The creative journey has been a healing one for me. My life has conspired to reconnect me with my creative genes through a health challenge. It forced me to stop, and discover ways to heal. At various times, all I could do was write or when I was better, to make things with my hands, and it was the creating and making that triggered my healing journey.  One of the best things I did for myself was to explore the inner landscape of my mind, but it's also one of the hardest things I've had to do. As a perfectionist, I find it hard to let go, to play, to try things, to make a mess and fail. I'm worried about wasting time and resources and yet, the creative process calls for complete surrender and making things that sometimes work and sometimes don't. Creative experimentation is how we learn and how in the end, we make beautiful things. No one is born knowing how to do anything. We learn by trying, practicing and exploring. While good food, rest and meditation all help our physical recovery, it is passion and interests, that help us really create change, help us heal and live more joyfully.

Ways I create good in my world and the world of others

Wisdom Writes

As a lover of books and the written word, I decided to write about my experiences with challenging health issues in the online world. 

Anyone who has experienced difficult  life issues, particularly health-related ones, knows how debilitating and isolating poor health can be. Any kind of loss can adversely affect our sense of self.

​Often, during the most difficult times, we find ourselves questioning our lives, our relationships, what's important, what's not and if we're able to, to challenge our thinking about how we deal with the lemons that life throws at us. 

Through my writing, I hope to help others with any insights I gain, as I navigate my way through a different kind of life. I share what I've found helpful, whether it's physical, mental or spiritual medicine.  I also found the writing process actually helped me discover my inner workings and how  my thoughts had triggered an overactive stress response, which in turn, affected my health. I continue to explore and share my insights because I want others to know that they're not alone, and that there are some simple techniques, that we can use, to make life a little more bearable.

If you'd like to read my articles, double click on this link: 
www.wisdomelements.wordpress.com

Wisdom Creates

One of the best things I have done for myself is to give myself permission to explore my creative nature. I have dabbled in drawing and design, crochet and now sewing. I love the meditative and often revealing nature of creativity. Creative pursuits are a great kind of mindfulness practice, and can be a soothing  remedy for anyone suffering with anxiety and/or depression.

Creativity can also have positive side effects. For example, I use my sewing skills to make quilts for sick children, I help the environment by making reusable shopping bags and I get to bring bright colours and designs to cheer someone up.

​The creative act of writing and journaling is also very healing. It can help unlock hidden beliefs and becomes a great record of our journey and progress.

Creativity isn't just about paints and coloured pencils. It can be found in plating up a beautiful meal, creating a garden, or even repainting an old pot and growing some flowers. It can be as simple or complex as you like. 

The key elements to using creativity to heal and find balance, is that it makes you feel good, and it helps you zone out - into a calming meditative state.

Finally, it has to be something that you love and want to do, no matter what others think, particularly, that harsh critic living inside your head.

For perfectionists, pursue your creativity, in spite of the critics. It's one way to achieve your freedom from old, negative thoughts and to start living an authentic life.

I write about creativity and especially the blocks we encounter like perfectionism on my blog: www.wisdomelements.wordpress.com

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Wisdom Cares

There are times in life when we need support with life's challenges, to learn techniques that will help us get through difficult times, and to see if there is an opportunity for growth and wisdom in the situation. Challenges also present opportunities to learn resilience so that we can face our future, better armed with skills that will support us should we face another challenging situation. 

Although I have worked as a counsellor, I no longer run a formal counselling practice. Instead, I've been drawn to provide a holistic type of  pastoral care through the various charitable work I do, I also find just smiling to a stranger is a way of sharing love and changing the world in a small but profound way. Working as a volunteer has also helped me heal as it took the focus off my worries, and showed me that there is always someone facing a greater challenge.

I personally believe, the best way to better mental, emotional and physical health is to take an integrative approach. Along with seeking help of a good healthcare professional  and a professional counsellor, I also encourage people to start writing, to journal their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, the simple act of writing can help us find the answers. Meditation, Contemplative Prayer,  mindfulness, time in nature and engaging in creative pursuits can be healing and calming, especially for anyone suffering with anxiety and depression.

I share more of my own experiences with various techniques on my blog: 
www.wisdomelements.wordpress.com