Detours from the "Norm"--Expressions in Diversity

     We all take different roads in life; we all have a different journey.  However, accepting unconventional lifestyles in ourselves and others often involves challenging self-esteem issues. Putting our uniqueness "out there" in the world, living it openly, owning it proudly also involves being vulnerable to the ridicule and bullying of others.  This is why so many of us hide our true selves.  If we are going to champion a revolution in our society as parents, teachers, and mentors to young children and teach them to express and applaud individuality in themselves and others, then we must set the example by learning to express ourselves.

     Art is a vehicle for expression.  It allows us to safely experience different perspectives, experiment with our emotions and find our true selves.  A six-year-old boy named Bhima recently reminded me of the power of art and its true healing nature.  He was angry about losing a toy, so mad he wanted to "break the world".  When his mother suggested that he draw a picture about it, he created a scene in which he broke all of his toys and tipped over his dog, Poncho's water bowl. Afterward, (and without prompt) he drew a second picture of him putting all of his toys back together and replacing Poncho's water.  I found this to be such wonderful example of channelling reactivity and expressing oneself through art as an appropriate outlet (Child, be my guide!).  Art allows us infinite opportunities to work through our emotions without injury to ourselves, others, or the "world" we live in.  And, it is a readily available option regardless of age, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, culture/ethnicity, language or disability.
     Art can help us get to where we want to go; it can help us be who we want to be in our lives and society.  It can also help us relate to each other.  However, we cannot teach another to use art to express themselves until we learn how to use it ourselves. Therefore, the following is my own practice--an exercise in an expression of diversity in different ways.  I invite all of you to join me in the experience.

DIVERSITY

Delving                                         Discovering                                    Diving

Into                                               Interesting                                      Into

Various                                        Varied                                            Variety

Expressions                                 Expressions                                   Ever

Relating                                       Regarding                                       Respectfully

Social                                           Social                                              Supporting

Interests for                                  Involvement                                    Infants

Today's                                        Together with                                 Toddlers and

Youth                                           Youth                                              Yourself

Drawing                                       Determined                                     Develop

Into                                               In-                                                   Interest in

Various                                        Volvement                                       Various

Everyday                                      Everyday                                         Existence and

Routines                                       Regarding                                       Realities

Something                                    Social                                               Supporting

Interesting                                    Interests                                           Individuality in

To teach                                       To expand                                        Today's

Young people about others          Your world                                      Youth and yourself

Delight                                          Double your                                    Deem

In the                                             Internal                                           Integrating

Variety of                                      Vibrations by                                   Voices

Every soul                                     Expanding  your                              Everywhere as 

Regardless if                                 Reality to                                         Real

Someone                                       Simply                                             Signals of

Is different                                     Include                                             International

Than                                              Talking to                                        Togetherness

You                                                Your neighbor                                 Your goal