Indian Paintbrush
I can confidently say I would not be who I am— both personally and professionally— had I not spent the first five years of my career and adult life post-academia in Wyoming. It was rugged, intense, lonely, beautiful, inspiring, challenging, spiritual, and a reminder that “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” does not always mean figuring out life’s problems on your own. Sometimes, this means asking for help, changing course, finding another path, believing you are worth investing in. It means never giving up.
What a testament to the idea of mental health— always invest in yourself; believe you are capable of more; do not let your story end on the hard days. I stand firm in the notion the individuals in my life who “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” the most are my clients. They have grit. They are determined. They show up every week, doing the hard work. They know they are worthy even when the noise telling them otherwise is loud. They know transformation exists. They don’t give up. They are the strongest people I know. They are, quite frankly, the people who inspire me most.
If you are in our office or on our website, you see glimpses of Wyoming through print and decoration— a subtle nod to the place which takes up so much space in my heart. Most frequently seen in office and on our website would be the Wyoming state flower— the Indian Paintbrush. While you will find Indian Paintbrush in all areas of Wyoming, legend and lore of the state flower hold profound meaning for Native American cultures. Legend of western Native American tribes link Indian Paintbrush to stories of creation, sacrifice, and creative expression. Other legends connect the plant to courage. A book I keep in the play therapy room, “The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush” by Peter Mortola, is a story shared with children in our sessions about a young boy who dreamed to create the most beautiful sunset through paint, yet could never seem to find the right color. He felt defeated. After being given a vision from a Great Spirit, the young boy was able to create his perfect painting. After creating his masterpiece, he scattered his paintbrush across the land, and from his paintbrush bloomed Indian Paintbrush to give the landscape the most beautiful color and reminder to never give up.
Symbolism of Indian Paintbrush transcends Native American tradition, taking on additional symbolic meaning in contemporary culture. Indian Paintbrush represents determination and ability to survive in harsh conditions and environments. Indian Paintbrush serves as a reminder and metaphor for vitality and transformation.
As you move through this Mental Health Awareness Month, I hope you never forget how capable you are. May you find reminders of your grit, determination, and transformative powers in your day. I hope you are met with opportunities to extend kindness to yourself and moments of reflection to remember how far you have come. May the spirit of Wyoming be with you— reminding you can ask for help. You can do hard things. You can transform through harsh conditions.
Stay Wild. Stay Curious. - Nolan