150 NATURE-BASED EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
̊ Line 7: Bring in surprise.- “You gasped when we met, knowing that wings
wait inside me.”
̊ (15 min.) Sharing: Invite participants to share their poem
with you or with the group and the action they wish to take
moving forward.Processing suggestions
As time allows, invite participants into a discussion of the process
outlined above. What did they learn about themselves and how
they have been approaching their challenge? What, if anything,
do they wish to do differently? What help, support or resource do
they need for making this shift?Personal commentary
Often in response to life’s challenges we bring our logical minds and
our strong efforts to overcome them. When our attempts fail, we can
feel weary, demoralized and at a loss as to how to move forward. This
activity acknowledges and contextualizes our challenges, but, in the
spirit of decentering, moves us into a new space where we contact
the phenomenal world around us through our senses and by moving
through space in a way different from how we usually do. Through
this process, we shift our attention from our internal problem-
centered world and stagnated thinking to the natural environment,
a living example of creativity. In doing so, we may be returned
to knowing and mobilizing our own resources for navigating the
challenges we face.