Sunlight, forests and oceans are gifts for living life, making human connection and exploring the vibrance of Earth’s beauty. I play and exercise outside whenever I can. It lifts my spirit and makes me feel connected to nature, family, friends. It boosts creativity, sparks joy and heals.
If I’m feeling down or tired, a hike in the woods, listening to the ocean or feeling the sun warm my skin does wonders. Playing in nature revives mind, energy, calms my being and brightens the day. Six words tell my truth.
Running through forest oxygen for soul.
“Forest run” Photo by Natalie J. McMillan.
Splash of puddles walking in rain.
“Rain walk” Photo by MC.
Sunlight on skin in dancer’s pose.
“Sunlight on skin” Photo by Natalie McMillan.
Swimming cold seas makes skin tingle.
“Ocean friends” Photo by MC.
Sound of snow crunching beneath feet.
“Snow steps” Photo by MC.
Climbing up mountains toughens me up.
“Hiking Stawamus Chief”
Wind kisses cheeks as I pedal.
“Cycling the river, 2005” Photo by Jason Skelton.
To make a comment or to contact the writer, please visit the
"About the Writer" page or leave a comment below.
Sometimes an urge overcomes me and I want to play the way children do instinctively; without holding myself back. I’m tempted to act, but don’t because of fear, nerves or risk of embarrassment. Sometimes, I free my spirit and go with my gut. Six words tell my truth.
“Bif Naked, live 2005” Photo by MC.
Sing out loud like a rockstar.
Cry out loud until body trembles.
Laugh until I pee my pants.
“Sunshine through forest…scream, run, dance” Photo by MC.
Scream out loud to the forest.
Run free, fast until I’m breathless.
Dance the way my soul dares.
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer
(Featured photo: “Balancing on Rock”, Photo by Natalie McMillan)
To make a comment or to contact the writer, please visit the
"About the Writer" page or leave a comment below.
We asked British Columbians how the C-word affects their lives – the beauty, truth, humour and ugliness. Here’s what they said in six words and more.
A visual story album of how the “C word” has affected our lives in British Columbia. From photographs, artwork, graffiti, personal 6-word stories written from adult perspectives, 6-word news glimpses and community snapshots to document uncertain times.
It takes thoughtful effort, collaboration and imagination to create a project like this. We may have different lifestyles, beliefs and perspectives but we all have stories to tell.
Just like the feature photo story, “Finally time to take our time”, I ask that you please take a reflective moment to read each and every six word story of this projectand discover the meaning behind each one.
This is what we saw through our Corona-coloured eyeglasses in our beautiful province of British Columbia, Canada.
Our album opens with Part 1: Six Word Stories with Photographs or Artwork written, created and submitted by adult volunteers of this project.
The feature photograph of this project(black & white photo of girl blowing dandelion puff ball) :“Finally time to take our time.” and the above six 6-word stories were written and photographed by Claudia Ho Lem.
“Peace in the garden; waiting, remembering.” Story & painting created by L.W.
“My eternal love for our elderly.” Story & photo by k.m.
“I just want to hug her.” Story & photo (of Carol’s mother) by Carol Carter.
“Celebrating from afar on joyous occasions.” (on missing the ability to celebrate in person with the whole family) Story & photo by Bruna Lazzano.
“Inner lives blossom. Lives are close.” Story & photo by Mia Logie.
“Good snatched away, hope will triumph.” Story & photo by Gerry O’day.
“Newfound respect for full time parents.” Story & photo by Jeff Winskell.
“Realizing you’re out of toilet paper.” Story & photo by Natalie McMillan.
“Sometimes cheerfulness shows in unexpected places.” Story & photo by Jenny Morgan.
“Retreat, Rethink, Resign, Reset, Rejuvenate, Reverie.” Story & photo by David Geary.
“Just happy to be getting out.” Story & photo by Steve Bush.
“Let the outdoor games begin!” “Done!” Story & photos by Victoria.
“No panic. We are here. Now.” Story & photo by Jim Derricott.
“Peace and freedom without Covid 19.” Story & photo by JB.
“Wife’s first haircut? Husband: guinea pig.” Story & photo by Dolores.
“This s**t has driven me to…” Story & artwork by P.B.”
“Covid pictures instead of rainbow pictures!” A mother’s perspective on the subject of her daughter’s recent drawings (depicting the corona virus). Story & artwork, Anonymous.
“Feel great when the body moves.” By Erina.
“Wishing to the star…seeing friends.” Ryo found the first star of the evening and immediately wished upon it to see his friends. Story & photo by Erina.
Above four 6-word stories written by Shaya Sy-Rantfors.
Above story & photo by Shaya Sy-Rantfors.
“No work – more time to garden.” Story and photo by Nancy.
“Utter satisfaction – growing my own food.” Story & photo by Jenny Morgan.
“They painted the hearts upside down.” Story & photo by @captphilevans.
“Vision becomes reality – functional, natural art.” Story and table created by Kristen Buckley. Photo by A.B. (Yes, she made this table. It’s an old growth fir sourced from a timber furniture design business in Squamish, designed from a raw slab that started with bark and all! Legs sourced from Ontario and then the slab was sanded and finished with love.)
“A minefield of gratitude and resentment.” Story & photo by CSP.
“Mama. Yes. Mama. Yes. Mama. Yeeeeeeesssss.” Story & photo by Susan Little.
“Hugs overpowering uncertainty, fear and sadness. “ Story & photo by Judith Reyes Metcalfe.
“My loves, delicate balance, life continues.”Story & photo by Anna Parkes.
“Time erases memories. Memories erase time.” Story & photo by Susan Little.
“From chaos, freedom emerges, commute-free.” Story & photo by Susan Smith Alexander.
“Faith in God is believer’s shield.” Story by Agnes Dalisay. Photo by Sophia Stewart featuring her sister, Raquel Stewart.
“Quarantine yoga. It keeps me grounded.” Story by Christine B. Photo by C.B.
“Finding my sunshine inside and out.” Story by Mary Chang.
Next is Part 2 of our album (during PHASE 1): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed around our community.
“Playground.” Photo by Shaya Sy-Rantfors.“Sidewalk.” Photo by P.B.
“Handmade.” Photos by C.B. & J.M.
Next is Part 2 (continued) of our album (during PHASE 2): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed in our community.
Photo by Cecilia Graber Larrea.Photo by KS. Inspired by W.C.
Photo by Natalie McMillan.
“Beauty, truth, humour, ugliness, nature, art.” Story & photo by M.C. (graffiti artist unknown)
Next is Part 2 (continued) of our album (during PHASE 3): Photographs documenting what we’ve noticed in our community.
Alcohol allowed in some outdoor spaces.
Store bought face masks on shelf.“Handmade masks on a trusty Pfaff” Submitted by Christine B.
“A smile goes a long way” Submitted by Chrissy Chequer.Face masks become mandatory on Transit. (Aug 24/20)
Face masks mandatory on BC Ferries (Aug 24/20) Photo by J. R-M.“Seabus Owl” wears a mask too!“Bye Corona” Two words everyone is hoping for… Photo by MC, artwork unknown.
Lastly, Part 3 of our Album: List of British Columbia and Lower Mainland Highlights During Pandemic, in 6 Word Points:
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau
36th Premier of BC, John Horgan
Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia PHO
Dr. Teresa Tam, Canada Chief PHO
Adrian Dix, BC Minister of Health
Nigel Howard, sign language hero
First death Lynn Valley Care Home (March 9, first death in Canada)
All British Columbia Public Schools Close (March 17)
Community centres, libraries, non-essential services close (March/April)
Spring camps, extra-curricular activities cancelled (March)
Playgrounds, skateboard parks, ski mountains close (March)
Some parks, trails, parking lots close (March)
Beaches, most parks, trails remain open (March)
Restaurants offer take away service only (March/April)
Dental practices offer emergency dental only (March)
Long hair due to salon closures
Social distancing, hand washing, face masks (March)
How Coronavirus took Lynn Valley article (Globe & Mail, March 21)
Local distilleries make free hand sanitizer (March)
Pots, pans, applause at 7pm nightly (for health care workers, March)
“Growing up in Quarantineland” by Margaret Atwood (Globe & Mail, March 28)
Bonnie Henry & Theresa Tam Art Mural (March)
Free online education, fitness, mental health etc (March)
Trudeau sends a message through Lego (April)
Homeschooling begins online with public schools (mid-April)
Parents f*cking hate trying to homeschool (ongoing)
Parents appreciate teachers more than ever (ongoing)
Dr. Bonnie Henry’s John Fluevog shoes (April)
White Caps face-masks to save Aquarium (April)
Government Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Income Tax filing deadline extended June 1
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) support
Rent, mortgage, student loan financial support
Restrictions ease Victoria Day May weekend
Phase 1 ends May 18 Victoria Day (See Phase 1, BC’s Restart Plan)
Family, friendships and love relationships deliver love, heartbreak, happiness, sorrow, conflict and understanding. If I reflect on the past, sometimes I understand the meaning behind my struggles and challenges I face today, knowing those relationships form a part of who I am, but do not define me.
If I embrace the present, I possess the choice to make a positive change or slip back and trigger the anxiety of yesterday by reliving it along with any guilt, shame or anger I experienced during those moments or relationships. Most days I make the brighter choice; the anxiety doesn’t disappear but my perspective shifts and gives me hope. Six words tell my truth.
Opening space within myself for love.
Change initiates from self, not others.
Peace finds way through common ground.
“Olive branch of love” (artist unknown) Photo by MC.
Reconnecting without judgment of past wrongdoings.
Forgiving self and others for failing.
Light at end of the tunnel.
“Finding light.” Photo by MC.
Reuniting families brings hope to soul.
Relationships blossom when our hearts connect.
Holding hands together as a unity.
“United” Photo by MC.
Feature photo: “LOVE. It’s all you need.” 2007, sand artist unknown. Photo by MC.
This is a story of how I reconnected with my 1979 elementary school teacher after four decades. It describes the emotional connection that transpires between a student and teacher and how it empowers a child to believe in herself, nurture her creativity and follow her dreams into adulthood.
“Reconnecting with my 1979 Grade 3 Teacher, Lindsay Watson”is now published in Teacher Magazine, Jan/Feb 2020 issue. It’s dedicated to L.W. with a nod to the students of Ms Watson’s classroom.
If you would like to make a comment about the story “Reconnecting with my Grade 3 Teacher, Lindsay Watson”, please submit it under the “About the Writer” page. You may also send a Letter to the Editor at Teacher Magazine at: teachermag@bctf.ca.
“Words a writer loves to hear”: Handmade and received from L.W. after she read my story, February 2020
“Beauty, truth, humour, ugliness, nature, art.”
