In June, I was given the opportunity to go through the A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) Leadership Training in Santa Monica, California. This program will prepare me for my teaching expressive Art workshops at Artesia Healing Arts in Ventura County. It was 3 days of getting hands on experience what it would be like to be a participant as well as a leader in facilitating art workshops. AWBW is a non-profit group that uses art as a healing tool for women and children affected by domestic violence. AWBW and its staff is like a warm fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa on a cold breezy night. The staff are welcoming, supportive, encouraging and always listening to hear the heart of any speaker.
Even though I was coming in as a leader to train others coming out a domestic violence, I was surprised at the depth of emotions that came out both in myself and the other future leaders in the group. As I allowed myself the freedom to just be and enjoy the process of the healing art workshops, something new always popped up. The art may not have been "beautiful" but it was always reflective of the process of letting go or setting the intention for the future. It just shows that there is always something inside of us that needs a voice so that who we can walk in who we really were created to be.
I came out with more insight to affirm the future participants I will encounter in shelters, groups, and other locations setting survivors free. And I will understand better the process they undergo rather than to affirm the art. Its not the beautiful art that is truly beautiful but the heart that can express itself without judgement, criticism or negativity. There is healing in our acceptance of whatever emotion we feel.