Hello.  This site is devoted to the idea that art, beauty, and creativity can heal a person.  I am glad that you have visited here.

I firmly believe in the healing powers of creativity and art. Or even just experiencing something beautiful; a flower, a sunset, a beautiful piece of music, or just a moment of quiet reflection can be uplifting to my spirit. When the spirit soars, the body responds! Beauty is a path to my spirit and my healing. Of course there is a difference between "healing" and "curing". Healing concerns the mind and spirit, how one lives each day, while curing is about the body. One can always heal, even if a cure is not possible.  Sometimes the act of healing helps in the curing.

I am convinced that everyone is creative. It is just a case of finding the way that you can express your creativity. Frequently, one takes a very narrow definition of creativity, thinking that it means the visual arts, or writing, or music. There are many other creative activities. Arranging flowers. Cooking a tasty meal. Letting your body respond to some music. Tutoring students who are having academic problems. A job well done.  The list goes on and on. Use your imagination.

This is strictly a non-profit one-person operation.  I am not trying to sell anything.  If you have a story about how art has helped you, or someone you know, during an illness, please consider submitting it.

Click here to go to the stories

Date last revised: February 09, 2006

Additional Stories

I would like to add other stories or discussion about how art and creativity have helped heal.  I am soliciting stories concerning any kind of illness, not just cancer, and any form of creativity.  You may email me (John) at jshonle@earthlink.net with your story (about 300 words), attaching a photograph if appropriate, and I will include it.  If you don't have a way of e-mailing a photo, you may send me one by surface mail, and I will scan it and return it.  Please include your name (or initials) if you wish me to use it, and permission to put your story on my web.  I will not include any submissions that I judge are not in the spirit of this web site.  I reserve the right to edit your story, but will show you how I have edited it before putting it on the web.  You may also suggest other interesting links.