Comments on: Art Therapy: Session 2

By: Lilac garden

Lilac garden — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:58:06 +0000

Hi, thanks for posting all the pretty pics . Seriously, I think that the paintings look better on the net than in art class. If I remember correctly, the woman with the bleeding circles didn't cut anyone off; she was just getting closure on someone who had unceremoniousy and inexplicably rejected her. You're presence greatly helped cheer me up with your hilarity and wit!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:48:49 +0000

Farokh, I just wanted to let you know that I’m reading, sending loving thoughts and hope to visit when I’m in Canada over Christmas (if and when you are up for it). And also, that your posts always give me much to ponder and that I am particularly enjoying your discussion of your Art Therapy classes.

By: gita

gita — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:38:37 +0000

That is crazy, that you need to have a rare blood condition to live life to the fullest. I don’t want to climb Mt. Everest, but I want to live as if any day could be my last. love, gita

By: Farokh

Farokh — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:17:21 +0000

I wish there was a way of sneaking you in. I also wish there was more lesson. As you can see from my tremendous effort.

I think the part about cancer patients living day to day and making the most of life. We are in a bit of a shock all the time. I also think the anger that some people feel gets in the way.

We had a friend named Judy Elder who passed away in 2001. She had a very rare blood condition, forget the name of it. She had the condition from the age of 16, and time was not on her side. She became pregnant with her second child, and after giving birth to the remarkable and wonderful Jack, had to have a full blood transfusion every three weeks. Not every one was aware of her condition. She was very quiet and private about it. Complications from it finally caught up to her.

She was the only person I have ever know who lived life to the fullest, as if that was going to be her last day. Her partner, David, was a great support to her and helped her fulfill the lifestyle.

And then there is this: Woman with MS climbs Mount Everest

I think you are so busy dealing that you tend to forget to do the living. It takes an enormous of concentration to get there. I also wonder if there is a part of you that needs fulfillment from working or contributing something to society.

So many questions!

By: gita

gita — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:31:12 +0000

here is a strange thought i have sometimes: “I wish I had only a few months to live, because then I could finally do whatever I want.” Of course, I should be doing what I want right now, but somehow there is this sense that I must continue with my normal life, do the things that need to get done instead of doing the things that make me feel alive and present in the world. I wonder if that is the advantage that those with cancer have over the rest of us, your freedom to do as you please is immediate and explicit and everybody knows it. But I imagine that is just my fantasy, based on watching some TV show from the sixties with Ben Gazzarra going off and doing exciting things every week because he was going to die, that the feeling nauseous and having to clean the bag and have chemo doesn’t leave time for romantic adventures. But I really want to paint. Do you think I could sneak into your art therapy class?

By: Nancy Vonk

Nancy Vonk — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:12:18 +0000

Thanks for sharing the art class. How great that you take notes to be able to capture so much detail. It’s fascinating. I am seeing so much through your words. I never stop being amazed by your generosity in sharing your journey. xoN

By: mastaneh

mastaneh — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:24:57 +0000

I read your two sessions of Art Therapy. I did some works and then re-read and it made me think about the matter and even wondered about Leslie’s comment and found it very interesting to be considered.
From my own experience I know that I was a giver. But I was far from being an angel.! It simply gave me pleasure to give. But over the years I noticed that what I do is taken for granted. Another word is not appreciated. I continued like before but a rage and bitterness was coming up as well. Then bitterness and a terrible bluntness came out, I saw the puzzled look of people around me. They were frieghtened. I did not know how to say what I wanted and when I started saying it, it sounded more harsh and terrible than I really felt. It became a bit softer over the years. But still I am working on it. And I am not a charmer. But as you well know we all inherited a bluntness that gets worse over the years !! It also demonstrate an outstanding sincerity regardless of who we are, where we are and what we believe in. This is our real gift.I sometimes wondered if all these givings was as leslie said a mask or lets call it self defense towards agression of those I would see myself not strong enough to confront. Now I know that some part of it was. It was the way I was able to fight. I made agrressors feel ashamed about themselves.!! As I was not good in words,this was the way I fought.!!
Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts so generously. Talking to you opens many new windows.
Hugs
Mastaneh