tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83155842021515599672024-03-13T21:43:47.447-05:00Transformative Language Artistthe webzine for people who live, work & create social & personal transformation through the spoken, written & sung wordHelp Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-22346893979420985912009-04-17T10:46:00.006-05:002009-04-17T11:00:02.052-05:00Moving Toward Authenticity: Connecting with Self, Others, and Nature Through Transformative Language Arts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/Seil0E4eDcI/AAAAAAAAAPw/nU_gvrDKy2A/s1600-h/Alternatives.Photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/Seil0E4eDcI/AAAAAAAAAPw/nU_gvrDKy2A/s400/Alternatives.Photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325688873447984578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Within and around the earth,<br />Within and around the hills,<br />Within and around the mountains,<br />Your authority returns to you.<br /><br /> –A Tewa Pueblo Prayer<br /></div><br />The poem, above, has great significance, for it is in the context of the earth, hills, and mountains–indeed, the landscapes in which we live, move, and breathe–that we express and embrace our own unique authority, connecting with those other sentient beings–human and other-than-human–with whom we share this planet.<br /><br />Through the creative arts, whether it be dancing, painting, or transformative language arts, people can discover and affirm their own unique authority, bringing forth and embracing that which is most authentic about themselves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Story of Sherry</span><br /><br />Forty-five years old and severely depressed, “Sherry” (name changed to maintain confidentiality) was admitted to a mental health treatment center after a failed suicide attempt.<br /><br />While on shift one evening at the center, I discovered that one of Sherry’s interests was poetry-writing. So I knocked on her door and invited her to write poems together.<br /><br />“Sure,” she said, “but then I’m going back to bed.”<br /><br />So we sat at a table, picked out words from a bowl, and used these words as springboards for our poems. After sharing our creations, we spoke <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SeinUb9XXjI/AAAAAAAAAQI/xDODZehJxK4/s1600-h/Salsify+flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SeinUb9XXjI/AAAAAAAAAQI/xDODZehJxK4/s400/Salsify+flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325690528909975090" border="0" /></a>about Sherry’s interest in poetry-writing.<br /><br />When Sherry’s condition had improved somewhat, she handed me a poem that she had found in a magazine. The poem dealt with issues of separation and loss, much like those Sherry had experienced through the loss of her marriage. Eventually, she shared with me a poem that she herself had written. In it, she spoke about her desire to “embrace change.”<br /><br />Prior to her departure from the center, Sherry told me that she had begun to write poems regularly. She reflected on the poetry-writing process and how it had helped her unlock emotions and begin to work through her depression. Then she handed me a poem in which she spoke about her desire to “learn new things” and “create something new” in her life. She described the poetry-writing process as a way of “breaking up the log jam.”<br /><br />Poetry-writing was not a magic pill for Sherry, but it did give her an opportunity to begin to work through her depression and to gain some perspective on her divorce. In the short time that I knew her, I witnessed her gradually opening up as she began to express herself through poetry.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A Consideration of Terms </span><br /><br />The words “healing” and “transformation” are both employed in transformative language arts environments. The word heal derives from the Anglo-Saxon word haelan, to heal. Related words include hale, meaning in good health, or sound; and holy. Transform derives from the French transformer, which means to change the form of, to give a new form to, or to metamorphose. Whereas the word heal implies restoration to a state of wholeness or health, transform implies movement toward a new state of being.<br /><br />One of the goals of the transformative language arts process is to restore one’s sense of wholeness. Another is to create the conditions whereby transformation is possible.<br /><br />...Whoever you are, no matter how lonely<br />the world offers itself to your imagination,<br />calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting–<br />over and over announcing your place<br />in the family of things.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/Seim-t8459I/AAAAAAAAAQA/LXkxhVD6Yhc/s1600-h/IMG_1521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/Seim-t8459I/AAAAAAAAAQA/LXkxhVD6Yhc/s400/IMG_1521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325690155782694866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> From “Wild Geese,” by Mary Oliver<br /><br />How does transformative language arts help us deepen our connections with self, others, and nature? Three core tenets are critical to the process.<br /><br />First, everyone in the group has something unique and valuable to share. As part of the group, people announce their place in the “family of things” through the words they speak, the poems they share, and even through the simple act of announcing their name at the start of every group session.<br /><br />Second, everything in nature is divine. This tenet is reflected in the way in which everyone in group is treated with integrity and respect. We listen deeply, speak from the heart, and practice confidentiality. Respect extends beyond the human community to include Raven, Spider, Cedar, indeed, anything we bring into the process by way of the imagination, experience, memory, or dreams.<br /><br />The third tenet, we are all connected, is reflected in the words of Walt Whitman, in his poem “We Two, How Long We Were Fooled.” He says,<br />...We are Nature, long have we been absent, but<br /> now we return,<br />We become plants, trunks, foliage, roots, bark,<br />We are bedded in the ground,<br />We are rocks,<br />We are oaks, we grow in the openings side by side...<br /><br />In group, we discover and express our own essential nature and honor that of others. When we meet, we seat ourselves in a circle, ancient symbol of wholeness, totality, and completion.<br />§<br /><br />I am one who<br />eats his breakfast<br />gazing at morning glories.<br /> Matsuo Bash<br /><br />Poetic stems, creating springboards from poetic lines, and using visuals or aromas are among the many tools employed to help us re-connect with self, others, and nature. Poetic stems invite people to add their own responses to lines of poetry. The line “I am one who,” from the poem, above, can evoke such responses as “I am one who likes to laugh,” “I am one who loves the ocean,” or “I am one who feels sad.” I remember the time an individual responded, “I am one who does not want to share.” We move toward authenticity.<br /><br />Other poetic stems include “If you don’t know the kind of person I am....” (William Stafford) “I am so thankful I have seen...” (Alice Walker), and “In time of silver rain, the earth...” (Langston Hughes). The goal of poetic stems is to give people an opportunity to share something unique and honest about themselves.<br /><br />Springboards are similar to poetic stems, except that lines are used as springboards into longer poems. An excellent example of a springboard is the line, “I have roads in me...” from the poem of the same title by Jimmy Santiago Ba<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SeimWtHy0xI/AAAAAAAAAP4/M6f1JsDpz6U/s1600-h/IMG_0615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 215px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SeimWtHy0xI/AAAAAAAAAP4/M6f1JsDpz6U/s400/IMG_0615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325689468365230866" border="0" /></a>ca. People begin with the line, then follow it into a poem. In practice, poetic stems and springboards can be utilized interchangeably. It is simply a matter of how the facilitator elects to use them.<br /><br />Other evocative writing approaches include writing in response to visuals, such as photographs or post cards; to items from nature, such as sand dollars or stones; or to aromas. Aroma vials–including rosemary, chocolate, cinnamon, or coffee–stimulate the olfactory sense, but also the sense of taste. Through the memories evoked, they can lead us into a whole pallette of experiences about which to write.<br /><br />§<br /><br />And what if my words,<br />my fledgling poems,<br />were children, were toddlers<br />trying first steps,<br />tumbling, skinning knees,<br />squealing with glee,<br />splashing mud,<br />making a mess,<br />discovering themselves?<br /><br />Would I hold them<br />at arm’s distance,<br />disown them, hide them,<br />say what I imagine<br />others will think—<br />that, after all, they<br />really aren’t very good?... <br /><br />From “As They Are,” by Barbara McEnerney<br /><br />While working at the hospital recently, I invited a patient to participate in an expressive arts circle that I was facilitating. The patient declined, stating, “When I was a kid, I was told that most kids can do art, but that I was the one exception. Ever since that time, I have not done art.” <br />The above example serves to illustrate one of the reasons that critique is not part of the transformative language arts process. Critique can cut off the creative flow at the very time an individual is beginning to open up. Therefore, one of the group covenants is that we operate from a place of curiosity, rather than critique.<br /><br />Operating from the curiosity model, people can say anything they want to about their poem–how they came to write it, feelings and emotions it evokes, or how it is related to events going on in their life. When finished, they may invite reflections from the group. Reflections include listening to the poem and selecting from it a detail that stands out. It can be an image, line, or word; or it can be a memory, association, or question the poem evokes. The curiosity model helps support the atmosphere of safety, security, and trust, which is another goal of the transformative language arts process.<br /><br />§<br /><br />Transformative Language Arts, as practiced by myself and others in the field, continues to evolve. Recently, for example, I introduced group drumming into the process, this as a way of helping people move closer to the underlying pulse of language and of providing a unifying experience before writing. I am also working with authentic movement practitioner Elizabeth Russell, co-director of Bodies in Balance, in Portland, OR, to integrate transformative language arts with authentic movement.<br /><br />We are all creative. It is our birthright as human beings. When we tap these resources in an atmosphere of safety, security, and respect; when we share from a place of openness and honesty, we move toward wholeness and authenticity. Through the creative arts, we are all connected to the sacred web of life.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Brian Moore holds an MA in Transformative Language Arts from Goddard College, in VT, and a certification in poetry therapy. Director of the Cascadia Arts and Healing Center, in Eugene, he facilitates transformative language arts groups at the Pathways Learning Center and the Sacred Heart Medical Center, in Eugene. He also facilitates Healing Landscapes, a writing group exploring the connections between the expressive arts and deep ecology. For further information about Brian and his work, or for information about upcoming workshops and events, contact the Cascadia Arts and Healing Center, in Eugene, at (541) 543-6380. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">For information about Body Story, Tree Story, an integrated transformative writing and authentic movement workshop, contact the Cascadia Arts and Healing Center, or go to <a href="http://www.bibpilates.net/">www.bibpilates.net.</a></span>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-75954926638586522022009-02-26T08:43:00.001-06:002009-02-26T08:46:46.400-06:00Audacity of Reflection ConferenceThe Audacity of Reflection Conference: Reflecting on How We Lead, will be held March 27 through 29, 2009, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90024. Conference Director: Arthur D. Colman, M.D. and Associate Conference Director: Shahin Sakhi, M.D., Ph. D.<br />On-line registration and details at:<a href="Skyler%20Jackson%20%20Online%20registration%20at:%20%20http://www.akriceinstitute.org/cde.cfm?event=251366"><br />http://www.akriceinstitute.org/cde.cfm?event=251366 <br /></a><br />This group experiential learning is for those who are interested in experiencing groups have life of their own, how groups of various sizes act differently on their members and at the same time are reflective of this collective and society at large. This conference is for those who are interested in learning how to function better in groups, understand symptoms and signs of group(s) dysfunction as well as efficiency, those who are interested in learning how to lead or follow better by recognizing their authority and its relationship to their task, to emerging roles, and to their institutions' mission, and those who are interested in learning how to be more efficient citizens of any small or large group in our society.Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-14993539176143200962009-02-09T10:37:00.002-06:002009-02-09T10:42:35.341-06:00Singing Children: A Poem by Itoro Udofia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SZBc2YpScqI/AAAAAAAAAOw/Sx5uzYffg0A/s1600-h/100_1490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 332px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SZBc2YpScqI/AAAAAAAAAOw/Sx5uzYffg0A/s400/100_1490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300838850813391522" border="0" /></a>Singing Children<br /><br /> by Itoro Udofia<br /><br />I hear the children singing against the mourning dove’s cry<br />They tread red earth and praise a blue sky<br />They eat the raw cocoa<br />They tell me it’s sweet<br />I’ve tasted it too<br />I say, “Too bitter to eat.”<br />I hear them humming<br />I’ll try to hum too<br />I’m no longer a child<br />But I can still stay in tune<br />My notes scurry to run with these children of the sun<br />They sing to me that I cry too much, singing,<br />“Mother! Give us your teardrops. We’ll drop some in our eyes<br />We’ll cry into the soil and help you sprout more life<br />When you can cry no longer<br />We’ll cry the final batch out<br />If we do things this way<br />There’ll be enough crying to go around<br />One day we’ll cry less. Laugh more<br />One day we’ll cry less. Laugh more.”<br />Sing the children against the mourning dove’s cry<br />They tread red earth and praise a blue sky<br />They eat raw cocoa<br />They tell me it’s sweet<br />I’ve tasted it too<br />I say, “Too bitter to eat.”<br />I say, “Soon. Too bitter for you to eat.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Itoro Udofia resides in Northampton, MA. She is a student at Smith College and a lover of the written and performed word. She believes in the healing powers of music, performance, language and service and is a happier person because of it. She thanks her family and friends for being loving and nurturing.</span>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-23874638346899266972009-01-25T18:30:00.009-06:002009-01-25T18:46:13.620-06:00Terry Hauptman & Jerry Geier: Veiled Lineage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SX0EpQDH5yI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_y6aMciHJWk/s1600-h/TerryJerry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 347px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SX0EpQDH5yI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_y6aMciHJWk/s400/TerryJerry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295393843586787106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" >Please come and join the artists of <i style="">Veiled Lineage</i>: Jerry Geier </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">& Terry Hauptman, as they interact with fellow drummers</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and poets from the community for a night celebration</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and exploration of their mediums</span>. <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Terry Hauptman will </span></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">be reading samples of her critically acclaimed poetry</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">while Jerry Geier collaborates musically</span>. </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />All are welcome to participate</span>. <a href="http://www.burlingtoncityarts.com/"> </a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.burlingtoncityarts.com/">www.burlingtoncityarts.com</a><o:p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms"> </o:p></span> <div align="left" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms" align="left">First Friday Art Walk and Exhibition Event </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms" align="left">Firehouse Gallery <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">135 Church Street</st1:address></st1:street></div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" face="trebuchet ms" align="left"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Burlington, Vermont</st1:address></st1:street></div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" align="left"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"></st1:address></st1:street>Friday, February 6</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" align="left">5-8pm</div></span></o:p></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span><br /></span></div>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-49175120734626589182009-01-12T11:35:00.004-06:002009-01-12T11:50:43.874-06:00Barbara Esrig on StoryCorps on the Power of Stories to Heal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SWuByhzC09I/AAAAAAAAAOY/9QcC-9lGpis/s1600-h/esrig.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 175px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SWuByhzC09I/AAAAAAAAAOY/9QcC-9lGpis/s400/esrig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290464892342686674" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.storycorps.net/listen/stories/barbara-esrig">Barbara Esrig</a> tells the story of surviving a car accident that nearly took her life and finding meaning through the power of words -- and her story is now featured on the <a href="http://www.storycorps.net/">StoryCorps</a> site. Barbara is writer-in-residence in the <a href="http://shands.org/AIM/default.htm">Shands</a><a href="http://shands.org/AIM/default.htm"> Arts-in-Medicine</a> program in Gainesville, FL. where she does oral histories for patients to remind them that they are more than just a diagnosis. She's presently collaborating on a book on these oral histories as well as writing about her own work. Listen to her story and check out her amazing work. Barbara has been a frequent attendee at the <a href="http://www.tlanetwork.org/conference">Power of Words</a> conference, and she has been active in the field of TLA for many years.Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-28407727478362992162008-12-18T13:17:00.003-06:002008-12-18T13:23:17.206-06:00Valerie Harris Wins Transformation Award from Leeway Foundation!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SUqi16fsSDI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/KQ3PITRE5FA/s1600-h/ValerieHarris.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SUqi16fsSDI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/KQ3PITRE5FA/s320/ValerieHarris.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281212560164276274" border="0" /></a>TLA member, Valerie Harris is a recipient of the 2008 Transformation Award from the Leeway Foundation. The award is given to 13 women in Philadelphia, PA and the surrounding area whose art over the past 5 years impacts social change in their communities. Valerie received the award in Literature for her community-based Writers Academy/Teen Writers Academy workshops, publishing, and documentary video projects. The Transformation Award comes with a purse of $15,000. Valerie plans to use part of the funds to complete production of "A Highway Runs Through It..." a documentary that she has written and is producing on the history and current issues of the African American community in Darby Township, a once rural enclave on the outskirts of Philadelphia that has been threatened by redevelopment efforts. The documentary project evolved from a 10-week memoir writing workshop Valerie delivered at a senior center in Darby Township in 2006.Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-68124399088503451002008-12-03T19:24:00.003-06:002008-12-09T12:58:30.672-06:00Writing Ourselves Home While Living with Cancer by Kirsten Andersen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/ST1ddjn1foI/AAAAAAAAAOI/7UwdqvUx_2E/s1600-h/Kirsten+Photo.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/ST1ddjn1foI/AAAAAAAAAOI/7UwdqvUx_2E/s320/Kirsten+Photo.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277477100708003458" border="0" /></a>The Callanish Society is a small, grassroots non-profit organization based in Vancouver, Canada. Dedicated to improving the emotional and spiritual health of its community, Callanish assists those with an experience of cancer in their lives to explore illness and/or death openly and consciously.<br /><br />Week-long retreats and ongoing support programs are offered by a team of health care professionals and volunteers who believe that communities can develop resilience in the face of illness and healing, loss and death, by coming together in a process of authentic dialogue and in an in-depth exploration of what it means to heal emotionally and spiritually while living with, or dying from, cancer.<br /><br />The desire for this depth of exploration naturally lends itself to the use of arts as a means of healing. Through the years, Callanish community members have experienced and witnessed extraordinary transformation through the use of art, music and sound, meditation and circles of support. Writing, therefore, seemed a natural addition to further engage in authentic dialogue about what it means to heal, and, in the spring of 2008, Callanish Writes was born.<br /><br />Coming together to write as a group for the first time, we “landed” in our new space by considering our origins – who we are, who we were. Utilizing the Amherst Writers and Artists’ (AWA) method pioneered by author Pat Schneider, reading out loud for the first time, writing poetry and responding to each other’s work were firsts for many of us and opened a vast door of possibility.<br /><br />As the weeks passed, we began to examine the terrain of cancer, from diagnosis to the scars that adorn the body and the mind. We wrote about “gooey emotions,” and gave “cause to pause” on the matters of life, with and without cancer, with and without answers.<br /><br />Through language, we traveled from the icy peaks of Patagonia to the streets of New York City with a “llama in a limo.” We visited “forests of faith” and mourned “days of hope renewed, but ended.”<br /><br />Each week we found beautiful and pithy words to “throw off the tongue” and “the grace to move on.” Together, we continued to “let the light (and the bedbugs) bite,” because we had the reassurance that whatever came out on paper could be held by the group - the same support that is such an integral part of the Callanish culture.<br /><br />Callanish writer, Peter S. reflects on his experience as a participant: When I immersed myself in the inaugural Callanish Writes group, my lymphoma had been stable for a year. Psychologically torn between euphoria for having beat the “Big C” to waiting for the hammer to come down in a possible relapse, I participated in the workshops with an open mind and spirit.<br /><br />I rediscovered my inner voice, which had eluded me since diagnosis. I was astonished at how concealed words flowed onto the page, and the powerful reaction they evoked. I was humbled sharing the sacred inner thoughts of my fellow writers as they too struggled to articulate their own struggles and perspectives on this journey with cancer. As the weeks passed, writing “in community” was a powerful tool for healing. [I experienced] fear, trust, forgiveness, acceptance, and, most important…love.<br /><br />Fellow Callanish writer, Eva M., adds: For many of us that have been diagnosed with cancer it is difficult to be truly honest with loved ones about the fear, the trauma, the frustrations that we encounter. For their sake we show our positive outlook. The workshop provided a context which permitted, in fact, encouraged, all expressions that might be locked inside, including the humourous. The group dynamic also allowed each of us to feel less isolated as we discovered similar responses from our fellow writers. Herein evolved the quality of community, sharing the struggles and the laughter.<br /><br />For Callanish writer Robin F., utilizing the written word as a means of personal exploration was “liberating”: After 60-plus years, I learned to befriend my critics, enough to politely excuse myself from their presence.<br /><br />Robin further reflects:<br /><br />A Discovery: Words flowed<br />Surprising: I made a group of people laugh<br />Shocking: I spoke in a group of people<br />More shocking: I spoke my own truth, my own words<br />Even more astonishing: They listened and responded<br />Profound: As cancer became one mere aspect of my life, writing became a warm, wondrous expression for me. A welcome tool.<br />Writing is no longer something I have to do as a chore with feelings of inadequacy.<br /><br />Powerful: As a result of participating in the workshop I also am aware that to my behavior in all groups has shifted: I am present! With friends, peers, family, experts, colleagues and classmates. I no longer sit in tension, distracted by the fears and critics that used to surround me. Truly transformational.<br /><br />Eight sessions and thousands of words later, the group published its first collection of writing, Callanish Writes, Volume I, in April of 2008. The brave work of this inaugural group has paved the way for others in the community to explore the written word as a means of transformation and healing during and after illness. As the final entry of the collection, writer Leah C’s poem, “I am,” beautifully articulates the return to wholeness we each seek as part of this ongoing exploration. May such dialogue with ourselves and our community always be part of the journey.<br /><br />I am<br /><br />I am<br />sacred<br />inside<br />sometimes<br />I sense it<br />within<br />the soul cells<br />amid<br />incense<br />taste of wine<br />a curved neck<br />and stilltime<br />permeating<br />the cathedral<br />a silent mantra<br />to Mary<br />or White Tara<br />on the radiation table<br />Watching water<br />rush<br />and making<br />its music<br />breathing<br />beside a tree<br /><br /><br />Somewhere inside<br />I am<br />the inner Sanctum<br />the Temple<br />Divine<br />where<br />Isis<br />gives me silver wings<br />and says<br />Now<br />Fly<br /><br />***<br /><br />Becoming a part of the Callanish community in May 2006, Kirsten's ongoing journey with lymphoma has led her to further explore the transformative power of writing during illness. She holds degrees in literature and journalism and her work has appeared across Canada, in print, radio and television. She is also certified by Amherst Writers & Artists as a writing workshop facilitator.Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-92200722532262223562008-10-27T10:40:00.011-05:002008-10-27T10:55:56.933-05:00Images from the 2008 Power of Words Conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXidipqLGI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bWhFoXEUf_4/s1600-h/Heather+%26+Kathleen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 220px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXidipqLGI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bWhFoXEUf_4/s320/Heather+%26+Kathleen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261860736797912162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXiGOiV_iI/AAAAAAAAAN4/R1RGbR8p1AE/s1600-h/Caryn+%26+Kelheadshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 158px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXiGOiV_iI/AAAAAAAAAN4/R1RGbR8p1AE/s320/Caryn+%26+Kelheadshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261860336261529122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXh83C7NiI/AAAAAAAAANw/fh8Er6Avlfs/s1600-h/Indiasherrypow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 171px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXh83C7NiI/AAAAAAAAANw/fh8Er6Avlfs/s320/Indiasherrypow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261860175336912418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhtUwNFmI/AAAAAAAAANg/fmhw8BmWQ2E/s1600-h/Marianela.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 167px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhtUwNFmI/AAAAAAAAANg/fmhw8BmWQ2E/s320/Marianela.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261859908433548898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhzj5GlDI/AAAAAAAAANo/6_ry1Axu0zM/s1600-h/Julia,+Marianela,+Adele.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 195px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhzj5GlDI/AAAAAAAAANo/6_ry1Axu0zM/s320/Julia,+Marianela,+Adele.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261860015576618034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhlOqag-I/AAAAAAAAANY/7yCVoATVam4/s1600-h/ReggiePOW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 157px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/SQXhlOqag-I/AAAAAAAAANY/7yCVoATVam4/s320/ReggiePOW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261859769359696866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Photos from top left, clockwise: Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg and Kelley Hunt; Heather Mandell and Kathleen Connolly; Marienala Medrano-Marra; Julia Alvarez, Marianela Medrano-Marra and Adele Nieves; Reggie Marra; India Rassner-Donovan and Sherry Reiter. Thanks to Kelley Hunt and Marianela Medrano-Marra for photos.Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-29909410102530879782008-06-15T06:48:00.004-05:002008-09-12T10:26:05.778-05:00Rick Jarow to Present at Conference<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SFUDC9ISufI/AAAAAAAAAAk/o_a9M_iVMzs/s1600-h/rickjarow.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212075493055183346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SFUDC9ISufI/AAAAAAAAAAk/o_a9M_iVMzs/s320/rickjarow.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Rick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jarow</span>, the author of the highly acclaimed <em>Creating the Work You Love,</em> will also be a presenter at the <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords">Power of Words </a>conference. More than ever before <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">people</span> are looking for non-traditional careers and work environments. From job sharing and telecommuting to fruit <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bouquets</span> and blogging we're seeing the traditional 9 to 5 jobs becoming marginalized. The time is right to "find your bliss." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jarow</span> will help bring you one step closer!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><br /><div>I have to say that this lineup is pretty impressive for the money. It's not too late to sign up. It's a great location (gorgeous Vermont in the fall), great people and a great educational opportunity.</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-9914671595043231832008-06-11T18:59:00.005-05:002008-06-11T19:10:55.774-05:00Bread and Puppet to perform at Conference<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SFBngLJ2-dI/AAAAAAAAAAc/ymHOom3PC6o/s1600-h/breadandpuppet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210778571315280338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SFBngLJ2-dI/AAAAAAAAAAc/ymHOom3PC6o/s320/breadandpuppet.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br />Not only will you attend fantastic workshops at the <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords">Power of Words </a>conference but you'll also be entertained by one of the best radical theatre companies ever. Yes, Bread and Puppet will be there to delight attendees. Bread and Puppet was launched as a response to the increasingly capitalist force that has changed the artistic world. The theatre strives to bring art back to its original purpose - the pure creation of art. Art is as necessary to the human experience as food. The theatre is also known for its impactful social commentary. It's sure to be an eye-opening and wildly entertaining performance.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-11510358999817765122008-06-08T17:48:00.003-05:002008-06-08T17:53:53.302-05:00Kelley Hunt to Perform at Power of Words<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SExi9pDRGwI/AAAAAAAAAAU/vf5ku_plCrs/s1600-h/kelleyhunt.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209647680091921154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SExi9pDRGwI/AAAAAAAAAAU/vf5ku_plCrs/s320/kelleyhunt.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Artist Kelley Hunt will perform at the <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords">Power of Words Conference </a>this September. She is a renowned recording audience, film scorer, teacher, songwriter, and workshop facilitator. Her work is insightful, prolific and soulful. </div><br /><div>Hunt will be available during the conference for individual consultation with conference attendees. </div><br /><div>There's still time to register for the conference, so don't miss out!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-57496924073108222932008-06-01T19:06:00.002-05:002008-06-01T19:25:50.145-05:00Walter Mosley at Power of Words Conference<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SEM94VWjuBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/MD6tNlfXzzE/s1600-h/waltermosley.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207073632184154130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AhvTHDPmVcw/SEM94VWjuBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/MD6tNlfXzzE/s200/waltermosley.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Walter Mosley, the highly acclaimed author of over 2 dozen books, will be one of the keynote speakers at The <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords">Power of Words Conference</a>, September 12, 2008 through September 15, 2008, at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt. </div><br /><div>Mosley burst into the American consciousness in 1990 with his book, <em>Devil in a Blue Dress</em>. His works of fiction and non-fiction have earned him numerous awards including the O'Henry Award and the Anisfield Wolf Award for increasing the understanding of race in America. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Mosley will be one of several notable guests at the conference. I'll highlight each in the days ahead. Of all the conferences that writers have to choose from, this is sure to be the one you'll take away a lot of value and incite from. Register now.</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-14575048177132245552008-05-26T15:04:00.002-05:002008-05-26T15:40:15.314-05:00Memorial DayAlthough the study of Transformative Language Arts is still emerging and defining itself, ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances have been writing down their stories in order to find peace for hundreds of years. As a result, we have hundreds of first hand accounts of circumstances like surviving abuse to survival at sea.<br /><br />In the coming years we will continue to find examples of this. Recently, I watched an episode of <em>60 Minutes</em>. One of the stories highlighted veterans recently home from Iraq and the issue of post traumatic stress disorder. Apparently the armed forces are better at training how to kill than with training citizens how to make the transition back to civilian life. One man, Jesse Odom, said he dealt with what he saw and what he did by locking himself in his room with a six pack and writing into the wee hours of the morning. As a result of those writing sessions, those "purification rituals," his book <a href="http://www.iraqthroughoureyes.com/"><em>Through Our Eyes</em></a><em> </em>is being published this Memorial Day weekend. It is being heralded as a raw account of what our troops go through on a daily basis in Iraq and is sure to become a record of the experiences of a generation.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-61389952094305535312008-05-20T19:17:00.003-05:002008-06-15T07:50:47.881-05:00The Power of Words conference: Liberation through the Spoken, Written and Sung WordSept. 12-15, 2008, Goddard College, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Plainfield</span>, VT.<br /><br />Seek greater freedom and transformation for yourself and your community through the power of words at this unique gathering of people who write, tell stories, perform, and do other language arts. Make community with others in the emerging field of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Transformative</span> Language Arts, and discover ways to make a living doing what you love.<br /><br />Keynoters:<br />* Walter Mosley, author of 29 books, including <em>The Year You Write Your Novel</em>;<br />* Bread and Puppet Theatre Company;<br />* Kelley Hunt, international rhythm and blues singer-songwriter;<br />* Rick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jarow</span>, author of <em>Creating the Work You Love</em>;<br />* Sherry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Reiter</span>, poetry therapy pioneer; the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Afrikana</span> Madonna performing spoken word soul; and<br />*Lewis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mehl</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Madrona</span>, author of <em>Coyote Medicine</em> and native American physician and shaman.<br /><br />Over 25 presentations by writers, storytellers, performers, community leaders, medical professionals, songwriters, healers, and social change artists include Janet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Aalfs</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Callid</span> and Kristina Keefe-Perry, Elizabeth “Beth” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hin</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Marianela</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Medrano</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Marra</span>, Reggie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Marra</span>, and Evelyn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Torton</span> Beck, and Kelley Hunt & Caryn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Mirriam</span>-Goldberg leading a full-day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">pre</span>-conference workshop on making a living through the arts. Organized by Goddard College’s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Transformative</span> Language Arts concentration, this conference features hands-on workshops, performances, open readings & celebrations at the peak of fall foliage. Conference costs start at $210 for registration plus additional fees for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">pre</span>- and post-conference workshops. Lodging and all meals on campus begin at $216/double or $276/single. Some partial scholarships available including scholarships through the Roxanne Florence Fund for people of color. Work-study positions available. Professional and poetry therapy hours available. Complete schedule and registration at <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords">www.goddard.edu/powerofwords</a> or call Denise at <a href="mailto:Denise.Whitesides-Skeeba@goddard.edu">Denise.Whitesides-Skeeba@goddard.edu</a>, 802/454-8311, x204.<br /><br />NOTE: Early bird registration until June 1st!<br />Special <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Pre</span>-Conference Amherst Writers & Artists Training: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">AWA</span> is pleased to offer its four-day Writing Group Leadership Training, an intensive in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">AWA</span> writing group method and its application to writers of all levels and from diverse backgrounds, at before the conference Sept. 8-12, 2008 at the college, and for a reduced rate (please see <a href="http://www.amherstwriters.com/">http://www.amherstwriters.com/</a> for further information, and to register.<br /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Transformative</span> Language Arts, part of Goddard College’s individualized MA program (<a href="http://www.goddard.edu/masterarts_individualized">www.goddard.edu/masterarts_individualized</a>), is a 48-hour MA degree in social and personal transformation through the spoken and written word. Goddard College, a pioneer in progressive education, encourages its students to become creative, passionate, lifelong learners, working and living with an earnest concern for others and for the welfare of the Earth. <a href="http://www.goddard.edu/">http://www.goddard.edu/</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-22687323956402296012008-05-03T20:15:00.003-05:002008-05-03T20:31:26.628-05:00"Doctor Heal Thyself"Along with the reminders for doctor appointments, meetings, and family events I've begun placing special stickers on my family calendar. These stickers are reminders to spend some time taking care of myself. It could be as simple as sitting quietly with a cup of tea, reading a book I really love, or, if my life has been particularly harried, sitting down with my journal.<br /><br />Keeping a journal can help you identify the patterns in your life and your business. It can heal old wounds and help you find your way through rough times. Most importantly, it can help you know yourself. In knowing yourself you are in the best position possible to serve others.<br /><br />In her book, <em>Journal to the Self</em>, Kathleen Adams introduces several journal keeping techniques to help writers get the most from their efforts. I have found the method that works best for me and I invite any of you who keep a journal to write in about what works best for you.<br /><br />Additionally, Kathleen will be hosting a free teleclass May 8, 2008 on memoir writing <a href="http://www.namw.org/">http://www.namw.org/</a>. If you're interested in writing about yourself or your family, check it out!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12145211786219030281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-2567781048810524262008-04-09T21:07:00.003-05:002008-04-09T21:12:25.961-05:00How May I Direct Your Call? -- by Debbie Harris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R_13aiOpwJI/AAAAAAAAAJE/VaOmDfTiER4/s1600-h/Deb.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R_13aiOpwJI/AAAAAAAAAJE/VaOmDfTiER4/s320/Deb.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187433643549245586" border="0" /></a><i>How may I direct your call? <o:p><br /></o:p></i> <p class="MsoNormal">Direct me to someone<o:p></o:p><br />who will listen<o:p></o:p><br />with silent attentiveness.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Direct me to someone<o:p></o:p><br />who will treat me<o:p></o:p><br />with dignity and respect,<o:p></o:p><br />to someone <o:p></o:p><br />for whom I’m not<o:p></o:p><br />just a trifling detail <o:p></o:p><br />of the day.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Direct me to a power,<o:p></o:p><br />a source, <o:p></o:p><br />a spirit,<o:p></o:p><br />a way of knowing<o:p></o:p><br />that deepens my understanding<o:p></o:p><br />of myself <o:p></o:p><br />and the universe.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Direct me to knowledge<o:p></o:p><br />that allows me <o:p></o:p><br />to improve myself<o:p></o:p><br />and the world.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Direct me to peace<o:p></o:p><br />to peace<o:p></o:p><br />to peace.<o:p><br /></o:p><br />Direct me to contentment <o:p></o:p><br />with all that is good<o:p></o:p><br />and patience<o:p></o:p><br />with that which must change.<o:p> </o:p><br />Direct me; I’m calling.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please, direct me.</p><pre style="font-family: georgia;" wrap="">Debbie Harris is a graduate of Goddard's Transformative Language Arts Master's program. She is an adjunct English instructor at Hartnell Community College in Salinas, California. Her focus is on English language development for underserved populations. </pre><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-66068955740940723672008-03-20T15:20:00.014-05:002008-04-04T17:50:18.696-05:00Creative Written Expression for Children -- by Heather Mandell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R-7AQHvHWNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/gtF5DxCI27s/s1600-h/HeatherPortrait%5B1%5D.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 296px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R-7AQHvHWNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/gtF5DxCI27s/s320/HeatherPortrait%5B1%5D.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183291604337121490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="line-height: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>“The limons [sic] are my babys [sic]. If you hurt them, I will hunt you down and kill you.” Alex* read his surprising response out loud to the group. His rotund face raised up towards me with questioning eyes as if to ask, “Was my writing okay?” <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“The tree sounds like it is a mother,” I replied to his questioning gaze.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“Yep. It’s a mama protecting her babies,” Alex said.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>We were approaching the end of a creative written expression session that focused on a poem called <i>The Tree Is Older Than You Are </i>by Jennifer Clement, a poet and novelist from <st1:country-region><st1:place><st1:country-region><st1:place>Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>. I developed CWE (Creative Written Expression) workshops for a five-month, pilot program in an underserved elementary school near San Jose, CA. Alex’s third grade class consisted of 20 children with a demographic breakdown of 90% Latino, 5% Filipino and 5% Caucasian. Most of the children who participated in the workshops spoke Spanish as their primary language. Some of the poems were written in both Spanish and English to ensure comprehension. <i>The Tree Is Older Than You Are</i> was one of those poems.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Alex had responded to a writing prompt that invited him and others in the group to imagine what a tree might say if it could talk. Although Alex’s last sentence was written in an aggressive tone, he wrote empathically from the perspective of a tree as if it was a mother paying attention.<span style=""> </span>It was the first time that Alex paid attention during the writing group, which was drastically different from the previous two workshops when he could barely sit still. Alex’s emotional writing is interesting because of his infamous reputation as a class bully and disruptive student. He spent much time in class making strange noises with his mouth, throwing things, and touching his neighbor on the head or poking the girl who sat on the other side of him. He was quick to get into a fight and was often reprimanded. He was one of those kids who always had to stay in during recess. During many of my creative written workshops, Alex’s disruptions were clearly annoying to the other children in the group. Often his writing was illegible and he made it clear that he was not interested in participating. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>At one of the final sessions, I noticed a change in Alex. The day’s topic was on coping with bullies and the group read a poem called <st1:city><st1:place><i>Stanley</i></st1:place></st1:City><i> The Fierce by </i>Judith Viorst. When we began our discussion about bullies, some of the children in the group pointed out that Alex was a bit like <st1:city><st1:place><i>Stanley</i></st1:place></st1:City><i> </i>and that sometimes he hurt their feelings. In response, Alex raised his hand (this I had never seen him do) and disclosed, “Sometimes I get angry and I don’t know what I am doing.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“So, it sounds like when you get mad, you stop thinking,” I responded<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“Yes, that’s it,” he said frowning a bit.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“How do you think it makes others feel when you say mean things about them?”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>“It makes them feel bad and mad?”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial">Alex tested the waters to find out if his response was appropriate. He remained quiet after sharing. It was the first time Alex asked others in the group about how his behavior made them feel. I looked to the members of the group and invited them to answer Alex’s question. Most nodded and Randy* told Alex that he felt bad and threatened by Alex’s bullying. Randy later wrote about bullies, “This bully tries to threaten me. Sometimes he makes people bleed but sometimes he looks scary. He always makes me feel so bad and so sad.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alex became very quiet during the rest of the workshop and he had a remorseful look on his face when Randy read his writing out loud. I invited the children to draw a comic strip about a bully, which Alex did without a word. It was the first time I had ever seen him quiet, sitting in his chair with his hands in his lap. He shared his comic strip and told the group that the bully in his drawing was scary and that the boy who was being bullied felt very bad.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the first time that he had spoken out loud about making another person feel bad. It seemed that Alex was thinking about his behavior during the workshop. His behavior indicated that he was troubled in some way and writing gave him a small window view into how to act empathically rather than acting out in anger.<br /><br />For children who have lived through or are living with distressful situations, writing can be a tool to express thoughts and feelings. Many children want to tell their personal stories. Most of the children participating in the pilot CWE workshops shared stories about fathers in jail, brothers that beat them with brass knuckles, communication problems between racial groups, dreams of going into the military or of becoming rock stars, and dreamy summers eating watermelon under trees in their homelands. When given an opportunity, the children shared many of their thoughts and feelings related to emotional events. I developed the workshops to increase the children’s emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication skills. My role as facilitator was to model listening and respectful communication. The poems’ metaphors did the rest of the work for me. During the bully workshop, Alex had the chance to look into a mirror and learn how his own behavior affected others around him. He was able to do this through the eyes of <st1:city><st1:place>Stanley</st1:place></st1:City>, a character in a poem. Alex’s peers bravely shared the challenges they faced when dealing with real bullies in their lives. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>When I was a child, I too wanted to feel safe enough to tell of the challenges I faced as a child witness of domestic violence and alcoholism but instead, I turned to my journal, a safe place where I shared my stories with the blank page. It is for this reason that I am drawn towards work that furnishes an outlet for children to share their personal narratives if they choose to do so. I believe that children who experience various types of distressful events are in need of emotional expression and the long-term consequences of silence can be dire if no outlets are available. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>The possibilities are many but there are also limitations that should be pointed out. Children who are appropriate for creative written expression workshops need to be distinguished from the children who are diagnosed with serious psychological disorders. Children in these circumstances should be assessed and treated by a licensed therapist or child psychologist. This creative written expression model was developed for use with developmental groups and may not be appropriate for children who are in crisis situations in which their lives are in jeopardy. For the child who is victim to ongoing physical or sexual abuse, the focus should be on providing a safe environment and crisis counseling first before group written work can take place. <o:p></o:p></p> <u1:p></u1:p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>The stories that are shared during CWE workshops are especially relevant for educators, counselors and social workers who take an interest in children’s well being. For counselors and social workers, the model can be used to determine what is going on in a child’s home. It is a process that uses metaphors to help children easily express thoughts and feelings about themselves. In addition, the model can help educators determine why a child might display disruptive behaviors in the classroom. The workshops may also be modified for use in group homes, domestic violence shelters, or other organizations that provide services for underserved or at risk youth. These are the children who can benefit from talking and writing about their lives. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>In these times of fear politics and buzzwords such as “Axis of evil” and “Terrorism”, we need more than ever to model for our children how to listen to one another. It is critical to teach them to communicate with words rather than fists, guns and bombs. This is the time to teach non-violent ways of communicating. This is the time to nurture our children’s voices. They have much to say and we adults must be willing to listen and give them the space to speak. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="" face="arial"><u1:p></u1:p>This is the work that will unlock children’s minds and hearts. These narratives open our eyes to the silences behind closed doors. Writing is about sending words out into the world and children without voices need those words to bring the dark, untold stories into the light. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" face="arial"><b><u1:p></u1:p>Author’s Note</b>: Names that have been changed are marked with an asterisk (*) next to them. The children’s writing is reproduced exactly as they wrote it. I obtained written consent from each child’s guardian(s) to include their writing in public documents.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Heather Mandell recently graduated from <st1:place><st1:placename>Goddard</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype>College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> with a Master’s degree in Transformative Language Arts. She works at her county library where she enjoys performing baby, toddler and children’s story times. Through a local non-profit organization, Heather currently facilitates creative written expression workshops for children and young adults who have witnessed domestic violence. She lives in <st1:place>Northern California</st1:place> where she enjoys kayaking, hiking and writing about her experiences.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-43037784758575879182008-02-25T13:31:00.004-06:002008-02-26T10:10:48.096-06:00Writing Myself Into Life -- Suzanne Montz Adams<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R8Q5NFwXkkI/AAAAAAAAAG4/L2df4uYdxb8/s1600-h/Suzanne%27s+Head+Shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R8Q5NFwXkkI/AAAAAAAAAG4/L2df4uYdxb8/s400/Suzanne%27s+Head+Shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171321169174303298" border="0" /></a>I distinctly remember in fifth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Walkow, asking our class to draw a representation of what we wanted to be when we grew up by creatively using the word for our chosen profession.<span style=""> </span>I used different colored markers to spell “writer,” using the “w” to form two elongated pencils with sharp points.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a child, I was a voracious reader, a sporadic diary writer, a budding short story writer, and a very lame poet.<span style=""> </span>Words fascinated me.<span style=""> </span>I often wonder if this had anything to do with the fact that I was a very quiet child, a girl who rarely found the right words with which to speak, choosing instead to formulate her thoughts and opinions on the page.<span style=""> </span>Writing was so important to me that I once gave colorful ink pens to my friends as gifts.<span style=""> </span>Reading their disappointed, confused expressions on opening the gift was my first clue that other people did not view writing paraphernalia as treasured possessions the way I did.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But by ninth grade, I was more concerned about my hair, makeup, and clothes than anything else.<span style=""> </span>I no longer visited the library every week, reading less and less as the years went by and my writing virtually stopped.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the time I entered college, I was certain that I needed to study computer science or business in order to reach my fullest potential.<span style=""> </span>Girls were being supported in these fields as never before and I felt an expectation by parents, teachers, and friends to become a businesswoman.<span style=""> </span>I became a CPA.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But as fate would have it, I was asked to write an essay for our company newsletter in my first year as an employee of a large accounting firm.<span style=""> </span>One of my co-workers teased me when the newsletter was distributed:<span style=""> </span>“You missed your calling,” he said.<span style=""> </span>And despite the fact that he didn’t mean it literally, that one comment broke through all the years of denial.<span style=""> </span>I had learned rather quickly that accounting was not my cup of tea.<span style=""> </span>But after all the education and training and license requirements, I couldn’t walk away and acknowledge the waste.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A few days a week during my lunch hour, I closed my office door and wrote the beginnings of short stories and novels, completed essays, attempted poems.<span style=""> </span>For the first time in over a decade, I felt I was being honest with myself, that I was aligned with my desires.<span style=""> </span>I had opened the door and found that long-buried love affair with words waiting there, a little worse for wear, but enticingly attractive and staunchly persistent.<span style=""> </span>My body instinctively responded.<span style=""> </span>Slowly, ever so slowly, like a shy girl on her first date, I stepped across the threshold, embraced the words, and began the long journey back to myself and my first love.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I attended evening writing classes and read every book on writing I could find.<span style=""> </span>Several years later, when two of my three sons were in school, my first essay was published and I felt ready to embark on a new career with writing more central to my goals.<span style=""> </span>But to complicate matters, my husband, Brian, was offered a new job that required extensive travel.<span style=""> </span>Within six months of Brian’s acceptance, it was painfully clear that my goals would be simmering on the back burner for a while.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In those silent years, I had lost precious hours of becoming better acquainted with all the nuances of my beloved words—how they held up under pressure, how they performed in various settings, how they were perceived by others, how I could improve them.<span style=""> </span>Even though I had more demands on my time than ever before, I was determined not to relinquish my dream so easily.<span style=""> </span>Perseverance became my constant companion as I struggled to learn how to write well on my own along with a creative writing class thrown in here and there.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My first published essay was a reflection on the difficulties of reconciling my full-time motherhood with my personal aspirations—a theme that would thread its way through my life for the next ten years, frequently tying me in knots and blinding me to the ways I could untangle myself and break free.<span style=""> </span>During those ten years, I was convinced by cultural expectations, the community I lived in, and my own insecurities that I couldn’t possibly have everything I wanted.<span style=""> </span>I thought that by spending time and energy in pursuing my own goals, I would be sacrificing my sons on the altar of selfish ambitions.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">More years passed as I played with my words until the assistant editor of a national parenting magazine read a submission of mine and called me to enthusiastically compliment my writing.<span style=""> </span>Over the course of the next eighteen months, she published several of my essays.<span style=""> </span>My love and I had truly gone public.<span style=""> </span>We were out in the limelight together and I was ecstatic.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then we hit the wall.<span style=""> </span>Privately, I was still in love, but the public affair floundered.<span style=""> </span>Interest waned.<span style=""> </span>Publication was a ghost I chased for many years after and in my defense, I wasn’t submitting very much material and I didn’t understand the game very well.<span style=""> </span>I had little imagination or energy to give to my writing when my life as a virtual single mom to three little boys left me depleted beyond words.<span style=""> </span>I blamed myself for not being talented enough, prolific enough.<span style=""> </span>I was incredibly busy, but why couldn’t I find time to write when other women seemed to do it so effortlessly?<span style=""> </span>How could I argue for the time and right to work on my writing when I was not being paid to do so?<span style=""> </span>What was I adding to the family’s welfare?<span style=""> </span>In my husband’s mind, and to some degree, in mine, when writing, I was engaging in a selfish activity with no apparent benefit.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I knew that ignoring my ambition was not inherently right or fair or even justifiable, yet until I could prove my worth as a writer, I also couldn’t seem to wholeheartedly engage in it.<span style=""> </span>Although I thought writing might be my vocation, the doubts were continuously fed by the lack of publication and the problems I encountered in the act of writing itself.<span style=""> </span>My affair had seemingly become toxic to my sense of self-worth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was not until I turned forty that my anger became too great to contain and I began to insist on my right to write and in my writing, to fundamentally “see” and portray even greater truths.<span style=""> </span>Anger can be a motivating force for positive change.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have also learned the power of self-motivation.<span style=""> </span>And in the writer’s world, little can be accomplished without it.<span style=""> </span>Yet, every now and then, I paddle down the <st1:place><st1:placetype>River</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Doubt</st1:placename></st1:place>, lamenting that my completed novel manuscript might never have a Library of Congress catalog number. Then I always snap out of it and jam that paddle into the muck where it belongs, but still the river laps at the edge of my consciousness.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will always feel as though my life and my creative work are meant to expand beyond my own imaginings.<span style=""> </span>So I hold onto my love affair, occasionally lonely and weary, but most often, fully and richly alive.<span style=""> </span>I am writing to inhabit my life, to leave more of an imprint than a notation in someone’s Daily Planner, to think and feel in abundance, to be silent not because I am pressured to be or because of the constraints in my life, but because I choose to be in order to write.<span style=""> </span>I am still the eleven-year old girl making a pictogram of her dream, silently writing myself into life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Suzanne Montz Adams has published essays in </span>Diving in the Moon, Trivia: Voices of Feminism, BrainChild,<span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span>Family Life<span style="font-style: italic;">. She recently graduated from Goddard’s IMA program with a concentration in TLA and is currently marketing a novel for representation, writing a spiritual memoir, and facilitating creative writing and art workshops for adolescent girls.</span><span style=""><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><br /></span></p><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8315584202151559967.post-54398678725440676672008-02-20T14:53:00.007-06:002008-02-20T16:26:07.699-06:00The Emergence of Transformative Language Arts by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R7yVX1wXkWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/twIKRLEPK4U/s1600-h/river.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169170709113966946" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 243px; cursor: pointer; height: 323px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R7yVX1wXkWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/twIKRLEPK4U/s320/river.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:100%;">A CALL TO TRANSFORMATIVE LANGUAGE ARTISTS<br /><br />You tell stories or help others tell stories because you need to, because you know that the story can grow in the listener, and sometimes even the teller, new shoots of understanding, branches of connection, and a canopy of healing. You write because you found that the shortest distance between yourself and where you need to go is across the lines on a page. You do spoken word performance, help others craft community plays, or write and perform songs for the moment you might reach someone. You organize debate for underserved, inner-city youth, conduct anthropological studies of the spoken word, record oral histories for families, or recite poems into the wind because you know there is something that our words hold that can transform the teller and the listener.<br /><br />This kind of transformation is what a new academic field and emerging profession, Transformative Language Arts, is all about. Transformative Language Arts (TLA) is a meeting ground for those involved in social and personal transformation through the spoken, written and sung word, facilitating work such as storytelling with people in prison, writing workshops for underserved youth, dramatic monologues for elders, or collaborative theatre for community building.<br /><br />TLA draws perhaps most obviously from literature, creative writing, education, psychology, mythology, and social welfare. TLA looks at the roots of the oral tradition; the pedagogy and psychology involved in effective group facilitation, individual coaching; social change trends and movements related to spoken, written and sung words; and literature and creative writing to create avenues of voice for the voiceless. It also honors the traditions of storytelling, Playback Theatre, poetry therapy, narrative therapy, songwriting for social change, stand-up comedy for diversity, debate and forensics for empowerment, dialogue as a vehicle for drawing diverse voices into civil exchange, healing stories and more.<br /><br />For those of us who love the spoken and written word, TLA provides a framework to explain what we do without having to shave off what doesn’t usually fit into one box or another. By naming this field and calling people together, those who facilitate, perform, educate and lead can find each other, and through such a discovery, learn more of who they are and what possibilities exist for their work in the world. By sharing the collective wisdom of storytellers, writers, actors and playwrights, activists, community leaders and healers, we can learn more about recovering and celebrating our selves, forging and keeping connections with others and the earth, finding and naming what gives our lives meaning. Such wisdom encompasses how we create our livings and our lives, including everything from facilitating workshops to grant-writing to the ethics of our work to the art of self-care.<br /><br />In the classroom or board room, at the clinic or retreat center, TLA also bridges organizations, training programs, and models of workshop and coaching delivery that often evolve without the benefit of cross-pollination. There are many valuable educational and training opportunities such as Goddard College’s Transformative Language Arts MA concentration – the first TLA program of its kind, founded in 2000, or Amherst Writers and Artists training and affiliation; and organizations such as the National Storytelling Network, the National Association for Poetry Therapy, and the Writer-in-the-School Alliance. The newly-created TLA Network, a professional organization for TLA, focuses on networking and right livelihood through TLA. Already, TLA-focused courses and essays – such as the ones here – are coming into being, very evident at the annual TLA conference – “The Power of Words”conference – held each fall at Goddard College through the gathering of storytellers, writers, activists, community leaders, artists, healers, therapists, spoken word artists, actors, and singers. Performing, facilitating, organizing, creating and teaching are all life-long arts with life-long learning curves, and we benefit greatly from each other’s company.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />In coming together, we gather questions, ideas, experiences, studies, challenges and possibilities for those who are changing the world, one word, one story, one perf<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R7yVhVwXkXI/AAAAAAAAAE4/RrGfefaPBck/s1600-h/scottandlaurie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169170872322724210" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 273px; cursor: pointer; height: 206px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fsIwanATkZo/R7yVhVwXkXI/AAAAAAAAAE4/RrGfefaPBck/s320/scottandlaurie.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">ormance, workshops, or coaching session at a time. We also break through the artificial boundaries between the spoken word and the written word as well as between the too-often compartmentalized literary, psychological and political arenas. To paraphrase singer-songwriter Cris Williamson, we each are the changer and the changed, the ones who witness and are witnessed by the stories that change our lives.<br />excerpted from </span><a href="http://www.tlanetwork.org/tlareader"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Power of Words: A Transformative </span>Language Arts Reader. </span></a>Help Sean Get Wellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245851760300545123noreply@blogger.com2