~~At midlife, freedom within has finally been found, and this is a personal accomplishment. The necessary journey to find myself was colossal, although given a second opportunity my life would be lived exactly the same way. Today, this unknown woman has quietly risen above adversity.
The condition of a mental illness is often traumatic for many people, but whilst writing this story, it gave me a tremendous amount of enjoyment to stroll back through the many rambling thoughts, ideas, and creativity. This story is not about defeatism; instead, it is about the triumph of the human spirit.
It is my hope that by being honest, it will entice one more person to create their own imaginations, daydreams, and whimsical ideas and, with that, also understand that a mental illness can be a hidden treasure rather than something to fear. However, although my creative mind attempts to speak with insight, it is done with shameless emotions attached.
‘Art here to can help, for it is an imaginative force that goes ahead of the present and prepares our rational and sensory selves for where nature will eventually lead us’ (Alain de Bottom and John Armstrong, Art as Therapy).
'THE WOMAN IN THE DISTANCE' reflections of un-settled seasons is due out May 2014