My Journey: Hearing the Call

Hi! My name is Shendri'Anna (Shenny) Martines. My path to Southwestern College, and the Art Therapy Program therein, has been a journey of listening to my heart, following my intuition, and attuning to the guidance I receive from the Divine. My life began to shift when I was visited by my late uncle in a dream I had during undergrad. We had a very special bond, and it was the events that ensued after this dream that propelled me into becoming more curious about my purpose here on the planet and what fueled my passion for life.

I always knew that I was meant to be in a field that served humanity through connection. It has been through potent moments in my life that have deeply impacted my choice to become an art therapist. While I was a Student Ambassador in my undergrad degree, I spent time volunteering at the local Boys & Girls Club and giving campus tours to visiting teenagers. It was in these experiences that I noticed the joy I felt when listening to their stories and life's passions. The small moments of conversation that provided a space for real connection and an opportunity to encourage them on their path. The individuals that expressed feeling lost and unsure of what they were interested in, curated this feeling of honoring as I heard them in this place of uncertainty. As I was already committed to my studies and was still unsure of where that would lead me in terms of a career path.

When I made the choice to reconvene with art-making in college, as I switched my minor from biology to studio art, it fueled my passion to get to know myself in a deeper way. This led me to study art abroad in Paris, France, where I had enriching explorations. It was a time when I reclaimed my zest for adventure and taking in the moment fully. This renewal of my soul led me to look into art therapy programs, where I happened to find Southwestern College. It was an immediate 'Yes' that I received within, knowing that it was my destiny to move to New Mexico and begin this next chapter of my story.

Since moving to New Mexico, I have spent time working as a nanny and as a substitute teacher for Presbyterian Ear Institute. In my role as a substitute teacher, I helped implement school curriculum, as well as take care of the needs of the children. This population of students ranged from two years old to five years old, with a varying range of hearing impairments. In this work, we did many arts and crafts in the afternoon time, as well as lots of games of make-believe. I feel grateful to have witnessed the creativity that these kiddos accessed and expressed. It was a way for them to communicate how they were feeling, thinking, and what they needed. The pureness of their hearts are still alive in my memory, recalling a moment when one of the kids' grabbed my hand and said, "I love you all day." I have been a caretaker/nanny many times throughout my life, starting at a young age, as I was the oldest in my household. This has helped me to curate my inner nurturer, and now as an adult, how to nurture a space that I am holding with others. It has taught me patience, and that I am only able to control my own reactions and responses. When I am able to tune into my own energy and regulate myself, it aids me in showing up more fully for others.

Walking through this program has truly taught me so much about myself, and allowed me to access a deeper sense of self-awareness. When I first began classes I remember feeling this exuberance to start learning about therapy and art-making. I didn't realize the wild roller coaster of emotions that would come up from within me. It has shown me that I am more resilient than I imagined. I learned what boundaries were, and how to set them without taking reactions personally. This is still a work in progress of course, I am still learning. One of the most impactful experiences I have had through Southwestern is the Vision Quest. It was a time I felt so connected within myself and to the earth, grounded into my essence. I walked away from this with a feeling that I can do anything. Looking back over the last two years I can see and feel the vast amount of growth that has taken root in my life. I am so proud of myself and my fellow classmates who are on this journey with me.

Here are some photos of me and my dog pal Kona, dancing in the wilderness, hiking adventures, paddle boarding, and enjoying adventures with my soul sister and roommate. My joy is sacred and child-like, and it is one of the things I love most about myself.

I really enjoy writing poetry, so I wanted to share this poem that I wrote and emoted back in the winter during our last Consciousness I class:

Then Leave to Allow

Then leave to allow

the medicine of the archived

to saturate your bones

and leave your brain

to the holy buzzards

may they pick you clean

so that a breath may

settle and render you empty

Like the sky right before the Sun

kisses the Horizon

And the birds sing you goodmorning

If the lonely hermit comes

to wrap on your door

and he is filled with gloom

and rust

Take him by the hands

and sing him the song

the birds sang to you

Though our time here is not long

and the enduring days seem not short enough

may you grant yourself

the curiosity of the cat

That lives each moment

not being able to discern the before

or the after

And now that we have embarked upon

the journey of this one

drawing to its pause

and the beginning of its pages

collecting dust

May we call upon

this space as an anchor

that brings us home

that has given to us

the love in your eyes

that flees to your heart

Not existing as a mere memory

but a chord played out

through the void forever

Take with you the wisdom

of lessons shared through story

Then leave to allow