Russell Moas

Yes, I am a healer
For a healer is one who alchemizes past pain
Into purpose, beauty and meaning

Yes, I am a dreamer
For a dreamer is one who envisions
New ways of living, doing and being

Yes, I am a creator
For a creator is one who births into reality
That which was previously unseen

Yes, I am a builder
For a builder is one who takes the ruins and remains
Of what has crumbled in their life
And uses them to construct a tower with strong foundations that is more beautiful and powerful than before

Yes, I am a warrior
For a warrior is one
Who wears their battle scars as a badge of honour

Yes, I am a dancer
For a dancer is one who moves gracefully in tandem
With the rhythms of life

Yes, I am a student
For a student is one whose classroom is life
And may learn and extract wisdom
From everyone surrounding them

Yes, I am a storyteller
For a storyteller is one who takes the events of their life
And chooses to carefully narrate them according to them

Yes, I am a composer
For a composer is one who carefully orchestrates the music of their life
In an arrangement that is pleasing and uplifting to them

Yes, I am an artist
For an artist is one
Whose life and identity
Are works of their own creation

Yes, I am a child
For a child is one filled with wonder
Who sees the world through fresh eyes

Yes, I am a mother
For a mother is one who cares for and nurtures
Both others and themselves

Yes, I am an individual
For an individual is one who marches to the beat of their own drum
And competes with no one

Yes, I am a fighter
For a fighter is one who refuses to surrender to the darkness
Understanding that they themselves are the light

Yes, I am a recoverer
For a recoverer is one who has cast a light on their shadows and struggles,
Illuminating the path forward

Yes, I am a survivor
For a survivor is one
Who has successfully navigated through the storms of life
And re-emerged stronger and more capable than before

Yes, I am a forgiver
For a forgiver is one
Who releases all that lies beyond their control
And travels through life
Free, light and unburdened

Yes, I am a human
For a human is one who has made peace with their past
And themselves
And has accepted their flaws and insecurities
While not allowing them to limit or define them

And yes, I am a lover
For love is the essence of who I am.

Words by Tahlia Hunter

Artwork by the very talented Loui Jover

I was afraid of being alone
Until I learned to treasure my own company

I was afraid of being viewed as strange
Until I learned to embrace my authenticity

I was afraid of being met with disapproval
Until I learned to no longer require permission from others
To take action that was in alignment with my greatest goals and dreams

I was afraid of being ignored and unvalued
Until I learned that the path toward significance was an internal one
That was paved by me

I was afraid of being seen as unsuccessful
Until I learned that success was something only I could define for myself
And occurred naturally as a result of me living a life founded upon love
That was true to me

I was afraid of experiencing failure
Until I realised
That the only true form of failure
Was never daring to try anything
Or pursue a goal or dream

I was afraid of my success threatening others
Until I realised
That it was a source of inspiration
For those dedicated to bettering themselves and their lives
And committed to their own ambitions and dreams

I was afraid of my negative thoughts
Until I realised that they were within my power to change
As I was the master of my own reality

I was afraid of being honest with myself
Until I realised the truth was what set me free

I was afraid of future challenges
Until I recognised the mountains I’d already climbed
The struggles I’d already overcome
The battles I’d already won
And the enormous strength that existed within me

I was afraid of all that lay ahead of me
Until I realised that the power to change my future at any point in time
Lay within me

I was afraid of death
Until I realised it was simply a transition into another dimension and reality

I was afraid of fear
Until I realised
It was simply an illusion
And something to be felt and let go of non-judgementally
Rather than resisted or experienced shamefully

I was afraid of love
Until I realised
That it was the absence of all fear
And no pain could stem from it
When it was rooted in a place of unconditionality

I was afraid of being mocked or scoffed at
Until I learned not to take myself too seriously

I was afraid of being seen as inferior by others
Until I learned to embrace the sacred art of humility

I was afraid of getting older
Until I learned to define my worth
Not by my youth
But by the evolution of my soul
And the attainment of precious lessons, experiences and memories

And I was afraid of myself
Until I learned to make peace with my shadow
So that my light could shine through it in all of its beauty and glory.

Words by Tahlia Hunter

Artwork by the very talented Loui Jover

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
— Mark Twain