It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I never stop being aware of it and it’s been 15 years since I was first diagnosed. My art kept me centered during some dark moments. It was about 2 weeks before my mastectomy and 6 months of chemo and I was in an understandably strange headspace. My art and teaching mentor, Phyllis, encouraged me to write and produce a song to help me work thru my feelings. Phyllis was an art therapist for terminally ill children so had a lot of experience in this area. The song I wrote was a reflection of feeling like I was floating between 2 worlds. Underneath me was the cacophony of life that I felt separated from and above me was a calm that I couldn’t reach. I trusted my Buddhist friend, Rick, to produce what I was feeling. My Jewish friend (and pianist on the track), Mitch, had given me a prayer to recite before going into surgery that called on angels to surround and comfort me. I mention those angels in the lyrics. I thought about the Catholic saints I knew from my youth for lyric inspiration. I’m sharing this story because I want all of you to write for yourself and share your stories. Money and fame from your art is great, but there is no greater healing of the self than writing from and for the depths of your soul.
For the month of October, the zuketeas Original Blend and Autumn Cider teas are 15% off to celebrate Zuke's 15 years as a breast cancer survivor.
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