USING THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY AS THERAPY ONE FRAME AT A TIME
To those hoping for a July outing please accept my apologies as there won’t be one. Full transparency I haven’t been well Mentally at all. The monster has been relentless but I’m fighting. Stay tuned for an excited interactive art piece I HOPE to hang at Station 1 Coffee House in Grimsby and stay tuned for my next outing in August. Maybe a street walk this time?
Again so sorry about this month
Good morning folks. No pretty picture this morning. Instead I’m substituting it with an important message. A message some of you might need to hear this morning.
Words can hurt.
Words can scar.
I came across a quote this morning that stopped me in my tracks:
“If I must fall, let me fall. The person I’m becoming will catch me.”
Read that again. Let it soak in.
Some of us really need to hear this.
From my early twenties, I let certain words live rent-free in my head.
Words that came from an unexpected place, and from someone who once held power over how I saw myself.
It was during the very first public showing of my photography.
A Grade 1 teacher—my Grade 1 teacher—walked up to my booth and said:
“Wow, these are great pictures… I thought you’d never amount to anything.”
Can you imagine that?
She decided my worth when I was six years old.
“Never amount to anything.”
Those words followed me for decades.
They echoed in quiet moments.
They chipped away at my confidence.
They made me second-guess myself far too often.
Words can scar.
A few years ago, I forgave her.
My writing mentor challenged me to write a forgiveness letter—and I did.
It wasn’t for her.
It was for me.
That act of forgiveness released me from the silent grip I didn’t even know I was still in.
This morning, when I read that quote, her words crept back in.
Yes, they still sting.
But now, I can see them for what they are: someone else’s limitation projected onto me.
And I can laugh—because I know who I’m becoming.
And that version of me is strong enough to catch the one who fell.
Make it a great day, chase the light… cheers
Very humbled to be included in this podcast highlighting mental health and the arts. Photography has literally saved my life, I was very honoured to be asked to be in the video.
The Power of Art….
Dream Big folks. Watch the naysayers choke on their words…
This popped up in my memories from 3 years ago. I dream too big. My dream has become reality.
This is what I wrote
“Yes I dream big, as an artist it’s a common trait. There’s nothing wrong with setting high goals for yourself. It fuels me. I tend to ignore the naysayers in my life but sometimes I get caught up in their lies. Grow your wings and soar. Ignite the fire in you and be that beacon of light to show others the path. I dream of one day speaking in public on Mental Health and my journey down its path and somehow using my images with it. The setback? I’m to nervous. I can’t really speak into a microphone in front of a large crowd. I find myself listening to the voices in my head telling me I’ll be a failure, a laughing stock. I’m going to silence that voice eventually. I dream Big. I see myself speaking to hundreds of people. I dream a dream that one day will be reality.”
3 years and now I do speak in public on mental health. I may dream big but I encourage you all to do the same.
I dream to one day speak in front of thousands on Mental wellbeing.
Dreaming to big? Dont thonk so. It will happen.
The Theragraphic Project 