Peer Reflections

Nurturing Wellness through Creativity and Compassion

Tag: through the lens

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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?