Three Sisters 2020 Bid & “Words” at the Arthand

My hope is that the Three Sisters (Waterford, Wexford & Kilkenny) will win the bid to be European Capital of Culture 2020. Our beautiful South-East has for too long been Ireland’s hidden gem.

The Copper Coast

So many people like Sean and Miranda Corcoran who recently celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of “Words At the ArtHand” in their beautiful custom designed Art Centre on Waterford’s fantastic Copper Coast, have committed a lifetimes work to arts and culture in the South-East region.

They have opened their door not just to those interested in art and design but also poets, writers, storytellers, authors and people who just love words.

words-event-participants-small

There is always a “Cead Mile Failte Romhat” for newcomers at the Arthand. So come along on the first Wednesday of the month to either listen or share your writing.

As part of the night’s celebration I wrote a piece about what coming to The Arthand has meant to me.

Karen Power The Arthand

“Being in a space with people who enjoy words in all their forms has been liberating. I’ve been writing for twelve years and the first time I ever shared my writing publicly was here at the Arthand.

For that reason this wonderful, unique place will always hold a place in my heart. I’ve laughed and cried in this room while listening to stories, poems and songs over that time and I look forward to many more years to come.

Words are powerful. They can make or break a person. In my role as an adult education tutor and author I have seen this many, many times.

I remember my mother being very cross if any of us used the word – stupid. As a child I didn’t get why it upset her. But now I do.
That word haunts so many people. It has such negative energy, it’s almost tangible.

Another word she disliked was ‘Hate’ – can you feel the power it has?

How wise my mother is? She is one of the cleverest people I know.
What about the words – “Well done”. Together they have the ability to make you feel great. If I add in the word ‘but’ it changes everything.

How about the word ‘perfect’? How often do we want to have everything perfect otherwise it won’t be good enough. Have you ever met anyone or anything that is ‘perfect’?

So where am I going with this?

The words we tell ourselves everyday create the reality we live. For example when you say ‘I can’t’. Guess what! You’ll be right. You can’t because you’ve stop yourself from even trying.
Try saying ‘I can’ and you’ll discover you will do whatever it is that you said you could.

Years ago I read about (NLP) Neuro Linguistic Programming. The principles are based on listening to the words you use in your everyday language. How are you programmed?

Is the voice in your head on a constant loop telling yourself you are not good enough? Or do you think,’I’ll give it a shot. Or do you say, “Yes I can do x, y or z”?

Would you be as negative to a friend as you can be to yourself?
Words are powerful tools? Words can change your life.

So how about filling your thoughts with the words love, light, happiness, encouragement,and joy. They can feed your soul. Give yourself the gift of those words often. And smile while you think of them. They will warm your heart.”

Win or lose the Three Sisters 2020 Bid has brought people from Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny together in a very positive way.Together we can make a difference.

Thank you and well done, Sean and Miranda for being a catalyst to change in the lives of the young and old through art and culture in its many forms here in the South-East.

XX
Karen

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