If things were different ...

Different is a scary word. It forces us to consider alternatives and to think outside of the box. Today, I have started to think about how life would be if things were different.

Hear me right. I am not dissatisfied with my everyday life, my job, my friendships my interests or what I am passionate about.

I am merely trying to begin to explore what it means to make a difference.

I recently stumbled across the photographic work of GMB Akash. An amazing photographer working in the slums of India, intent on telling a story, his work provokes much food for thought ...

He quotes:

"Today, I count myself blessed, having become a photographer. To be able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless, to bring their identity to the forefront, gives meaning and purpose to my own life."

At first I struggled to post this image, taken by Akash. It made me feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because of the subject matter, even more uncomfortable that at the click of the mouse I could delete it from my web-browser, pretend I hadn't seen it, and try to brush under the carpet the terrible plight of those whose voices cannot be heard. As disturbing as the image is, it tells a story.

It is time for the stories of the voiceless to be heard ...