What does it mean to Bend but Not Break? In a world that can break us what keeps us going? Is it inner strength? Is it a refusal to let the light inside ourselves go out? Is it a belief in something greater than ourselves?

For me it is all those things. I have learned to bend a lot. I have learned to lean-in instead of run away. I carry a belief that I am guided by something greater than myself, that whatever gifts I have been given should be used for something bigger than myself.

The light through these trees reflect that inner space for me. These trees bent under the pressure of heavy snow on their base when they were very young. The consequence of that is that they survived under that pressure. They are stronger because of that pressure and now shine in their unique beauty. It is a wish of mine that we all persevere under the weight of our own struggles and end up shining in our own ways. These trees inspire me to keep doing that if I can.