SESSION 39: Rebuilding with Resilience with Linda Lord

People are beginning to transition back into community office spaces, attend increased social gatherings, and venturing out into the world once more. If you would have asked me years ago, how I expected I would feel about these recent changes, I likely would have thought, “what a relief!” But the truth is: we have changed. 

We have collectively experienced significant losses and witnessed great change (both positive and negative). We are no longer the same person that we were in February 2020. Things are not going to be the same. We are now entering spaces having new perspectives and different needs.

This session will explore how we can continue to honour our needs in a compassionate way and tap into our resiliency when faced with adversity and challenges as we build our new way of being! We will be joined by special guest, Linda Lord, who will lead us on a journey to access and connect with our resilience. Through the session, we will explore how we can continue to meet our basic needs and harness our inner strength to create safe spaces that support our renewed values and morals moving forward! 

Let this be a time to gently support yourself, and power through to create the spaces you’ve always imagined!



Suggested Materials: 

  • Paper
  • Mark-making tools (pencil, markers, watercolours, pastels, etc...) 
  • If you do not have these items, no need to worry! We can work with whatever materials you have at home or are inclined to use! 

Before the Workshop: 

We will begin the session using a zine. If you would like to make the zine prior to the session, watch the short video below! you could follow this link for the step-by-step instructions. 

Art-Making Activity 

Create a small book using the video above as a guide. Fill each page with the prompts below: 

Page 1: Take 2 or 3 deep breaths, and think about what the word resilience means to you. Choose a colour and a shape as your representation of resilience.

Page 2: Identify a current, personal challenge. You can write it down, or use images or collage to express how you feel. 

Page 3: Explore your current state through the five senses: touch, sight, smell, taste, and sound. How are you feeling right at this moment? 

Page 4: Explore what will it be like to overcome or bounce back from your personal challenge through the five senses. 

Page 5: Brainstorm words, images, and ideas that build resilience

Page 6: Imagine you are handed a gift. What is this gift? How does it make you feel? 

Page 7: Create your own playlist. List songs that are helpful to you. 

Page 8: Take action - what is 1 thing you can do right now to overcome your personal challenge? To build resilience? To reach your goal? 



Guest Facilitator: Linda Lord, Playwright and Performative Storyteller 

“Once upon a time” is how many great stories begin. When Linda visits a classroom, she co-creates a personalized “once upon a time” where imaginations are ignited, creativity is fostered, and characters are developed. Linda is a professional playwright and storyteller, professional therapeutic life coach, and all-around great resource. Linda holds a master’s degree in expressive arts therapy and is able to weave life lessons seamlessly into class lessons. Linda’s teaching modalities include drama, expressive writing, and embodiment.

 

Taking Care: Where Art Meets Wellness is supported by the Solcz Family Foundation and by the Ontario Trillium Foundation