Releasing Sub-conscious Energy

Above Image from Barry's Book What It Is

I was listening to NPR's Talk of the Nation today and heard an interview with a Lynda Barry who wrote a picture book for adults that explores the nature of creativity and activity. Her main point was that it is imperative for one's mental health to be able to engage in activities that release thoughts and energy from one's s sub-conscious.

As we grow older, we are taught to limit the ways we express ourselves. It is very common for adults to write or journal per se, but we limit our other forms of expression only to those which we believe will seem productive in the eyes of others. We forget that 'the experience' is just as valid and valuable as the end 'product'. We tend to commodify our life experience and only allow ourselves to engage in activities which will produce something that has monetary value. We some how associate 'writing' with an acceptable outlet, but activities such as drawing pictures and interpretive dance are, for example, are not "valid" unless one is an artist or dancer by trade and can make a living at said activity.

Why do we accept this sort of existence?

Don't deny yourself the pleasure of these images.
Link to pages from the book-
I think these are stunning. http://www.npr.org/programs/totn/features/2008/06/gallery/index.html

The story was about a half-hour long, but worth the listen.

Link to listen to this story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91072892&ft=1&f=5