CREATORS: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF VOICE
MORGAN ZELMER
Yoga Teacher • Artist • Naturalist
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
When did you first sense your power and how has that carried through your life?
I first sensed my power sitting on the sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan when I was 18 years old. I was in a very dark, depressive state addicted to self-destruction and pain. I was a product of the culture I grew up in, the people I surrounded myself with, the drugs and alcohol influencing my behavior. I had no idea who I actually was. Around this time, I was urged from my art teacher and my creative writing teacher to express my pain. To write about it. To read. To make art with the feelings. This freed up space internally for me to actually sense myself, the self that was nestled silently and spaciously within the midst of the chaos. Sitting up on that dune watching the sun set over the vast water taught me to merge with the spaciousness of the sky, the fluid grace of the water, and the radiant power of the sun. It reflected the depth of my own power which I carry with me always, illuminating it with my daily practices and outlets of creative expression.
What is your why?
My why is a force that bubbles from deep within me, informing my actions and inspiring my movement in the world. It is a force that longs to accentuate the beauty of the natural world and the creative energy thriving in every moment. My why is informed by the need for harmony with nature, rather than manipulation of it for selfish greed. I believe that we can become closer to nature by eating fresh food that grows in the earth, by spending time outside truly appreciating the beauty all around us, and by doing the work to unravel the ideas implanted into us that don’t resonate with our natural, inner truths.
Where do you find hope at this moment in history?
I find hope in this moment in history by creating hope for myself and the people around me. When there is so much fear and division screaming from all sides, I have to remain grounded in my power and constantly remind myself of what is worth continuing for. Nature is skilled in the art of death and rebirth - of chaos and order - creation and destruction. When the patterns of nature are observed, a sense of contentment & understanding is imparted. I believe that we can’t always stay comfortable in our perfectly up-kept bubbles. Sometimes the sharp thorns of the world pop it and invite us to grow into our next phase.