Thursday 20 February 2014

Oasis - Week 1

Be guided to a place where you are away from the large and small nuisances of life, where everything contributes to your experience of tranquility - from the landscape to the sounds to the scents carried on the breeze. Take time to reflect on this place that makes you feel wonderful. Follow the spoken prompts to bring your oasis to life in words on the page. Do not worry about boring things like punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Now describe this place to a partner and have them draw it. Use specific descriptions like 'porridge and Muppets', 'a cattle grid' and 'crystal in the ground'. Do not peek. Swap.
Compare the drawings with your original writings. Find that they have added details e.g. a wall you hadn't thought was needed but was, or haven't included the colours you had envisioned. Find that it was harder than you expected. Find, perhaps, that they have captured it brilliantly.
This was the second half of a session that began with ice being smashed into smithereens during games all the adults leapt into feet and hands first. In fact, during the 'Sun Shines On' game, most people usually avoid the chair in the middle where you have to think of things you and other people in the group might like, but we found one of our participants in particular enjoyed being in the spotlight! Participants commented that it was really good fun and nice for them to forget their other roles and play, instead of lead, games for a change. And when we looked closely at one another's eyes to find our Dulux Colour name - from 'Earth Spirit 1' to 'Kiwi Crush',compliments abounded.
'It's a great group,' one woman said at the end, and we all agreed. 'I feel like I've known everyone for ages, even though I can't remember many of your names,' she added with a laugh.

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