Some ways we help the Homeless

Hi All,

I hope all of you are doing well today.  Here in Phoenix, it's Spring and the weather is warm and it should be warming up most everywhere else as well.  I hope you're enjoying it.

There are a lot of folks around here who maybe aren't enjoying it as much.  Homelessness has been an issue in many places for years.  There's always plenty of debate on what we can or should do individually and collectively to help.  There are many perspectives on the subject and most people have strong feelings on the subject.

Me personally, I feel like most people don't want to be homeless, and I'd like to help out a little, if I can.  There's many volunteer opportunities - I have some friends that started a non-profit org that feeds hungry people.  You can feed them yourself, or even give cash, right?  You could volunteer with a mission....but when face to face with a person asking for money at a stop light, what's the appropriate thing to do?

I found a great little article put out by the Phoenix Rescue Mission (PRM), that has their  recommendations for what you can do to help:

   1 - Be Prepared.  Have granola bars, water, directions and contact info for a mission (where they can get food and shelter), socks, or even a "panhandler pack."
   2 - Talk with Them.  Say Hi, start a conversation.  Acknowledge them...they're human beings and a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
   3 - Do Not give $$.  PRM recommends giving alternatives like granola bars, clean socks, even a gift certificate for a restaurant, bottle water, sun screen, etc.
   4 - Point them to a Mission.  Is there a homeless shelter nearby, or a church shelter or food bank?  PRM has referral cards to help people get there and get a shower, shelter and a meal.
   5 - Pray.  Pray that they get what they need, that the shelter workers have the strength and wisdom to assist those in need.  Prayer works.

These are just a few guidelines on how you can quickly and easily help the person panhandling on the street corner.  Places like the Rescue Mission still need funds to operate and volunteers and staff.  There's many ways we can help.

Of course, not every person on the street wants your food or help....they may want cash instead.  I don't know that I'm always wanting to hand over cash to panhandlers.  I just printed some referral cards for the rescue mission, and I think I'll start being a little more prepared with some of the other recommended supplies to be able to give.

Find out where you can help in your town or city (if you feel compelled to help).  There's so many ways you can help...if we all do a little bit, we can make a huge impact.

For Phoenix, here's the website for Phoenix Rescue Mission: http://phoenixrescuemission.org/
Here's a great list for Panhandler's Packs to give out.

Thanks All.  A little kindness and compassion can really help a person who is living in such a vulnerable way...living on the street.  You may never know how your small gesture may impact someone.

Have a wonderful week everyone...enjoy every moment.

Peace,

Tom

Holistic Therapy Solutions
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Happy Monday Meme

Hi All,

Just a quick post today.  Getting ready to do some shopping today - paint for exterior house trim, food, and supplies for this weekend.  I'll be drawing caricatures at the Holistic Fair at Beyond Today Co on Saturday.  I rent space at Beyond Today Co for my Holistic Therapy practice (Holistic Therapy Solutions, LLC).  I wanted to put together a little social media meme with simple message...Happy Monday and enjoy it.

Happy Monday Meme - created in and painted with Adobe Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

I hope you can find a little satisfaction in this amazing day that we have.  In the words of the Blues Brothers..."whatever you do to live, drive, and survive" -- make it a great Monday.

Peace,

Tom

Social Media Advertising Artwork

Hi Everyone,

How's your week going?  Things are going good here.  I'm keeping busy.  In fact, I spent a good deal of the day today working on promoting my Massage/Holistic Therapy Business.

In my business, Holistic Therapy Solutions, I provide therapeutic massage, reflexology, energy work and hypnotherapy.  However, another aspect of the biz are that I have a couple of groups that meet every week (meditation and Weight Loss with Hypnotherapy), and I teach some therapy classes.

One of the benefits of being an artist is I can not only write my own curriculum, but I can do my own artwork for classes and advertising.  Lately I've been having fun doing some illustrations to accompany some of the social media promotions for these groups and classes.

Artwork for the "Holistic Weight Management with Hypnotherapy" group advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

I've been having some fun putting some (hopefully), eye catching graphics together.  At the same time, I'm really trying to practice time management and not spend a great deal of time on them either.  So I'm going into Photoshop and putting some illustrations together.

This morning I put a piece of artwork together for my meditation group.  I figure, it'll do better with a visual, than with none.  Either way, I had a good time putting it together and if it provides dividends, that's great.

Artwork for the "Midweek Re-Set Meditation Group" advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

It's good fun.  I'm not putting together anything too intensive, but I'm working to put together something that's appropriate to help provide balance between the artwork and the text ad, and to brand the groups/classes.

Artwork for upcoming "Introduction to Chi Energy" class advertising.
Collage art assembled and illustrated with Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

So, I hope you're having some fun in whatever you're doing for work.  It's been alot of fun creating these.  Enjoy your week.  Do something nice for someone else - just because you can.  Be easy on others - and be good to yourself too.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Merry Christmas from us in Phoenix

Hi All,

Here I am - the day before the day before Christmas, finishing my Christmas Card and updating the blog.  It's been a good year and me and my family have a lot to be grateful for.  I'm looking forward to relaxing a little now and enjoying the holidays.  I've got most of the holiday prep and shopping done.

I've got a wonderful holistic therapy client coming in tomorrow morning.  She's been recovering from some serious health challenges and we've been working together for a while.  It's been such an honor and blessing to work with her and she's making such good recovery strides.

I've got dough for cookies and all the food for Christmas.  We're making our own individual homemade pizzas for Christmas dinner.  Then we'll play a board game and maybe watch a Christmas movie.  Getting together with the kids...good times.

The New Year looks promising too.  Continuing to be blessed to be able to run my holistic therapy business here in Phoenix and do some artwork on the side as well.

Merry Christmas 2013 Card - Photoshop and Wacom Tablet on Mac

On behalf of wife Sue and myself, I'd like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, or which ever holiday you celebrate.  Enjoy.  And may your New Year be a very very good one.

Peace on Earth and good will toward men,

Tom