Here’s an interesting Facebook page: http://bit.ly/bDA6C8. I am always so interested in seeing what environments artists set up in order to be able to create. My own studio, humble as it is, is a place where I feel good, almost without exception, and even when I’m not making beads. I know I am fortunate to have such a place! If you are interested in artists, their occupations and environments, go check out this group.

Find out more about this great FREE OT event:

World OT Day: Global Virtual Exchange

As always the Reverend Anne Barker’s discussion today at Westwood Unitarian was thought provoking. Her theme was Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights). At the core the message was the “how” of this amazing natural phenomenon – we get to see Aurora Borealis because particles collide, are energized and emit energy as light. Now if that isn’t a great description of how a dynamic community comes into being and sustains itself, I don’t know what is. And that’s what Anne was asking us to think about. So here’s to those collisions that create energy and produce light in our communities be they congregations, classes, social and professional groups, families. Let us shine and shimmy and dance with colour. Not always an easy achievement for a community. I wish it happened more often, but when we do achieve this, it’s spectacular!

Thanks Anne!

Had a chance last week to get together with some of my OT colleagues to plan for future of practice in mental health. It was a real treat to spend time with such smart and passionate people. The group I was with was looking at stigma reduction. Ultimately we decided that the real goal was “discrimination elimination”.

I’m really excited about a meeting I had on Saturday! For some time, I’ve been hearing people talk about community-engaged art. As an Occupational Therapist interested in healthy communities as one determinant of health, and as someone who knows that art heals, I am really impressed with the initiatives coming from Arts on the Avenue. And now it looks like there may be a possibility to be part of this through doing a wearable art workshop in the spring. OT and community-engaged art – a good match!

The Aurora Borealis Fireflies, a local beadmaker group that I co-founded with my friends Pat and Janelle, celebrated Christmas this week with our Annual Xmas party, full of good food, great company, and this year – the changing of the guard. Pat is stepping down as Secretary, and I’m stepping down as President after 4 ( or is it 5? ) years. We’re delighted that some really competent and energetic people are stepping into these roles. To celebrate, I got darlink dollar store tiaras for the new Executive team – pictures were taken, so when I get a copy I’ll post it here. We are, at this point, the only Canadian chapter of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, and Edmonton has become a real hotbed of bead-making talent. So I’m glad to see the group healthy and with plans for the next year.

Thanks Cindy, Tara, Kyra and Marianne (who is carrying on as Treasurer)! And thanks to Cindy (hostess supreme) and everyone at the party for a lovely evening.

Here’s a good discussion about the value of giving thanks. I am so fortunate – my wonderful husband and family, great co-workers, students who are so excited about this profession of occupational therapy that we share, my Aurora Borealis beadmaking friends, the cosy house where I sit writing this blog entry, the sun and the autumn leaves, the piece of pumpkin pie I just had. What are you grateful about today?

Last week marked the launch of the AMHOT CoP (Alberta Mental Health Occupational Therapists Community of Practice). It was great to hear about people’s high points in their practice. I was happy to see that the Appreciative Inquiry process that I’ve been reading about, and picturing in my head, really does seem to increase the energy people have for looking at what the future might be.

Kelli has started a Facebook Group for Mental Health Occupational Therapists. If that’s you, think about joining us.

I haven’t spent much time in the studio with classes starting, but am working slowly away on making a hollow bead necklace with big hollow violet blue and vine green beads embellished with touches of gold leaf. I’m going to string it with gold-plated high-fire ceramic beads from Greece. I think it will be quite lovely when I get it done.

Here’s a site with some good stories, focusing on knitting and crocheting. I’m not a knitter, so can’t comment from personal experience but I know many beadmakers, quilters, and other women who work with creative media who have similar stories. As an occupational therapist, this doesn’t surprise me. Still, I continue to be delighted to hear these stories of how passionate pursuits influence health and happiness.