Dated: 19 May 2018

Sometimes something happens and it just needs to be shared with others, this is one of those stories. If it helps a few of you to get off your arses and just do something its worth sharing………………..

CHRISTINES STORY……..

I decided to share a very special story which happened a few years ago now on one of my Lake Eyre workshops. A lady by the name of Christine booked in and turned up and I quickly worked out she was lacking confidence and had so much self-doubt but more than that she was sad and I sensed it straight away. I had no idea of Christine’s background but I knew something was up. Sometimes on these trips I am more than just a teacher or guide I become a councillor and a friend and I take on what others are feeling as I tend to be very sensitive believe it or not if you have met me I am a very strong woman but I have another side very few see. 

As the trip went on and we started talking I will never forget the conversation in the car when she told me she had recently lost her husband who died very suddenly and they had been married for over 20 years probably closer to 30 years I cant quite remember but I just remember thinking how devastating it would be to have a partner for that long, be so reliant on them and then loose them. This conversation delved into her being very reliant on her husband for most things over the years and now he was gone.

I asked her what bought her out here to Marree and she told me life was to short and the shock of her husband passing away had motivated her to live life to the fullest so she was motivated by my story and wanted to come out to see me and the area. This was a big deal for her I could feel that. She had never been anywhere without her husband, never been to the outback, never been camping, never been so lonely.

She drove herself greif stricken from Victoria to Marree to see me, that in itself is bloody inspiring to me. When she told me this as we were driving back in from a morning shoot and there was so much self doubt going on, I simply turned to her and said just look at what you have done you booked a workshop, you got in your car and drove all the way here to Marree, your better than you think you are. And with that she started crying and said thankyou so much and I was trying to hold back my tears also, and I meant every word I said. This was a special moment for both of us. It was the start of her journey and I was part of that.

Christine has come a long way since then, she has been been back out here again with a presence that is undeniable and full of confidence and positive vibes. From someone who was petrified of coming through the Quorn pass to someone who now has been camping and travelling all over outback Queensland and the Flinders on her own. She took a leap of faith and didn’t let fear rule her life like so many of us do in so many ways. She says I inspired here but it’s the other way round for me. The other thing I want to mention is her adult sons who not only encouraged her to get out amongst it but helped her get set up properly and safely so she could start travelling and seeing some of Australia. Bloody legends in my mind.

So many people especially men would have said you can’t do that or your crazy and we let them do it!!! But this is a whole other write up for another time. Below is a short statement from Christine to me, which was on my facebook timline as we have been friends for a few years and this has prompted me to write this now as I think its time to share.

FROM CHRISTINE

This lady took me to some amazing places and gave me some extraordinary experiences and taught me some phenomenal photographic tips, but best of all she helped me to see what was hiding inside of me and encouraged me to find the courage to dig deep and release it!
Thanks Julie – I am so glad we met!