Walking through the fire

Have you ever sat at a campfire? Have you felt the comforting heat it brings? Many folks have never gone camping or even had a family gathering around any fire. In today’s world, many of us have to walk literally through a fire of life.

Doing this mural, I felt the camping experience, the fresh air, and the sounds of life outdoors. Sometimes we forget that many people around us in our working environment may not have had the opportunity. They can be in a fire trying to survive, trying to feel a sense of calm or a sense of purpose.

I thought that the staff of the adolescent unit in Palm Springs, CA could sit with guests around this mural and talk about their lives going through the fire. They could also provide encouragement with stories of how outdoors can be used as a coping skill.

Much of my life has been helped by going for walks in nature to clean out my brain and breathe some fresh air and see the colors of nature all around us. This inspires a lot of my painting.

Everyone needs to refresh themselves and breathe in some relief.

Lucy Schwartz

Lucy is a Peer Recovery Specialist at RI International and has spread her mural magic in RI International crisis facilities across the United States.