Peer Reflections

Nurturing Wellness through Creativity and Compassion
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Category: Through the Lens

  • Lucy, The Unexpected Ally

    Lucy, the Unexpected Ally

    This is Lucy. She was a cellar spider that lived in our dining room. The first time I noticed her, my immediate reaction was fear—I wanted her gone. But then, I saw what she was doing.

    Lucy had captured a harlequin lady beetle, better known as an Asian beetle. These invasive pests are everywhere in the upper Midwest, especially in the fall. They bite, they smell, and they always seem to find their way inside. But Lucy, with her messy, disorganized web, had managed to catch one—one less beetle for me to vacuum up.

    At the time, my kids were just toddlers, and like me, they were afraid of spiders. But instead of passing my fear down to them, I chose to break the cycle. We watched Lucy together, learning about her instead of fearing her. I told them how cellar spiders are harmless and actually help keep other pests in check. And just like that, Lucy wasn’t a scary, unwanted guest anymore—she was part of the house. We even gave her a name.

    Sometimes, the things we fear have a purpose. And when we take the time to learn about them, that fear can begin to fade. Of course, it’s easier with something tangible—like a spider—but the same idea applies to the fears we carry inside. If we lean in, just a little, and try to understand them, maybe they won’t seem so scary after all.

  • Rage Battle

    Photo by Shannon

    The overwhelming sensation of anger disturbs and disrupts—not just our vision, but our internal balance. When rage takes hold, it can feel like the only relief comes from a volatile eruption of disdain and distress, releasing the tension however we can.

    For a long time, my walk with anger was exactly this—a rush for release, no matter the cost. I didn’t care who I hurt or how I used my words. I lashed out, swirling like a storm, leaving a wake of destruction behind me. This was the old me. 

    But I grew tired of the endless damage control, the aftermath of my internal storm spilling onto others, whether provoked or not. A need to change became undeniable. Anger is heavy. It can consume. But when I stopped fighting it and started listening, I began to understand what it was trying to reveal to me. I had to set better boundaries—not just to protect others, but to take care of myself. I had to learn how to control my anger, to recognize its signals before it spiraled into destruction.

    Looking at this digital piece I created, I feel the weight of it—the ominous, heavy waves of rage.  It feels like a lifetime ago, yet so real. As I reflect on this piece, flashbacks are pulling my attention-images of the old me- but I have the ability to combat these thoughts with the realization that I have come so far, I’ve done the work. I see the transformation- and that is something to celebrate!

    Wanna read more about emotional regulation?

  • One Thing At A Time

    Photo by Shannon

    The winter storm stirs up wonders. Through snow and wind, bending and blowing, the very things that should be buried beneath layers of ice and frozen to the earth resurface. A perfect white canvas, now speckled with autumn’s remnants.

    Sometimes, healing feels like this. A storm blows through, uncovering things we thought we had buried. Triggers, past traumas—showing up at the most inopportune times. But instead of fighting it, I take notice. I don’t chastise the leaf for landing on fresh snow. I don’t demand that it disappear. Instead, I wonder—how did the wind carry it here? I notice the edges, the color-worn but not damaged.

    We can make matters worse by denying what surfaces. We can freeze our hands trying to dig through the snow, desperate to put things back where they belong. Or we can simply notice. Be curious. Trust that, just like the leaf, these things will find their way—no matter how much they contrast against the untouched snow.

  • Violet Veil

    Photo by Shannon

    Art has always been my sanctuary, my solace, and my voice when words fail to capture the complexity of my emotions.

    “Violet Veil” emerged from a moment of profound reflection. The interplay of vibrant purples and reds in this image reflects the layers of emotion I was experiencing: the deep shadows of pain interwoven with the soft light of hope. The flowers, delicate yet resilient, seem to push through the veil, symbolizing growth and transformation even in the midst of struggle.

    Through this piece, I was reminded that beauty can exist alongside sorrow, and that healing often involves embracing the contrasts—the vivid and the muted, the joy and the ache. Violet Veil invites the viewer to look closer, to pause and notice the intricate details that often go unseen, much like the small but significant moments of healing in our own journeys. Art allows us to find clarity where there was once only chaos, and Violet Veil serves as a testament to the power of seeing through the layers—both in the image and within ourselves.

  • Through The Lens: Ice & Emotions

    Photo by Shannon

    Through the Lens: Ice and Emotions

    The ice on Lake Superior can do some pretty impressive things. Waves push shards onto the shore, shifting and moving them miles down the coast in a matter of days—or even hours. The ice on Lake Superior is both unstable and magnificent at the same time.

    With camera in hand and ice cleats attached, I take a calculated risk to capture the shards that fascinate me. The details, the shapes, the color—I am drawn in, mesmerized by their raw beauty. As I stand there, I reflect on the way emotions are similar to these ice shards…

    Emotions can feel sharp. They can feel cold, catching you off guard. They shift, they spike, they fall, they freeze—emotions are notorious for being unpredictable.

    We can put all our energy into controlling or suppressing them, trying to force them into a box. Or we can choose to observe them as they shift.

    As emotions rise and fall, I remind myself that managing them is a lot like observing the ice on Superior. I am both fearful of the fragile space they claim and in awe of their beauty and arrangement.

  • Lessons From The Northern Lights

    Photo by Shannon

    Capturing the Northern Lights has been a passion of mine for nearly a decade. It’s not only a challenging hobby but one that has fostered a deep appreciation for the sun and the science behind the aurora. The magic of the Northern Lights lies in the beauty brought forth from the sun’s volatile, ever-changing state.

    Did you know that when a solar event occurs, igniting the Northern Lights in our atmosphere, they can dance both day and night? Of course, we can only see their delicate movements when the sun sets and darkness takes over the sky.

    It’s in the darkness that we get to witness the breathtaking dance of molecules colliding and creating something extraordinary.

    Similarly, it was during my darkest hours that I found the beauty of my light. My volatile emotions had often confused and trapped me, leaving me feeling caged by my own feelings. But when I finally took the time to investigate and understand my outbursts and anguish, something shifted. My light was revealed.

    I discovered that I am an incredibly passionate person. My emotions, while big and sometimes overwhelming, have a purpose. Learning this about myself allowed me to uncover the best parts of who I am.

    If you find yourself surrounded by darkness and burdened by pain, take heart. Sometimes the hardest, most painful parts of yourself will become the very things you come to cherish the most. Just as the Northern Lights emerge from the chaos of the sun, your light will shine in its own time.

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  • Tunnel of Despair

    Digital Art by Shannon

    Tunnel of Despair
    This image captures the essence of despair while illuminating the light of hope that waits at the end of the tunnel. The contrast of darkness and light symbolizes the delicate dance between depression and hope—how even small sparks of validation, support, and resilience can begin to calm the storm within and guide us forward.

    The twists and swirls within the image represent life’s roller coaster of emotions—hard days and easier days blending together in an unpredictable journey. Though the darkness lingers, the light intertwines with it, showing that hope doesn’t mean erasing struggles but learning to live alongside them. It’s about nurturing the light while making space for the darkness, honoring both the struggles and the triumphs that shape us rather than define us.

    Recovery is not linear, and the pull to retreat into the safety of darkness can feel overwhelming. But with perseverance, time, skills, and support, the path forward becomes more manageable—and even joyful. A tiny spark of light, no matter how faint, can grow, transforming your journey one step at a time. The pride, warmth, and peace that come after navigating through despair are powerful and contagious. Keep walking toward the light, because thriving is always within reach.

  • Finding Calm Within

    Photo by Shannon

    Through the Lens: Finding Calm Within
    Amidst the noise and rush of life, this lotus bloom reminds me of the calm that exists within us all. Rising gently from still waters, it holds space for reflection—quietly inviting us to do the same.

    Gratitude works like this too. It creates moments to pause, to notice the beauty and strength that might otherwise go unseen. When we take a moment to reflect, we find space to breathe and reconnect with what truly matters.

    Today, I’m grateful for this reminder to embrace the stillness within and to see the light even in life’s murky waters. What moment of calm are you grateful for today?

  • Winter’s Whispers

    While out in the frozen tundra, I captured this scene over Lake Superior, overtaken by sea smoke. The entire area was shrouded in an eerie whiteout, with visibility severely limited—a hauntingly quiet and surreal landscape. At -20 degrees, the only sounds were the crunch of snow beneath my feet and the shifting ice on the lake.

    Amid this frozen stillness, I stumbled upon this hill formation with trees and rocks encased in layers of ice. What struck me most was the blue hue of the ice—a color that only forms when ice becomes dense over time. It made me think about endurance. These rocks and trees, coated in ice through countless storms and harsh conditions, became more beautiful as the ice thickened and deepened its color.

    It’s a reminder of how challenges, while difficult, can shape something resilient and stunning over time.

    What I love most about this image is the way the ice has taken on a blue hue, a natural phenomenon that adds an almost ethereal quality to the scene. Despite the torturous cold and slippery terrain, I’m grateful I ventured out that day. This capture, with its quiet strength and ethereal quality, has become one of my favorite winter images from the frozen northland.

  • Curious Discoveries

    Photo by Shannon

    This week’s Through the Lens piece captures a moment that intrigued me. I noticed several butterflies fluttering around and then landing on dirt. It piqued my curiosity because I had always thought butterflies get their nutrients solely from the nectar of flowers. After capturing several images, I continued to watch them for a while.

    It reminded me that nourishment can come from unexpected places. These creatures, usually associated with flowers, found sustenance in something I learned about called puddling—where butterflies absorb minerals from mud or dirt. It shows us that sustenance doesn’t have to come from the “pretty” places we expect.

    This moment reminded me how noticing can reveal the hidden potential in every moment. No matter where nutrients come from—whether from the beauty of flowers or the simplicity of dirt—they can all be transformed into something magnificent. To illustrate this, I edited the butterflies to have purple, galaxy wings, symbolizing how even the most unexpected sources of nourishment can lead to something beautiful and transformative.

    Reflection: What unexpected sources of nourishment or growth have you discovered in your own life?