06 Jan 2012 End of the Year Blog
Like many…I am in deep reflection.
It is the end of the 2012 western calendar year.
Last week, on 12.21.12, it was proposed by many, to be the end date of the Long Count Mesoamerican Calendar, a 5, 125 year long cycle, an ancient linear calendar closely associated with the Mayan culture. A few interpretations touted were: catastrophic end of the world…OR end of one consciousness and new birth for a next higher level of consciousness for Mankind, etc.
New Year, New Birth. The cycle of Life. Birth, Living, Transition, Death.
The cycle of the Planet’s 4 seasons…Spring, Summer, Fall , Winter.
Every year there is celebration on birthdays, every year there is celebration of the next, new year and depending on the various culture and country, these new years’ land on different days and dates, based on the many traditional cultures, religions and / or spiritual beliefs that exist on this planet inhabited by Our Mankind.
My last blog post was several months ago and noted how “All Roads Lead to Grace”, the name of an acclaimed New York play as well as a Universe message manifested through art form that “spoke” to me.
I have found this to continue to be the case since I literally spoke those first words of “Divine Intervention” following my physical awakening from a coma in 2008 following a tragic and drastically traumatic helicopter crash.
Divine Intervention, Grace and this continuing Universe message of Awareness representation manifested through artistic interpretation.
Artists For Trauma (AFT) has experienced a powerful year of early foundational growth and opportunity to be of service to many Level 1 Trauma Survivors.
AFT proudly recognizes and applauds the Village it takes in all of our lives to recover. The Village, Our Community. This village is comprised of individual, community members and institutions who sincerely serve their fellow mankind and community through artistic talent, heart felt professional service etc. The Village is a huge component, not only for AFT, but in all of our lives!
AFT is honored to be allowed to participate in the intimate and reverent space of Level 1 trauma recovering individuals and their families. Several to mention are Ford Austin continuing to recover in New York City, Laura in Conover, Wisconsin, Katherine, Shelley and Alexis in Ventura County, California, as well as outreach from additional 30-40 individuals in various U.S. locations sharing their powerful healing through art stories and many offering volunteer services. We are looking forward to coordinating and collaborating with these precious individuals in the new year of 2013.
AFT has been honored the opportunity to collaborate with multiple strong community partnerssuch as Veterans Park Conservancy, Survivors Network, Operation Mend, Faces of Change, Faces of Honor as well as others, to bring creative, compassionate, healing service; working in concert to complement traditional western medicine for a powerful, positive and creative healing opportunity to Level 1 trauma survivors, many of them our United States military experiencing PTSD issues as a result of war experience.
Beginning early 2013, AFT will be facilitating regular scheduled artist workshops in The National Veterans Park Rose Garden in Brentwood, California on the Greater Los Angeles VA grounds to bring artistic, creative engagement to our beloved Veterans recovering from Level 1 trauma experience and PTSD issues. AFT to create positive, creative, healing environments promoting the whole body, mind and spirit concept, advocating for a positive optimal recovery from serious trauma.
I am always reminded of how much I have to be grateful for…To be Alive, Vibrant and Joyous even in my disfigurement and disabilities; disabilities that seem to continue to improve even 4 ½ years later. There is a saying many of us know… “Don’t give up before the miracle happens.” I don’t know who originally said this but as I remember hearing this saying, I know it to be true; not only for myself but for many others. Much of the miracle is in the re-invention of self, often a valuable part of recovery from Level 1 trauma and serious PTSD. Perspective of reality has been dramatically altered.
A few weeks ago and just prior to Christmas, I had another reconstructive surgery as a result of the injuries of that helicopter crash. The surgery date was occurring during the horrific Conneticut shootings. My heart was crushed like the rest of America and much of the world at large who learned of this horrific tragedy. It was difficult to translate into words, as so many of you know.
Columbine, Gabrielle Gifford and others in the Arizona shootings, Aurora, Colorado theatre shootings, New Haven, Conneticut school shootings, these are Level 1 trauma experiences. Combat zones of war are Level 1 trauma experiences. Severe, disfiguring and disabling car, motorcycle, boating, skiing accidents are Level 1 trauma experiences. Urban, inner city violent shootings are Level 1 trauma experiences happening in our cities every day. Serious hunting shooting accidents resulting in disfigurement and disability is Level 1 trauma experience. Extraordinary, immediately life threatening, disfiguring and disabling strokes are Level 1 trauma experiences. Airplane, helicopter and train crashes are Level 1 trauma experiences. They all require Re-invention of self, Re-connection, Re-acceptance of the new self by the survivor, their family and their community. Re-defining existence.
Trauma sees no color, knows no socio economic boundaries, does not discriminate regarding country of origin, culture, or ethnicity. It does not recognize gender, age or sexual preference. It doesn’t even discriminate if you are already disfigured or disabled.
There is no denying how immediately and initially shattering these Level 1 trauma experiences are. I do not profess to understand any possible rhyme or reason for these occurrences. I just know that the extraordinary happens, the horrific happens… just like miracles and amazing things happen. This may be one of the definitions of Life…Occurrences of positive and negative experiences manifested during the life cycle of human, animal and all sentient beings, pivoting as a result of converging energies often outside the “control” of the being involved. Converging energies.
We all have options of focus. I and Artists For Trauma encourage focus on love, kindness and creative engagement as a powerful and positive way of expressing oneself to oneself and to others. To process your recovery from Level 1 trauma and severe PTSD through art; photography, film, sculpting, painting, music, Nature, dance, movement, yoga, tai chi, breath and meditation, etc.
My heart and respect goes out in Love and Joy to all of you amazing, courageous Level 1 Trauma survivors and family members who Never Give Up, who share and collaborate with love and inspiration, joy and gratitude in the recovery process. Who allow yourselves to be human beings, release, cry, laugh, be angry, forgive, be sad, surrender, re-invent, create, thrive, laugh, love and live love no matter what the physical configuration.
I believe…Beautiful is the integrity of that which is within. I see your Beauty.
Your Beauty is available for all to see, for those who allow themselves / ourselves to see with our heart.
These are precious times. This is the only time we have, the present, NOW…to honor your home, your heart home , your body temple, your Life…no matter what the configuration.
May I encourage you to express and process your recovery through Art.
May I encourage you to embrace the New You, see and feel the Art of YourSelf.
It has been a powerful year. It is going to be a powerful New Year!
Love,
Laura
Laura Sharpe
Artists For Trauma
…where Recovery is an Art
www.artistsfortrauma.org
laura@artistsfortrauma.org