The Stress of Having

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Rakai

294367_10150774482775352_4007888_n“Muzungu! Muzungu!” It was the sound of many little voices coming out of the woods as our bus stumbled through the dirt road in the middle of a village in Rakai, Uganda. We just crossed the Equator line from Kampala to Rakai. We were expected for lunch as the village kids piled up to see the visitors. They call us “muzungu” which means “white person or from european decent”. I had a hard time trying to explain that my european decent is only a third or me. The other two-thirds are Taino indian and African. The kids in Kampala quickly changed my name to “Munakatemba” or “the funny guy with the jokes”. Someday I’ll post about my stand-up comedy days.

302770_10150774483130352_2845809_nRakai is a district in Central Uganda better known for the place where the first HIV/Aids case in Uganda was recorded. They know what tragedy is. A lot of kids here lost their parents due to HIV, malaria, and urban armies. They often lack the bare necessities of life. However, because of not having they don’t live the stress of having as we often do. They live that day. After chores they just play, take naps, and wait for food to be ready when there is anything to eat. If not they are looking in the woods for whatever they can find but even their hunger and desperation turns into playtime. They run around laughing, dancing, and singing. They are also very friendly and curious.

308672_10150774483430352_5883887_nUpon our arrival we sat in a designated area while the kids sang songs and the ladies kneeled to introduce themselves and welcome us. At lunch time we went into the house as it is tradition while all the kids sat outside. As soon as I finished my food I went outside to sit with the kids. It was fun to see them trying to figure out how I make sounds blowing air into my hands. I saw a few of the older kids hiding in a corner trying to do the same. The little ones would just imitate the sounds. It was great. They were laughing for so long. After a few more stops it was time to leave and return to Kampala. I’ll share some of that sometime soon.

Sculpting with your Heart

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Take time to disconnect from your brain and connect to your heart. Allow your fingers to appreciate the texture of the clay as you get lost in the slow waters of your emotions. Taste every second as it was the last. Turn noise into silence. Get lost!

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Sculpting Workshop at The Milford Senior Center

I was sharing some time last Wednesday with an excellent group of people at the Milford Senior Center. I wish you could experience what I perceive from them when they got immerse in their creative process, in their inner peace, in the sensation of the clay on their fingers… Time seemed to stop. In fact, they were working on their pieces in complete silence for about 10-15 minutes but the energy in that room was mesmerizing. In their faces was reflected a great sense of commitment and accomplishment, and an attitude of ownership. “I’m making this! I love how it looks! I can’t stop now!” What a great moment! I felt so proud and honored to witness this moment. Believe me when I tell you that I enjoyed it. They were lost in their task.

According to Picasso we are all artists as kids, but along the way we lost our acceptance of our creativity and imagination for a more “real” and concrete world. At some point in our development we compare the reality we see with the reality we can create and give up when the measure lacks in our eyes. We think too much about it and silence the heart. Then we impose this coward attitude into others (No need to say that art programs are being eliminated from schools). We are missing the point! “Thinking” so much blinded our sensitivity and forced our creativity to decrease to death. Creativity is proven to increase problem solving skills, allows connectedness with ourselves and the world around us, increases and restores confidence and self-value, and relieves stress. Need I say more?

I see transformations in all my classes and workshops with people of all ages and backgrounds. Read the testimonials. The only one stoping you to try something creative is yourself. No matter the age or the situation creativity is ready to rise up and give you a new spark in life. Let inspiration flow. Don’t think about it so much. Let your heart take control.

Thank you to Always Best Care in Milford for sponsoring this.