Healing Paths

Art heals.








Whether you are just down in the dumps or enduring severe difficulties, artistic expression can help. If you are in a place of fear, loneliness, anger, loss, the very act of creating seems, often, to ease the turmoil and lead you to a place of solace - sometimes, even peace.








The form of your creation can help too - for a visual artist, strong primary colors might exorcise strong negative feelings, while softer tones might move the spirit toward restfulness. Musician friends of mine play slow pieces in minor chords when troubled - or, they might play rollicking riotous pieces to lift their own spirits. Many people bake when they are feeling glum, and it helps them feel better.








I have written on this subject before (see here and here), but it comes to mind again as I look through the calendar of arts events published by the Arts Council of the Northern Adirondacks. This weekend, Creative Healing Connections is holding their Adirondack Arts and Healing Retreat for women with cancer and chronic illnesses at the Irondequoit Inn, Piseco Lake, in Hamilton County.





These annual healing retreats began in 1999 at Great Camp Sagamore, and continue to take place there. But over the past decade, Creative Healing Connections has grown, and now offers the Piseco Lake opportunity as well. Further, the group also launched a new program this past summer for female military veterans, called the Annual Adirondack Arts and Reintegration Retreat, at Wiawaka Holiday House on Lake George.





To quote the Creative Healing Connections website:





Our programs are designed, developed, and guided by our staff of Adirondack artists. We encourage participants to express themselves and, through that communication, to find healing and a sense of community.





These Adirondack artists - the program "Guides" - work in many disciplines. There are visual artists, musicians, storytellers, writers, even a couple of Reiki masters. Most are female, and all are committed to using their skills to bridge the isolation and anguish of women suffering the trauma of cancer, chronic illness, and issues surrounding military deployment. They are also planning a future retreat for veteran men, as well as a caregivers' retreat.





I do not know the physical mechanism - maybe it has to do with brain chemistry - but creative endeavor calms, soothes, and quiets distress. It is also a potent means of communication. Sometimes images or musical notes express our inmost selves better than words. In a safe, nurturing environment, the freedom to use art for both self-expression and self-exploration can be liberating - and, yes, healing.



Although I have not attended one of these retreats, I have heard that they are marvelous. I am especially excited about the new initiative for female veterans - a group with very unique and specific concerns. I hope anyone who this needs the type of caring provided by Creative Healing Connections will visit their website and consider attending an event.



And I am so proud to know that fellow artists - some of whom live in my own hometown of Saranac Lake - have dedicated themselves to help people in desperate need of paths to wholeness. Art heals - and together with care, support, nature, and nurture, it can heal even better.