SHANDS ARTS IN MEDICINE

Have you ever tried to capture the wind? I am like that zephyr that eludes those who seek to confine it but courses in wanton abandonment through the flute that seeks to make
music. What do I seek in life, what is it that my eyes relentlessly pursue in the horizon of my future…It is this…to experience life in its varied emotions and myriad colors, to partake of life’s ecstatic joy, excruciating agony, endless torment and ultimate liberation
“To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, to hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour”- William Blake
To wipe the tears of endless grief and suffering from the face of mankind, to bask in the
sunshine of their smiles, hold humanity in my arms during their trials and tribulations and
celebrate euphorically, their victories. To know that I have not lived in vain, that in my
life I had a worthy cause to live for, fight for , die for and be reborn for.The journey began and I took the first step, unsure of the outcome but certain of my conviction, apprehensive of the obstacles but confident in my faith. Senses alive and wild, I ran on the path of life, my eyes capturing the wondrous colors of nature and people, my skin reveling at the touch of the breeze , my body moving to the rhythm of life....and then... I plunged into a tunnel....I looked around in confusion, the laughter dying on my lips. All I saw was darkness. My mind fought against this
imprisonment and I struggled against the vacuum which was devoid of all color, sound
and feeling. I couldn't breathe and I knew I would be strangulated if I didn't find a way. I groped around the walls looking for an escape....there had to be one...every tunnel has an end, every maze has an exit...mine is just around the corner. I kept searching, my mind focused only on the route of escape. Exhausted and worn out, I sat down heavily. It seemed like as though Life had retreated away from here and I was left cold as a stone. Unable to feel, incapable of dreaming. Cringing, writhing. My wings lay folded by my side, the remnants of flight receding from their feathers each day. My heart twisted and bled in agony in fond remembrance of the days gone by. Shackled and weighted down, I knelt at the door of Hope and prayed that I may feel once again and see the way. I could not bear to close my eyes and let my life slip away. My restless hands felt paper and I peered closely in the darkness to behold blank pages and colors. There was some glue, colored buttons, dried flowers, shells, sand, colorful paper, crayons, sketch pens,
paints, brushes, satin ribbons, coarse paper, permanent stamps, water colors and the presence of a nurturing Healer. The warm glow and intention of the Healer made me reach for some paper and my imagination started to color its blank space with the colors of my life, the tears on my cheeks and the pain in my heart. The agony ebbed away as it surfaced on paper. Music filtered through the crevices and the Healer’s hands pulled me to my feet and I felt myself sway to the rhythm, losing my consciousness and my self. Only to find myself, energized and rejuvenated. A smile played on my lips as the Healer blindfolded me and whispered of distant mountains, deep blue seas, green valleys and gurgling rivers. I dreamed of the moon and the stars. I laid my head on the ground and fell into a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes, I saw sunlight filter through the entrance of the tunnel. The weariness and exhaustion that had pervaded my limbs and gripped me feverishly seemed to have vanished with the darkness. I looked around to find the Healer, wondering if it was a figment of my imagination. I saw an unfinished drawing of mountains and a river lying on the ground. Pencils, crayons, shells, colored buttons, glue
and many more objects lay beside it. There was no evidence of anyone else’s presence in
my emotional journey except the unexplainable objects which lay strewn on the ground
and a warm glow deep inside in my heart. I picked them up one-by-one and decided to
keep them with me wherever I travelled. I was ready to let go of my emotional baggage
which had weighed me down and move on with my newfound tools to build my future.