Purple crocuses,
Popping up from winter’s sleep,
Welcoming spring days.
-May 1st, 2023
Walking the kids to school, I saw everyone smiling: kids, teachers, parents… What a beautiful way to start a day.
Warm smiles and kind deeds,
Filling hearts with love and peace,
Kindness spreads like light.
-May 1st, 2023
I’m devoting this post to art viewers coming to the Expressive art show at Canopy studios this coming month. The show will be open from May 1st to May 31st at these two locations:
Sparrow Artspace is located in the De Waal Block, 36 4 St NE (open Thurs-Sat. 11-6pm) and Canopy Studios located in a heritage home at 1723 9th St SW (open Wednesdays or by appointment only).
Since the theme of the show is healing and just like its name “See me. Heal me.” I’ll take this opportunity to share some of my understanding and experience with self-healing.
Self-healing is the process of overcoming physical or emotional pain or illness by using natural methods. It is a holistic approach that focuses on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The concept of self-healing has been around for centuries, and it is based on the idea that the mind and body are interconnected, and that by focusing on the mind, one can heal the body.
Self-healing can be achieved in many ways, including through meditation, yoga, visualization, and positive thinking. These techniques can help individuals to reduce stress, boost their immune systems, and promote overall physical and emotional well-being. Self-healing is a powerful tool that can help individuals to take control of their health and improve their quality of life.
The first step in self-healing is to identify the source of the problem. This could be physical, emotional, or both. For example, someone who is experiencing chronic pain may have an underlying physical issue such as arthritis or an injury. However, it is also possible that the pain is being caused by emotional stress, such as anxiety or depression.
Once the source of the problem has been identified, individuals can begin to take steps to address it. This may include seeking medical treatment, but it should also involve self-care and self-healing techniques. For example, someone with chronic pain may benefit from practising yoga or meditation, which can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Visualization is another powerful self-healing technique. This involves visualizing oneself as healthy and pain-free, and focusing on positive thoughts and emotions. This technique has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving overall well-being. I myself have used this approach to eliminate my neck and shoulder pain; it works.
Positive thinking is also a key component of self-healing. This involves focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations, and avoiding negative self-talk. For example, instead of saying “I am in pain,” one could say “I am healing and getting stronger everyday.”
Self-healing requires a commitment to self-care and self-improvement. This means taking care of oneself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This may involve eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and practising self-care activities such as massage or acupuncture, or simply having a fun habit, a hobby.
In addition to these techniques, there are also many natural remedies that can be used to promote self-healing. For example, herbs such as ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Essential oils such as lavender and peppermint can also be used to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Self-healing is not a quick fix, and it requires patience and dedication. However, the benefits are well worth the effort. By taking control of our health and well-being, we can improve our quality of life and achieve a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment.
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When we are going through a tough time, it can be difficult to find ways to heal ourselves. However, creativity can be a powerful tool in self-healing.
Creativity offers us a way to express ourselves without judgment or criticism. It allows us to tap into our innermost thoughts and emotions and release them onto our craft. This process can be incredibly therapeutic as it allows us to explore and process our feelings in a safe and non-threatening way.
Painting, in particular, offers a unique form of self-expression. The act of putting brush to canvas can be meditative and calming, allowing us to quiet our minds and focus on the present moment. It also allows us to experiment with colours, textures, and forms, which can be a way to explore and express our emotions and thoughts.
In addition to being a form of self-expression, painting can also be a form of self-care. It allows us to take time for ourselves, to slow down, and to focus on our own needs. This act of self-care can help us heal from emotional wounds and to build a more resilient sense of self. In my experience 30 minutes of daily meditation will provide tremendous help to maintain a calm and creative state of mind.
Speaking of this as a painter, I have not only focused on my self-care but also been working towards spreading and sharing the joy of painting with others. I hope everyone who can visit the show will enjoy it. If you desire to share your experience of self-healing with me, feel free to reach me at nga@ngareinio.com. Have a great weekend! I’m sending you my best wishes and warm thoughts.
Nga
When flowers bloom and birds take flight,
the sun shines brighter, the air is light
everything feels brand new.
-April 29, 2023.
Last month it was a roller coaster ride for me. That’s how personal growth feels like- at the beginning you go up a big and isolated hill, in the middle it’s a sudden scary drop and then you go up again with unexpected joy. After a few rides you might develop some expectancy, and if you have learned something it must be the thrill- the courage to start the ride again, and how to adjust your breath when you drop. This time, it took me a while to comb through my thoughts. Painting helped, as usual <3
My plan for July is gone- the application for the art fair was rejected, which is disappointing yet surprisingly I was not upset by it at all, maybe because I had just had a roller coaster drop and because the painting “Chinook skies” got into an IAPS show, which is really an awesome event. Then ICAN is coming- an opportunity for pastelists to gather and learn! My paintings will also be there at their Purely Pastels exhibition. Well done, Nga, your effort has paid off.
One more reason for me to manifest March and April regardless of the roller coaster drop is that I’ve got a buyer’s offer. This is crazy. My self-doubt tells me that I need to sharpen my skills to keep up with the stories behind my work. My spiritual guides tell me to enjoy the thrills of the rides and share them with others. Some might misunderstand the word “teaching.” You don’t need to be a teacher so that you can teach. Teaching isn’t holding others’ hands and showing them to do things. Teaching is showing others where to look, where to start. Then they can learn by themself through your sharing.
While my wish to share the joy of painting and drawing has emerged, I came across a call for artists from a local show. The theme is “Healing.” I knew I would love to participate in it so I applied! Happily, the painting “Light of Hope” will be there for the month of May. I’ll share the show information when the time comes.
Talking about healing, have you heard of astral projection? Family news from Vietnam and a strange dream led me to learn more about this practice. If anyone has experienced it and desires to share it with me, feel free to email me at nga@ngareinio.com <3
Have a great rest of April!
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Harry: “Is it real or has it always happened in my head?”
Dumbledore replies: “Of course it’s happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?”
