12/24/2023
Dear Members of PAINT It OUT & our Private Group PAINT IT OUT COMMUNITY,
As we approach the festive season, I wanted to take a moment to extend warm holiday wishes to each and every one of you.
Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa are a time of joy, love, and togetherness, and it's my hope that you find comfort and happiness during this special time.
The time between November and January has come to be known as The Holiday Season. From an inclusion perspective, this is a positive nomenclature change from the exclusive focus on Christmas but challenges remain for many. Faith is a core identity for many people but one that may not be visible or known to others. The word “holidays“ is a derivation of “Holy Days” in Christianity, however, it is important to recognize we all come from a variety of faiths and traditions, spiritualities or have no religious affiliations.
In the spirit of the season, let us reflect on the strength and resilience that unites us as a community. Living with TBI, Concussion, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, CFS, CPS Chronic Illnesses, Cancer, PTSD, and/or C-PTSD presents unique challenges, but your courage and support for one another truly inspire. Your determination to navigate the complexities of your condition(s) is a testament to the incredible spirit that defines both you and our community.
As we celebrate the holiday season, let's cherish the moments of joy, “lean into joy,” the company of loved ones, and the simple pleasures that make this time of year so special.
Let us acknowledge the collective dissonance, sadness & grief we are experiencing from traumatic images & events taking place in the world.
Let us take the opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and surround yourselves with the warmth of those who care about you.
Let us take proactive measures for symptom management, for instance preparing portable self-care kits for when you are not at home so you have items (art journal, basic art supplies, colouring book, blanket, ice or heat pack, soothing teas, chocolate, free meditations from Insight Timer App etc…) to calm your nervous system and/or for distraction techniques to cope with isolation or being over-stimulated.
Let us be gracious, gentle, kind and compassionate to yourselves.
In the coming year, PAINT It OUT remains committed to providing support, resources, and programming for our community. In January, in the private PAINT IT OUT COMMUNITY, we will hold our first Free Monthly FaceBook Live Event! Soon a poll will be posted to determine day/time that works for most of you.
A Creative Mindfulness Art-based activity/directive will be posted weekly. We look forward to community members sharing their work, process, experience and encouragement. We look forward to continuing our journey together.
May this holiday season bring you moments of peace, love, and happiness. On behalf of myself, Salima Andany & PAINT IT OUT we wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year. Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
