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Our theme for October is VISION. It was chosen by our Riyadh chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Razan Alshalan.

How do you see the world? How do you want to change it?

Vision refers both to the sense of sight and our ability to imagine the future. Are you focused on the little details? Can you see the big picture?

As we age, our eyesight begins to deteriorate; seeing objects up close gets more difficult. And as we gain experience, what we want to accomplish evolves. Will your life grow darker or brighter?

Each creative act involves seeing something in your mind’s eye then attempting to make it a reality. A painter, an architect, and every other type of artist or craftsman has a vision for their work. What message, emotion, or impact do you want to convey in yours?

Our theme for September is REFLECTION. It was chosen by our Oklahoma City chapter in Oklahoma and illustrated by Aditi Heins.

Just like an echo is a reflection of sound… and how a camera lens focuses reflected light to form a photograph… our subconscious reflects on our experiences to form our beliefs.

Without reflection, there can be no personal growth. Learning from our past yields greater wisdom and happiness. But don’t let self-awareness turn into self-absorption. Take heed of the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own handsome reflection in a pool of water. 

Reflecting on difficult moments can be painful but also healing. When our Oklahoma City chapter selected this theme, they mentioned a reflecting pool at the site of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that was designed to help people reflect on how they were changed by that tragic event. 

Pondering the world around us and following our curiosity adds depth to our creative work. As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, the purpose of acting is “to hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature.” While George Bernard Shaw said, “you use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” (Although Bertolt Brecht countered, “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”)

This month’s theme is Lost and we’re delighted to welcome Fiona Barry from Anew Support Services to speak on this theme. Anew is a specialist organisation working specifically with pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing or have recently experienced homelessness.

Our wonderful sponsor, The Tara Building, has been working with Anew since 2018. This month’s theme, along with the shortlisting of Anew for a Charity Impact Award seemed like the perfect opportunity to invite Fiona to speak. 

Fiona has worked in the social care sector for nearly 30 years and has had a senior role in a number of large homeless organisations. Fiona has a huge amount of drive and wants to deliver responsive services to the people who need it most, and works to ensure people who are experiencing homelessness exit it and return to education and employment as quickly as possible. This is what Anew strives to do with the women who find themselves in need of additional support.

Our own Michelle O’Connor wrote & co-produced the following video with David Laurence for Anew to showcase the amazing work they do. The video was animated by long-time CM_Dub supporter, Guy with Red Beard Motion. Then, Tara Building Alumnus Clare Dunne provided the voice over.