This week saw a step further in my integrating Healing with Photography into the local community. I was invited to an open day at a group called Smile; a support organisation for people suffering from postnatal depression, and set up and run by mothers who suffered from it themselves.
For me personally, that I attended, represented a big marker and flag waving moment in how far I’d come in my recovery from depression and low self-esteem. A year or more ago the thought of a room full of strangers who might all want to talk to me would have made me refuse the invitation with a host of excuses as to why I couldn’t attend. That I quite happily drove over and even though I had difficulty find the centre and car parking, it was a real turning point that I didn’t take that as a sign that I wasn’t meant to go. A year ago I’d have turned tail and headed for home full of relief that I didn’t have to speak to lots of people.
As I walked into the room filled without about 25 people many heads swivelled in my direction to greet me with warm smiles. I saw the number of people and hesitated, just long enough to give the lady, strategically placed by the door, selling raffle tickets time to pounce. Lightened of some money it was time to move in and meet some of people with those friendly smiles.
By the end of the meet and greet and refreshments, did I mention lunch was included? Well you know me by now, I do enjoy some sustenance. I had spoken to everyone in the room and left giving myself a big pat on the back.
So this has helped me bounce into this week with renewed confidence and I have been so busy, picking up the phone and making sales calls and making good headway. A friend last week gave me a great idea of getting guest bloggers to write on my website so I have started contacting people for that and I will also invite them to be part of my teleseminar which will take place early next year. And today I have just signed up for a business conference at a nearby city. My four day week seems to have been extremely busy!
*The Current Photographer website contains links to our affiliate partners. Purchasing products and services through these links helps support our efforts to bring you the quality information you love and there’s no additional cost to you.
Living in the beautiful rural county of Yorkshire it was perhaps natural for Ruth to have an affinity with the countryside and its wildlife. Creativity is Ruth’s driving force finding an outlet in television & radio she worked for many years as producer for BBC & ITV.
However a love of photography and for being surrounded by nature called her to go back to her photography training and bring pleasure and joy to people through her connection with our planet.
Staying in the moment when taking her images allows her to experience the natural magnificence unfolding before her eyes. It is this moment of mediation, of gratitude, that she evocatively conveys through her images.