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Empathy – patriciafostermckenley.com
patriciafostermckenley.com

Professional Poet, Life Coach, Educator, Artist – Runs Workshops, Gives Reiki & Wellbeing Training

Tag: Empathy

LIPS – Anti-Bullying Poetry Film. Written and Performed by Award-Winning Poet Patricia Foster McKenley. Produced by Mellow 9 Productions. Anti-Bullying Week 2018.

November 14, 2018 /

As a young child and teenager, I was bullied. As an adult, I have been bullied. These experiences prompted me to write my poem ‘Lips’.
I recently had the poem ‘Lips’ skilfully made into a film by the brilliant Mellow 9 Productions. So thankful for this. 


The poem and film focuses on the traumatic impact of bullying and how important it is to reach out to and seek comfort and refuge from those who can support us. 
I currently use my poetry film ‘Lips’ in poetry, self esteem and anti-bullying workshops. Please contact me for more details and to book a workshop.
Bullying affects more people than we realise.
Watch the film here!
https://youtu.be/DuzFlvl25qg

#AntiBullying

#AntiBullyingWeek

#AntiBullyingWeek2018

#SelfEsteem

#ChooseRespect

Super Woman: Taking Everyday In Her Stride! Celebrating International Women’s Month. By Poet, Educator, Holistic Coach, Speaker & Vegan Patricia Foster McKenley 

March 14, 2018 /

“As a woman, today and hereafter, I choose to express myself at my highest potential! That is my divine purpose and mission on this Earth.”~ Patricia Foster McKenley, 8th March 2012

International performances at ‘Palabras The Reunion, Paradiso, Amsterdam

Performance at book launch of ‘Irki’ by Kadija George, at The Barbican. Photo: Rousha Browning / SABLE LitMag

Imagine how this world would be if as individual women, we decided to reach for our highest potential and operate from that place for as much of our lives as possible. Imagine if we tapped into our innate powers and energies daily. 

I wrote the above quote for International Women’s Day in March 2012. March is also renowned  for celebrating International Women’s Week and International Women’s Month. 

We also celebrated Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day in the UK on Sunday 11th March 2018. Additionally, two of my beautiful nieces celebrated Birthdays in March – one on International Women’s Day too, therefore lots of female energy to tap into and generate. Lots of magic and miracles to create.

Giving a lecture to ‘The Cloud’ spoken word collective, as part of the Mboka Festival 2017, Gambia. Photo: Clovis McKenley.

 

So as a woman, how will you choose to express yourself and your positive, female energy today, this month, in March and for the rest of the year? It is our divine gift to share with our loved ones and the world.

MANY BLESSINGS,

Patricia Foster McKenley.

Patricia will be running Poetry Workshops, Self-Esteem Workshops for Young Women and Writing/Personal Development Workshops for Women during International Women’s Month and throughout the year. She’ll also be performing at various Poetry Readings throughout March. 

For bookings, contact:

+447956 476 547
Or

prfoster@hotmail.com

Please feel free to follow Patricia on Twitter @Ms_P_Foster

and on Instagram 

@PatriciaFoster7000

Sable Poet-in-Residence, Life Coach & You Are YOU Founder, Patricia Foster with Award for Poetry services to Art and Culture at International Women’s Month 2015 event ‘Together We Rise’. March 28 2015.

April 4, 2015 /
IMG_2521.JPG

Photo: Thabo Jaiyesimi

Message from Sable Poet-in-Residence Patricia Foster:

I am still ecstatic and floating, after receiving my award for Poetry Services, within the Art and Culture category, at the empowering awards event Together We Rise.

I had written an acceptance speech, but instead ended up speaking from the heart. I was immensely overwhelmed, as well as inspired by all the other award recipients and their amazing stories. A lot of the women, including myself, had overcome incredible obstacles, to accomplish what we have today.

“Day in, day out we work hard, in our life purpose without little or any recognition. Thank YOU MGT and GCC  for the award!” ~ Patricia Foster

IMG_2468.JPG

 Photo: M. Foster

The event was organised by the MGT and GCC, based in Brixton, who do a lot of work in the community, in particular to uplift and empower young girls.

IMG_2483.JPGPhoto: M. Foster

A most memorable night indeed. Hopefully the first of many awards. Feeling very grateful and honoured. A big thanks to ALL who provided support, my family, friends and the writers and poets who came before me, to pave the way and make it easier for me to receive this award. In particular a big thanks to the founders and ALL members of Malika’s Poetry Kitchen.

#FanPageFriday – Like ‘YouAreYOU’ Facebook Page. For Holistic Coaching, Motivational and Training Services: From Coach and Poet Patricia Foster

March 27, 2015 /

#FanPageFriday


  


Greetings! 

Welcome to ‘You Are YOU’ Holistic Coaching, Empowerment, Talks, Wellbeing & Training Services – Specialising in Life Transitions.


We provide coaching, empowerment, healthy eating and mentoring services to individuals and groups, as well as facilitate workshops at conferences, seminars, events and within community organisations and libraries. 


Like Our Facebook Page for FREE Tips and Motivation:https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaFosterCoachingServices


Thank you for Liking our Page!

Upcoming Release of New Poetry Video ‘Lips’ – Written and Performed by Patricia Foster

July 27, 2013 /
Myself on the film shoot! Photo: Flora van den Berg, Mellow 9 Productions

Myself on the film shoot!
Photo: Flora van den Berg, Mellow 9 Productions

I’m really excited, as the release of the film version of my poem ‘Lips’ takes place this month, August 2013. The poem and film explores the impact of bullying between young females and how this can raise issues of identity and self esteem.

Myself and one of the superb cast!

Myself with one of the superb cast!

I was honoured to have my words brought to life by the incredibly talented, award winning Mellow 9 Productions. The whole experience, including the shoot, working with the crew and witnessing their spot on and intuitive casting was amazing.

I will post a link and further info about the video shortly. In the meantime, here are a few more behind-the-scenes photos from the film shoot. Photos by Flora van den Berg

Photo: Flora van den Berg

Photo: Flora van den Berg

Photo: Flora van den Berg. Scene with the fantastic young cast.

Photo: Flora van den Berg.
Scene with the fantastic young cast.

Photo: Flora Van Den Berg. Ameet Solanki and Adrian Scott behind the camera!

Photo: Flora van den Berg.
Ameet Solanki and Adrian Scott behind the camera!

Myself with Adrian Scott, Scriptwriter/Managing Director/Producer of Mellow 9

Myself with Adrian Scott,
Scriptwriter/Managing Director/Producer of Mellow 9

When Will Bullies Get The Message? – by Patricia Foster McKenley

July 18, 2013 /
Photo: Patricia Foster Photo: © Patricia Foster McKenley

As individuals, we are ALL created uniquely beautiful. Some of us have gentle dispositions and are therefore misunderstood. Some of us are extremely sensitively wired and are therefore misunderstood. Some of us will NEVER fit into the mould of acceptable looks, or acceptable past times. It’s about having patience with and being accepting of others, instead of demonising them…because they are not like you!

Some of us may not have explored communication tools that can best express our thoughts or feelings, so may have difficulty in responding to harsh words or criticism, or are unable to articulate the inner pain connected to these harsh words. Speaking out against harsh, critical words may therefore be a huge challenge.
Some of us may feel unsupported, because we are unable to find the right person to express our innermost thoughts and feelings to, without the fear of our expressed feelings being thrown back in our faces.

There is a saying “hurt people hurt people”. Research has shown that those who are unhappy within, or are in pain themselves lash out or bully others, therefore hurting their intended target too.

I performed poetry at a recent ‘Loose Muse’ women’s writing event and a courageous young lady shared her own, deeply personal experiences of being bullied and subsequently wanting to take her own life. She mentioned also that in the area of south London where she resides, suicides among teenagers, in particular GCSE and A Level students were at a ridiculously high number. This was not just due to the pressures of life, but also about how some are made to feel by harsh comments and treatments by others.

Today, I read a Facebook post, which outlined the last Tweet posted by a young man, tormented over the years about his sexuality. He was commonly referred to as “a loser, freak and fag” and used this to describe himself in his last Twitter message. He felt he had done the world an injustice and therefore took his life.

Without the right support and understanding from others, when will people cease to remove their inner pain, torment and feelings of being misunderstood by taking their own lives?

Some of us will never be accepted, because we are moulded and act differently.

How can those of us who are emotionally stronger step in to help prevent bullying and help support and encourage those who are being bullied or misunderstood?

In my workshops and through my writing I have focussed on this, as I have also been bullied and victimised by others. I therefore choose to use my art and holistic and well-being tools to help stand up to this. Writing and coaching can be useful ways to express pain, as well as feel accepted and valued within.

© Patricia Foster McKenley 2013

‘Sensitivity and the Artist: The Link Between Sensitive Personalities and Creativity’  – by Award-Winning Writer & Holistic Coach Patricia Foster McKenley

May 15, 2013 /

‘Sensitivity and the Artist: The Link Between Sensitive Personalities and Creativity’
by Patricia Foster McKenley

image
Being a sensitive adult can be viewed as either a curse or blessing to the said sensitive individual.
For many sensitive adults, who may deem this a curse, they can probably list a range of unwanted or difficult circumstances such as:

• Being highly affected by harsh and nasty comments
• Taking on board and feeling deeply saddened by others’ misfortune
• Being affected by criticism and judgment from others
• Always wanting to avoid confrontation or uncomfortable conversations
• Bearing childhood traumas that trigger off reactions to relatively similar adult situations
• Excruciating shyness
• Labelled too shy, too sensitive or a walkover by others
• Become stressed easily
• Experience low self-esteem
• High bouts of depression

However, many sensitive adults may deem it a blessing and look at the advantages such as:

• Being a good listener
• Possessing empathy
• Being excellent authors and poets
• Having the ability to express themselves as artists
• Being highly intuitive and spiritual
• Having high levels of patience

I have witnessed highly sensitive individuals, who champion the causes of other people, encouraging them to utilise their gifts. However, when it comes to expressing their own gifts, or operating from their higher selves or to their highest potential, they almost enter the realms of martyrdom, where it is virtually difficult for them to speak up or express their true selves.

Research has shown that many highly sensitive adults end up working as counsellors, teachers, artists, poets, writers, authors, social workers and healers /natural health practitioners and other caring professions.

According to Elaine N. Aron Ph.D., the author of ‘The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You’, the world can be an extremely, overwhelming and unassuming place to sensitive people in general and certain situations and environments are too overly stimulating. She also acknowledges that “one in every five people is born with a heightened sensitivity” and gifted with “intelligence and imagination”.

I speak as a sensitive adult myself, who has experienced or displayed many of the above traits. Reading Elaine’s book about The Highly Sensitive Person (HSPs) was a welcome breath of fresh air; it made me realise there was nothing wrong with me and indeed others I know who bear similar traits.

Due to the, at times, overwhelming and difficult circumstances in my life, I have had to identify the personality traits that I have and go through a stage of healing and being kind to myself. This ‘self identification’ and healing process allowed me to develop the skills and empathy to understand, listen and heal others (especially those who are sensitive) through teaching, training, art, film making, poetry, coaching and Reiki.

Over the years, I focused on ways to harness my sensitive nature and also balance this with being grounded and looking after my physical and emotional health.

I discovered that my emotional health was impacted by consuming certain foods that created imbalance (such as meat and alcohol). Through following a vegan and raw vegan diet and being teetotal, this has prevented me from becoming too overwhelmed and over stimulated by the world.

Being highly sensitive is a personality trait I feel blessed to have and with this, I endeavour to make this world a better place to exist in.

However, this is not to say that non-sensitive personalities are insensitive, impatient or possess little or no creative skills. This is to highlight that sensitive people are ‘wired’ uniquely and therefore respond to external stimuli in a unique way.

© Patricia Foster McKenley

Please feel free to leave a comment below
or email: info@youareyou.co
Patricia Foster McKenley is a Holistic Life Coach, an Award-Winning Internationally Published Poet, Performer, Visual and Multimedia Artist (BA Hons), Broadcaster, Certified Tutor/Trainer & Facilitator, Dynamic Educator and Creative Consultant. She is also a Certified Reiki Healer, Wellbeing Advisor, Vegan and lover of Raw Food. As a writer, she has worked for the BBC and has toured, performed and delivered Workshops in the UK, Europe, Jamaica, Gambia and the USA. 


For further info, email info@youareyou.co


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