So much to share. Its been such a week of deep emotions...I have needed time to just process all that is being woven around, under, over and through my heart. But first, I am so sorry for the delay in announcing the Art Blessing Giveawaywinner! All of your names were gathered in my butterfly box and it gives me great joy to bless Susan Baldwin (Blog, "JensmeresJoy")with the little handmade journal. Please take a moment to stop by her inspirational blog! Thank you to everyone for your sharing and encouragement! Although I may not always be able to respond to all of your comments, please know each are cherished and I am honored that you took a few minutes to share your hearts!
This is a very special week in watching the seeds burst through the soil of a dream that I have shared with several woman who have traveled the long journey to recovery from sexual abuse and to healing our relationship with our bodies. Many years ago, there were several of us whose paths began to cross, hearts were shared, tears shed and journeys traveled. Over time, and difficult years of each indivually working through our own painful pasts, we began to share a vision to see our creative energies and gifts brought together to offer a safe place where those who had been hurt could come and experience healing in heart, spirit, body and soul. Tonight marks the opening of theNon-Profit called "Body Reconciliation" that I am so blessed to be a part of. My dear friend, Cristi Dillon, is founder of this sacred place and she and several other dear friends have partnered together to begin to offer workshops, resources, speakers, and other events for those in our community who seek healing and a healthy relationship with the bodies they call home. We all took part in a recently filmed news story by Tracy Barry of our local Channel 8 News. The story aired tonight and can be seen here at theKGW.com website (Giving Back: Healing Abuse Survivors). It was a huge step of faith to reveal ourselves this way but we each know God has been leading this process all along and we are simply stepping into our part of His larger redemptive story.
So tonight I sit in awe of how God is redeeming what was painfully stolen from each of us as little girls. My deepest prayer is that by sharing this message of hope we might be able to touch one other "little girl" out there who suffers in silence and is needing to find a safe place to reveal her heart, heal the shame...and come home to her body. If you would like to encourage our vision your prayers for this place would be greatly appreciated. For those who would like to financially support this new non -profit, information can be found on the Body Reconciliation website link above!
I am honored to have been asked to present a seminar for therapeutic professionals this month to share creative processes and tools for clients who struggle with the dissociative effects of severe trauma and abuse. If you or someone you know is a therapist, counselor, or works in the mental health profession, and would be interested in attending, you may find all the information here on my website. This opportunity is at the heart of my deepest passion and I am so looking forward to speaking and sharing art that promotes the uncovering of painful secrets and soul healing!
Our Northwest fall rain has arrived and today is one of those days when I think I will not do much else other than play beautiful music, keep a hot pot of tea brewing, light some yummy fall candles and just take one deep breath after another. I had a week filled with memorable activity and thought I'd share some of the highlights! (Be sure to pause the music playing on the lower right hand sidebar before viewing):
SEEING CELINE DION LIVE AT THE PORTLAND ROSE GARDEN!!!!
I don't think I could find enough words to describe how utterly amazing this concert was! My husband could not have given me a more incredible birthday gift earlier in the year when he presented me with two tickets to her concert. It sold out so fast I felt like I have had in my possession two Willy Wonka golden tickets while I awaited for October 16th to arrive!! Even though Dave couldn't go due to work I was able to take my Mom who was a big Celine fan and make some "we will never forget this night" memories with her. We got stuck in a horrendous traffic jam for an hour, missed the pre-show (OK I was about to come unglued at this point) but thankfully we got to our seats just before she arrived on stage. The production, dancers, musicians, lights, videos, and staging were unbelievable...and her voice...well...beautiful, powerful and goosebump-filled perfection! For the little girl in me who spent many nights dreaming of being a singer...this felt like a true fantasy night!
Well if you'll indulge me for a little bit...here are a couple of my favorites!
The rest of the week was in preparation for my neices wedding! We had family in town for the event and it was a beautiful ceremony! It was very emotional as my son played the piano while all the guests arrived and then played a self-composed piece for my neice to walk down the aisle to. God has gifted him with the most incedible natural ability to play. It was such a blessing to see him have this opportunity to do what brings him such release! I was honored to sing two pieces that were special to my neice and then it was off to a lovely reception!
I savor these moments when we are all together...and my men are all miraculously dressed in suits!!! They clean up pretty well eh!
The week finished off with a fabulous time with Lisa Kaus for her "Home Sweet Home" workshop. I truly had the most wonderful day creating in her amazing, eye-candy-filled studio! She is the greatest teacher, her home is a delight and lunch on her patio was delicious...crystal goblets filled with sparkling cider, fajitas and fall decorated cupcakes! I was thrilled to discover my friend Michelle Allen was attending the workshop and her mom, Karla Dornacher who was such a special soul to meet and share time with. Each of the houses that were created were so incredibly unique. They were covered with beeswax as a finishing touch! I was so inspired by all that Lisa taught us and hope to get a chance to find my creative muse this week. Life has been so incredibly busy these last few weeks and I haven't been able to spend much time in the studio but after yesterday... I am itching for some creative play! ......................You can click on photos for a larger view!
I am a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator, Mixed Media Artist, Writer, Vocalist, Mother and Wife with a deep soul passion to share the God-given gifts of the creative arts as a healing path to explore and understand our own unique stories.
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My hope is this might be a place of reflection for those who stroll through. Art has long been a source of divine comfort for me in times of great joy as well as seasons of deep pain. I am often drawn to the imagery that speaks of journey and the unfolding of our stories....the butterfly, the passing of seasons, a key that might open the door to a heart that has been wounded. It is along our individual journeys that life brings defining moments that speak to us. Gifts of hope and wisdom, personal growth, words of encouragement during times of great struggle, lessons born of taking risks and revealing who we really are, tears wept, laughter shared, questions that wrestle with life and faith, a heart that has been healed or dreams bravely spoken aloud and shared. It requires courage to open our eyes and listen to what is being whispered in the private places of our hearts. My prayer is that these images and creative reflections might invite you nearer to your own unique story and into the heart of the journey.
"DANCE WITH THE BUTTERFLIES AND SOAR ON TRANSLUSCENT WINGS"
" Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: Who am I to be brilliant? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. Its not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to so the same. As we were liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others" (Marianne Williamson)
Copyright
All artwork, photo images and text are property of Lani Kent and Healing Expressions. Please do not copy or use in any form without written permission. Thank you so much for respecting my musings! Copyright 2008
This is a very special week in watching the seeds burst through the soil of a dream that I have shared with several woman who have traveled the long journey to recovery from sexual abuse and to healing our relationship with our bodies. Many years ago, there were several of us whose paths began to cross, hearts were shared, tears shed and journeys traveled. Over time, and difficult years of each indivually working through our own painful pasts, we began to share a vision to see our creative energies and gifts brought together to offer a safe place where those who had been hurt could come and experience healing in heart, spirit, body and soul. Tonight marks the opening of the Non-Profit called "Body Reconciliation" that I am so blessed to be a part of. My dear friend, Cristi Dillon, is founder of this sacred place and she and several other dear friends have partnered together to begin to offer workshops, resources, speakers, and other events for those in our community who seek healing and a healthy relationship with the bodies they call home. We all took part in a recently filmed news story by Tracy Barry of our local Channel 8 News. The story aired tonight and can be seen here at the KGW.com website (Giving Back: Healing Abuse Survivors). It was a huge step of faith to reveal ourselves this way but we each know God has been leading this process all along and we are simply stepping into our part of His larger redemptive story.
So tonight I sit in awe of how God is redeeming what was painfully stolen from each of us as little girls. My deepest prayer is that by sharing this message of hope we might be able to touch one other "little girl" out there who suffers in silence and is needing to find a safe place to reveal her heart, heal the shame...and come home to her body. If you would like to encourage our vision your prayers for this place would be greatly appreciated. For those who would like to financially support this new non -profit, information can be found on the Body Reconciliation website link above!
