September is a month of anxiety. New school. New teachers. New subjects. New schedule. New classmates. New routines to be established. Separation from our families. Learning how our homes function compared to other kids’. Socializing after so many months of being isolated and communicating through screens. Missing our families. Being exposed to different personalities.

Many years ago my mentor said something that has resonated with me throughout my personal and professional life: “You cannot ask someone to do something that you are not willing to do yourself.”

I define this month's theme as the achievement of self-actualized freedom. I see authenticity as living in (and maintaining) a state of acceptance and self-worth despite controversial forces. It is a spiritual liberation dependent upon no other deity but the one that resides in my own soul.

Research has revealed that 80% of us will retrace known paths and avoid opportunities that invite unknowns, while 20% of us will take a new path and explore our sense of adventure accepting invitations of the unknown and possible. 

Grace does not mean to be perfectly carved out of smooth marble. Nor does it mean to successfully hide any pain, displeasure or discomfort from everyone else. Grace does not mean a trifecta of elegance, beauty and happiness. When I think of “grace” many other types of images now come to mind…

Without our stories, who are we? Our internal worlds, where our "narrative identity" lives, can get messy. Our narrative identity is the inner story that helps us navigate our external worlds. It is the myth, the legend, the tale we construct that informs who we think we are and what our purpose is.

In anticipation of the upcoming reception, I spoke with several artists. I asked, “what kind of communication or ‘permission’ was verbalized throughout your process as you handed off the canvas to the next person?”

February brought us the theme of “invite”. Although it seemed natural to approach the monthly theme of invite with some type of big party metaphor, it was not in my blood to do so. I am an introvert and therefore do not become energized by daily socialization. Continued socializing drains me; I can feel the energy leaving my body when I spend a lot of time with people. The closest metaphor I can give you in the name of “Invite” is a reference to J.R.R. Tolkien.

It is our hope that our readers and followers will acknowledge that we are holistic, complex, and multi-faceted human beings. Our wellbeing is conscious and self-directed. The wellness wheel reminds us that wellness is not merely the absence of suffering or illness, but the personal, meaningful, and intentional striving for positive wellbeing.

It is unrealistic to assume that “just breathing” is going magically transform someone’s issues into a sunny day or worry-less experience. In my own personal and professional experience I believe it is so important to view breathing as a gateway. A gateway to improved perspective. A gateway to more clear perception.

For six months, phrases like "social distance" and "new norm" have replaced courtesy hellos and casual dinner time talking. Many of you have been scrutinized, criticized, and minimized for your response to chronic stress, uncertainty, loss, and the risk of mortality. These factors, compounded by political discord, have created a perfect storm for a mental health crisis.

“I wish for a heart you can see straight through,

For a voice that glows in the dark

And a few really good friends to skip moon rocks to.”

— Andrea Gibson, "Jellyfish"

I decided to take some time to focus on my mental health. Perfect timing in the middle of COVID19. If I couldn’t do art, I would exercise, meditate or stretch. This was working for me. I could feel myself becoming happier and having more energy. The pandemic and being away from my family was taking a larger toll on me than I realized. I was finding my way back to my creative self, a much needed trip.