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I sat down recently to intentionally work through

I sat down recently to intentionally work through my emotions with art therapy, I decided to paint and illustrate what living through depression looks like, and feels like for me.⠀
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Depression looks like sleeping more than normal… wanting to be productive, wanting to be consistently good at things and finish what you start, but your mind feels confused, you’re easily distracted, and your body feels depleted of energy. If this fatigue drags on for several days, this can have a side-effect of feeling unworthy; feeling like you’re not enough, or a burden to others. Depression feels heavy, like you’re physically weighed down and dragging along the surface of the earth, and sinking progressively lower and lower. It’s difficult to see the light on the horizon, and to trust that relief is near.⠀
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A common companion to depression is anxiety. The dragon represents anxiety. Dragons breathe fire, they’re big and scary, and unpredictable. Many people try to hide from their fears, but they linger, and if avoided and you don’t face your fears – they can weigh you down.⠀
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The roots in this painting represent knowledge and strength. Sometimes we will need to allow ourselves to rest, so we can regain our strength, clear our minds, and allow new knowledge to help lift us up to be able to withstand the storms and conflict of life. Trees, plants, all living things require ‘roots’ to lift them up and hold firm to adversities that would see them fall down and wither away and die. ⠀
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The roots grow down the layers of earth to find sources of nourishment. The different degrees of soil, each necessary to filter and purify until you discover the pure source of life (water). Some plants or living things, take longer to set roots than others, but that does not mean that one is greater than the other. There is no race to the finish line. There is no time-table to grief. There is no time-table to when the heaviness of depression will finally lift. But it will lift. Once you reconnect with ‘Source’, you will be strong enough to stand again – against the adversities of life, and you will be all the more stronger for it.

Three months ago in March, after the announcement

Three months ago in March, after the announcement of ‘Stay At Home’ orders were put in place due to the outbreak of COVID-19, I awoke from a dream that illustrated a horrific storm at sea. The skies were dark and it felt hopeless that I would survive this storm. I was exhausted from trying to keep my head above water; I didn’t know what to do, which way to swim, I felt helpless and confused. Then the mist from the crashing waves parted and up through the water arose this beautiful lighthouse. It wasn’t any ordinary lighthouse, this lighthouse arose through the waves and through a large book. The pages of the book blossomed like a white rose. While the waves continued to crash around the lighthouse, it seemed to hold strong and confident in place. Immovable to the opposing forces. The pages of the book moved in the same tempo as the waves crashing against them. The light at the top of the lighthouse penetrated the darkness and I was able to see my surroundings for miles. I was also able to see that on the horizon, the sun was coming up, and with it – beautiful and calming colors. There is hope.

As with most dreams, I feel they come with a message. The message of this dream, the best that I can interpret it, is that with knowledge comes hope and direction. We’re all experiencing the same storm, but we each must continue on our own individual path, learning for ourselves the direction we must follow. The ‘how’ in which we move forward, is up to us in how we educate ourselves on what is true vs what is meant to beguile us. It is within our capability to learn truth. It is within our right to practice agency, with wisdom. We can’t blindly follow what is the most popular opinion, we need to research and take in both sides of the story, because there is always two sides. I feel the book in this illustration represents the knowledge that is available for us to absorb, and through that knowledge arises clarity and answers, and that is where the lighthouse comes in. The storms will continue to rage – the waves will continue to crash against us, but we, like the lighthouse, can hold firm and steadfast in what we know to be true. 🙂

My mom and I talk every day. When we ask each othe

My mom and I talk every day. When we ask each other about what our plans are for the next day, we always refer to each other being 'in our ear' when we chat on the phone... for example, yesterday I told her that it would work well to have her in my ear while I did some packing. My Mom came up with the funny idea of me illustrating her literally in my ear. So here it is, my illustration of my Momma In My Ear, lol 🥰🎨
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#illustration #art #artist #artwork #artoftheday #artistlife

I'm grateful that all of my friends and family so

I'm grateful that all of my friends and family so far seem to be healthy throughout this coronavirus pandemic... it's difficult to navigate the completely honest news reports vs those that are just trying to make some sales... the media hype has been a little frustrating to understand, don't you think? What I understand so far is this (please add what you've learned in a comment below 💬):⠀
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- The biggest eye opener was learning how much faster this "cold/flu-like" virus spreads compared to the cold and flu we've been used to catching. To illustrate the significant difference, you could be in a room of 100 people and while someone who is sick with the cold/flu could pass it on to 5 people, the coronavirus will spread to more like 45 people! 🤧 Wowzers! 😱 The hospitals and doctors offices are overwhelmed, this is why so many large gathering events are cancelling and closing doors. Its effort is to help doctors control the flow of patients coming in to their offices and slow down the rate at which the virus is spreading. 🕷️😷⠀
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- Wash your hands + a little extra washing when you're away from home... 🧼 up above your wrists! At least 20 seconds.⠀
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- Carry hand sanitizer🧴 with you when you leave the house, keep it in your pocket... be sure to wash above your wrists!⠀
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- If you don't have to go somewhere, don't, and try and keep away from crowds of 20 people or more+ if possible...⠀
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- Cancel trips, family reunions, BIG gatherings for now... at least for the next 30 days... it's not worth getting your loved ones sick, right? Yeah, it sucks that you already purchased the tickets or made reservations, but is it really worth getting an elderly person, pregnant woman sick, or someone who has a compromised immune system? Have a heart and help others be healthy. 💞⠀
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- While you may not catch the virus, you could be a carrier of the virus 🕷️😷 and pass it on to a loved one/friend who has a weaker immune system than you... be kind, and stay indoors and keep to smaller crowds where possible.⠀
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- Eat your fruits & veggies! 🍎🥦 Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and continue to enjoy life. There's lots to enjoy in our homes 🏡

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Mindful Roots
Lighthouse Book
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