What do you do with all the photos you take of your children, your trips, your pets? If you are like most you probably have at least 1000 photos in your phone’s camera roll and no one sees them unless you post them. I on the other hand, make photo books. Many photo books. Give them as gifts, of my trips and special events and even for others for their special events.

My photo books are an extension of my storytelling through the photos. When I am anywhere now I am always looking for a photo that will be a spark to a story or add to a page in my books.

On a trip to Cleveland a few years ago it was recommended to me to make a stop at the West Side Market, which we did. While not as old as Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Market (1803), West Side’s history dates back over 100 years to 1912. In 2008, the West Side Market was designated as one of “10 Great Public Places in America,” by the American Planning Association and continues to offer an authentic and culturally diverse shopping experience.

As we walked from the parking lot to the market entrance I noticed this wall that was on the exterior of the store adjacent to the building.

Of course it caught my eye and I had to walk over and start to read all the amazing things that people posted on this wall.

Before I die, I want to:

Lots of travel related dreams: See the world, climb Machu Pichu, Go to Japan, go to space. skydive, swim with a humpback whale, go to Barcelona.

I noticed a lot of personal thoughts as well, which was interesting. When people are anonymous they can be more honest with their thoughts: Marry my best friend, marry three men, have a family, abolish the patriarchy, stop racism, be the best I can be.

Be the best I can be. Sounds like some great advice. Every day we open our eyes, we have a blank page to write in the book of our lives. We are the authors of the book, and the narrative we choose is ours alone.

I might even suggest that rather than being the best you can be, that perhaps the goal is to aim to be better than the best you can be. That way you always have something to strive for.

The stories are there, you never have to look very far.

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