L.A. Fires Silver Linings Playbook
The fire raging across Los Angeles has ravaged the homes and businesses of many families.
It’s been especially tough for the kids. My 8-year-old niece, whose parents’ homes and school burned to the ground, is struggling to make sense of what just happened.
When asked what item she wanted to replace first, she said, “My art supplies.”
However painful, though, the loss offers an opportunity to teach my niece how to use creativity to cope with high stress events, process her grief, and imagine a better future.
To help her do this, I created an art challenge that I would like to share with you. Perhaps it could help you or someone you know working through a similar circumstances — because of fire or other.
The Resilience Art Challenge
Day 1:
Start with a breathing exercise. Inhale slowly as you count to four. When your lungs are full, hold your breath and count four more. Exhale slowly as you count to four. Hold your breath out and again count to four. Do this at least five times and go slow!
Take two pieces of blank paper and a pen or other writing utensil.
Now, record the spaces that are no longer with you. On one piece of paper, draw a picture of your bedroom with as much detail as possible. For example, when you draw your bed, try to capture the stitching on the top blanket. When you draw the floor, sketch the texture and material of the floor. What was in the closet? What was in the corners of the room? What was on the desk? Or night stand? Or bookcase? Close your eyes if it helps you visualize the scene.
After this is complete, take the second piece of paper and draw a picture of how you feel. This can be represented in any way, be it a self-portrait, abstract imagery, or other.
Day 2:
Pull out the drawing of your bedroom that you made yesterday.
Start with the same breathing exercise from Day 1 — this time add five more breaths, humming as you exhale for a total of ten breaths. This will calm you and help you concentrate.
Now, look at the picture you made of your room. Look at each object and say to it, “Thank you for being in my life. You brought me a lot of joy and good memories.” Then, tell the object about the memories it gave you. For example, if you had crayons, you could thank them for all the happy memories of coloring with them. Then, say, “I am grateful for what you gave to me and even though you are no longer with me, I am keeping the joy we shared.”
When you are finished thanking all the things that were in your bedroom, take a piece of blank paper and draw a picture of how you feel.
Day 3:
Start with the breathing exercises as Day 2 - five regular breaths and five humming breaths.
Close your eyes and visualize a new room in your head. Begin a mental tour of the space, picturing where the door and windows are, as well as the bed, clothes, toys and other objects. Now, imagine feeling the floor under your feet, smelling the smells, and listening to the sounds.
Open your eyes, take out a new piece of paper, and draw the new room.
Bonus:
Read about the Phoenix (link here), a mythical bird that dies in a fire it creates and is reborn out of the fire, creating a new bird ready for a new long life.