Queena Joy Mast, NHA

There is the active self, the dossier of work done and accomplishments, and then, there is the inner self. I love my life, and my work resume tells a story of a passionate person who has and is actively trying to change and engage with the spaces, people and problems that intersect her life. Maybe you are interested in the details of what I've done. But I'm interested in an About Page that is more about our inner lives than just the facts that "I am an artist, I was a cross-cultural worker in Malaysia, an ESL teacher for fours years, a lifelong CNA, a small elder-care business entrepreneur and an assisted living Executive Director, and I am newly employed as an activities assistant." The work of my life is interesting and an expected topic, but to allow my authentic self to be revealed--to be known and seen--isn't this kind of vulnerability what the world really needs? These are questions I'd love to know about you, and would share freely if asked: 
What do you think about and care about? What are your values? What questions hang out in your gray matter?
What do you believe is your purpose in life? What do you want said as your eulogy?
What are you stuck on, and can't figure out? What do you try again and again to improve in yourself?
Are you focused? How did you find your focus, and how do you decide what to do on a given day?
What work do you want to do, and is it the same as what you are doing or what you trained for (such as unused NHA credentials, in my case :))?
What are your hopes, fears, literal dreams and beautiful thoughts?
What attracted you to Neuroarts Resources Center and, by the way, read my profile?
What is your favorite artist? What creative pursuits are you engaged in? When you aren't paying attention or trying, what kind of 'doodles' or art do you produce?
What books are on your "currently reading" bookshelf? What is you favorite book(s)?

I have received so much-I'm a gifted artist, I love school and learning and I was born into a family devoted to quality elder-care, generosity and hard work. In spite of natural energy, I am pulled towards stillness and peace. In spite of uncertainty I'm not anxious-- habits such as art and meditation keep me calm. I have been willing to take on large burdens of responsibility and I'm willing eager to do the tasks of personal care.

In closing, a quote from my favorite book, "Markings"
"It is now, in this very moment, that I can and must pay for all that I have received. The past and its load of debt are balanced against the present. And on the future I have no claim. Is not beauty created at every encounter between a man and life, in which he repays his debt by focusing on the living moment all the power which life has given him as an obligation? Beauty--for the one who pays his debt. For others, too, perhaps." Dag Hammerskold-57