” Connection is why we’re here;it is what gives us purpose and meaning to our lives” Brene Brown PhD
My Origin Story
Before returning to college, I had a 25-year career managing a successful business for my staff and clients. When I closed that chapter my new goal was to recover from complex trauma incurred in my childhood. It was initially very difficult, but through therapy, my love of art, a spiritual life, and devotion to yoga sped my recovery to a place of clarity and peace. Devoting my energy into Applied Human Behaviour gave me the academic understanding of my instinctual process and the imperative calling to create a safe space for personal development for my community. With this cumulative knowledge and the deepest respect for others I have a blueprint for service and inspiration.
Before returning to college, I had a 25-year career managing a successful business for my staff and clients. When I closed that chapter my new goal was to recover from complex trauma incurred in my childhood. It was initially very difficult, but through therapy, my love of art, a spiritual life, and devotion to yoga sped my recovery to a place of clarity and peace. Devoting my energy into Applied Human Behaviour gave me the academic understanding of my instinctual process and the imperative calling to create a safe space for personal development for my community. With this cumulative knowledge and the deepest respect for others I have a blueprint for service and inspiration.
Spark of Creativity
In Maslow’s theory of Hieratical needs self actualisation is the stage that comes after all other stages have been met. The theory states that physiological needs of survival must come first, then safety, followed by love and belonging, this leading to esteem and through pursuing creativity to discovering insight both personally and socially which results in transcendence. However, the programs instituted in the treatment of complex trauma adjust Maslow’s theory. Once there is an assurance of survival and safety, trauma interventions focus on the building of self, goals and values, healthy relationships, achievement, respect of others and personal self esteem through the pursuit of creativity and self expression. (Joseph Spinazzola) Essentially once the foundation is established all the qualities for being whole are developed through the highest skill of creativity. The most authoritative specialists in the field of recovery from trauma have found that the survivor must develop their own personal values, have priorities, and believe there is a purpose in life. Until that development is established, they cannot address the trauma they suffered and be restored. (Cormier, 2016)
Several parts of the brain are activated while participating in the arts, yoga, theatre and music including the prefrontal cortex, limbic system as well as parietal and occipital lobes. (Bessel van der Kolk) The practice of yoga affects the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala which regulates emotion and increased cognitive function. The flow state of shifting from accumulated knowledge to the innovation of producing something beautiful requires accessing not just every facet of the brain but sense memory and the unity of body and mind. The act of creativity is a meditation and connects with intuition and trust in oneself. Each venture into learning creates an open window into one’s own self perception and identifications. To express in any media requires a willingness to learn, which leads the person in a new direction and opens abilities to test, grow and adapt. To learn in conjunction with others builds relationships and requires tolerance and trust. The process requires attention and mindfulness which awakens the senses and activate the abilities to think in new ways. Shared experience also builds respect for others along with oneself which is the foundation for healthy relationships and community. (Martin, 2020)
The learning process provides infinite opportunity to make mistakes; this is a gift. To be able to try something new and work through a failure gives us the chance to cope with the crippling pressure to not fail. How can we learn to overcome and find solutions if there is fear to try new things? (Brown, 2020) To fail while in the company of friends in a supportive system fosters self regulation skills and approach to life’s challenges with a lighter heart, resilience and adaptability. Being able to accept oneself with honest humour regarding a failure can make a person more approachable and build real connection.
This enables us the stunning awareness of your creative self; you can make something! Being a participant in creation, bravely learning new skills, refining those skills all support the ability to participate in beauty. When something is made, it will be the only one of its kind. Art reflects on the creator, it is irreplaceable, individual; their voice made manifest in a sculpture, song, watercolour that reflects the uniqueness of both product and person.
The intent is to have a facility that supports everybody, with docents in every field available to guide participants in their creative endeavours. Artists demonstrating on long term or special visits can teach a skill to a class while filmed for YouTube if that is preferred by the artist. in all cases the artist is paid, recognized and if comfortable with the process,marketed, and students get to learn from professionals. If students are interested in marketing their work guidance will be provided. The facility will be as adaptive as the creativity it will host. As a nonprofit the facility will add fields in accordance with the interests of the participants. In that adaptability the facility may be satellites in neighbourhoods that call for a specific field of interest. As a whole or in branches the space will be available for the public to experience the creative process and the teachers will be local artists.Grants and on-line Kickstarter, Classy, Indiegogo will all channel contributions. A nonprofit board of directors will address the needs of a space for the teachers, students, art therapists and docents. The tools needed for each field will be available for rental with the necessary space and training provided in an OSHA approved environment. Already I have contacts to teach sculpture, jewellery making, batik, lapidary, ceramics, bookmaking, and multimedia. With Tai Chi and yoga available throughout the day to enhance the process of mindfulness and respect for one’s health. Music, writing classes, Soul Collage, botany and even astronomy clubs will be offered by request.
The mission is to thoughtfully consider the needs of both helpers, participants, and their ultimate values and goals. This endeavor, through participating in creativity is about developing a respect for each individual and discovering connection, thus breaking the walls of misunderstanding. Discovering we need one another as we are recipients of the experience of finding our way in life. Old, young, worldwide we are facing challenges and not one person is less important that another. When we work together, we build alliance. The person beside us is valuable and we are essentially family, supporting one another to a better world.
Retirees can spend the day creating, guided groups of special needs can learn skills and have a safe environment for self expression. Students can hone their abilities along with lasting relationships. And before or at the end of a workday people can decompress and play in a civil space. A commercial kitchen will allow entrepreneurs to make their recipes and market them worldwide. The community will prosper, and job programs instituted so that the competencies to fix as well as create can be made possible. (George Wray, 2024) To be skilled in creativity and have independence, interdependence, and development of an income will be open for anyone who wants it.
The ability to adapt, play, and express has a myriad of positive effects. In the treatment of trauma and PTSD modalities of mindfulness, yoga, theatre, and creativity is proving to be highly effective. (Psychiatric, 2023) The human condition requires healthy expression in supportive and safe environments. To be an observer, rooting for a team or having an avatar that we identify with, is half a life. To be whole we must participate in life, discover who we are, be at peace with that understanding and see one another with that same clarity. Play is underrated, it is how we experience, test our selves and innovate as we develop our abilities. In our culture we are taught that we must make it on our own and fear the others, our goal is a society in which we have neighbourhoods, community and a social contract to respect one another and communicate thoughtfully to each person, which we believe is the enduring combination.
The ability to adapt, play, and express has a myriad of positive effects. In the treatment of trauma and PTSD modalities of mindfulness, yoga, theatre, and creativity is proving to be highly effective. (Psychiatric, 2023) The human condition requires healthy expression in supportive and safe environments. To be an observer, rooting for a team or having an avatar that we identify with, is half a life. To be whole we must participate in life, discover who we are, be at peace with that understanding and see one another with that same clarity. Play is under-rated, it is how we experience, test our selves and innovate as we develop our abilities. In our culture we are taught that we must make it on our own and fear the others, our goal is a society in which we have neighbourhoods, community and a social contract to respect one another and communicate thoughtfully to each person, which we believe is the enduring combination.
MELINDA BAIRD 