Workshop Feedback
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Please join us as we give you a guided tour of our collaborative journey that has emerged from our shared and individual life experiences. We will travel from the depths of the center and around the world clockwise.
Shama members, being at different places in our lives, are empowered by one another and individually to move along the path in a protected environment. We are always protected here, even though we are at different places of our lives. Although we travel the path of growth and healing, it is uncertain and each of us has the support of one another along the way. There are some playful surprise and shocking truths along our paths. There is also a lot of darkness along the way.
The orange figure in the center has a choice to sink into the lava of pity or swim to safety and climb out on the ladder of hope ā¤?away from isolation and the spiral of darkness.
The stone wall represents stability.
The lava wall represents turbulence and hot thoughts ā¤? sucacidal, homicidal, self-harming, etcā¤¦)
The grassy wall represents the life of our fertile Earth, where one feels all emotions. Accepting all emotions can be a first step to growing into understanding and healing.
The dragons represent fear of falling back down into the pit. The fear is all encompassing and ever-present for some of us. Fear and anxiety is all the same. We are all afraid of something.
The well to the right represents another pit of darkness that some can fall into and God helps them climb out. For some, the well is a place to wish or pray for healing. The well mirrors reflect self-respect (if youā¤?re lucky). As one walks along the path s/he observes the spiraling cosmos. Each Shama member painted a section of the colorful cosmic spiral ā¤? each section reflecting individualities.
The individualized personal perception is rowing alone in a boat in awe of the passing comet. S/he is unaware of the drowning soul nearby until a scream is heard.
As one walks the precarious path living with mental illness s/he is uncertain, as s/he has to balance ever so carefully as to not fall off of unbalanced ground into uncharted depths of water.
The trees represent the peaceful feelings some have from being in their presence. Great sadness is felt as other trees have been chopped down. Some have focused on trees to practice staying focused in the moment using mindfulness.
And then thereā¤?s the sailboat. It reminds one that she would like to go sailing someday. It also provokes thoughts of positive fishing memories. The sailboat symbolized the possibility of freedom.
As one continues along Shamaā¤?s path, s/he can choose to walk along the beach or on the grass under a stormy sky. A red tornado looming beneath a hurricane cloud represents heightened anxiety felt by many. The purple yin/yang eye of the storm reminds us of our protection from adversity and that weā¤?re going to get hit by the adversity again.
The tornado, which looks like a Chantal mushroom, reminds some of individual resourcefulness ā¤? growing up out of all-encompassing fears and phobias. Mushroom tears can turn into gladness for some. It also represents one being stuck in thoughts of fear of getting caught by someone who would threaten his life.
The lightening bolt is touching the earth as some feel the energy of weather. The blue clouds float by with gentle thoughts of atmospheric safety. The moon and stars remind one how vulnerable she is on her protected paths. For some, dreams and hopes are inspired by the brightness of the moon and stars. One member is always determined to follow her heart.
Snow covered mountain peaks stand high beneath the night sky showing the strength necessary for members to continue along personal paths. The melting snow creates flowing rivers. One stream flows towards a healing pool of water to the right.
Another flows to the left passing by an all-to-often visited den of darkness sometimes filled with hopelessness and worthlessness. This is where the determination come in - determined to come out with help from others and Shama members my determination begins to grow and I see the light of happiness and self-worth. Weā¤?re sharing and growing into wellness. The butterfly is like the self-actualization that I now feel. Itā¤?s a new and exciting and better life. I have completely changed which has come from my values and determination. This is who I am and it has come from within and the hard work I have done.
Nonetheless, the river still flows out of out of our gratitude towards the lake and waterfall. The waterfall can swiftly brisk members back down to the pit of self-pity ā¤? so we each need to use the Shama support system of friendship and growth.
Protected under a red umbrella, two Shama members sit peacefully. They enjoy each otherā¤?s company and share their thoughts and growth for the day. The tree on the Island shows how alone some with mental illness felt before coming to Shama. And it also symbolizes how alone we each are regardless.
The snake on the red boat represents some sort of limitation present in every human. Ours ā¤? mental illness, brain injury diabetes, and other limiting labels. Yours ā¤? you name it.
Some choose not to recognize it ā¤? within others or themselves. Other choose. Other have no choice.
Along our path we celebrate our successes in the fields of flowers and joy. Even though a green tornado touches the earth, we still choose to dance.
The desolate desert represents our need for nourishment. The weaving vines climb into the desert to keep us connected with our source. The flat yellow triangle represents an Egyptian Pyramid ā¤? symbolizing the importance to acknowledge our own personal histories. For some, it also represents money and the importance of being independent. A red spiral Ibis bird floats in a pond reminding us how essential it is to spend time alone reflecting on our strengths and abilities.
One had her first daughter in a place that reminds her of the grassy knoll. It makes her think of the grain and the grass and all the things that they plant in the spring.
Here we have another choice ā¤? slip down the slide back into the pit of self-pity or celebrate the joys the Earth and her inhabitants and travel the world, as you will. Itā¤?s about freedom to choose to grow.
Thank you for coming along and learning about our worlds.
May we all tread a bit more compassionately as we travel through our worlds ā¤? with one another and the planet. - Collaboratively written by workshop members on March 30th.
To be posted...
GROWTH
MOVING FORWARD
Sunlight & shadow
VISION
SOARING
Black
Why me?
Trampled
Lock
SEEING THE LIGHT
DESTINY
Feelings
Day to day
Associated growth
Fertility
SAFETY
UNSAFE
UN/SECURITY
WORK
Restlessness
LOVE
Affection
Hallucinating
Spirit
Broken Spirit
Death
Scared
Acclaim
Relapse
Challenge
Accommodation
Obsessive/compulsive
Loss
HEARING THE ANGELS
LOST
Options
Sharing & Caring
Walk in Faith, NOT BY SIGHT
Feeling Punished
Death of my Soul
Reborn/Rebirth
Confrontation
UNSTOPPABLE
Determination
Accommodate
Fears
Path
Rejection
Abandonment
Belonging
TRAGIC
Personal STORY
Depressed
STIGMA
LABELS
Surprise
Scape-goat
Rainbow Colors
Overwhelmed
GOALS
Chaos
Insanity
Fitting in
Emotions
WORRIED
MOLLIFIED
TRAPPED
HORRIFIED
DETERMINATION
Shock
Ultimatum
ALIBI
WINGS
3rd Floor
Sacred Heart
Medication
Grappling
Life-flight
Grievences
Retributions
Smoke
Jump thru Hoops
Patience
The dawn after the dark night
ABILITY
5th floor
Rescue
Excited
The Pink Sand
Hurt/Pain
3 good looking men
Games
Mirrors
Red Tape
Self-esteem
Loss of Self
Tired
Zombie
New Discovery
Self Medication
Fight
Jig-saw Puzzle
Making New Friends
Starting Over
Cave (Depression)
Smelling like a rose
Blank Page
Pulling Weeds
Crazy Making
Self-awareness
Life/BREATH
Silence
Relationships
Paranoia
Frustration
Racing Thoughts
Panic
Smells (Distinguishing)
Self-Help
Awareness
Defeat
Time
Symbolic
Expression
TRUTHS
Indian Tribes
Numbness
PLIABLE
Permeable
MYSTERY
Crazy
Bottomless Pit
Anxiety
Toxic People
Shapes (fitting in/symbols)
Anguish
Say what you really mean
Enemies
Passive
News
DISCRIMINATION
FLEXIBLE
THOUGHTS
MINORITY
Disabled
Roadsigns (NO MARKS)
Feel Sorry
Can/Canļæ½t Cry
NIGHTMARES
And Opinion
Locked Door
Helplessness
Humiliation
Hobbies
Assurance
Able
Dead End
Out of Touch
Are we _ way there yet?
TERRORS
Capable
Lost Key
Hopelessness
Empty Hole
Donation
TRUST
Reflection
Manipulation
Management
Bearing Down
Barriers
Limitations
Forgiveness
View my mind
Self-blame
Out to lunch
Empty
Sympathy
Guilt
DENIAL
Communication
ļæ½Beyond Wordsļæ½
Borders
Building Walls
Career
Vulnerability
Unforgiveness
Overwhelmed
Shame
Out of reach
Compassion
Empathy
Nullify
top ^
WHAT IS A CLUBHOUSE?
A SELF-HELP PROGRAM.
Members in the Clubhouse help each other and help
themselves. Staff at the Clubhouse work along side of
members in all aspects of operating the program and providing
services to members. The relationship between members and
staff is a partnership in which both share the same goals for
members.
Cassidy C.
Feb 16, 07
my Thoughts of this wall
Bitten is an artist, and our
class with her has come
together to make a collogue
in a litteral, appropriate, and
knowledgable manner. Theese
students (members in Shama) in
class have terrific immag-
inations, and have found a great
new colorful variety of
forms of communication
and self-expression shown in
written ā¤?termsā¤? posted up on
our wall. Bitten is a nice
Teacher, and sheā¤?s nice enough
to help us broaden our ways
of transformation and journey
back to mental Health
a little step at a time
through Self artistic
excercizes, and better, healing
positive attitudes, members
of Shama are learning to
grow along Spiritual lines,
and become our own ā¤½Artistsā¤
Along with a charming new
vocabulary to study.
top ^
Being passed around
from one individual
to the next
havenā¤?t I past the test
yourā¤?re all said you Loved me
which is fine
but are you aware
of the sickness of my mind?
Iā¤?m a Loving kind woman
and thatā¤?s all there
Iā¤?m very Beautiful
and Say I love you
But going through the pain
will never Quit
Iā¤?ve come a long way
I used to cut my wrists
Iā¤?m a new woman today
although Iā¤?m considered sick
I often pray for those
who Quit,
Donā¤?t leave me in times of
Dispare--
and we can love each other
and I will always be there
with prayer and meditation
and brain stem research
they say theyā¤?ll be an answer
with Love and plenty of hugs
that stands to be true
but most of all
above it all
never Forget
ā¤THE I love youā¤?sā¤
top ^
_A Winterā¤?s Limmerick_
by Perys Greentree Tedesco
I hear
my pain
In the
rain.
Thatā¤?s
why
God is
crying
For me
again.
top ^
My feelings gush
out of the spigot onto
the mirror and everything
near. What a mess I can
make in such a short while
and how long it takes to
clean up
the tile.
top ^
Diette & Mike
Diette
Breaking down the walls
coming to Shama
finding a horizon
just be myself
inner peace
Life is a kelidascope
Birds bring me peace
Companionship
early in the morning
Sunrise
Micheal
Learning how to relax
uncomfortable ā¤? makes me angry.
want more independence ā¤? Just like to be human
coming to Shama
My parents have noticed a difference
Just be myself.
Feel the sound coming out of the speakers.
Just not quite there yet.
Normal --
Not being Nervous
Not being afraid
I like spring-flowers I Like Spring thunderstorms
Go to church for Healing ā¤? for peace
Like to walk ā¤? Like
Music --
top ^
April 2007
Bitten and Shama house,
Your willingness to express
And share your process is an
Inspiration to me. ā¤½Honing our Livesā¤
touches places that are true for me.
I feel nourished by your words.
Your community spirit in building
this mural is a sign of your
healing.
You are all so important
to life. I connect with some
of your pain and fears, and
I hear and see your light
and heart.
Bitten has done an amazing
job of inspiring, guiding and
documenting your project and you.
Thank you for sharing,
Monica
Live In Fear
Live In Pain
Live In Confusion
Live In Darkness
Live In Ashaim
That was the way I Felt.
I didnā¤?t Fit it.
The year 1996 I Hit the Bottom
of Life.
I Have Learned To Live A
Little Better since than.
I Have got some Help
In my Life. To Try To
Live Better. & Learn To
See The good Thing In my
Life Better.
I learn I Had A illness
call depson In my Life.
When I was growing up
I WAS NOT Allow To Cry
or To Learn To express
Love, Hate or Anger it
WAS NOT Allow.
I HAVE Learn To
Love more In my Life
And To Hate Less, And
To Forgive more.
I know I Am Some
Body And A person I Have
A Right To Learn To Live.
With out Fear, Pain, Darkness
In my Life.
I Have Took 1, 2 or 3
step Backwards A lot over the
years But I Have got
up And keep going on with
Life. I Have got Some
Pain, Fear, And Confuse
In my Life But I am
Learning To Live with it.
I see The Light. Dark
At The end of The
Tunell A whole more Than
I need 11 years ago.
top ^
letting them
talk me into getting into
the group home was bad.
They took my drivers license.
I canā¤?t be out past 4:00
I hate it. I just do.
I want to live on my own. So
I can get girlfriend to move in with
me.
top ^
MICHAEL
I donā¤?t Like to be calm
Like everybody else
special take youre baggage
stuff Life coul be bett
er if werenā¤?t so nervous
I remember when I was young
I had Lots of fun nobody
stop My heads was a
clear fix stereo in my head
Breath Be calm
silence peace magic helps me
paranoia thinking somebody out
to get me
I felt better when walk that
time The thing that could be
keeping me from feeling my best
weather not getting jetaim at us
top ^
SURPRISE.
YOU ARENā¤?T ANYBODY.
IF YOU WERE, YOU CANā¤?T REMEMBER.
YOU NEVER REMEMBER. YOU ARE TOO
NICE TO BELONG HERE. AS WE
HURT YOU, YOU BECOME US. BUT
YOU CANā¤?T JOIN. YOU WONā¤?T JOIN.
YOU DONā¤?T BELONG ANYWHERE.
GOOD.
GET OUT.
SIMPLE.
SHEā¤?S GONE.
top ^
Cassidy Clare
Words that Jump out
Individual Themes
growth
feelings
vision
soaring
determination
top ^
Juss Areyes Goodkp (Sp)
Like making light
out of day light I am
writing these few words
to realize I am writing a song
to make me happy some
day I is ghit bord if I
go ahead gen aloan I therai
and I am going to work
harder to youou the media
it contured to this date
I am a doctor I have bill
I have I pay Fo heteu
how will I get a bag Had
I draw to this date
Rash alt galaxy
tank you
Lights like them
High light up the night
this is the war that has
jirtā¤?s butler.
top ^
What you think
and speak about, you
create your own destiny.
top ^
Cathy Pennington
Beverly Segner-Haller
HS150 Self-Awareness
April 2006
What is Self?
Self is awareness on oneā¤?s existence. This is a personal consciousness on oneā¤?s
Own traits, feelings, behaviors and accountability, i.e. ā¤½beingā¤. Awareness of self is
Universally neglected and therefore conceived as very difficult to do. One might take a
Class to be assisted in awareness of self.
Who Am I?
I am path. Racing the forest, I dip and list and loop, climbing my surroundings. I
feel feet upon me. I fall. Shadows frame sunlight and watch me. Disabled, my spirit
senses the cathedral that holds me. Wind whispers direction to my spirit. I run! Happy
no feet, I flow with interaction and care. I stop only once to hush myself. Silence
quenches my roots and I move on. I weave rocks and trees, flowers and streams with
honor.
Who am I? Nothing more, nothing less. Connected with my pathā¤¦me.
top ^
ā¤¢ ā¤½The process of doing it is honoring each other. By doing it together every one has something to contribute.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½Itā¤?s like world peace. Itā¤?s a friendly reminder that I am free. That the world is colorful, full of different people. Itā¤?s a huge vast universe. Itā¤?s how the planet comes together. We need each other to come together for world peace. We need love to survive. We need each other to survive. God gave us this planet for a gift of life living on Earth.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½I fell like people who didnā¤?t want to be a part of it have been a part of it in some way. Even though some are watching they are still involved in the process.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½I like that weā¤?re all, as individuals, part of a whole. Were all contributing little pieces. And we step back and are like ā¤? wohw ā¤? it doesnā¤?t look like a bunch of little pieces, it looks like one whole.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½Itā¤?s been really nice to have the energy grow around here.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½Thereā¤?s some nice fellowship going on around here.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½The eco- system how season change and life changes and Gods control of it all.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½Naturally emotionally cheeryā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½We put love into this art piece and time and our secrets and our writing that we let go and put into our art. Colors for a cherry effect.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½Itā¤?s about change ā¤? light and dark ā¤? thereā¤?s water, land, sun, sky, air, snow. Itā¤?s universal.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½This picture shows hope of direction of a brighter tomorrow.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½I am at the top of the world because I had this class and you helped me.ā¤
ā¤¢ ā¤½I learned about the grassy knoll incident, which is where Lee Harvey Oswald was when he shot Kennedy.ā¤
top ^
Self Aware & Bitten 3-12-07
I love my new classes Iā¤?m in
It makes me think of who I am
and of whom I can be
So you see what it does for me.
My mind is calmer & I am
happier than I
have been for a long time,
and I find
that I have to slow down
so I can be more aware
of bound up problems I have at
different times.
I am able to handle them better now
People do not frown at me as much
and think I am weird, so I feel better
about myself.
It has been such a struggle for me, but
I believe I can make it thru.
top ^
Be presentable
before your friends at
the table to attend the
gathering of the future of
the Indians. This is the
water, stirred at night. We
went to the party at the waterā¤?s
edge. They got drunk, met their
girlfriends, had a brawl. A decision
was made that the
party would end.
top ^
Micheal
pulling Weeds
Life Breath
Silence
paranoia
cave
Love
Hear angels
growth
Moving forward
top ^