On Wednesday, a group of teen/preteen girls visited the museum; Jacqueline, the director of the museum, warned me that the girls were ‘troubled,’ and she was unsure what to expect.
I suggested that we have a ten-minute drawing session, where I could illustrate the calming powers of drawing ‘tornadoes’ while gazing around the room, at the ceiling, out a window – anywhere except at the pencil and paper. It’s a method to train your mind to know where your pencil is even when you’re not looking at it, and it’s also a ‘zen’ trick to still the mind and soul.
She and I were both astounded; every single girl/young woman was honored to be there, soaked in the entire museum experience! They showed their gratitude with rapt attention and a final hug and parting sorrow at the end of our visit.
I found myself wishing to spend time with each one, to hear more about their lives and to find more time to mentor them.
It’s time to dash away for another day at the museum, but I wanted to share this story and the images.
Have a great day! Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
A wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your gift with others and treating “troubled” children with the same care that “regular” children would receive. We often forget how labels can harm a living creature being it human or animal alike.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment; we’re all here to help each other along, but sometimes we get so caught up with existing that we don’t see what’s right in front of us! That’s one reason I prefer living in Latin America, as it’s not so ‘hurried’ here! Z
Trust is one of the things troubled kids have a hard time with and you provided them with an experience that allowed them to feel significant and to return that in gratitude towards you. Beautiful experience, Lisa. The pictures show a lot of smiles.
Thank you amiga! So many times, young or old, all that’s lacking is the human touch; just a token acknowledgment that they are worthy of being loved. I miss those young gals and hope to visit them when the exhibit has finished making its rounds through the province. z
Open heart, heart + zebra, magical colors and happy children, an equation is also magical.
Gracias Señora¡¡¡
Cruz
Thank you, Carlos! You have a very giving, magical heart as well! Z
Yes trust and self esteem. Thanks for a lovely read.
Thanks so much! Z
You are a remarkable human being, with a heart of gold! 🙂
As are you, my friend! Thanks, Lisa
You’re a good one…awesome…keep it up!
Thanks, dominick! I suspect that you’d take time to mentor those who crowded ’round you.. perhaps you’ll be mentoring marathon-runner wannabe’s one day! Z
heart full of gratitude for your artistic giving soul in this universe
thank you, gwen. you’d be helping those lovely girls as well. today a group of young boys visited the exhibit. it’s been an interesting week! z
Great work “younger Sis”!! You do so much great work. Am so proud to have you as a sister. Want to wish you a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!! Not sure if I’ll be around my computer tomorrow so wanted to go ahead and send Birthday wishes your way. I enjoy my letters from you as well as reading your blogs and looking at your art work and photos. Steve wants you to come get him, NOW! I guess I’ll try to get there too!! Miss you & am anxious for you to meet my Sweetie in person. Love you, & again, HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Pat
Thank you so much, dear sister!
I just returned from a day at the museum, and your words mean the world to me! Muchas gracias! Z
Happy Birthday to you! What a wonderful day for giving and receiving gifts – your art given, the girls’ appreciation coming back to you,
I’m entranced by your art, and I do suspect their responsiveness and comfort was related to a sense of familiarity – the colors and motifs of the mola patterns, the pattering of the geckos across the canvas, surely evoked parts of their world. It’s a fact – fill the museum with examples of Titian, Pollock or Vermeer, and their day would have been quite different. Or so I suspect.
Brava! for a wonderful show, and for your attentiveness to the girls!
Thank you! I think we need to create a new award: the Pom Pom Award, and you’d receive it after such an incredible comment! Thanks, and you’re right about the images; many of those paintings reflect the Indian heritage from this area – though they’ve never seen them depicted in anything except monochromatic combinations. The “Jama Coaque” hand affects many Ecuadorians when they see it for the first time.
Thanks again, dear amiga! Z
I just wanted to wish you the best of birthdays. You my dear friend shine brighter than ever. I am honored to call you friend. Miss you and love you. Marie and Hank
Thank you, amiga! I look forward to hearing about your road trip… (and how’s the weather?) Z
What some would percieve as a ‘troubled’ person may be what we’ve come to recognize as a creative genius in the making, an artist struggling to find her medium, a beautiful spirit seeking expression. You’ve been privledged to have been able to make an impression on them. Who knows what beauty some of them will create in the future because they crossed paths with you. Life is good. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind and sensitive comment! Your art is filled with such bright and cheerful colors and mood. It surely has a positive effect on people!
You are so right, and most of us can reflect on a remark or gesture that made a lasting impression on us. Some might have been good experiences and others difficult ones, but we grow through them all. I truly believe that we’re all here to help each other along, and we’re to do it unselfishly and always with love. Thanks so much! Z
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Just wonderful work with these girls Z! Very touching to read this post, and have come to understand the inherent therapeutic value of creative expression and art. You are a conduit for this and seems there is nothing more precious a gift~ much love 🙂
thanks amiga! i look forward to another visit with the girls, though i am several hours away from them today.
z
wonderful work z ~ xo
Lisa, your heart is so wide and huge and welcoming… How lucky Lise and I are to have met you, thanks to Marie and Hank…
Life is definitely beautiful ! You are one of these very special and precious persons who make people aware of the incredible beauty of life. Thank you !
Helene! You and Lise and Marie and Hank are equally wonderful people, and I am not surprised that life brought all of us together! We will surely see each other again, and we’ll have another enriching cultural exchange!
Thank you so much, my beautiful friend!
Love,
Lisa
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