The Lantern newspaper 

Butler Lineage: New Leadership

Little efforts to be more authentic can have a profound impact on our overall sense of wellbeing. On a personal level, being authentic has a lot to do with the stage in life a person is at and the needs of that stage. Whether someone is preparing for adulthood, building community and independence in midlife, or navigating how to live a new life at retirement age, the activities we spend time on each day have an impact on whether those needs are met or not.

The Ulrich Museum of Art hosted brothers Steven and William Ladd’s Scrollathon® Thursday, Oct. 2 in a hands-on, collaborative art experience that allowed participants to connect through art and authentic sharing.

The moment has passed, words have been exchanged, time has transpired and suddenly, as if the sun dawns its light in the mind, a clearer picture forms in hindsight. Is this relatable, or is it just me? Often emotions blur perception during situations, though it is personally getting easier to be aware of more in each moment when a little experience is applied, and the internal state is clear. The more a moment appears threatening or potentially unacceptable, the blurrier it can get.

I am returning to Butler again after a 15-year break to travel, nurture the life of a daughter and carry out creative endeavors like tipi building on mountain sides, designing sensory deprivation tank rooms and learning ways to be an authentic, healthy version of myself with elders of many traditions. My first experience at Butler was spent in the photography program’s dark room. That room, film development program and even some of the staff only exist in memory today.