Watercolor by Sue Rolen
A retired friend recently confided, “I’m feeling old. I remember my grandparents’ world getting smaller and smaller. I stay involved in the community and keep myself ‘busy,’ but something’s missing. I think I need to learn something new—maybe something creative.”
That conversation brought my sister Sue to mind.
Sue is 66. She drew the short straw in our family, inheriting our father’s bipolar disorder. For most of her adult life, her mental and physical health challenges have defined her story.
The Creative One
My childhood memories of Sue are vivid: though she may have lost sight of this herself, in my mind she was “the creative one.” She had a flair for crafts, dressed in bold colors, and marched to the beat of her own drum with more courage than her two sisters.
But she hadn’t touched anything creative since her teens—until recently.
Our eldest sister Lisa, a gifted painter, gave Sue a watercolor set for her birthday a few weeks ago. The idea bubbled up in a conversation they had about Sue needing a distraction from the endless stream of medical appointments.
A few more details about Sue:
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She had never tried watercolor before.
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She has a tremor disorder that keeps her hands in near-constant motion.
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She’s a member of one of my 6-Month Mental Fitness Mastery group coaching circles.
This week, Sue reflected on her experience in her circle’s group chat. I was so moved by her words that I asked her permission to share them with you:
“Hi again girls. I’m writing to share how powerful Sage perspective is in my life. I have needed a distraction from medical appointments and concerns. So, I have taken up watercolor!! I had to override my Saboteurs. I start with my Hyper-Vigilant liar—the troublemaker that causes me great anxiety. I do PQ reps [MB: a PQ rep is 10 seconds of focused attention on a sensory anchor]. My Victim and Stickler Saboteurs also need quieting. More PQ reps. I am now ready. I paint when my husband’s at work so it’s quiet. I am fully engaged in the process. Mixing colors. Trying different styles. I love my self-expression! Sage. My Judge is silenced. I do not let criticism in. Sage. I am so glad I’ve started painting!!! I share every painting with my family. Hyper-Vigilance silenced.”
Wow, right?
And It Gets Even Better
Sue’s creative courage and contagious joy in the process inspired our 91-year-old mom to join the art class in her assisted living community this week. Even as her Judge and Hyper-Achiever Saboteurs tried to narrate her experience, Mom was laughing as she told me about her first class.
“It was FUN,” she said. Even with her arthritic hands and inner critic screaming in her ear, she persisted. AND IT WAS FUN!
Whether it’s painting, photography, writing, music, cooking, or dancing—when we tap into our creative source, something shifts. We step out of the analytical brain and into the non-verbal networks where beauty, insight, and healing happen. It’s where magic lives.
Do You Feel A Tap on Your Shoulder Inviting You To Creative Exploration?
We’ll be playing with these themes at our Sage Photography Weekend Retreat: Seeing With Presence, Creating With Purpose, May 17-18 in Woodville, VA.
This is a small group experience, with spaces already filling. All skill levels are welcome and any camera (including a smartphone) suffices. We’d love to have you join us!
Click Here For Our Sage Photography Weekend Retreat Details and Registration
Questions? Schedule a call with me here!
