, it resonated with my experience of journalling anyway. Anytime I have taken the time to journal my thoughts, feelings, ideas, to do lists, it empties my brain, to make space for the creativity to flow…It truly worked like that. </div>
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Another example of this is, when you might have had a hard time sleeping, or your mind is working a mile a minute and you are tossing and turning, for what seems like HOURS.... I have found if I just get up and write a "to do list" or journal all the things I am thinking, feeling, ruminating about…My brain empties and allows me to let go, relax and finally fall asleep. I do this because I am tossing and turning anyway, so why not give it a try.</div>
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I am so excited about facilitating and teaching the upcoming <b><span style="color: purple;">Four-Week Gratitude Altered Books with Collage & Mixed Media program in June.</span></b> It is almost full - only a few spots are left. Together we will be exploring gratitude, in our journals and working with a hard covered book, creating collages, acrylics and mixed media within the pages.</div>
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It has been my experience that when we express gratitude in journalling and art making we begin to see the things we didn't notice before - Or that we see things in a new light and enjoy our everyday, the more mundane aspects of life much more intensely and richly.</div>
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So here's to that lovely cup of coffee in the morning, or the feeling of warm water from the shower on our skin. The smell of rain on the grass, or the sweet buds of violets growing all around us…The list can be endless in how we can see the beauty in our to day to day lives. I am grateful to those who take the time to read these posts and choose to share or comment on it. Or simply take the time to reflect privately on your own about the thoughts shared here. Nameste!<br />
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-73369320272946865032014-04-18T17:44:00.000-07:002014-04-21T16:24:37.480-07:00A New 4-Week Altered Book Program Exploring Gratitude using Collage and Mixed Media Techniques<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Starting Wednesday June 4th to Wednesday June 25th, 7-9:30 pm in Elora</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viEkNib0rXg/U1GCbvs4KKI/AAAAAAAADJI/4mdRHN3drlQ/s1600/My+Flying+Heart+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viEkNib0rXg/U1GCbvs4KKI/AAAAAAAADJI/4mdRHN3drlQ/s1600/My+Flying+Heart+web.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder </b></span></div>
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In this new 4-week altered book art program, we will explore the theme of gratitude, using reflection exercises, which will then inform the art collages, using mixed media and various collage techniques to alter a hardcover book. </div>
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It has been my experience that when we are in a space of gratitude, we are happier, more grounded and balanced. We begin to really see things as they are and embrace the here and now more. This grounded space is a very liberating one to be in, and provides room for ourselves to hear and feel peace with what is. Gratitude attracts good energy, good experiences, wonderful like minded people and new opportunities.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Offering a new altered book, collage & mixed media 4-week art program. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Starts Wednesday June 4 to 25th, from 7-9:30pm </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">in Elora, ON. </span></b></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Together we will explore the theme of gratitude in our lives, while altering a hardcover book with numerous collage and mixed media techniques. </b></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cost: $80 for instruction, $60 for supplies, Total: $140. No experience needed. </b></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>To register: supria@supriakarmakar.com</b></span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-5207419518972742602014-01-08T18:32:00.000-08:002014-01-08T18:45:35.634-08:00Benefits of Gratitude Thinking & Living…..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our
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<i>~ Thornton Wilder</i></div>
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<i>"Writing a new HeART story", Encaustic Mixed Media, 2013</i></div>
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Feeling and being grateful for all the things that show up in our lives, really does make a difference in moving through the ebbs and flow of daily living. Gratitude has proven to enhance well-being. In an article by <b><i>Robert A. Emmons and Anjali Mishra, "Why Gratitude Enhances Well-Being: What We Know, What We Need to Know"</i></b>, they share the following ways in which being grateful enhances our lives:</div>
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<li>Gratitude facilitates coping with stress</li>
<li>Gratitude reduces toxic emotions resulting from self and social comparisons</li>
<li>Gratitude reduces materialistic strivings</li>
<li>Gratitude improves self-esteem</li>
<li>Gratitude enhances accessibility to positive memories</li>
<li>Gratitude builds social resources</li>
<li>Gratitude motivates moral behaviour</li>
<li>Grateful people are spiritually minded</li>
<li>Gratitude facilitates goal attainment</li>
<li>Gratitude promotes physical health</li>
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For more wonderful readings on gratitude and the benefits of it on our health, wellness and life, <a href="http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Labs/emmons/PWT/index.cfm?Section=1" target="_blank">visit: Dr. Robert Emmons Lab</a>. As sited from this link: </div>
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"Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life." <span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 0.9em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">(</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 0.9em; text-align: left;">http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Labs/emmons/PWT/index.cfm?Section=5)</span></div>
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<i>Above: A Gratitude Vision Board created by Supria Karmakar</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grW5ojKuWD8/Us4AGQzIy5I/AAAAAAAADDw/jTU7-WDBXUE/s1600/Gratitude+Photo+Collage+%232+November+22,+2013+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grW5ojKuWD8/Us4AGQzIy5I/AAAAAAAADDw/jTU7-WDBXUE/s1600/Gratitude+Photo+Collage+%232+November+22,+2013+copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Some everyday things I am grateful for …..</i></div>
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<i>Your Turn: Take a look around and find three things you are grateful for in your everyday life.</i></div>
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On March 22nd, for the Spring Equinox 2014, Jill Davey of <a href="http://riversoundretreat.com/" target="_blank">RiverSound Retreat</a> and I, <a href="http://supriakarmakar.com/" target="_blank">Supria Karmakar </a>will be offering another daylong retreat exploring the topic of gratitude, opening to what is, vs. holding on or letting go, using meditation, yoga and vision board creation. Come join us exploring gratitude and doing a day long retreat by the river in the beauty of the trees. To register: <a href="mailto:Jill@RiverSoundRetreat.com">Jill@RiverSoundRetreat.com</a> or call/text 519-993-7480<span style="color: #39251b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5532769684267363414.post-59289977827882772232013-01-16T03:18:00.001-08:002014-01-08T07:32:02.010-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">What is Art Therapy?</span></h2>
Art therapy is one of many modalities that is capable of helping guide you to health and happiness.<br />
"Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages." (American Art Therapy Association, 2012, Online).<br />
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Art therapy is an expressive language of the conscious and the unconscious minds. The pursuit of art can be accomplished through various mediums including: sculpting, drawing, mosaics, painting, clay making, encaustic, collage, mixed media, journalling, music and a variety of other art/creative modalities.<br />
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Art therapy can be instrumental in assessing and treating a variety of psychological matters.<br />
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"Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, families, veterans, and people with chronic health issues to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems; substance abuse and addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness." (American Art Therapy Association, 2012, Online).<br />
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Art therapy is another instrument and possibility in the scope of promoting psychological health and well being.<br />
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Some of the benefits include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>facilitates positive self-expression, feelings and emotions</li>
<li>an enhanced positive perspective on your life</li>
<li>promotes a sense of personal independence, self-reliance and self-sufficiency</li>
<li>assists in working through a difficult situation and experience(s)</li>
<li>provides an opportunity to express non-verbally aspects of one life that might feel otherwise difficult to express or share</li>
<li>Give some personal insight into a situation or lived experience(s)</li>
<li>Promotes other ways of coping and problem solving skills</li>
<li>Facilitates overall insight, empathy, acceptance, self-compassion, loving kindness</li>
<li>Proven to assist with managing, exploring and problem solving around traumatic experiences</li>
<li>Empowers and gives voice</li>
<li>Facilitates focus, and decreases frustrations </li>
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<b>The Evidence Supports Art Therapy:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>"Numerous case studies have reported that art therapy benefits patients with both emotional and physical illnesses. Case studies have involved many areas, including burn recovery in adolescents and young children, eating disorders, emotional impairment in young children, reading performance, childhood grief, and sexual abuse in adolescents. Studies of adults using art therapy have included adults or families in bereavement, patients and family members dealing with addictions, and patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants, among others. Some of the potential uses of art therapy to be researched include reducing anxiety levels, improving recovery times, decreasing hospital stays, improving communication and social function, and pain control." (American Cancer Society, 2012 Online).<br />
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Research has shown that art therapy has been used quite successfully to help children learn to effectively communicate, have improved concentration, improved behaviours and develop closer relationships. It has shown to improve moods, promote relaxation, and decrease disruptive behaviours and attitudes. Randomised control trial research shows that art therapy helped improve coping strategies." (Penny Brohn Cancer Care, 2011, Online).<br />
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<b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">REFERENCES </span></b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;"> American Art Therapy Association (2009) <i>Who is helped by art therapy</i>. Retrieved February 26, 2012, from <a href="http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/upload/whoarearttherapists2009.pdf"><span style="color: #cb2a32; text-decoration: none;">http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/upload/whoarearttherapists2009.pdf</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">American Cancer Society (2012) Find support & treatment, The most reliable cancer treatment information: <i>Art therapy.</i> Retrieved February 26, 2012, from <a href="http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/MindBodyandSpirit/art-therapy"><span style="color: #cb2a32; text-decoration: none;">http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffectsComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/MindBodyandSpirit/art-therapy</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Mullin, J., Grandin, T. (2012) <i>Drawing autism.</i> New York: Mark Batty Publisher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Penny Brohn Cancer Care (2011) <i>Art therapy.</i> Retrieved February 25, 2012, from <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/Penny%20Brohn%20Cancer%20Care/Assets/Arttherapy%28PBCC%29.pdf"><span style="color: #cb2a32; text-decoration: none;">http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/Penny%20Brohn%20Cancer%20Care/Assets/Arttherapy(PBCC).pdf</span></a> <b>ADDITIONAL RESOURCES</b> Braman, O. R. (1997) <i>The oppositional child</i>. Indiana: Kidsrights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Bloch, D. (1993) <i>Positive self-talk for children, Teaching self-esteem through affirmations, A guide for parents, teachers, and counselors.</i> New York: Bantam Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Deaver, S., & McAuliffe, G. (2009). Reflective visual journaling during art therapy and counseling internships: A qualitative study. <i>Reflective Practice</i>, 10(5), 615-632.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Gussak, D. (2006) Effects of art therapy with prison inmates: A follow-up study. <i>The Arts in Psychotherapy</i>, 33(3), 188-198<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Ponteri, A., K. (2001). The effect of group art therapy on depressed mothers and their children. <i>Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, </i>18(3), 148- 157.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Smeijsters, H., & Cleven, G. (2006). The treatment of aggression using arts therapies in forensic psychiatry: Results of a qualitative inquiry. <i>The Arts in Psychotherapy</i>, 33(1), 37-58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;">Walsh, S. M., Martin, S. C., Schmidt, L. A. (2004) Testing the efficacy of a creative-arts intervention with family caregivers of patients with cancer. <i>Journal of Nursing Scholarship.</i> 36: 214-219.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Supria Karmakarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13303827828471411775noreply@blogger.com0