A collection of poems I made and random notes in my gallery, in no particular orderđź’•
Dear Self,
I am proud of you ~ there.
I'm sorry for holding out on you all these years. For being your harshest critic. I'm sorry.
I am proud of you - you have come a long way to be where you are right now.
I know. I know that you'd disagree and you'll tell me one hundred and one ways how you're "not good enough" or that you are "so far from where you'd want to be at this point in time". And all these mega-expectations have driven you to be so hard on yourself, when in fact you have lots of things you should go celebrate.
You have had lots of victories over the years - small and huge wins. Just because you think these are not leading you to "where you should be" does not mean you don't get to be grateful about them, you know. I know you know that but you are just stubborn and prideful.
Look ~ plain and simple: I am proud of you, of us. You have carried us through the highs and lows and have been resilient ever since. You forgot to give yourself credit where credit it due, and this time, it's you. Remember that time when you gave up and thought there was no way you can get through that Big Trial? But see ~ you made it through, may not be unscathed, but still, you got out.
And the series of challenge after challenge and you have managed to get through each, every single time. Every. Single. Time.
Dear self: I am the proudest. Of you. How far you have come. Your strength is a pillar. Your courage, a sword. Your hope, a light. Your love, the brightest star.
The world is a much, much better place with you in it. I love you, self. Continue to rock the world and knock em out their socks.
"i want to be your etcetera"
Not just "etcetera"
But yours. Your etcetera.
Remember how you always end
things with this word
Almost every time that it
Bothers me, because it's
Redundant. it seems crazy you
Like repeating words in
Sentences but you never
Said "I love you" again
In three years. Since you love
This word, then I want to be
Your
Etcetera.
I love how this word just goes
On, without stopping. That is how
I feel about you. My love
For you never ends. I am hoping
You could return the favour
By being your
Etcetera.
(This Reflections note is a favorite from the archive — enjoy!)
This week, I want to share some wisdom from one of my favorite, if unexpected, modern philosophers — the rock star and writer Andrew W.K. In 2015 a reader of his popular column in The Village Voice asked Andrew “How do you figure out what your passion is?”
Andrew’s response struck a chord with me. It centered on the idea of living fully and allowing space for our passions to reveal themselves in the process.
“One’s true purpose in life is not always something that can be decided upon, discovered through personal introspection, or encountered while following one’s tastes and preferences. It sometimes seems to be brought out by some sort of universal need: A person suddenly finds him- or herself called upon to do something extremely important, and instantly, everything surges in that direction.”
He continues (and here is my favorite part):
“The greatest work is the tireless effort to understand and be worthy of one’s life. When it comes to everything else, just give yourself a break. Work to make yourself as strong, and as good, and as available to the world as you can, so that when destiny calls, you’ll be ready, willing, and able to answer it. Be passionate about having this chance to live, and everything else will reveal itself to you at the perfect time.”
Andrew W.K., 2015
here is a poem (?) i wrote:
"the sea reminds me to hold my
peace. amidst the billowing winds. the
harsh edges of the waves. typhoon
brewing its eye somewhere in the
middle. the rage from within the
mouth of the sea monster devour
your thoughts as if you cannot
control them. there is peace. there.
find it within yourself. do not
look farther nor further. it is
there."
Resilience with a Smile: Embracing Life's Challenges with Humor and Heart
"Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." – Charles R. Swindoll
Life, as I've come to understand it, is a series of unpredictable events. Some are joyous, others, not so much. But what I've realized is that it's not just about enduring these moments; it's about bouncing back from them. Resilience, to me, isn't just a buzzword; it's a lifeline. I've faced my fair share of setbacks, from career disappointments to personal losses. Each time, I found myself at a crossroads: succumb to despair or rise with a renewed spirit. I chose the latter, time and again.
In the midst of adversity, I discovered an unlikely ally: humor. The ability to laugh in the face of trouble isn't about denying the pain; it's about confronting it with a different lens. I remember once, during a particularly tough phase, finding something absurdly funny about my situation. That moment of laughter didn't change the facts, but it changed me. It lightened my burden and gave me a fresh perspective to tackle my problems.
I've often been asked how I remain optimistic. The truth is, optimism isn't a trait you're born with; it's a choice you make, every day. Each time I faced a setback, I had two options: let it define me or defy it. I chose to defy. By viewing each challenge as a hurdle rather than a blockade, I cultivated an optimistic mindset that turned potential defeats into opportunities for growth.
In life's crossroads of challenges, choose the path of resilience and humor; your strength and optimism are your guiding lights.
How we view our circumstances significantly influences our experience of them. In moments of hardship, when despair seemed like the only option, I chose to focus on hope and laughter. This shift in perspective didn't just alter my view of the challenges; it transformed my entire experience of them. Suddenly, what seemed like insurmountable obstacles became manageable, even conquerable.
Embracing resilience doesn't mean denying your vulnerability. In fact, acknowledging my moments of weakness has been integral to my strength. Yes, there were times when I felt overwhelmed and hurt. But in those moments, I reminded myself that choosing positivity was not just an act of defiance but also an act of courage. It was about finding strength in the face of vulnerability.
My journey through life's ups and downs hasn't just been about me. As a parent, I became acutely aware of how my reactions to challenges could impact those around me, especially my children. I chose laughter and optimism, not just as a personal mantra but as a legacy I wanted to pass on. This choice created a positive ripple effect, shaping a more hopeful and resilient environment for my family.
Looking back, I see a list of experiences, each colored with its own shade of resilience. This journey wasn't just about surviving; it was about thriving. By choosing humor and hope, I didn't just navigate through life's unpredictability; I danced through it. It's a dance I invite everyone to join, not as a spectator, but as an active participant in creating a life defined not by what happens to us, but by how we respond to it.
Imagine yourself as a resilient warrior in the arena of life, where challenges are relentless. Each obstacle, each setback you encounter, is not just a hurdle, but a stepping stone to your greater self. Yes, life can be tough, unpredictable, and sometimes unfair. But remember, within you lies an incredible power – the power of resilience. It's that indomitable spirit that helps you rise, each time you fall. Think of the times you've overcome difficulties before. You did it then, and you can do it now. Believe in that strength, for it is as much a part of you as your very heartbeat.
Now, let's add a secret weapon to your arsenal: humor. Yes, humor! In the face of adversity, a laugh can be a shield, deflecting despair and letting in light. When things get tough, find a reason to smile. It might feel silly at first, but humor has the power to transform your perspective, to lighten the load of your challenges. It's not about ignoring your problems, but facing them with a positive attitude. As your coach, I'm not just asking you to keep going; I'm asking you to keep going with a smile. So, take a deep breath, find that spark of joy, and let's tackle these challenges together, with resilience and a grin!
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