A BRIEF REFLECTION: A LETTER OF INVITATION
For a while, I was trying to figure out when to start this blog post. I can list a whackload of reasons why I didn't, but "didn't" is not really the space where I want to live.
I'm a visionary with big dreams and I see possibilities when faced with obstacles. I like to "DO" things and something that my friends made me realize is that "moving fast" for me is a bit of an understatement... yes, I have issues with the patience department.
This summer was incredibly tough for me, because I feel that God placed me in a season of "wait and rest". Ironically, I've never been more anxious than when I "waited and rested".
However, what I realize is that during this season, not only is God building my faith, but He's also allowing the grander vision to take form so that the pieces can fit together. The vision that He gives us is only given piece by piece as we build our character to be able to handle it; one day I hope to see it to its fullest extent. However, at this moment, I only have a small piece of it and I hope that you will take this invitation to journey with me and explore what this vision can turn into.
Yours truly,
Krizia Canvas (RIA Visionary)
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RIA: REFLECT. INTEGRATE . ACT
The RIA project is a new bi-annual conference consisting of collaborative community partnerships, which aims to enhance connection and build momentum for organizations focused on leadership, health and wellness, and innovation
The first theme of the conference, occurring September 23rd is about mental health and creativity!
As a mental health nurse and an urban artist, I have personally seen what the benefits of arts and creativity has in helping foster health and wellness in people. I've seen it as we build courage and resiliency with at-risks youths, and I saw it, the moment I sang a song entitled, "A Beautiful Day" with a patient that I was working with in the psych ward. This was a turning point for me, because at this moment, I realized that healing is a byproduct of creativity; for creativity is something inspires hope, by building empathy and community.
As people, I don't believe that we are meant to do life alone. I believe that we are created to create, and that we are meant to experience life with other people. I believe that true resilience and fulfilment resides in connection, in community and in purpose. The stigma of mental health is like a prison wall...it divides, it isolates, and it boxes people within an identity that can spiral into a negative self fulfilling prophecy when faced alone.
Through experience and conversations from specialists in both the creative and health sectors, I wondered what it would be like to be in a room together to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses. More so, what can we do to work together as we learn from each other? From this thought; the first theme of RIA emerged.
What would it be like to EXPERIENCE building empathy and community through the creative process?
How do we see creativity within ourselves and within the world around us?
What does it mean to be an artist, a warrior, and a healer?
On September 23rd; RIA is leading positive change in mental health. Inspiring creativity to foster empathy, collaboration and wellness.
JOIN THE EXPERIENCE. SHARE THE WORD!
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ENDS: SEPT 1st