DAY 4: THE STORY OF YOU

Today we're exploring tell your story, your body's story. Let's get inspired by one part of our bodies and tell their story, focusing on a part of your body you can invite in compassion towards through this story. You might use some of these suggestions or create your own. Let some of those stories of you spill out onto this page and into your photo today.

THESE FEET HAVE TAKEN ME...

THESE ARMS HAVE HELD...

THIS BELLY HAS NOURISHED...

THESE HANDS HAVE CREATED...

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN...

THESE EARS HAVE HEARD...

June 4, 2022: THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the smile of the cutest redhead, that day in grade 8 when I stumbled to ask her to the high school dance outside of the row of maroon red lockers that stood outside of our shop class.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the naked skin of my high school friend as we stood underneath moonlight and next to two tall Douglas Fir trees that stretched towards the night sky in the side yard of my parent’s place: nervously wanting each other but not knowing what to do, or even where to start. We didn’t kiss, but my eyes have seen his short brown hair as we lay in the grass spooning, my lips tasting the soft skin of his neck behind his ears.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the long black hair that flowed down onto one of my pillows as we stared into each other’s souls, our bodies laying together so close that it felt we were one body, laying ever so still, locked forever in the present moment. She laid down the rules: no kissing, no touching her breasts, and definitely not her other area. But we still held each other ever so closely, and I remember the touch of our foreheads as our breathing grew deeper with each passing June 4, 2022: THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the smile of the cutest redhead, that day in grade 8 when I stumbled to ask her to the high school dance outside of the row of maroon red lockers that stood outside of our shop class.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the naked skin of my high school friend as we stood underneath moonlight and next to two tall Douglas Fir trees that stretched towards the night sky in the side yard of my parent’s place: nervously wanting each other but not knowing what to do, or even where to start. We didn’t kiss, but my eyes have seen his short brown hair as we lay in the grass spooning, my lips tasting the soft skin of his neck behind his ears.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the long black hair that flowed down onto one of my pillows as we stared into each other’s souls, our bodies laying together so close that it felt we were one body, laying ever so still, locked forever in the present moment. She laid down the rules: no kissing, no touching her breasts, and definitely not her other area. But we still held each other ever so closely, and I remember the touch of our foreheads as our breathing grew deeper with each passing minute.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the messages over yahoo chat between myself and a cute brown haired girl, as we got to know each other one spring almost twenty years ago. These eyes have seen my finger nervously press her doorbell as I arrived to pick her up for a date. And these eyes have seen her eyes as we shared my first real deeply heartfelt kiss of passion with a woman who took my breath away.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the distance and disappointment in the expression of a woman who I meant everything to, but whom I couldn’t love back because I didn’t even know how to love myself.

THESE EYES HAVE SEEN the smile of the most beautiful brown haired girl as she smiled and waved at me, before making a heart shape with both her hands that she held over her heart, all the while never unlocking her gaze from mine.

These are just a few of the more intimate moments that I’ll never forget, with people I’ll always hold dear in my heart and soul, even if I’m never with anybody ever again.

155/365.

This photo was originally posted on Instagram and Flickr.

Today’s photo prompt and reflective journaling questions for today was a part of the BE YOUR OWN BELOVED photo workshop challenge which is run several times throughout the year by photographer VIVIENNE McMASTER. It’s well worth signing up for, and doing alongside other participants.

#beyourownbeloved💖 #depressionhelp #depressionawareness #startingover #selflove #selflovejourney #selflove #dailyselfie #dailywriting #subvertedselfies #subvertedselfie #art #photography #sad #depressed