In my search for self-care, I have enjoyed investigating various healing arts. Healing arts or creative arts can include anything that distracts you from the stress of illness, family, work, etc.; art, craft work, photography, journaling, and poetry or movement therapy, even enjoying a walk at the beach or park. Taking time to garden gives many people enjoyment as they see new growth. Being engaged in an art project or learning a new movement therapy such as tai chi, qigong, line dancing, allows you to empty your head of everything but what you are doing at the moment. Nature Therapy can be moving meditation, time to enjoy time away from your normal routine that can be exhausting. Distraction therapy when you need it the most. Please take time to read the poetry, look at the photos and stories and share with me how you take care of yourself.
Healing waters
Washington State Beach
Step away for a moment
From life’s hectic pace.
Come down to the healing waters
It’s a very nice place.
Sit down by the water’s edge
And take a cleansing sigh,
Hear the waves that lap the shore
As seagulls sail by.
You watch the boats on the horizon
Their journey you don’t know
But when you think about it
You wish that you could go.
So enjoy the moment of gentle touch
Of sea breeze in your hair
Come down to the healing place
And forget your every care.
Carole Semper, RN
What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited…
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace
It cannot destroy confidence
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot reduce eternal peace,
It cannot quench the spirit,
It cannot lesson the power of God.
-author unknown
An Art Journaling Project at an I Can Cope Meeting. Notes taken from the speakers’ information now become artwork that gives a more pleasing visual aid to reflect on at home. Psychologist that specializes in Oncology Patients talked about coping skills during and after treatment. I talked about safe oncology massage, movement therapy and creative arts. Great time had by all and very appreciative of the training that can be easily adapted at home.
