Monday March 18, 2024

Years ago when I taught elementary school, there was nothing I loved better than making creative projects with my students - art, music, design - after which the children shared them with the class. It was considered Art, Fun, and sometimes part of Creative Writing, if they chose to write about their project.

Today, with greater understanding of the human psyche - and how broken humans are based on genetics and environment - many of the fun things we used to do are now looked upon as therapy. Indeed realty is now viewed in terms of healing and energy. Heal yourself by healing others.

This afternoon I spent time at a local after-school center for elementary school children - where a client of mine works. There I enjoyed watching and helping the children laughing and playing at various activities. There is something rewarding about children getting along and being happy.

As the time drew near to go home - one of the little girls called me over to show me a drawing she had made.

After complementing her picture I asked, "What do you call it?" With a smile on her face she replied, "I call it Art Therapy," obvious a child of the times who has experienced therapy first hand one way or another.

'Color' me surprised and a bit saddened as it made me wonder if everything today reduces to some form of healing. Are we a society so lost in - and consumed by - our emotions that everything has to be explained in terms of psychological value?