Following Your Heart

The more life I experience, the more I try to follow my heart. In the past, I’ve tended to trust my head with decision making, but it’s true that decisions made with the heart are equally valid. Perhaps even more so. Maybe a bit unpolished and raw, but there’s something more intrinsically ‘you’ about following your heart. In following your heart, you seem to make genuine progress towards reaching your dreams.

Changing career from civil servant to photographer is a major example of me following my heart. The need for change was – up to a point – forced on me, but it opened new opportunities and a different direction.

In a previous post about finding your passions, I wrote of some of my own passions. The more I follow my heart into photography, the more I develop my passions, and the more I fuel the inner fire which drives me. It can be challenging, which serves to motivate, or as a reminder to slow down at times.

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is a subject which I’m passionate about. Not everybody shares my perspective, or wants to live a vegan lifestyle. But I’m always happy to discuss my choices, if others express an interest. Observing animals, with or without a lens, is one of my preferred environments. In my ‘Windows to the Soul‘ project, I’ve worked on a set of images which aim to capture the depth of life within some of the animals which people use as resources. Some of the pictures were exhibited in London a couple of years ago, at the ‘Behind Closed Doors’ exhibition. This year, a selection of my ‘British Wildlife‘ photographs have been chosen for the LiberationArts Festival in Bristol.

The LiberationArts festival’s mission is to bring animal welfare together with art as a way of supporting, advancing and raising awareness of both. Running from 9-11 February at the Paintworks Event Space in Bristol, do drop in if you’re in the area. Entry is free.

Mental Health

Personal experience has contributed to my development as a mental health advocate. Whether as a Trustee for Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, a Time to Change Champion, or a photographer, I work to raise awareness. By encouraging people to think about mental health, I hope some of those who suffer silently will find the courage to seek help. Again, my personal project ‘Reflections of a Troubled Mind‘ is very much a labour of love.

A number of pieces from the project will be shown at the inaugural Swindon Wellbeing and Arts Festival. Launching on 9 February, and running at selected venues around the town, the festival aims to raise awareness of mental health, and work towards breaking down stigma.

The festival runs for a week, with events and exhibits at locations around the town. A range of workshops offering activities for all ages are running at several venues. Sample events, or take in the art …. there is something for everybody.

Thank you, as always, for reading. Whatever you do in life, do it mindfully. Follow your heart, and find your passions. In doing so, breathe life into your dreams.