Molly writes... I grew up in the 1980’s and 1990’s. When I look back at the games, the music, the television, and movies of this time, I realize that it culturally shaped my childhood. I spent a lot of my time with an older brother. When we played or hung out together, he always got to pick what we would do. Although not what I would have picked, I was just happy to be invited. One movie that I remember us watching and over and over was, “The Karate Kid”. We loved that movie. When you are young you don't...

Jen writes... It is the middle of the night, bleary eyed, I am double checking my spreadsheet to make sure I am giving the right medicines at the right time. It is the middle of the night, I am holding her hand, trying to say goodbye but trying to hold on. It is the middle of the night, I am weeping softly into my pillow, because alone, in the middle of the night, is the only time I can empty some of the bucket of tears inside me. These are snapshots of times in my life. I am a caregiver,...

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and our collaboration with UMass MIND of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, we would like to share studies around the general benefits of creating art and the use of the Zentangle Method for individuals with serious mental illness. If you are an avid tangler, you may not need another excuse to tangle, but here are some benefits of creating art:  Engaging in visual arts has been shown to improve emotional regulation, or the control we have over our emotional state in a diverse range of stressful situations, as well as overall well-being...