Great Strides, January 2019

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Artwork by Program Participant, Robin L.

“I didn’t know how much talent I had until I put it to use” Val F.

Artist of the Month, Valerie F., has been drawing since the age of five when her mom gave her a drawing book. She says that she draws the way she feels and encourages others to follow their own dreams and journey. Valerie attends the Mending Art workshops and enjoys displaying her art at the exhibits. She participates in art activities such as going to the museum. Valerie has visited the Mattatuck Museum and shared that the museum opens her thoughts and imagination. “My art and life are based on encouragement. I never knew what I had in me. I’m learning to use what I have, I didn’t know how much talent I had until I put it to use. This is encouragement.” says Valerie.

I Remember I remember when I was young, life was so much fun.

Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM

The beach was mine, I remember.

I remember how I was in school.

It was a nice place to remember.

I remember the sky and how I used to play those summer days.

I remember the holidays, how these days were great.

Friday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM

Donna L.

Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.

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Twenty Five IC Artists started a new adventure this year. They created post card size pieces of art to mail to an ArtPal at Art Connection Studio in Hartford. When their Art Pal receives the art piece in the mail they will create a piece of art to send back. We are looking forward to keeping the art conversation going. Keep your eyes out for the mail!

Doug N. had his first pop-up art show at the IC, titled “My Work History”. Doug has been working on his art for seventeen years. He started painting recently with the Mending Art program. His style keeps growing with each new piece. Doug has shown his art in many exhibits and this is his second solo display.

“It made me feel happy to share my art with others because they liked it and that makes me want to work on more art. I learned that I have some different ideas. The pop-up art show made me feel accomplished. I did something I had never done before. The art is like a family tree, each piece and day is different.” Those who attended the show were impressed with Doug’s work and said that it had a little bit of everything. “This show has a lot of meaning.”, said one of the viewers, “It’s very patriotic too, lots of stars and stripes!”

Doug enjoys sharing his art with the larger community and is often seen gifting his work to others. This year Doug volunteered to create a drawing of North Congregational Church in Woodbury, which is currently on display at the church.

Lea D. held her first solo pop up art show at the Independence Center. All of Lea’s art is untitled and she felt her show should also be untitled. Those who visited the show offered their ideas of what they would title the art show and Lea liked the title “Horizons” the best. Many of Lea’s painting are of peaceful green grass, trees, and skies. Lea was surprised to hear viewers compliment how she captured the sky in her landscape paintings.

Lea says that she learned how to paint from her grandma who also painted landscapes. Lea’s paintings are of places she would like to be; they are all created from her imagination.

She has enjoyed all kinds of artistic activities over the years and has shared her creativity with others. Lea gave an artist talk during her show and shared that she had once worked as an Activities Director and would help others create art out of any materials she could find. She did work with latch hook and jewelry boxes. Lea has also helped lead Mending Art workshops at the IC. “It feels good to have an art show! My work is being seen by others and it will become more popular. It inspires me to do more and better work. I will be back in the studio soon!”, says Lea.

For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/ctheari ngvoicesnetwork or http://www.hearingvoicesus a.org/ Alternatives to Suicide Support Group 399 Franklin Avenue Hartford Wednesdays 4-5pm http://toivocenter.org/ OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/o cd/patients/support.aspx Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/ Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/ Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanony mous.org/ga/ For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/ed ucation/information or call: 1-800-842-1510

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Michael P. moved to Waterbury from New York City and has been a program participant at the Independence Center for three years. He enjoys attending workshops and mending art. Michael was a resident of Roger’s House and moved into his own apartment, where he has been living independently for the past year. He is working in the maintenance department at DCF.

Infoline CT 211 VEYO 1-855-478-7350 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332

When asked what his key to a successful recovery is, Michael says, “being persistent and never giving up.”

Last month in mindfulness we talked about how we forget to tell ourselves reassuring thoughts on a daily basis. Doing this just once a month does not strengthen our thoughts. Just like exercising daily can strengthen your muscles, daily use of positive words will strengthen your thoughts. We had a list of 101 words to tell ourselves daily, but these were the ones that stood out to the group.  I CAN and WILL do things to promote

Crisis 1-866-794-0021

Dentists in Waterbury Who take Husky Health Staywell Health Center 203-597-9044 South Main Street 203-756-8021 Phoenix Avenue Community Health Center 203-574-4000

healing in my life.  I AM a survivor.  I WILL inhale confidence and exhale

doubt.  EVERYTHING will work out in the



   

end. If it has not worked out yet, it’s not the end.

I ALLOW myself to forgive; it will ALLOW me to move beyond pain, to a place of peace.

I AM stronger than my worries.

Yesterday was a bad day, NOT a bad life. Today will be better.

I WILL NOT allow anxious thoughts to steal my joy.

I WILL learn from yesterday, LIVE for today and HOPE for tomorrow.

Columbia Dental 1-866-645-0111 Statewide # for Opioid (Opiate) Dependence 1-800-563-4086 You will be linked with walk-in assessment centers

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We're ready to be extra kind—to friends, family and of course, strangers.

Especially since practicing random acts of kindness makes us feel good and as we are soon welcoming another year, what better way to celebrate than to set kindness goals and teach others the true value of kindness. Here are some ways to get started.

Run an errand for a friend/neighbor.

Call and check in on a friend/neighbor.

Open doors for others.

Smile at someone on the street, just because.

Help someone with their groceries.

Give someone the benefit of the doubt.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. In 1953, he married Coretta Scott and would go on to have four children. Like his father and grandfather before him, King Jr. would become a Baptist minister.

In 1955, Montgomery became a central location in the civil rights movement when Rosa Parks rode the bus home after a tiring day at work. Although Parks was sitting in the colored section, the bus driver asked her to move when he noticed a few white men were standing. She refused, and was arrested for breaking the Montgomery City Code.

That night, Martin Luther King Jr. and other local civil rights leaders organized a citywide bus boycott. After 382 days of walking to work, harassment and violence, the city of Montgomery finally lifted the law.

King also experienced bouts with depression. As a teenager it’s believed that King attempted suicide twice. His first attempt was after his brother accidentally knocked their grandmother unconscious after sliding down the bannister. King believed that she was dead and in despair he jumped out of a second-floor window.

He landed unhurt. He went on to the do the same thing the day his grandmother did in fact die, only to end with the same result.

As Martin became an integral leader in the civil rights movement, his feelings of depression became more pronounced. In 1959, three years after beginning his public life, King felt depleted: “What I have been doing is giving, giving, giving, and not stopping to retreat and meditate like I should—to come back. If the situation is not changed, I will be a physical and psychological wreck. I have to reorganize my personality and reorient my life. I have been too long in the crowd, too long in the forest.”

The course of depression often comes in cycles and King’s symptoms appear to follow this pattern. Leading marches in deeply divided communities continually placed King in situations that put his life in danger. However, despite all of this anxiety and fear, King maintained an air of calm and serenity.

People who live with depression often possess a great ability to empathize with others. In 1964, in part because of King’s work, the Civil Rights Act was passed. It outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities and women. King won the Nobel Peace prize for his work utilizing nonviolence.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was cut short on April 4, 1968, when he was assassinated outside a motel room in Memphis. In 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as federal holiday.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Every January, during National Hobby Month, thousands of Americans celebrate their favorite hobbies and try out new ones.

From outdoor activities like skating or hiking, to artsy projects like painting or knitting — most of us have goto pursuits. During this month, don’t just stick to your regular routine. Expand your list of hobbies and share the ones you love with friends.

Get out of your comfort zone by trying out a new hobby. If you're a little scared, bring a friend, or start a meet-up group. There are probably people nearby who share your passion. It's a great way to find new friends with similar interests.

We all have hobbies we already love. These activities keep us multi-dimensional and well-rounded. They enrich our lives and alleviate stress. No matter how many hobbies you have, you can always add more. Each one gives you a different experience.

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EMPATHY

FELT AND ACCEPTED YOUR PAIN. BUT IT HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE; AS IT CURLED LIKE WISPS OF SMOKE RISING UP IN THE AIR TENDRILS COILING, EMBROILED IN MY HAIR; RESTING BEHIND MY EYES, PAUSING TO RELEASE THE WORRY & FEAR, RETURNING SALT TO EARTH IN THE FORM OF TEARS; MOVING INTO MY HEART

THAT GAVE ADVICE THAT FEW HEAR, MUCH LESS HEED; TURNING MY STOMACH INTO A GALLOPING STEED; TREMBLING MY LEGS TILL I FELL TO MY KNEES AND FOUND THE RELEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

REALIZING HOW HE ADORES ALL THOSE WHO CARE…

Gus U.

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Miguel Matthew Tanya Guillermo Harry Mark Chelsea Kevin Heather Ana Darryl Andrew Lourine John Robin Karen Bruce Charles Rodney Henry Philip Jason Kristin Angela Chris Debra Gaudi Ellen Bill Richard Daniel Annette Gregory James Willie

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Join us for a birthday bash on the 30th at 3:00 p.m.!

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Disclaimer: Articles which show “submitted by” are not written by an IC member.

They are articles that our members came across, were inspired by, and brought in to the Center to inspire and encourage other members.

Often the authors of these articles are unknown. The opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Independence Center’s members, the staff, or the Editor.

Join us January 23rd,, at 10 AM, for a Certificate Ceremony to celebrate all of the wonderful achievements made in the Mending Art Program over the past year. Did you participate in an art show, a workshop or work in the art studio? Perhaps you shared your art in the community, helped the program grow or inspired another.

We hope you will join us! Light refreshments will be served.