Zentangle Untangles Your Nerves

I need to Zentangle today!!!

Today is NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  When I read this, I thought, "Do we need to be made aware that stress exists???"  Well - maybe we need to be reminded that there are some effective and creative  ways to ease the amount of stress we feel.

I'd like to ask you a question: 

Do you sometimes feel like the victim of your own Greek tragedy?  Has the abundance of drama in life got you wanting to list the suicide prevention hotline as one of the most frequently called numbers in your cell phone? 

Let me introduce you to the best stress buster to date.  Zentangle is like Etch-a-Sketch on steroids!  This gives Spirograph a run for its money!  It takes the magna out of magna doodle!


 

Zentangle is used in hospitals for stress and pain relief.  Zentangle can also influence piano playing!  Since I've been a pianist for over 45 years, I thought it would be a good idea to look into this ZENTANGLE thing!

Well, the best way to learn something is to first read about it and then experience it first hand if you possibly can.  The more I read about this fascinating art form, the more intrigued I was and the more I wanted to try it for myself.

Upon first glance, this does not look like it's going to be simple.  It looks a bit daunting, to be honest.  Everyone assured me that it is really easier to do than it appears to be.  You know what?  That's what everyone says about cross-stitch, but my eyesight will not let me do cross-stitch any more!  I was really afraid that this medium of expression would be a similar kind of experience for me.

I personally do not find such things as puzzles or games to be relaxing.  There is a certain outcome that is expected in all of this.  Freedom of expression is the reason I enjoy music so much.  Even though when you play a piece of music you are told by the composer how it is to sound, you still have the freedom to use your own style and tweak it if you want to.

This is the sort of freeing and uplifting experience you feel as you create with Zentangle.  You can create never-ending, never-changing "solutions" in these amazing creations.  As I understand it, no two Zentangle pieces are alike, because of the individual decisions you make - it is literally one stroke at a time and it's anybody's guess what the end result will look like.  There is no pre-planning whatsoever - it's completely spontaneous!

It's calming and relaxing because there is no absolute - no right or wrong way to do it (unlike the Rubik's Cube).  It's a wonderful way to just let your brain relax for a little while and create.  Create what?  Well - we won't know until it's finished, but it's going to be beautiful!  I've looked at over a dozen completed Zentangle works and they are all unique and gorgeous.

If you are feeling stressed and a bit boxed in, Zentangle can provide a release from that tension and give you a sense of timelessness, freedom and well-being as you completely focus on your project with no thought or worry about anything else.  It provides a bit of a vacation for your mind and spirit.

We all know that stress happens - and there is not a single medical condition or disease that stress benefits!  Stress is bad - but we know it's there - every day of our lives.  Any bit of relief we can find to escape the horror of stress is welcome indeed! 

Walk away from what has you so stressed out and get creative with Zentangle.  It's a great way to de-stress and forget about real life for a while.  I think you will really be surprised at how your mind will go to a much happier place and you will create a unique piece of art in the process.  It's fun because you don't know where it will lead you next.  Don't try to force it - just let it happen. 

So just keep your faith flag flying - adopt hope and trust that God's got this thing called life under control.  Oh...  and Zentangle!!!





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