What Students Say about The Healing Doll Way....

Something I learned about myself:
I can unfreeze the creative part of myself even when there are few signs of life (thank you, thank you, thank you!), but also that it is critical to acknowledge the importance of creativity and the creative healing potential in my life and to learn how to honor that part of me, which is such a big part of me.
Eileen

I would like to say that this was a wonderful experience. The people involved were so open to sharing. It was great to not feel all alone in the world, even though many experiences were different from mine. The connection, I think, may have been greater for those who knew each other prior to this, but nonetheless a connection was made for me as well. Barb was a great moderator and supporter throughout the process, and I for one am very glad she did this project.
Michelle

The part I like best: Making the dolls and reading other's posts. Well, to be truthful, I liked the whole project. It had a flow, a certain order, that one can't BE without the other. Like life.

Do you feel as if you healed some part of yourself or life? If so, what?
Oh yes, definitely. It's hard to explain what happened in my brain with the non dominant writing/drawing, but I didn't have a seizure, even though I should have after experiencing all the precursors and symptoms (deja-vu, funny smell, etc.) I seemed to have had a certain amount of control and literally stopped the seizure itself. That's the physical aspect. Life itself goes on...and life really is grand.
I am honored to have been involved in this project, and I want to thank you and all the participants for blessing me with the opportunity to witness such candid and beautiful people exposing their very souls and allowing me to embrace all the emotion, transition, and transformation this project generated. It was a very humbling experience for me. Namaste.
 
Something I learned about myself: It's who I am and what I beliefs I have are mine.  I own them. I am me, and the beliefs of others, although important, are not necessarily mine and that's okay! How boring we would be if we were all alike. I also like working in the uncomfort zone, it makes me grow!
 
Do you feel as if you healed some part of yourself or life? If so, what?
I have healed both me and my life. I actually became healthier (giving up meat, poultry, dairy, anything white, caffeine) and have a healthier attitude not only about food, but life in general.
When I started this process, I had issues with spirituality, my mother, and with my weight dragging me down. I was a real case of Irish Catholic guilt! I realize I blamed everyone else, poor me, and it all starts within. By changing the way I look at things, I realized my beliefs are important to me, more important than anybody else. It's all about me first. It's okay to have my own beliefs. I am a good person.
There is always something in my life that needs to be addressed. It may be growing pains, creating pains, some turmoil I'm going through, or maybe just to do it. The tools are there for other journeys, good or bad.
Ellen
 

 

Not so much a comment but a humble and profound Thank You to the women who walked alongside me for a little while. I pass on to you all—and to you, Barb—the most incredible compliment I have ever been given, from a student of mine. For years it graced the front of my brochure, now I in will borrow it to pay homage to this beautiful and life-saving experience: “I stand on this ledge, looking out over the ominous unknown, and I am no longer afraid. I know (finally) that I am not alone.”
Shena

Do you feel as if you healed some part of yourself or life? If so, what?
Yes! I feel this allowed me to embrace what I have been hiding and was fearful to show to the world, and mostly to myself. I can truly say that I feel love for myself. I feel compassion for myself and I am putting myself first and not taking on others issues. I feel more balanced and grounded in myself. Not as anxious.
The guardian doll, which is my favorite one, showed me the warmth that I am. It opened a place inside of me that I didn’t know existed. She is beside my bed and provides much comfort and protection.
I feel this process is always going to be with me. It has started a new level of creating.
Thank you all for participating in this project. We all helped each other in spirit even though we were not together in body. I will never forget this. I feel so blessed and know each one of you is blessed as well.
And thank you, Barb, for doing this class. Please let me know of others that you are doing.
Paula

The part I like best: The freeing feeling after making the Scapegoat doll. The relief at letting out all this baggage that has been riding around with me. Permission to make something just for me, to heal me, instead of for the market or for a show.
I am still in process on healing the part of myself that holds blame on myself. I am continuing to journal and may start a new set of dolls with a new clarified intention.
 
Will you use this process in the future? If so how?
Yes! As a mother of an anorexic teen/adult who is running away from home this weekend (sanctioned by the in-laws; she is running to my SIL's home in CA) and as a woman who is redefining her new roles in her life, this process will help me to forgive and love myself and be more loving and forgiving toward others.
Andrea