Choosing to continue a tenet of LSUS's 'Resilience Through Dark Times' exhibit

Choosing to continue a tenet of LSUS's 'Resilience Through Dark Times' exhibit

SHREVEPORT - "Through every crack, a little light found its way in."

It's a line from a poem submitted by an LSUS student to the annual Resilience Through Dark Times exhibit.

The exhibited hosted by LSUS Counseling Services debuted Monday on the first floor of the Noel Memorial Library.

The line sums up the exhibit, which featured a mixture of art, poetry, essays, and literature centered around what anchors students who are experiencing or have experienced difficult life challenges.

Stories of love and loss permeated the exhibit, but one theme rang through each and every submission.

"Resilience is not about being strong in every moment. Resilience means being afraid but continuing anyway."

That particular line came from an MBA student diagnosed with breast cancer but who chose to continue with her education even when her future isn't certain.

Continuing to push forward, even if it means not going at a predetermined pace.

One mother of four decided that resilience looked like continuing her education despite losing her 10-year-old child to Type I diabetes because finishing a degree will improve the lives of her other three children.

Another LSUS student penned "My Momma, My Anchor" about his mother that's endured the loss of two partners - one from a heart attack and another from a car wreck.

Loss can be even tougher from a distance.

One student from abroad wrote about losing his mother and likely his aunt in a bus wreck that also injured his father.

Despite immense uncertainty and momentarily crippling grief, the student is continuing his education at LSUS to eventually improve the lives of his remaining family back home.

A phoenix rises at the center of the exhibit, complete with feathers made from orange and red leaves, symbolizing rebirth and renewal with a fall twist.

Earthy browns, oranges and reds were prevalent in the exhibit's art, which captured a mixture of fall landscapes.

One collage features religious literature and imagery adorned with small reflective pieces that allows for the viewer to catch a glimpse of themselves.

Reflection is a key tenet of the exhibit.

Students using creativity as an outlet can help them process things from their current or past lives while also providing concrete examples that could assist an exhibit attendee to not feel alone in their own life circumstances.

"Thinking about what anchors you, what gets you through, what brings you a sense of coziness and what makes you feel grounded is what this exhibit is about," said Kendal Redel, the director of Counseling Services. "This exhibit is very much in alignment with what we do in Counseling Services because our goal is always to empower our students to tap into their inner or outer resources.

"A lot of times, creativity is a part of that."

Portions of the exhibit will be on display through November on the first floor of the library.

Student submissions from both face-to-face and online students are accepted each year beginning in September.