September
2001
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Creative Expression
Guides the Inner Journey
MARGARET KINNEY
DURING MY DIVORCE five years ago, I had a dream in which I had to climb a tall rocky
hill. In my dream I was fearful that my legs and arms would not be strong enough
to get me to the top, but I was tearfully determined. As I trudged up the hill, I
heard a voice tell me, “Your muscles hurt now but they will be stronger later.” When
I awoke, I knew that the image of my struggle up the hill was an important one which
represented faith, commitment, and hope. I painted the hill, and although it was
not a technically “perfect” work of art, it served as a supportive visual reminder
of my hopeful inner wisdom.
During the following two years of divorce proceedings and all the physical and emotional
changes that took place, I could look at my hill and remember the dream and its promise
of endurance and strength. The hill represented not only my arduous journey, but
also that something awaited me on the other side, something I could not see or appreciate
until I made the journey to the top. Of course, I knew there would then be more hills
to climb, but making it up the first one was very encouraging.
A Treasure Chest Within
Many of us find ourselves taking an interior journey during or after dramatic
external events. In an effort to find meaning from such events, we can search within
ourselves, where we often discover a treasure chest of wisdom and guidance in the
forms of intuition, dreams, and images. Opening this treasure chest is the first
step toward accessing our inner knowledge and our ability to transcend life’s challenging
changes. Using art to put words or forms to the images, in the process of art, can
be the second step, which allows us to later revisit the nuggets of useful information,
letting us see certain experiences more clearly and with hope for the future.
Our inner life is a series of images and messages, and all of them have important
things to say to us. We may curse, dread, and avoid the life changes that befall
us, but it is not until we go inside, to the source of our anger, grief, and fear
that we can make friends with them, work through and with them, and integrate them
safely and wisely into the rest of our life. These parts of ourselves can then make
room for forgiveness, acceptance, and a sense of hope. By going inside and finding
the images, we can make them tangible in writings, or in visual art such as paintings,
drawings, or collages. We can move past them, if we need to, or stay with them as
long as is necessary before moving beyond them to grow holistically.
The process of art can be a powerful tool to help interpret the external events
as positively as possible, to accept that a stage of our life is ending, and to work
towards a healthy discovery of the next stage of life. We can use the language of
color, forms, and first thoughts, taking visions directly to paper, not worrying
about interpretation or analysis. Surrounding ourselves with our very own inner images
can have a profound effect on our inner growth, because having them in view can be
a potent reminder when we have forgotten how wise we are inside.
Ceremonies Unite Individual, Community
Sometimes it is through the pain of others that we can most clearly see what
is needed to restore ourselves. Our curative spirit can manifest itself concretely
through our interactions with others, providing a space for development that we might
not attain through solitary work. By hearing the stories of others, by sharing our
stories with them, we can integrate not only our divine wisdom, but that of others,
in a warm, healing transition community. That is why we need ceremonies such as weddings,
funerals, and even birthday parties, to publicly declare who we are becoming and
to give our community members a role in this becoming.
Spiritual and emotional healing is best embodied and felt on an inner and interactive
level. Creative activities, exercises, and rituals can help you to feel an awareness
of changes taking place, and they will give you tangible records and memories of
your healthy processes of change.
Margaret Kinney, BA, MA, (human development) is an artist and writer, and director of ARTransitions, an organization devoted to nurturing growth and support during and after lifeís transitions. You may contact ARTransitions at 651-554-4986 or email.
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2001 Twin Cities WELLNESS newspaper.
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