Gratitude Feathers Coming Together as Wings

An invitation to collaborate in a simple and deeply meaningful project

Dear Patients, Families, Friends, and Colleagues/Practitioners:

You are all invited to participate in a creative/expressive group process, whether you can join a class or explore and create on your own.

This is an opportunity to be a part of our community’s creative efforts and connect in all the ways each one of you feels called to, as you explore the broad theme of Gratitude.

A daily gratitude practice has been shown to create real positive shifts and benefits. 

Gratitude is a part of a wider outlook on life that involves noticing and appreciating the positive aspects of life. Recognizing and expressing gratitude for specific aspects of one’s life can result in improved mental, and even physical, health in patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Research studies found higher gratitude scores were associated with better mood, higher quality sleep, more self-efficacy, and less inflammation” (Mills et al., 2015).

A grateful heart means a healthier body and a more peaceful mind. 

We each will create 1 or more feathers using cardstock as a base. Each feather will bring colors, texture, and a personal message or a quote that resonates and reflects your gratitude.

Create as many feathers as you wish, using the patterns here attached. Use paint, collage, mixed media… etc.

All the feathers will be collected and assembled to create a large wall artwork in the shape of wings.

The first destination and unveiling of the piece is planned for March 1 - 3, 2023 at CSU Symposium for Palliative Care in Long Beach, CA; the wings will be installed as a ‘photo booth’ for artists and visitors to ‘wear’ the wings and embody/emphasize/memorialize their many symbolic aspects.

Please contact me to receive feather templates ready for Right and Left orientation, and a series of prompts and affirmations to jump-start your reflections and generate each unique artful feather – feel free to use any of these or make up your own!

Here are a couple of examples of wings made with individual feathers.

You are also welcome to select Gratitude quotes from my selection: https://www.pinterest.com/alessandracolfi/gratitude/

Don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions and ideas!

With deep Gratitude for each one of you, your presence, dedication, and our strong, supportive community,
Alessandra

Alessandra Colfi, PhD, RYT-200, ZIN®

 This Expressive Arts Therapy program focusing on Gratitude offers all participants a direct experience of a hands-on process with research & evidence-based applications and benefits in our patient-centered health care.

Watch for updates on this project in the coming weeks!