The Phoenix

Rising from the Ashes: Why I Chose the Phoenix

Growing up all over Canada, I was fortunate to be exposed to many different cultures, each with their own stories, legends, and ways of seeing the world. But one story in particular has stayed with me throughout my life: the legend of the phoenix.

This ancient symbol, found across cultures and eras, appears in music, literature, and even children’s shows. Though details vary from one tradition to another, the heart of the tale remains the same. The phoenix rises from its own ashes, reborn through fire.

Why the Phoenix Speaks to Me

For me, the phoenix isn’t just a symbol. It’s personal.

Without diving into all the details, I’ll say this: my early life was filled with hardship. My family faced poverty, poor living conditions, and the weight of both physical and mental health struggles. One parent battled addiction. The other carried deep trauma. As the eldest child, I stepped into a parenting role far too young.

The flames of my past, including emotional neglect, instability, and being forced to grow up fast, shaped me. But they didn’t break me. Like the phoenix, I came through the fire scarred but not destroyed. I rose from it, determined to become something stronger, more self-aware, and in service to others.

Witnessing Others Rise

In my professional life as a therapist and social worker, I have had the privilege of witnessing many others walk through their own fire.

I have seen individuals and communities overcome trauma, abuse, addiction, grief, and systemic oppression. I have also seen them come out on the other side not just surviving but leading, inspiring, and healing. These people didn’t let their wounds define them. They used them to forge something powerful and true.

They were tested by fire. And they rose.

The Meaning Behind the Colours

The phoenix you see in my logo isn’t just a design. The red-orange hues were chosen intentionally. They reflect the fiery transformation of the phoenix and echo the beauty of autumn, a season of change, reflection, and letting go.

The colours also represent my roots. I identify as Métis, and I have always understood that my father was of Mohawk descent. My Indigenous heritage has shaped my worldview, my values, and the way I show up for others. The phoenix, for me, is a symbol of personal and cultural resilience. It reflects the power of story to guide healing.

A Final Reflection

The story of the phoenix reminds us that we all carry flames. These are the moments that burn, challenge, and leave scars. But those flames do not have to define us. We can choose how we rise. We can use our pain as fuel, our story as power, and our truth as a path forward.

That journey takes work. It takes honesty, accountability, and a willingness to forgive ourselves and others. It requires us to stop waiting for someone else to heal us and instead step forward with courage, knowing we can come through the fire.

You Can Rise Too

If you are walking through flames right now, or standing in the ashes of something you thought would never burn down, know this: you are not alone. Healing is possible. Rebirth is possible.

And like the phoenix, you can rise.