Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor
July 2016
Start painting ... at any age! By Heidi Raschke for Next Avenue
Megan Jackson is the kind of person people describe as an old soul. “It’s hard for me to really connect in my own age group, and that’s always been the case,” says the painter who created an untitled work selected for publication by Next Avenue (see page 4). “I’ve always had older friends.” Before Jackson created this work of painting and collage, she wasn’t familiar with the terms “artful aging” or “creative aging” — which refer to the practice of engaging older adults in participatory, professionally run arts programs with a focus on social engagement and skills mastery. But she knew many people who were living it. “Anyone — anyone — can be an artist.You hear people all the time say, ‘Oh, I don’t have any artistic talent,’ which is not true,” Jackson says. “You just have to do it whether you think you have talent or not, you have to get out there and try it.” Jackson offers two tips on how you, too, can let go of the pressure and get started doing art: ART, continued on page 4
Chaplain’s message Four overlooked aspects of freedom “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1(a), (NIV). On Independence Day, American independence is probably the last thing on our minds unless we are attending a patriotic event. With family gatherings and backyard barbecues, personal and not national independence rules the day. Partying and fireworks may push the limits of personal freedom. Individual autonomy is important to almost everyone. Freedom means choices “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” Joshua 24:15(a), (NIV). Israel had lived in Egypt for over 400 years. Most of that time, they had been slaves. Now, they were free. Choices confronted them regarding faith, livelihood, residence, and family. CHAPLAIN, continued on page 3
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Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org. Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. RollaPresbyterianManor.org
Piano recital delights residents Ginger Schneider teaches piano to several Rolla area children. This year Ginger brought her students in to perform for our residents.  
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Community Matters July 2016
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CHAPLAIN, continued from page 1
Having the freedom to choose is not always enough Young people stepping out into the world are sometimes overwhelmed with the number of choices available after living under parental control for so long. Following the death of a loved one, divorce or another life-disrupting event, choices can be daunting. Freedom may not seem so blessed during these times. Mistakes are easily made. It may prove wise to forego some freedom to receive wise counsel. Later in life, choosing to trade freedoms for safety and security can be a hard but necessary decision. Freedom means responsibility “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13, (NIV). Transitions measure your ability to handle freedom.Young adults are challenged to become productive and establish homes and families. In middle age, the change from being a visionary to becoming practical
may inspire people to make foolish decisions about money and family. The same is true when passing into retirement and the senior years. Choosing service over indulgence is not always simple. Freedom implies compassion “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14, (NIV). The freedom to care is often overlooked. The phrase “giving back” summarizes much of what
compassion means. Sharing, helping, and caring are aspects of the same idea.You are free to do as you please with your time and talent. Jesus said that if you give a glass of cold water to a thirsty person on a warm day, heaven will reward you. Caring does not require you to do big things. You just need to pause your life long enough to ask, “What would bless me?” Follow this question by offering others that same blessing.
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ART, continued from page 1
1. Color and doodle “This whole coloring book craze is huge right now, because it’s already there for you and you can put your creativity in with your color and design. Painting can definitely be the same thing,” Jackson says. “People think that I must be an excellent drawer. I’m not. When I take my pencil, I’m scribbling. I’m not doing refined drawing.”
Untitled painting and collage by Megan Jackson
She suggests trying this exercise, which encourages you to take a bit more of a risk than filling in a prefab coloring page: Take a black Sharpie and draw an abstract image using one continuous line — don’t lift up the pen. Then color in the shapes. “You’re basically making your own coloring page,” says Jackson. “There’s freedom because you’re making your own shape, but then there’s that structure of, ‘Oh, now I just get to color in.’” 2. Make art a daily practice “I did have to discipline myself and I did have to paint every day, even if it was literally for five or 10 minutes during nap time,” Jackson says. “You just have to keep practicing and revising and learning from past pieces and works. I took that practice into play with my painting which really allowed me to open up and to paint bad things.” © Twin Cities Public Television 2016. All rights reserved.
Share your secret to staying healthy We will focus on healthy aging in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What are your secrets for staying healthy as you age? What advice do you have for others? Have you faced a health crisis and made life-altering changes as a result? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Joelle Freeland, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters July 2016
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