I took a deep breath, and girded my loins... so to speak!

by Garry
(Calgary)

I took a deep breath, girded my loins (figuratively, since this was mixed company) and marched into the Expressive Arts room at the Y in Banff. Truthfully, I was quite apprehensive since I have no creative ability, and my artistic ability is even worse. This was not a place I really wanted to be.

However, I knew the coordinator, Yona, and she had threatened physical harm if I didn't attend. (I am pretty sure she was kidding.)

So, there I was sitting at a table covered with newsprint... this great white expanse of intimidating blank canvas, awaiting my creative talents. I gulped and started drawing.

Unfortunately, I had not been given instructions, so I was already on the facilitator's "hit" list. I was quite surprised to find out that I needed to choose two crayons, close my eyes and just scribble, doodle, mess around.

Now THAT I can do!

In fact, I found that I could "do" what was required... because... there were no expectations around colors, staying within the lines, being creative... nothing that was a concern of mine prior to getting immersed in the process.

And

I was immersed... thoroughly... joyfully... I felt that I was "in the zone".

What a freeing evening!

Yona is patient, clever, knowledgeable, and she becomes a guide/mentor/collaborator with everyone in the process. And she intuited when we were "flagging" and stepped up with another activity that engaged and energized us.

Was I amazed? Yup.

Was I pleased with what I/we accomplished? Double YUP.

Would I do it, again. Of course!

I'm bugging her to do another one, really soon.

Contact Yona so you, too, can participate, play, ponder and delve further into your "inner" self.

To my surprise, those were the outcomes I experienced. So did the other participants.

Yona ensures that it happens.