The following is an Article that points out very vividly and in poetic terms the
heroic efforts of a woman who was and is determined to recover from
schizophrenia.  It says in strong terms that people do get well contrary to the
ideas of so many people with negative perceptions!

J. Rosberg, Ph.D.

THE ART OF RECOVERY
By: Kim Bartlett

I have finally come to the conclusion that recovery is indeed an art. It must
be—because it has taken me extensive work to learn to apply enough motivation to
carry out even the most mundane goals. I have now been recovered from
schizophrenia for approximately two and a half years and still I am having
difficulty reaching goals such as a career or school. It is partly a lack of
motivation—but it is mostly that it is I think an art to be able to accomplish
such a task. I am learning though that one must take very small steps in order
to actually reach a destination. For instance—if I am to go back to school I
must learn to do basic math again. So I found myself a tutor and slowly I am
really learning to
master math. The art in it is that I must learn to apply not only what I learn
of a problem but the motivation and skills to actually carry out the process of
learning.

Recovery is hard--being sick is easy. I am determined to stay in the recovery
mode and excel at something I am good at. But I admit—it is a slow process. My
life does remind me somewhat of a painting in progress. The canvas has been
prepared by the first wash of color—a clean slate to begin the actual picture
that will someday emerge. I am beginning to have the experience of a slight
inclination of a life beginning to come into view. I am trying to paint my life
this time to be all that I can draw into one life setting. I want to do so much
and achieve a great deal—can I really paint it all into existence? I look
forward to the completion of my painting for sure—but I think I will learn the
art of living the process in order to appreciate the painting to it’s fullest. Yes—I think I will take it
one
stroke of the brush at a time.

The only way I will ever see the results of my hard work is to keep on adding
the color to bring about the depth of my life’s circumstances. I want my
painting to be free of any neglect or turmoil and full of acceptance and love. I
want my painting to express its depth of self-awareness—it’s depth of
authenticity. After all, it is an original. I am the artist that will create the
one of a kind painting that can not even be subjected to printing in any
fashion. I am the artist of my life’s expressions. It takes some time to create
such a masterpiece but slowly it is coming along. It is still difficult to see
the actual picture—but slowly—it is beginning to reveal it’s true identity. It’s
such a joy—such pleasure to create a character as if in a play. Could this be a
very small sample of what it must be like to experience creation in the
making—As God Himself would of felt it? I mean—just think about it—God must have
felt the exhilaration—the pure joy in His masterpiece too. I wonder
 why He decided to hand over the brush for us to complete the picture? I think
it must be for us to have a hand in the making of the masterpiece itself—to have
a purpose—to have goals to reach and teach us—and finally to develop a reason to
live for Him.

I think maybe I am beginning to see some sort of shape coming into view on my
canvas and it does feel good to see some progress coming to light. Learning to
enjoy the process is the key for me—taking time to experience the true meaning
of my life. I think God would have wanted it that way. I think it is in part,
part of my purpose. So-relax and try to envision the purpose—it is after-all—an
art to recovery.

Kim Bartlett
1-01-07