Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Art Therapy



Hi Fantasy.  How are you today.

Great Michelle.  It's good to see you.  She hugs me.  Her hugs are always like a warm fire enveloping me.  I love her for that.  And you?  You've been busy I see.

I have been, but I'm back with an article that I hope you and our followers will enjoy.  Want to see it?  It's about art therapy, and the color yellow.

Oooh, a change!  She claps her hands, usually it's about writing!  Sure, I'd like to see it.

Here you are.  I hand her the article.


Art Therapy and Yellow

In the next little while, I'm going to delve into art therapy. Although I'm not a qualified art therapist, I know that art can be used to heal. It has done so for me. So for the next few blog postings, I will be working on what colors mean as well as what they are in prayerful art, which is something I do on a regular basis.

We all respond to colors whether we realize it or not. They are a big part of our everyday life. For example, what do we wish for when it has been a long hard winter? We wish for green because we are tired of the browns, greys, and whites that we walk through every day.

For example, I found out today, that yellow stimulates your memory. How many times have we all forgotten things? Maybe that's why there are yellow pads of paper – to help secretaries remember what they're writing so as to make it easier to transfer to the printed medium. Yellow also stimulates the mental process, encourages communication, and stimulates the nervous system. Hmm, maybe we should all have lots of yellow on our computers? Just joking there. You have what you want on your computer. If it has a lot of yellow, that's your choice. Yellow also conveys optimism, being cheerful, and more.



I myself also use yellow in my worship and prayer art. For me, a bright yellow indicates God's glory. Gold indicates his majesty and presence. Interference gold, which is a very pale Gold I use for Jesus' majesty. I haven't figured out for me what pale yellow or yellow ocre is for me, but you can decide for yourself.


I'll be going through more colors and adding what they mean to me in subsequent postings. My prayer is that you'll find out what the color yellow means to you personally. That's what matters.

So, today, when you go to your paper, or whatever you use, what will you create with yellow?

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Good Friday

Last weekend was palm Sunday, where Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem.  The crowd was cheering, and he was well loved by all.  Things went downhill so dramatically, and until I viewed The Passion of the Christ, I didn't understand how much so.  He was abused to such a degree...

I'm having trouble conveying my words.  He endured this for me and you!  People probably wonder where the passion is in this movie; His passion was in the fact that He wants us all to come to Him when we die.  He has such deep compassion for us all no matter where we're at.  Fantasy and I learned a lot in our watching this movie; the depicting of Him on the cross will never be rendered the same. 

I encourage you to take a look at the movie, but do it with a friend or with a group so you have someone to talk with at the end.  it's very graphic.  I am hoping that some images or poems will come out of this in the weeks ahead.  I think this has changed us both. 

Until next time!  God bless you

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Cockpit

I'm now in the position of Ann, the main character.  In front of her is a thirteen inch monitor with four buttons each side, each a yellowish white.  The screen is black.  There is a small red button above the buttons on the left side which say on/off.  I reach out and turn it on.  It turns blue.  Numbers and words appear in white with fluctuating graphs of different colors.  

"Wow Fantasy, this is amazing.  This is Ann's cockpit?"  I looked to my left, and spot her hovering in front of a door.  Upon doing so, I find out there is another bank of controls as well as small doors 

Yes Michelle.  This is the ship she crash lands in." Fantasy nods.

"Wow, there are a lot of buttons.  I don't know what a lot of them mean." I say.

"That's ok.  You'll learn."

"Learn?  You mean I'm going to fly this thing?"  My pulse begins to quicken.
Of course, how do you think you're going to learn how Ann feels when she does this?  You know that you're not going to hurt it.  

"I'm not sure of that Fantasy.  Remember, this is a different plane of existence.   It has a reality all its' own." I remark.

In a sense, yes, but this is in your head right now.  You can recreate it better if something happens.  

"Ok.  I'll give it a try." I look in front of me, below the screen.  There is a wheel that you can turn left or right or pull in or out as well as what looks like a throttle and a button.  To the right, are more buttons of different colors.  My seat is a leathery sort, it is smooth, and it is comfortable.
I turn around, discovering that the roof is low, and we have some cargo space behind me.  It is about four feet square.  It is dark there.

"I think that's enough for today." I turn back to the screen.  "We can learn about the workings of the craft next week."

Suit yourself.  We are immediately back at the glade.  I am sitting on a rock.

"Fantasy, I don't want to bore everyone.  I want this to be an exciting blog."

Whatever.  She's gone.  Her voice dripped disappointment.

What do you think?  Is this boring to you?  Please comment below.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Frigid

It's dark, and I'm cold, so cold that I think I'd die if I didn't see Fantasy hovering nearby.  I know that she is my protector in all ways out here.  I see stars and planets all around me, and a nearby one nearly blinds me.

"Where are we?" I ask.

We are in the void around the world in your newest story you call Seeker.  Setting is important, if you recall, and Space is important.  Next week, we'll be going into the cockpit and looking at the main character, but for now, we will explore the setting of Space.

"It's so cold." I shiver.  She touches my arm, and I warmed up.
Better?  I nod, as I do feel better.  I look at the nearby sun.

"Where is this place?"
You do not know?  This is the system where the two planets live in.  Over there is the planet where Ann comes from, and there is the one where Ann crash lands.

"Really?  The one where she comes from looks like a desert." I point to the brownish globe, "It has some green and blue patches though."
One word - terraform, or think of a different word for it.

"Hmm, good point." I look around me at the blobs of different colors not dulled by the atmosphere.  It's like a jeweled tapestry.  "Thanks Fantasy.  I hope this will help."

It will.  She takes me back to the glade.

Monday, March 7, 2011

A Streak of Light

I appear at Fantasy's forest, and she's not immediately there.  I look around for her, and I'm perplexed.  I call out to her, and she's there in a flash of green light.  I step back a little.

"Oh Fantasy!  You startled me!"  I smile, "I'm glad you're all right."

Fantasy is dancing in midair and the air around her is twinkling.  I've found something I think you're going to love.  I suggest you take in the site fully, but not before you do the exersise.  I know it's not a game, but I think you'll like it none-the-less.

"Ok.  Tell me about it." I sit on a log nearby.

It's at a site called Language is a Virus.  There is a lot going on there.  The exercise I want to tell you about is called Sentence Builder.

"Ok.  So what do you do?  I want to try it out, and I will check it out, but I want to try it out with you here." I open up my laptop and start up windows.

She waves her hand, and a pale green screen appears.  Write one sentence and split it into four parts.  

I write:

Sometimes I want to be a character in a novel, but then I realize when I write, I am!

Part 1  Sometimes I want to 
Part 2  be a character in a novel
Part 3  But then I realize
Part 4  That when I write, I am!


For each phrase write three phrases that say the same thing using different words. 

 Ooh, this could be tough, but I'm up for the challenge.  :)  

1  Frequently, I desire to 
    In times, I long for
   I dream often of
2  be an actor in a book
    walking inside a story
    participate as a part of a telling   
3  but I am startled
    but I am shocked
    but I am intrigued
4  when I create, I transform
    as I type, I become someone different
    as I dream, I can become someone else


Ohh, I think you did well with that.  Now, let's see.  It says to put the sentences into the form and submit it.  Are you going to?

I am hesitant.  I'm hoping it's not a generator that adds something to the sentences.  I could do that, but then again, this would be a good thing to do.  Already it has helped get the creative juices flowing.  I nod.  "I think I will.  Here goes."

I copy and paste my material to the form.  Here's what I got.  It basically looks like it put the sentences together in different ways; then it allows you to save the file.  Once you get the hang of it, you can do it on your own computer offline.


Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am startled when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am startled when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am startled when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
Frequently, I desire to participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am startled when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am startled when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am startled when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
In times, I long for participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am startled when I create, I transform.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of be an actor in a book but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am startled when I create, I transform.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of walking inside a story but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am startled when I create, I transform.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am startled as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked when I create, I transform.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am shocked as I dream, I can become someone else.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued when I create, I transform.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I type, I become someone different.
I dream often of participate as a part of a telling but I am intrigued as I dream, I can become someone else.


So what do you rate it as?

"Hmmm, 4 out of 5.  It was a good challenge, and it did help with the work, but it was predictable in the end.  I'll use it definitely.  Thank you Fantasy." I save the file and get ready to go to craft group.  "See you next week."

You bet Michelle.  She waves as I leave, and then she is gone just as quickly as she arrived. 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fantasy's Angry

I don't blame Fantasy for getting angry at me; she is standing there in the forest with her back to me and her arms folded.  After all, it has been quite a while since I came to the glade to meet with her.

"Fantasy." I keep my voice soft and low.  I know she has heard me, for she has turned her head so her right ear is closer.

Humf.

"I don't blame you for being cross with me Fantasy.  I've been busy for the last while, but I thank you for helping me anyway." I say.

Really? She cocks her head.

I sigh, for we have had this conversation a lot lately.  I have been so off and on with this blog, that it's a wonder that she doesn't think I'll ever come back.  "Really Fantasy, I'm sorry.  I really like what we're doing with Sword of Earth now."

Really?  She has turned to face me now.  I nod.  I'm glad.  I sensed that you needed to see more of the world there; you've seen so little, and there is so much more.  Plus, the readers will need to see it.

"That's for sure.  So, what do you think we'll be doing soon?  Will we continue as we are?"

She shrugs her shoulders.  I don't know.  You're the boss.  Just keep me up to date, ok?

"Ok Fantasy.  Think of a writing game for next week, ok." She smiles, nods, and flies off.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tilling

Hi Fantasy.

Hi Michelle.  Long time no see.

Yes.  Lots has happened in the past week.  I am now the literature page editor for the Rat Creek Press, plus things are opening up for my ministry.  I have a lot to think about.


Oh?  Like what?

Like which direction Heart's Alive is supposed to go.  I have some ideas, and with the help of my church, I will be able to carry one of those directions out.

Oh, I see.

I also got thrown off by Christmas, and I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things if not this Saturday, which I doubt, then for sure the next.


Why don't you think we'll be getting together on Saturday?

Well, I am volunteering in the prayer room for Breakforth Canada.  It happens every year, and I really enjoy it.  I'm doing things all day.


Wow, that sounds like fun.

It's fun and challenging at the same time.  I really get a booster shot when I do God's work at Breakforth.


That's good.

By the way, thank you for digging in the earth a lot this week...well, you and the Lord.

She giggles.  Thank you, but that's what I do best.  Wht did you like most?

Everything.  The Lord showed me the copy of a dream I wrote down, and you took it from there.  Then, you both showed me how the Game planet could go and its theme.  Then I was able to go back to my book.  I'm truly grateful for that.


She giggles again, No problem.  Like I said, that's what I do best, and when I'm with my Master, it's all the more fun.

I smile at her, and I feel so encouraged.  I feel that interacting with Fantasy has been the best thing I have ever done.  She is still rummaging around in the earth, and I am so glad of the seeds she and the Lord are planting.

Monday, January 10, 2011

First Post of 2011 & Time Square Magic



Hi Fantasy.

Hi Michelle.  Partying it up a bit weren't you.  ;)

No no, I...well, maybe.

Hey, just joking.  How was your new year?

It was fun.  My husband and I went to a new year's party at the place where he takes Ballroom Dancing.  It's called Dance With Me Studio here in Edmonton.  They had a New York Theme.  We danced until ten, had a wonderful lunch and danced some more.  I even learned a dance called the cupid shuffle.


Cupid has his own dance?  Lucky guy!

lol, Yeah, and it was fun.  It was a line dance.  Then we danced until midnight and brought in the new year.  They even had a ball that dropped just like they do at the real time square.

Wow, how did they do that?  They can't fit a real lit ball inside!

lol of course not Fantasy; they made it from paper and other materials.  How about a poem about magic, new york, and dancing?

Done.  She flings a little shimmer at me and is gone.

Time Square Magic

They sit at different tables
Tables decorated with different colors
Colors making the room look different from normal
Normal of day to day

Day or rather of New Year's
Year's end where most people have a partner
Partner sitting alone yet glancing
Glancing at each other, trying to hide their shyness

Shyness is keeping them apart
Apart from each other until...
 Until he makes a decision and stands erect
Erect and walks over to her.

Her blush is attractive to him as he asks her to dance
Cupid makes his mark as they dance in the middle with the others
Others who are feeling the magic
Magic of New York
New York beckons as they dance there

There they are now, no longer in that room
Room in a place so cold
Cold is replace by the warmth of a magic that took them away
Away to the real Time Square