A - Z Challenge Reflection 2012

This was my 2nd year taking part in the A- Z Challenge, and it seems to have come and gone really quickly. We had over a thousand people taking part in the challenge and it was run by founder Arlee Bird and his A-Z Team, a big thanks goes out to them! 

Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh), Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas), Coming Down The Mountain (Karen Jones Gowen), Life is Good (Tina Downey), Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins), Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons), The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence), The QQQE (Matthew MacNish), Author Elizabeth Mueller (Elizabeth Mueller), No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow), Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson), Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp).


This year I decided to write about my experience with Dementia and caring for my mother. It was something I really wanted to do as I often find it difficult to express how I feel without a lump coming to my throat, even more so trying to imagine how my mother feels.  I often swiftly put my thoughts to the back of my mind while I get on with the practical tasks of her care.

What really helped in writing for the challenge was to be able to put things in perspective and face up to how I felt about my situation, show the person behind the label and give you a glimpse into our world. 

There was much love and support from those who commented which helped you to feel that you were not on your own. I would like to thank all those who visited, commented and decided to follow my blog. Its always great to make new connections and form friendships.

It was especially great to visit new blogs and get to read so many interesting posts. I didn't get to visit everyone, but will attempt to this month - looks like another challenge....!  If you didn't get to participate I encourage you to dive in next year, it's great fun and once you start you will be hooked.

Next steps for me....I find these monthly challenges really do encourage you to step out of the box,  stretch yourself and grow while interacting with people from all over the world. In June I will be resuming my Try something new for 30 days - and possibly try some new art techniques. Do let me know what your next steps are and I will come and be your cheer leader....Blessings!

What a Challenge!

If you missed any of the posts for the A-Z Challenge you can see them below.  I will be sharing about the journey with the topic being so close to me about my mother with dementia on the 7th May.   I will let the dust settle and reflect on all the things that came up.  I hope you have been blessed with the posts as much as it has blessed me to write, and your comments have really been encouraging.  Over the next few weeks I will also be sharing some news, I am quite excited about and its been a long time coming....for now blessings and hope you are having a blessed week.

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret, S is for Strategies, T is for Tradition, U is for Understanding, V is for Value, W is for Websites, X is for Xerox, Y is for Yearn Z is for Zephyr

These posts were part of the A-Z Challenge which took part during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia. Do check back for a reflection post taking place on the 7th May 2012.

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 321 - 327

A straight path

Sometimes it isn’t the winding road which leads to mystery and surprise.  At times the straight path unfolds and brings us treasures beyond our comprehension.

Day 321

  

Reflection 

The hard times in your life will develop the pearls of wisdom... 

Quote 

If art is not to be life-enhancing, what is it to be? ...May Sarton 

Scripture But now, thus say the Lord ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!’ Isaiah 43:1

Day 322

 

Reflection 

Time to start over 

Quote 

Art and works of art do not make an artist; sense and enthusiasm and instinct do. ...Friedrich Von Schlegel  

Scripture 

The Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.  Isaiah 59:1

Day 323

 

Reflection 

Be brave, all things are possible 

Quote 

Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free. ...Jim Morrison 

Scripture 

The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

Day 324

 

Reflection 

Don’t worry, it will be alright 

Quote 

Art thaws even the frozen, darkened soul, opening it to lofty spiritual experience. ...Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 

Scripture

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.  Ephesians 3:17-18

Day 325

 

Reflection 

As a work in progress, go easier on yourself 

Quote 

Fear is the reason for making art. It is a means to freedom. ...Ilya Kabakov 

Scripture 

The needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever. Psalm 9:18

Day 326

 

Reflection 

There is always tomorrow, you have a chance to start over! 

Quote

Art is the only way to run away, without leaving home. ...Twyla Tharp 

Scripture 

For whatever was written in earlier time was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the  encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Day 327

 

Reflection 

You are able to do all that you set your mind to! 

Quote 

Sufficient to today are the duties of today. Don’t waste life in doubts and fears, spend yourself on the work before you; well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it. ...Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Scripture 

The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Z is for Zephyr

Zephyr - a soft gentle breeze of change 

It came on without warning, there were no loud noises a fanfare just a few tell tale signs.  It blew in as if on a gentle breeze, we all felt it as it brushed past us, noticing slight things but not really seeing as it settled at mums door.  Mum embraced all that she is and met it head on, and defines the world to mean something for her despite the situation.

She dances as it breezes through her memory, some became distant and others drifted in and out like the fallen leaves of autumn, yet, holding no regret she faces each day as new.  She has been a comfort and support as she still holds on to her humour and grace - she is all that she needs to be.

The dementia almost forces us to learn to use our senses in a very different way, learn a new language, see our lives differently.  We have each been called for a purpose, to touch each others lives, dig deeper make more effort, and go that extra mile as the lives of generations are changed.

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities P is for Purpose, Q is for Quietness, R is for Regret, S is for Strategies, T is forTradition, U is for Understanding, V is for Value, W is for Websites, X is for Xerox, Y is for Yearn

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.