Rising Out of the Ashes: Transforming Struggles into Strength

How learning new skills rewired my perception.

I love learning new skills, and my first new art was mastering the art of baking sourdough bread. My starter's name is Beast because he is never satisfied with how much I feed him. At first, I made good door stoppers. My bread did not rise, and it was dense and hard as a brick. I had to tame the beast. I learned that 77 degrees was necessary for my starter to be happy. I found proofing overnight made the flavor better. Five years later, I can whip out baguettes with the smoothness of a seasoned orchestra conductor.

My next novice attempt at art was joining a veterans' art group to learn to be present and trust the process of exploring emotions and trauma through art. I have embraced each project, but I have found a particular love for shadow boxes. I believe that each time I dig deep to find the courage to attempt something new, it is not for anyone other than myself, for my own personal satisfaction. I am inspired that an old woman like me can learn new tricks that enrich my life and fuel my passion for writing. The mindset to create is free of obstacles. I have completed one novel and am working on my second. I freewrite in two different groups and never say no to a writing sprint. I know these new passions where I use my hand to knead bread and smell the aroma of fresh bread feed my soul. The use of color, texture, and depth to create a landing space for healing, and the most exquisite is the writing, where the right and left brain collaborate and cooperate in the art of story. I believe the actions I am taking in exploring art help facilitate my neuroplasticity. Creating makes me joyful. I have modified a quote from Andrew Humberman, “The mind is the most powerful tool we have for creating the (writing) life we want.”