"fortitude"
oil on canvas
2025

This will be on display at Library Arts Center, Newport NH until April 3rd, 2025

Hiking is one of my main mental health strategies. When folks say the "mountains call to me", it's more that my body and mind yearn for the lessons and release of hiking the mountains. If there's a CPT exercise, I can relate it to hiking. I call the mountains my church. I've probably done more emdr on myself in the mountains than the two years with my therapist.

Hard mental work, is also hard bodily work. To get through we must have fortitude, a sense of momentum, but also we need to be prepared to pace ourselves, and not stop. There will be steep climbs, lots of drama, and periods where you just aren't completely sure you'll get through. There's always a moment of respite between these periods, and if we simply look around we can always find beauty around us even in the midst of our sadness or efforts.