One thing about University and college life. . .you’re sure to find and experience new things. New spaces. New places. New faces. A new, you. And just. . .gosh-Something new!
You stay so busy that your new life can make you forget the exploration of campus life. How precious moments, or activities serve to strengthen, and connect, your bond with those going along with you on your educational experience.
Break time, assembly time, is the perfect time of bonding time. Talking and small chat-yeah, that’s cool! Yet, activity, can be golden. Watching creative minds at work, participating in the creation, itself, is a bonding experience, in itself. And, our childhood memories of coloring, are re-born.
(Photograph By Sohila Osama; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
At the American University in Cairo, one auspicious day, early December 2017, a gathering of students immersed themselves in the simple pleasure of. . .doodling. A simple activity. . .bonding time, and reflecting one’s personal and spiritual design is a soothing stimulus from the hectic life. . .of the University fast lane.
Sponsored by the Peer Advising Leaders (PAL), the event allowed for a break, prior to the exam period. With 70’s music playing in the background, the lessons of “Pink Floyd,” resonate through those finding the coloration of creativity. . .through this Being, called. . .life. A sensational exuberance to dabble in infinite aesthetics of the Universe. Glorious and bountiful in all her Being, and still finding her way to the Earthly planes of AUC! It’s a wondrous occasion, wouldn’t you agree?
(Photograph By Sohila Osama; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
Having a common design, while showing multiple varieties of patterns and colors, was not only a reflection of artistic expression. It was also of the spiritual design for all students, participating in this. . .scene. When an artist, or anyone performing art. . .performs, they are not only creating an art piece, a painting, sculpture, or what have you. What they are also reflecting are the colors, designs, and movements of their persona, character, and Spirit. How the “artists,” move and present their energies, is a personification of their Being in the Spiritual realm. It is an artistic painting of the Spirit, when floating in the Heavens.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
How intrinsic! Magnanimous, of course! It’s supernatural for human beings to reflect portraits of their Spirit! And the willingness to share this experience with other Spirits. Even more mystical, is how their collaboration on this “project,” imitates the different points (and stars) working to sustain creativity in the Universe.
Universal galaxies. . . Those darkened palettes-weaving, singing, painting, and crafting the very phenomenon of this existence, called. . .life. Beauty lives in her, and she awakes in Beauty.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
So, when students and fellow art lovers gather together in the outskirts of Bartlett Plaza to. . .doodle, they are assisting the Universe in heaven’s reflection on Earth. More complex than what you realize, isn’t it?
And you thought this was just a group of University students coming together to have fun? While such is the reality, more depth is needed to understand this scenario of enchantment.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
Joining the doodlers, awakened the fire and magic of the area. It should be noted, as such. And there was a soothing flow, with the accompaniment of that outer galaxy, caramel-textured musical style. You know. The 70’s. It seemed to have laid an invisible blanket of movement. An imaginary therapy, floating throughout the crowd of doodlers. Once touching them, a tonality of calm appears, and they become connected to the sensory of knowledge; rather than the memorization, or objectification of.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
For once, knowledge is not riddled with stress, anxiety, or depression that comes with it’s practice. On the contrary, it becomes natural. In this “trivial” task of doodling, knowledge becomes sacred. It becomes soothing. And in this context, knowledge became. . .therapy!
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
What a start to seeing the performance of such a therapy at the American University in Cairo’s New Cairo campus; where a break, or moment of fun. . .became something more. It’s quite assuring to know that it has happened on other American university/college campuses. You can bet that it also showed up on Cairo University, and other Egyptian university/college campuses. That’s what makes it more enriching. There’s a unique exuberance and sensory-driven persona in Egypt. Illuminating these precious moments. Something that one becomes entrenched within; in addition to the performance.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
Even more superb is the re-assurance of one’s humanity. That while, “doodling,” living Beings are reminded of being. . .alive. Blessed with a moment of creating on Earth’s paradise. Essential appreciations of life.
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)
Knowing that one’s educational journey. . .is a journey. Embracing one’s purpose, as having other attributes of University/college life–in addition to educational achievements and professional development. The idea of AUC being a space of healing and recovery; while engaging students with the numerous art, music, film, and design projects for these entities is a fantasy—turned reality. That’s what happened in this scene of. . .doodling.
It was fun! It was fierce! “What a feeling!” A therapeutic feeling. . .indeed!
(Photograph By Sohila Osman; Edits By Lauren K. Clark)