Class Report
Write to Relax
Teacher: Patrice Forrester, Director at Expressive Journeys (left, in flowered shirt)
Documentarian: Dan Hollander
Location: Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library
Date: May 3, 2014
See more photos of this class on Flickr!
Take-home messages:
Finding peace admist chaos is just a few deep breaths and a handful of pen strokes away.
It’s surprisingly easy to find the many, many things to be thankful for, if you only stop to look.
Listen as much as you speak, read as much as you write, and absorb as much as you produce.
Relaxation, knowledge, and fulfillment can be found from both observing and doing.
Stuff to read, watch, do, and listen to:
Read: Anything by James Pennebaker, to learn more about the research on writing and healing.
Listen to or watch: Musical performances by Rumer, a singer-songwriter from England.
Visit: Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, on U Street NW. Many of their workshops teach participants how to reduce stress through writing, movement, and visual art.
Read: These poems.
”The Journey” by Mary Oliver
”The Sycamore” by Wendell Berry:
“Morning Poem” by Mary Oliver
”A Thousand Mornings” by Mary Oliver
Daniel Hollander writes for sustenance and serenity and absolutely adores alliteration. Also, food. Food is great.