Monthly Archives: January 2012

January 16, 2012

it is good…

After a couple of months of settling into life in Oslo and volunteering at Marita Cafe (http://www.marita.no/marita-coffeehouse/), the time was ripe for spontaneous art therapy at the cafe. Last Thursday night, the opportunity arose to ask a man who comes daily to the cafe to do an art experiential. It was a simple task but one that opened up doors to more personal conversation. A window into his life here in Oslo… a place caught between here and nowhere.

The drawing he shared was a non-threatening way for me to ask questions that uncovered more of where he is and why. To understand the inner workings of a heart so guarded. To be able to encourage little changes within the drawing as a metaphor of motivating to change in one’s actual life. For the other volunteers, this simple creation reflected something in their own life while building confidence to talk with complete strangers. All in all a beautiful night…

Tonight, I have the opportunity to conduct a volunteer training at Marita Cafe utilizing art therapy. I am excited and humbled for this evening. As I step out into unknown lands, I appreciate your prayers and support. I will also facilitate another training Thursday (Jan 26th) along with a group art therapy session with the customers of the cafe. I customize the art directive for each specific group depending on their needs and what I observed over the last months. I continually ask God for His wisdom as we co-labor on this amazing adventure together…

It came to my attention that my PayPal was NOT working… it is fixed now! 🙂

love and blessings for a delightful day!

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January 4, 2012

in search of stories

By karenkang5

If you know me at all, you are not surprised to hear that I go to complete strangers and ask for a story. Always willing to hear another and another. Pictures of little children listening wide eyed with expectancy describes my excitement. There is something so special about telling stories… especially when they are pieces of one’s personal journey. It is a privilege when someone chooses to share a piece of themselves.

As an art therapist, I unceasingly admire the courage necessary in releasing these stories into drawings. To place within an external space a tale so true and at times so painful. I am inspired to be similarly vulnerable in my own explorations and reveal more than intended. Thrilled to collect as many stories as lips will talk. It usually does not take much for someone to share to a listening heart.

Many ask: what exactly is art therapy? Art therapy is a delicate and powerful interweaving of art and psychotherapy. Combining knowledge of psychological theories & human development with artistic process & understanding of the specific uses of art materials to create stories unseen, unknown and neglected. It does not solely uncover but also provides a safe space that fosters communication, self-awareness, cleansing, letting go and healing. Sense of safety promotes the reflection of self.

A few of the many benefits of art therapy: increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, develop social skills, promote interpersonal relationships, promote teamwork, manage behavior, explore feelings and provide self-reflection. The therapeutic relationship between therapist and client/patient is one of the key components to develop and explore. Life is about relationships…

Stories have a way of forming relationships that go beyond the directly involved parties. Of creating identity or of removing it. Of deepening one’s being within or connecting one deeper to another without. Whatever its intentional and unintentional purposes, something is touched and change ensues. Life is chosen.

Here is a plate full of stories. Each type of bread came with its own history of secret recipes, a lost art, mother-in-law’s talents and lands bonded in marriage… it was also a special second Norwegian Christmas breakfast…absolutely yummy!