Severe heath issues can make your life tenuous, can set you on a path to healing and completely change your life.  The changes can be small to profound. Recently, I met two people who have encountered some pretty heavy medical situations and in their healing process, they turning to different art forms – one wrote a book and the other resumed painting.  When faced with such challenges it is important to find something to fill you as you are depleted by the illness.  Both these remarkable individuals did just that.

Anthony D. Rabak, author, Just Tell Me When You’re Going to Stick Me.

I've dealt with conditions ranging from cancer, pneumonia, tumors and Multiple Sclerosis (with lots of in-between fillers). My previous career was curtailed by physical limitations. I was an independent person with lessons to learn about dependence. Healing isn't always medical. The process of putting experiences in ink afforded me permanent new vantage points to see Divine brush strokes on the canvas of life. Survival struggles taught me: you don't earn the right to life; it's a precious gift from Creator to creation. What's done with life is our gift back. My peace in life comes from Christian faith; I desire that your own path brings you the goodness I've found. Existence isn't a race with a single winner; it's a marathon where we all must cross the finish.  Life's more fulfilling when we offer a hand to those who stumble around us. Don't run with blinders on - you'll miss so much. When life seems not as planned I've realized that living a yielded life means sometimes God may alter our course to answer another's prayer. Often what we view as Plan B is really Plan A and we'll all benefit. Don't worry; it comes back full circle. 

facebook.com/JustTellMeWhen, 530-273-6811

Kasia Severaid, artist

On February 5th, 2010, a seizure disorder left me in a coma. When I woke up, my short-term memory was mostly gone. It became impossible to formulate a sentence, much less to express a thought. This was when art became my lifeline. My paintings became my voice and allowed me to express intimate moods, emotions, and reflections. I spent hours in the studio as my brain slowly recovered. It was just me, and the canvas - my disabilities did not matter. I allowed my present mindset to influence my color choices and let go. There was no plan. I didn't need one. It did not matter whether I lost a train of thought, as the next moment provided something new to influence and inspire me. These wisps and fragments of thoughts came together into paintings that provided an indispensable outlet of expression and a form of healing that transformed not just my neurological and physical recovery, but absolutely every aspect of my life. Through a traumatic experience, I realized my true passion. I found a way to reflexively express my moods and emotions, a way to reflect on my experiences and interactions. I found a form of personal introspection I had not previously known. I found life.

Kasiaseveraid.com, 916-257-8289

Suzie Daggett, constantly curious about the mysteries of life, publishes the Insight Directory and produces Insight Lectures.  530-265-9255, www.insightdirectory.com or www.insightlecture.com