Word for 2016: Strong
“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart – are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.”
Anthony Bourdain
I start 2016 with cancer. Admittedly the best kind you can have, if you are going to have cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the way to go. With that said it is still cancer and even the ‘C word’ leaves me feeling a bit weak and wobbly, it reminds me that my body is an undependable vessel that can crack and fail me when I least expect. BCC has been good at letting me know about its presence, it decided to makes its home on my face. It is peppered in patches across my forehead and cheeks. As I undergo treatment a quick peek in the mirror reminds me I am but a frail human being. Soon the raised red spots will be replaced by shiny white scars. Scars that will stay with me.
Sometimes the outside does not reflect the inside though. I do not feel weak and the scars I carry from battles fought in the recent past are healing. 2015 was a year to rest in God, a year to recharge worn down batteries, a year to cry tears that needed to be shed, a year to connect with people who love me and who I love back. 2016 is a year to be strong in.
In 2014 I began a tradition of choosing a word I would embrace in the new year. I borrowed/stole this tradition from an excellent photographer, online mentor and friend Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. This year’s word is strong. Strength to me is about developing spiritual, emotional and physical resilience and I am going to find ways to nurture all three areas of my life. I am also going to attempt to put aside the things that strip that strength: Worrying about people’s opinion of me, about idle gossip, about things I cannot control does not help me and it makes me weak.
Physical strength: In 2015 I ran a marathon. I also got skin cancer. My body can be weak and my body can be strong. This year I am going to kick the cancer, protect my body well from the sun, train and eat well so I become lean and fit and as healthy as I can be. This is not about specific diets or exercise regimes, it is simply about respecting my body as it is the only one I have and I need it to carry me around on my adventures!
Spiritual strength: I am going to seek God in the obvious places (the Bible, church, through prayer) but also through the experiences and relationships I form around the world. Different cultures offer different insights into spirituality.
Emotional strength: I am going to keep my mind strong and my feelings in check! I am naturally someone who loves intensely, I don’t intend to change that. However I do want learn ways to live a little more in the moment and put aside the things that strip away strength. I want to invest more in the relationships I have in my life that mean a lot to me – my marriage, my family, my friendships and also appreciate and soak in the amazing emotional experiences I have around the world through my work and photography.
Scars are ok, they remind us we have travelled and they remind us we have survived. Scars are grounding and sometimes it is through the chinks in our armour that the light can shine most brightly.
The word for 2016 is strong. Time to kick ass.
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For those that like photos rather than words check out my 20 photos from my travels in 2015
I think it’s a good word to kick off 2016 with and a great attitude. I’m sorry to hear about your illness and suffering, but I have no doubt that you will kick cancer’s ass. All the best xxx
This was a lovely blog post to read and made me think about a lot of things! I really hope you beat your cancer but I have no doubt that you will! All the best for a strong 2016 x
I am so sorry to hear about your cancer. I went through this with my dad in 2014 and it was very hard. He is 73 and had stage four cancer caught late yet he went on to do six months of chemo, fought hard and a year later we went climbing in the Bolivian Andes! He is amazing! The one thing I learned about his fight is how important strength is. Your mind and your body need to fight. It can wear you down but you just keep on fighting. When the road gets rough you let out some tears, mediate or pray, then you get back up and keep strong. Best wishes and I truly love your blog and photography.
Thanks for such a lovely message. My cancer is pretty much the ‘best type’ – am so inspired by people like your dad. I agree as well – body and mind connected and we need to use both together to be strong. Happy New Year!
You’re welcome! Sometimes it takes things like cancer to remind us what is important and life and to live each day to the fullest. It isn’t always easy but I still think I and my dad became a better person after the journey. Keep up the beautiful work you do! Your work so inspires me. Sharing your photography around the world helps educate others about what life is like and what struggles so many people face. You are changing the world with your work. Best wishes! 🙂
I hope that the strength has seen you through the first month of January. Best wishes.