Making Art To Process War

This month I am choosing to focus my #carechronical / #selfcarechronical on Art. (My journey can be found on my my social media) While this may include a wide range of things from making art, to viewing art, to learning about art so far it has looked like creating an art project each day using materials I have around my apartment.

On one hand this has been a lot of fun. On the other it has been one way for me to process my reaction to the war in the Ukraine. While I know that creating art is not going to end the war, or save peoples lives I still think it is important.

Art is allowing me to focus on trying to find hope in a historical moment that looks bleak and dark. 

Where people are dying each and every day. 

Where refuges continue to increase in number. 

Where some countries think they can simply take over other sovereign nation because they want to and won't face consequences. 

Here are a few of the art pieces I have made so far. each of these has a reference to Ukraine either via sunflowers, or a yellow/blue color palette. 

March 1 2022 "Sunflowers for peace" 

(tempera paint on canvas) 

by Dreaming Ace

March 3 2022 "Searching For Hope In Time Of War" 

(mixed media, cardboard, tempera paint, magazine, construction paper, marker) 

by Dreaming Ace

March 4 2022 "Weaving Peace Together"

 (mixed media printer paper, construction paper, paint, glue) 

by Dreaming Ace

Ash Wednesday/Lent

3/2/22

From Stardust/Starlight We Come

To Stardust/Starlight we shall return

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To remember who we always were

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To remember we are Loved, Beloved

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To let go of what doesn’t serve our truth

From Stardust/Starlight We Come

To Stardust/Starlight we shall return

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To walk with ourselves, in our inner world

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To walk with others past, present, future

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To walk with time itself, the universe itself

From Stardust/Starlight We Come

To Stardust/Starlight we shall return

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To dance with Gods, Holy Parents, “I am”s

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To learn from those called Rabbi, Teacher

We enter the period of Lent, 40 days

To let Holy Spirits enter our hearts

From Stardust/Starlight We Come

To Stardust/Starlight we shall return

Today we start the season called Lent. This is a time that is often marked by give things up (such as in a fast) or taking things up (such as adding a devotion/prayer time.) This is a time to grow spiritually in what ever manner that looks like for us. For example I found Queering Ash Wednesday on Facebook today.

There are countless ways you might celebrate the season of Lent. This is a quick list of 50 such ways in no order but which I hope inspires you to pick something that is meaningful for you. 

(Note only choose something if you want to. It is perfectly valid to choose to take a chill lent and say do only one, one-time event/activity instead of feeling like you have to do multiple things each and every day. Plus you can even choose to fast from religion/church for the period of Lent taking time away from church or other religious commitments so you can come back refreshed)

1. Do a traditional devotional
2. Create your own devotional
3. Do yoga or meditation each day
4. Spend time outside each day
5. Read a book from a different point of view
6. Read a poem each day
7. Read a newspaper/news site each day
8. Write a poem each day
9. Write a short story each day
10. Write a myth each day
11. Attend a worship space in person
12. Attend worship from across the world virtually
13. Make Art each day of Lent
14. Volunteer each day of Lent
15. Send an encouraging note/card/letter each day
16. Dance, Sing, Celebrate
17. Eat a chocolate covered strawberry each day
18. Eat bread and grape juice at home each day
19. Eat your veggies each day
20. Drink more water each day
21. Walk a labyrinth, or do a finger labyrinth
22. Have a cup of tea each day
23. Meatless Mondays or Fishy Fridays
24. Donate/Toss one items each day that doesn't bring joy
25. Make one homemade meal each week
26. Make one new recipe each week
27. Use lotion each day
28. Burn candles each day
29. Only Buy local
30. Only Eat out at BIPOC owned restaurants
31. Go to art galleries
32. Go to art museums
33. Go and explore public art
34. Try therapy for the first time
35. Call someone you have not spoken to in a long time
36. Check in with your own physical and mental health
37. Check in with those with mental health challenges
38. Check in with those who are home bound
39. Visit those who are sick or in prison
40. Hang out with pets/animals/et al
41. Explore another culture
42. Explore what brings you Joy
43. Explore how to be create
44. Explore how to let go of trauma
45. Explore your family history
46. Fast from negativity
47. Fast from self doubt
48. Fast from perfectionism
49. Fast from excess social media
50. Fast from buying new (non-food items) 

We Shall Overcome: Marching Into Justice

"... If you want to say that I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness..."

MLK Jr (from "The Drum Major Instinct" sermon)

For so many of us this is a challenging historical moment:

• War in Ukraine and what the world's response says about who we care about, who we welcome refugees from, which wars "matter" to us.
• Legalized harm against our trans siblings in TX where who they truly are inside is being criminalized, and neighbors are being asked to turn in neighbors.  
• Legalized harm against all children in FL where asking questions and having conversations about the world are being forbidden.

I am glad that I chose to work through the book "30-day journey with Martin Luther King Jr." as part of one of my Black History Month practices. I found many of the devotions really spoke to me especially in this moment and especially as this month unfolded on the national and international stage. 

It was helpful to get wisdom from someone who has been here before, who has stood in the middle of challenging historical moments and still found the presence of mind to keep going. To not let the challenges destroy them. Leaning on MLK Jr.'s faith was meaningful for me.

I am grateful for all those who have gone before, who have stood where we are standing, who have seen what we have seen, who have felt what we have felt. Knowing we are not alone can make a big difference as we continue to be drum majors for peace, justice, and righteousness.

In this historical moment all I can say is we need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves so that we can be drum majors for what matters to us. Being a drum major is a long and hard job. We need to fuel ourselves if we want to be in the march for the long haul. 

Personally February tends to always feel like a long month to me so this year I committed to a self care practice for the month. I ended up doing a #carechronical on social media (Instagram and Facebook) where I shared one thing I did for #selfcare #selflove each day in February. This was based on a #carechronical that Wentworth Miller used to do on social media.

I found it to be a success. 

• Not only did February keep moving but I feel like I was regularly being encouraged which helped me start to emotionally process Ukraine, TX, and FL.
• Some big to me names and sites liked posts they were tagged in and I feel I made connections with others who also are working towards selfcare and selflove.
• Overall I felt more in control of those things I had control over and found i was better able to handle the normal challenges that occur. 

My plan is to continue my #carechronical with a few modifications. I hope to continue to feed myself so I can vibe at the right frequency and be able to continue to be a drum major for what is right for Ukraine, TX, FL et al. 

 

Stop Harming My Trans Siblings!!!

 

2/25/22 a

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

No matter where you live

No matter your cultural background

No matter your socioeconomic background

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

The Right to Life

The right to your gender

The right to your identity

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

The Right to Freedom from Torture

To not be criminalized for who you are

To not fear a knock on a door and disappearing

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

The Right to equal treatment, privacy

The Right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression

The Right to social services

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

No matter where you live

No matter your cultural background

No matter your socioeconomic background

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

2/25/22 b

The State of Texas

Seems to not understand

That we would do anything

To protect our trans siblings

The State of Texas

Seems to not understand

Governmental persecution and bullying

Means physical and mental harm

The State of Texas

Seems to not understand

That we would do anything

To protect our trans siblings

2/25/22 c

Transgender youth knowing their true selves?

No harm done to anyone.

Texas criminalizing transgender youth knowing their true selves?

Physical and mental harm done to the trans community.

Allowing Transgender youth to be who they are?

Does not impact anyone else.

Creating a world where Transgender Youth's Family Could Be Arrested

Harms everyone, Who will be next?, Harms everyone

First they came for the trans community, and I did not speak out—because I was not trans.
... Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Deeply Connecting To People I Have Never Met ...

 

Someone I followed on social media has slowing stepping away and finally removed their last social media profile. Which has me thinking about the role of people I have never met have in my life. 

Often it starts with a creative work that enters my souls DNA, followed by learning the actor/ writer/ creator/ artist has also given a few inspirational speeches on YouTube etc. which really speak to what ever in happening in my life at the time. 

And then the person get written into my own story. Inside my head we go on grand adventures through other books/movies/tv shows I like, Inside my head we spend lots of time simply talking: talking about day to day stuff, talking about heaver topics. (Often they become an internal therapist who helps me process life and everything that life brings up.)

So I clearly fell somehow about them not being around as much. Now I only wish them the best in all their future endeavors. Now I know how toxic social media sometimes can be. Now I will continue to hear their wisdom and understanding inside my head (No one can take that away from me). But I also think it is important to acknowledge I am feeling somehow. So I am raising a cup of tea to them this day.

2/22/22 c

The feelings that come

When a celebrity you feel

Close to has removed their

Last social media profile

I hope they are pausing

And will someday be back

To inspire us all with words

Of truth, Of wisdom, Of hope

I hope they always know

How much they mean to us

How they can make the dark days

A bit brighter, bring a bit of hope

I hope they know they are Loved

Every atom of their being is Loved

Every thought in their heads is Loved

Every layer of who they are is LOVED

Enjoying Local Art

 

Local art is a great way to move from existing to living. No matter where you live there is some type of local art (painting, drawing, sculpture, dance, music, crafts, artisanal foods / drinks / products) you can enjoy. 

You might try:

• Street Art
• Art Classes* 
• Art Galleries
• Art Museums
• Art Historical Sites
• Local Restaurants/Local Foods
• Local craft makers
• Sewing/Knitting Clubs
• Open mic nights
• Dance classes

(*check out your public library or any local universities)

I have been lucky and have been able to explore a few different types of art of the past few weeks. Every time I get out to see art I find I feel so much better afterwards. Art has a way of feeding our souls when it can seem dark and gray outside.

These are some of the candles at a local candle store Waxman which I visited today.

I was even invited into the back to see how they make candles

And was able to hold some semi soft beeswax that would be later turned into candles

This is a picture of several art galleries I have been to over the past few weeks

I love the Rotofugi gallery and really enjoyed getting to an opening at Eat Paint Studio

So if you need a way to change up your day to day I would recommend to find a way to incorporate some local art which will bring a smile to your face, get you out of your apartment, and allow you to connect to others who love art.

Olympic Institutions Need Rebuilding

 

If you have caught any news this week you probably saw in real time why the Olympic institution need rebuilding or at least a deep deep cleaning. 

The Olympics does not know what to do about countries that are doping. 

Those athletes are competing under the name of the “Russian Olympic Committee,” or ROC for short. That’s because Russia received a two-year ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2019 for its state-sponsored doping program. Between Dec. 17, 2020, and Dec. 17, 2022, no athlete can represent Russia at the Olympics, Paralympics or World Championships.

The ban was originally set to last four years, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it to two years.

The years-long doping scheme was first revealed in 2016 by a whistleblower and included at least 15 medal winners from the 2014 Olympics, held in Sochi, Russia. (Via NBC Sports)

Aka: Doping is bad but we also feel bad banning a country even when they had a state sanctioned doping program so we are going to make then compete with slightly different outfits and call it all good. 

The Olympics has clear rules it tends to follow sometimes, when it is convenient.

In the case of someone else from a different country who had a positive test result. 

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the IOC Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. (Via ITA.sport)

Aka: The Olympics tends to be very tough on doping. You dope you can't compete to get medals. 

The Olympics threw Kamila Valieva under the bus.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent, international body that determines sports disputes, decided in a hearing on Monday to allow Valieva to skate, following the announcement that Valieva had tested positive for trimetazidine in December. Trimetazidine is a banned substance that can improve endurance in athletes. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), trimetazidine is banned at all times in and out of competition. Russian athletes, including Valieva, are already not allowed to compete under the Russian flag for these Olympics as a punishment for the country’s participation in state-sponsored doping.

According to the CAS decision, there are two general points of why it’s allowing Valieva to skate: that she’s a minor and minors are subject to lesser penalties because of their age depending on the transgression; and that Valieva has tested negative while in Beijing. Valieva’s positive test came in December; there was significant delay in test reporting, and the results came only after she had skated in her first event. The CAS said that Valieva is still subject to punishment. (Via Vox)

Aka: Kamila Valieva is a kid so we will turn a blind eye to the doping allegations and just make the whole situation worst, worst for everyone competing, worst for everyone involved, and especially worst for Kamila Valieva. 

Ways this could be prevented:

a) Taking a tougher no doping stand with Russia. 

b) Not creating a work around so Russia could still complete

c) Not creating a situation where doping looks so good (ie banning all women quads in both programs not just the short program, or increasing the minimum age to level the playing field.)

d) Not having Kamila Valieva skate

e) Realizing that simply saying Kamila Valieva could not skate in the individual program would have been much kinder than what actually happened. Especially this year where with COVID several athletics could not compete so not competing would have hard but manageable.

Now to be honest this whole situation is so troubling I am still processing it.

It feels like people have clearly fallen into different camps either she did nothing wrong and the institutions are all to blame, or the reverse where she was in some kind of bubble that meant she had no coaches etc. putting pressure on her. In truth it was a mix. I would say something like 90% the institutions fault and 10% hers 

(I am sorry by 15 you know that doping is bad and know there are repercussions if you dope so I struggle with the story line that she is completely guilt free but I also recognize the pressure that Russia puts on its athletics which makes doping look attractive)

So while her being able to compete was a misstep from the start I still have compassion for the version of her who came in 4th when a different result was expected from her and all the pressure that comes with that. I hope she is able to retire and follow her dreams and become an astronaut or something.