"Water off a duck's back."
"Find home."

"Bounce back."

"Withstand degradation."

"Tenacity."

"Grounded."

These were the thoughts shared by participants when hearing the word RESILIENCE at last month's 'Nature & Art as Therapy' workshop. Participants explored, blended, and packaged their own herbal teas, creatively infusing personal stories of strength and perseverance. 

With community interest and need during these turbulent times, we're offering a similar workshop this coming Friday, July 9th, specifically for women to gather and collectively activate their power and fortitude. One spot still available - see flyer below.

Rejecting and redefining perfection

Check out this TEDtalk for information and inspiration.

Striving for perfection - a common pressure we place on both ourselves and others - can lead to anxiety and depression, interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict, and perpetual disappointment. Can we accept that sometimes 'good enough' is, in fact, good enough? If we can believe this, perhaps we will be met with liberation and satisfaction.

Two ways to confront and overcome the "Nirvana Fallacy" (the false assumption that perfect is possible):

1) Do art. Not to create a masterpiece, not to produce, but simply to be with your creative, limitless self. Allotting time and space to freely scribble, collage, paint, dance, use scissors, make a colorful mess, and sing can remind us that true growth and meaning often sits in the process, not the product. 

2) Notice nature. 'Āina (the land) has a way of always thriving and adapting. A tree doesn't judge another tree with a funky twist in its trunk (or so we believe). The diversity and inherent beauty found in the living world poses the question, "What is perfect?" 

How often do you find yourself asking or being asked, "How are you?" Why ask or answer if we're not going to be genuine? So, let's be real. We feel:

• Opened and grateful to have taught at SKEA's Art Camp in June. In alignment with the theme of 'Our Oceans," keiki ages 6-11 looked to the sky while crafting sea animal sun-catchers, and explored *being present* by making ocean Zen gardens.

• Relieved and excited to assemble a new dry space for our māmaki tea. More production in the works!

• Stirred, angry, and concerned about the state of our nations and Earth. Worried about our individual well-being and collective psyche amidst chaos, violence, oppression, destruction, and inequity that continues to spread wildly all over the globe.

• Restless to make an impact and take action, while simultaneously exhausted and sometimes unsure of how. 

• Privileged to pursue the vision of Root & Rise and be able to give time and energy to Pāpā Forest. 

Closing thought:

Someone once said, "the greatest oak was once a little nut who held her ground," or something to that effect...

Now, how are you?

Like what you see? Support us by:

Donating. At this time, monetary contributions will fund the supplies and labor needed to continue Nature & Art as Therapy, which is free and open to the public.

Participating and collaborating. Show up for our workshops and reach out if you or your organization would like to partner at your site or ours for therapeutic horticulture and art. 

Purchasing. Sales of our tea and notecards help us stay afloat. Visit our online store or local shops (Wannabee Pono Honey Emporium, Kahuku Gift & Garden, Mahina Mele Market, and Ocean View Coffee Grinds). Special orders, such as bulk tea and 8x10" native botanical pressed prints, are available upon request. 

Sharing. Forward this newsletter, visit @rootandrisehawaii on Facebook/IG, and subscribe to our mailing list. 

Have questions or thoughts? We'd love to hear from you. E-mail us at rootandrisehawaii@gmail.com.