“Be gentle with yourself.”

That’s what the counselor said to me as I choked back heaving sobs and lifted the damp tissue to my eyes to wipe away the heavy tears that had been threatening to fall for the 2 months since we lost her.

The week she died I thought the well had run dry of tears and that I’d be able to return to my regularly scheduled life—stoic and unfaltering.

I thought wrong. I was more like a iceberg, slowly melting and breaking off in tiny pieces until I fully cracked under the pressure of dealing with what had happened.

I birthed our much-wanted, much-loved, much-wished-for first daughter when I was 20 weeks pregnant, and she died before even seeing the light of day. I never looked into her eyes. I never saw her face. I never held her in my arms. I never gave her kisses and told her how very much I loved her.

“Be gentle with yourself,” she said. “Be kind.”

In therapy I discovered just how healing art was for my soul: more specifically, photography. My camera became my muse. If my body was incapable of creating new life, I’d rediscover life behind the lens instead.

My camera gave me a place where I could hide, a place to process my emotions, a place to be gentle on my soul, a place to re-discover beauty in my broken world, and a place to reflect on who I was and who I’d become since losing her.

“Be gentle with yourself,” she said. “Be kind. Become a beacon of light.”

Photography is now my beautiful, golden, sweet escape. It nourishes my mind, body and soul. And I know it can do the same for you, too. Cameras come in all shapes and sizes these days. From the powerful, tiny little lenses hidden inside our cell phones, to the robust, intricate workings of a larger DSLR, your camera is ready and waiting to take you on an incredible journey.

It’s no accident that cameras thrive on light. Seek out that light and use it to capture beauty. No matter how big or how small, there is always magnificence to be documented in your world. From your morning cup of coffee, to the love of family, your favorite pair of shoes, or the lovely flowers in bloom in your backyard, there is gratitude to be had and a photo opportunity to be seized.

“Be gentle with yourself. Be kind. Become a beacon of light. Radiate.”

Our first daughter, Bella Rose, taught me many things, but most of all she taught me to appreciate what I have, to take care of myself by documenting life’s many blessings, and to teach others that they are infinitely capable of doing the same. By focusing our energies on light, mindfully choosing gratitude, and capturing moments of beauty, we truly can radiate happiness, hope, and love.

Giveaway Alert!

Today Beryl offering one lucky KOM reader a spot in her summer e-course: Radiate. This online photography experience is designed to incorporate YOU time into the hustle and bustle of daily life and while breaking down the complicated world of photography editing using FREE online software. To enter, simply leave a comment below describing why you would love to be a part of the Radiate e-course, along with your email address. Giveaway will close on Monday, May 28th, the winner will be chosen at random & contacted then! Thank you to all who enter, good luck & love!

Beryl Ayn Young, serves as chief photography muse over on her personal blog and serves as teacher of photography courses aimed at nourishing the mind, body, and soul. She believes feeding the spirit with lifelong learning, photographic healing, & a glass half full perspective. Beryl leads classes and offers mentoring aimed at teaching you how to improve your camera skills and cherish life’s journey. Come discover how photography + self exploration + editing techniques = a radiant new YOU during her upcoming photography e-course, Radiate, launching June 2012.