Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

My name is Kathryn J. Williams.  I’m a single Mom and I’ve been a full time employee (degreed in business) for over 20 years.  I live in the corn fields of Michigan with my 2 teenage sons, my soul mate and his teenage daughter and son.

I grew up as the youngest of 4 children in an economically poor household.  This humble environment gifted me with my active imagination and my retreat into creativity.  During my elementary school years, my father struggled with alcoholism, which negatively affected my early years. While I was in middle school he found Christianity and in the aftermath of his awakening he never touched alcohol again.  It was my first encounter with a true miracle, the power of God.

Because of my upbringing, I sought to reach out and become an advocate fighting domestic violence (DV).

I’ve been working with Safehouse Center in Ann Arbor for a number of years helping in their efforts to eliminate DV and sexual assault.

My Dad passed in 2008.  He was in hospice at the VA in Ann Arbor, MI.  They took such good care of him, I started volunteering in their program, “No Veteran Dies Alone”.  The thought of anyone passing by them self breaks my heart.  I’m actively sitting bedside of veterans in hospice.  I was grateful to be holding my father’s hand while he transitioned beyond the physical but not everyone can do this.

My shift took place in 2008.  It was a traumatic forced change with a beautiful silver lining. I lost my executive, automotive job a few months after I lost my father.  The combination of both caused me to look inward and find a way to sooth a lot of sorrow.

I inadvertently found a therapeutic channel for my sadness, creativity.

After my father’s death, I pressed flowers from his funeral, framed them over pieces of inspirational thoughts written from his perspective.  The message was, “Think of me in this new spiritual way through nature” to sooth others.  I highlighted the words on beautiful scenic photos I had taken.  I gifted these works to his circle.  I received unbelievable warm, feedback.  The process started my healing and transitioned my career into a more self-fulfilling area that I now call Life Healing Art.

I launched my web business, Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC in January of 2009.  I work to inspire and help others by offering gifts of compassion and words of hope.  My art includes commissioned drawings, poetry, photography and bereavement products such as sympathy and encouragement cards.

I also write a Healthy Living column for the Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/healthy-living-in-detroit/kathryn-williams (Detroit market) where I post inspirational articles, write about tools for balance and bring forward interviews of survivors to empower others suffering similar experiences.  For a more personal spin of these articles, you can follow my blog, http://kathrynjwilliams.blogspot.com, where I offer my first person account of each article topic.

In 2009, I partnered with Jude Wilson of Press Lorentz Publishing in Michigan to self-publish my 1^st book, What Can I Say When Words Escape Me, being present for others in times of sorrow. The pages capture and present the essence of my heart packaged as a soothing work of art.  It is an easy read, non-clinical, collection of inspirational writings reflecting a union of beautiful, nature photography and encouraging words blended by a subtle hint of spirituality.  The book was inspired by pain I suffered (directly or indirectly through friends and family).  It can be purchased standard or special ordered with a wrap “in memory of your loved one” or as a gift offering personalized words of encouragement.  It offers a bridge to healing and hope for individuals struggling with bereavement loss of any kind (job, marriage, abuse, health, suicide, hospice interface, loss of a pet and loss of loved ones).  It is written to trigger emotions that help heal and ignite the passion for life again after hardship!

If you or anyone you know can use some support, please forward them the book link, http://www.lifetimeartimpression.com/boorwhcanisa.html

I’ve learned through my work and experience that loss is universal; it doesn’t matter how much money you have, your race or gender, loss is part of life; we all have to trudge through its valleys.  When it’s your turn, step out of the rush to face reality.  Find the courage to brave your truth, realize you’re human, and allow yourself to fully embrace and release the whirlwind of emotions.  You can’t truly move on until you do.

Relating to, commissioning or creating art in any form, quilts, delicious meals, music, lyrics, drawings, journaling etc, keeps your mind focused and engages the body and spirit.  Tapping into and manifesting this alignment sooths and hugs the soul!

I’ve learned to become fluid and thankful for all of the lessons (i.e. challenges) in my life.  I am more than a survivor, my will to persevere has gifted me with strength, compassion and fulfillment I could have never imagined.

I didn’t have any energy after losing my father through hospice while trying to raise healthy kids as a single mother in a very demanding career and then losing my job.  Once I gave in and stopped fighting the turmoil by feeding my anxieties (not by choice but through pure exhaustion) my spirit rose from the ashes.

A light bulb popped on when I realized I was supposed to follow my dreams, my soul purpose, by helping others through my creative spirit.  As soon as I initiated my childhood dream, this energy came from within and suddenly all of the fight dissolved. The rigid parts of my life softened and an inner peace manifested.

My life is now navigated through what I call my soul sensory.   I follow a path that feels right within.  As long as each endeavor aligns with my purpose my inner well continues to fill.

I feed the positive energy in my life now.  This shift has silenced the static and made me appreciate life in all of its glory.

I’m living proof that creativity, when embraced, offers tangible healing.

I am a survivor who is compassionate to others in need.  This, along with warm feedback from those whom my art has touched, fuels my passion to keep reaching out.

I have sincere love for others and myself.  It is reflective in my children’s eyes, my boyfriend’s touch and my efforts.  The transition in my life today is my greatest accomplishment!

I’m searching for opportunities to create Life Healing Art programs to help others embrace their creativity and work through hardship.  I’m continuing to add to my bereavement line, carry my message to larger audiences and create art while writing my columns and working on my 2^nd book.

I’m hopeful by sharing my story and educating others about the benefits of Life Healing Art my work will be embraced as an alternative, holistic, healing approach.

If you have any questions, comments or ideas, you can email me at lifetimeartimpression@yahoo.com.

*~*~*

Author Bio: Kathryn Williams, Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC,  Artist & Author
Offering gifts of compassion, words of hope… http://www.lifetimeartimpression.com/aboutartist.html

Or, through my all encompassing website where you’ll find: My artwork, writings, book, bereavement products, blog, columns, support links and much more.  http://www.lifetimeartimpression.com

This entry was posted on Monday, March 28th, 2011 at 9:19 am and is filed under Caryn's writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.