This presentation was created for, and given, at Ignite Portland in February 2008. Presenters had 5 minutes (15 slides, 20 seconds per slide) to share their topic with over 750 members of the audience. Mine was the only presentation that day that was focused on a rather serious issue - overcoming personal trauma to create a life by design rather than one of survival and status quo. To see the video of the presentation that accompanies this slide show, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6qECYlE9I. PRESENTATION INTRO In 1965 I was sexually abused by my father – I was 5. In 1973 I was held hostage by the American Indian Movement in my home at Wounded Knee – I was 12. These two events showed me the process and course of violence, and its debilitating results. Unlike my oppressors/abusers in these two situations, I chose a different pathway - love - and the tool I use to infect others with it is art. This presentation and the accompanying video is one telling of that tale.