A mandala, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC drawing

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Examiner article

I was introduced to the mandala in my Expressive Art Therapy Trauma classes when I was in a program obtaining my Professional Certificate 1. The mandala creation exercise can be as basic or complex as you wish; much depends on how much time and focus you are willing to devote. I included a video in the article of a sand mandala created by monks; it is extremely impressive. If you search Google Images for the word mandala, you’ll find some breath-taking creations. I also looked at many YouTube videos that offer a “fast forward” view of people capturing their creation process. You can learn many tricks and/or shortcuts to utilize if you are going to create your own.

In all of the cultures I read about, the mandala represents some aspect of spirituality. If you follow my column you know that I believe creation in any form is spiritual but it is amazing to me to read about all of the cultures that acknowledge the spiritual power of a mandala.

If you do create your own, I would love to see your creation. My first was quite simple (shown above) although, I have stepped my complexity up since then; regardless, it’s worthwhile to try if you haven’t drawn one yet.

Keep me posted on your progress, I’m curious how it’s going.  

Dream of herbs from Peru offered healing, continued...

Photo of Stephen post healing.

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Examiner article

Stephen Leslie talked about his suffering, “Like many patients with Chronic Lyme I had to deal with doctors that did not know how to treat the disease, confusion in the medical community about whether the illness even existed, and confusing and contradictory advice. As a result of my illness my wife left and I lost my original job.  I now live alone.”

He described the disease, “There are two stages of Lyme disease.  Simple Lyme, if this is treated properly and found in time can be treated with a month or more of antibiotics. If it is not caught in time or the patient is given the wrong medication or not enough medication, it can change into Chronic Lyme disease. 

The disease has become a political football between the health insurance companies and the doctors in the field. The health insurance companies generally refuse to acknowledge Chronic Lyme disease.”

Stephen is reaching out to others, “As a result of being sick for four years and then recovering I have decided to come back to the Lyme community to encourage others. I’ve become a source of inspiration for those who suffer from Lyme.  My book titled, Healed from Chronic Lyme:  My Journey, which is available from the Kindle Store on Amazon offers my memoir.  I also speak at Lyme support groups.”

He’s come full circle, “Often when we think of Divine Intervention we think of it in terms of a Hollywood scene, of a healer placing their hands on someone sick, but Divine intervention can come in quiet ways as well. In my case it came in a healing dreams, a new doctor who suddenly appeared, and some special herbs from my Native American ancestors. As a result I have more confidence in the unique ways that the Divine can guide us when we are in trouble.  It made me a stronger person!”

 You can order Stephen’s memoir, Healed from Chronic Lyme: My Journey, available at Amazon/Kindle.

You may contact Stephen by email, gofigure2006@verizon.net.

Let in some light, continued...

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Examiner article

I love the darkness but not as much as I love the light! Anytime I see the sun shining through anything, it is a picturesque moment. It lifts my spirit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one who jumps up at the crack of dawn to open the shades but I do appreciate taking in a sunrise on occasion. The only time I dwell in dim environments is when I've got a migraine and I hide from the light like a vampire.

Light, to me, represents a source from God. It is pure and carries no weight. It is freeing and warm. How does it feel to you? How do you light up your life? Leave me a note and let me know.