Today didn’t go as I planned. Tuesdays are a bit hard for me; I had been getting together with my best friend every Tuesday for nearly two decades. His loss is difficult most days but none more so than on Tuesdays. This past month things have been improving. I have been meeting his sister for coffee Tuesday mornings and the experience has been very cathartic for me. Today though my daughter had a doctor’s appointment and they had to draw blood. She is terrified of needles so the experience was rough. I had to cancel our coffee so I can help my daughter through this. I miss meeting my new friend, but we will meet again next Tuesday.

Today’s painting is a visualization of one of my meditations to calm myself when stressed. I have been trying to help my daughter to try this technique or come up with her own to help herself fight the anxiety. For me I always associate the pain and anxiety with red flames. I breathe in cool deep breathes of fresh air to push back the fire in my gut. As I exhale I release some of the heat and repeat with another cooling, calming breath.

She is sleeping now, perhaps my meditation has helped her. If it could help you feel free to try it. I find it helpful to practice when in a calm state so it comes naturally when I need it.

Do you visualize pain or feelings with colors?