In a bustling city, Max lived a carefree life, oblivious to his dwindling finances. He worked at a cozy bookstore, enjoying each day without a thought of his budget. One sunny Saturday, he strolled through the park, impulsively buying snacks and coffee without realizing the impact on his wallet.

When he lost his job due to budget cuts, Max remained unfazed, dreaming of grand adventures instead of facing reality. His concerned friends nudged him toward practical solutions, but he insisted everything would work out in its way. It wasn’t until his neighbor, Sarah, visited and laid out the truth that he began to understand his situation.

With her help, Max learned to budget and seek new job opportunities. Though he struggled at first, he gradually found joy in small victories. He discovered the importance of balancing dreams with responsibility, transforming his obliviousness into a newfound awareness that opened up a world of possibilities.

Lost for words, I wade through a pool of sand,
Where time drifts dimmer, like shadows hand in hand.
The whisper of the breeze carries a gentle sigh,
As the bowl of burdened thoughts is cleansed, set free to fly.

Dear Community,

This topic I wish to share hits me hard since I’m a mother myself. I want to know what you think about being a mother. I will admit that the parenting choices I made in my life weren’t the best, but I have acknowledged and regretted what I got myself into. However, this isn’t about me today; I want to discuss what you think about a mother who has three kids and another one on the way. Do you honestly think she should be having another child right now?

My story is about a woman in this current time who has two girls and one boy. In my opinion, she shouldn’t have another child at this moment. The reason, you may ask, is that this is what she does all the time: she currently works in healthcare, her partner works at an amusement park, and she draws money from one of her kids. Yet, she complains that she’s always broke. How is that possible? I mean, come on—my husband and I are living on a monthly income, and we have no car, but she can still go to work, go shopping, eat out a lot, or go play at a bar.

Another parenting issue I see is that whenever she wants to clean the house or do something, if it’s an activity that the kids can’t be involved in, she thinks that Daddy has to take them, no matter what. Being a mother, I understand that if you have to work, that’s one thing, but if you don’t, why can’t you take the kids? What’s so important that they can’t be involved in what you’re doing?

What frustrates me is that I understand they need to spend time with their other parent, but what if that parent has things going on too? What if your electricity is out, or your internet is down, or someone is sick in your house? Is it fair to put your kids in a difficult situation, yet you feel justified in getting mad if your kid gets sick or complains about being bored?

I mean, is it so hard to ask your co-parent questions to ensure that the house and surroundings are safe for the child before they come over? Don’t just assume that we can automatically handle things without checking with us first. Don’t get me wrong; I understand that just because you may not be around kids right now doesn’t mean you have forgotten to be a parent. You just want to ensure their safety. Is that a crime?

Sitting alone in the sounds of country time music soaring around. Looking down, wondering why critters feel like they need to feed, and you see their footprints on your skin. The answers that are floating around need to sink into the warmth that somehow brings the inspiration of the day to go by, wondering in all the sounds that move around the space, how can these things about your day make it go by?

“Dear Mom”

This is gonna be hard for me mentally and I know you’re still here spiritually, but that doesn’t soften the blow that your no longer here physically
The reality has set in that I will never see you again, but if I’m lucky maybe just catch a glimpse of your reflection
As I stare into the sky, something whispers from behind, but I’ve lost all sense of direction
Just three weeks before you left, you looked me in my eyes, and I’ll never forget what you said, because it’s burned inside my mind, you said “bub, I’m not ready to leave this earth yet.” And I said “mom, please don’t worry.” Cuz the good Lord knows that I can’t make it without you, my future would just be blurry
I need you to know that I had no clue that I was lying, I was trying to lift your spirits and maybe we could both stop crying
I know you loved me to the moon, so I focus on the distance, now I’m sitting here alone, and I’m missing your existence!!

To some people a man is someone that tries so they do what it takes cuz they have to get by
To some people a man is someone that don’t quit even at the Rock bottom they just deal with it and they keep on going without having to knowing but they climb
out of the hole and continue to keep going
To some people a man is a guy that don’t cry he’s too tough to show emotion so he buries it inside but we know he has feelings that he hides in a place but no matter what it won’t show on his face
To some people a man is a full-time single mom who takes care of her kids cuz Daddy is gone and maybe he’s in the picture and maybe he’s not but we have to understand that Mommy goes through a lot
To some people a man is someone that puts food on the table who works day after day even if they’re not physically able and maybe their health has got them feeling weak but they’ll provide for their families even if they sell drugs in the street
To some people the man is someone that simply had enough and maybe it’s because he’s been through so much so he works up the courage and finally walks out and becomes brave enough to put a gun in his mouth

Maybe I am a monster
After all, I do scare you at times

Maybe I am untrustworthy
After all, even while making eye contact, that in which I say or do is still questionable

Maybe I am cold
After all, I’ve influenced tears to fall upon such a beautiful face more than once

Maybe I am immature
After all, I do allow myself to become lost within my Gemini energy quite often

Maybe I am selfish
After all, “I” has become the center of my L(I)FE, continuously neglecting you of the presence you once considered to be a friend- your best friend

Maybe it was all a mistake as you stated
After all, 10-11 years of friendship became undone with just a single choice, a single phrase, within a single moment

Maybe it was never true at all
After all, I was in a desperate phase of my life when I approached you in our high school’s library

Maybe I never truly loved you as much as I had declared

After all, whenever met with a certain aspect of yours, I tried to change it because I thought that it would make things better for me

Maybe I am a parasite
After all, you have been the financial powerhouse within our relationship and in your absence my ship would’ve sunken long ago

Maybe I am reckless
After all, I’ve been working since 2016, yet my savings account looks as if I just starting working last week

Maybe I am a murderer
After all, I’d watched you die internally when I decided that our marriage should be no more

Maybe I have a substance abuse issue
After all, I took a sip from a flask labeled “freedom” and have since grown addicted to its taste to the point that I’ve sabotaged and squandered countless opportunities in its pursuit

Maybe I am a dog
After all, I’ve allowed myself to become emotionally attached to other women, seeking feelings of completion, though you were always there

Maybe I lack empathy and compassion
After all, you told me of your fears, insecurities, and anxieties, yet Instead of consoling you as I had once done, I distanced myself as a means for me to maintain my higher vibes

Maybe the devil played a trick on you by placing me within your life as you stated

After all, look at how much I’ve disrupted, the chaos I’ve ensued

Maybe I am a coward
After all, I throw smoke bombs and vanish whenever conflict arises rather than indulging in acts of reconciliation

Maybe my presence within your life presented no benefits at all

After all, you’re still conflicted by the same things you were conflicted by when we first began

Maybe you shouldn’t have responded to that email I sent you, then we wouldn’t be where we are now

Maybe I was guided towards your light because my SOUL wanted to know what it would feel like to shine with another

Maybe this pain that we’re experiencing serves no purpose, or maybe it’s an indicator that peace is a possibility

Maybe this is the end of what I considered to be everything, or maybe this is the first chapter of the book we’ve desired to tell the tale of the lives we fantasized for ourselves

Maybe the chaos of this situation also holds within it a beauty like no other

Maybe these walls were meant to come crashing down, and this house burn til it’s no more so that we may finally build the home we each desire

Maybe this was never designed to stand the tests of time

Maybe the death of this marriage, this friendship, is what enlivens us

Maybe this is all by SO(U)L’S design
If so, then I’ve put myself through this pain with the intentions of realigning with “IT”

Through tears and confusion that seemed as if it would never end, I’ve finally arrived where I desired to be all along-HERE

Here and finally with love for who/what I AM becoming

Maybe that’s the message embedded in this marvelous disasterpiece we’ve painted- To return to ourselves

Special Note: In the following poem, we are studying Psalms in Bible Study, and this poem came to me. Pastor Jeremy Fort knows Hebrew, and he is very knowledgeable. He teaches us a lot. He helped me to organize my poem. There are only 150 Psalms in the Bible. God gave me this, and I felt for me it was my special verse, so I call it Psalms 151. If you don’t know a lot about Psalms, they use the word Y’all in several passages. Enjoy and God Bless.

Psalms 151
1. The glory of Yahweh,
2. Y’all, we are the sons and daughters of the world.
3. And our reward is to be His children.
4. Y’all, we once were lost, but now we are found.

See,
5. It is like the SON shining on our faces and hearts.
6. As such, we have salvation for our Nephesh.
7. Y’all, our blessings come from Jesus Christ, dying on the cross for us.
8. Y’all, our hearts and bodies jump for joy because of Jesus’ action.

Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

In life’s dark underbelly, where the filthy hide,
A tale unfolds of hearts untried.
Where pain descends, it’s grip so tight,
A struggle fought both day and night.
Amidst the thick smoke, there’s a clouded maze,
Where the soul embarks on darkened days.
In search of purpose, and lost within,
Caught in Addictions Iron Sin.
A dance with fire, a twisted game,
To numb the ache, and hide the shame.
A battle waged within the mind,
A vicious fight, trapped in time.
The highs that once were pure and bright,
Now feel like darkness and sleepless nights.
What once brought joy, now brings despair,
Became a prisoner, all while unaware.
But I light remains, just a flicker still,
A strength within that bends his will.
And for every moment, and ever tear,
There’s a chance to heal and preservere.
To reach for hands that want to save,
And stray away from this promised grace.
So with support and strength, you will see,
True happiness awaits both you and me.
So let this poem be an inner voice,
That will win this battle, and give you a choice.

I need to find the reason why,
I walk this earth alone.
I need my life to find a purpose,
And a place to call home.
I’ve searched within and deep inside,
And lost myself again.
It really hurts to realize,
I am my only true friend.
What are friends? Where’s my family?
Not a soul to love or trust.
It’s desolate in this cruel reality,
Feel less than a speck of dust.
I’ve grown to be so easily forgotten,
Standing in plain sight.
I’ve strayed away from who I was,
I’ve lost my inner light.
I need to find the reason why,
Happiness does not exist.
I need to stop getting high,
But this craving will still persist.
If I ran away from here,
I can’t promise I’ll be back.
I might as well already be gone,
From this life I’ve become detached.

Being the single one
in the room full of healing tools
Can be extremely overwhelming.
Yet, breaking cycles is far more fulfilling.
Feeling the breeze of peace
Flow thru the cracks of walls
Lets me know, I can’t break a fall.

630 in the morning
Mind is swirling
Twirling with dreams
Swaying with possibilities

Self sabotage peaks
Thru the shades
Hoping to jump thru that window & crush such

Flipping the script
is what motivates one
to fulfill these dreams.
These goals.
These self improvements.

Courage.
Let’s go!

Check in with
those closest to you.
Okay. I will.
It’s just who I’ve become.
Checks messages,
Casper feeling.
Nothing.
Am I not that
Important
As I consider you?
Am I not worth
The seconds it takes
As I give to you?

Check in with
those closest to you.
Nah. I’m good.
Let them come
to me.

Those who love and live in Christ have a better chance at everlasting life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sons and Daughters arrive in the light. Peace within and not in fright. He cares for us more than we delight—struggles of each day cause the heart to steal away. In the darkness of the serpent’s path, we fight and argue in dismay.
But once we find that perfect Holy place, we no longer need to be afraid. God’s love is great, strong, and sure. We know He will protect us each day. We must remember to stop and pray. Asking for help with every little thing that we do and say. To make sure Satin does not get in the way. His light is in us, and darkness is far away. Thank you, God, for all that you do.

How precious is the life we have? The savior came and bled for thee. The cross to bear so we may live with the Gardner for eternity. As humans go, we must ask for help along the way. He is there just for us; all we must do is stop and pray. You God our 3 in 1 The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your everlasting love that set us free, salvation born, salvation dies so we can grow love and live with Christ.

A silver dove stretched out its shimmering wings and flew across the midnight sky. Wings touched the sky’s luminaries; the past’s remnants became transient. It gently glides to the earth like a bolide. The dove was beautiful as it played, cooing and swaying to each star. At one point in his flight, he kissed the moon’s hue. This happy little dove turned and looked at me. He gently came, landed on my shoulder, kissed my cheek, and left in the glistening of the moonlight. Never have I seen such a beautiful sight. I understood that a generous gift of God’s love was bestowed on me that night. I knew then I was in his care. I was to spread the story of God’s unfailing love.

Boundaries mean I don’t have to people-please to keep the peace around me.
Boundaries mean I can use my voice—and finally stand up for me.
Boundaries mean I’m no longer bothered by those who are no longer around me.
Boundaries mean I’ve made peace with being alone, even when I feel the urge to flee.

Boundaries are understanding that fight-or-flight is no longer the rhythm of me.
Boundaries are not needing to jump out of a moving car just to feel free.
Boundaries are no longer dreaming of screaming in a crowd that can’t hear me.
Boundaries are no longer disassociating from the feeling of being absentee

It began to greet her
and dance with her
at six years old..
The belief of the lie
that she wasn’t beautiful..

Inviting itself in during her
tea parties and sleepovers
and even as her innocent
and delicate eyes observed
life all around her..

This violence reached her…
when all she was reaching
for… were charm bracelets
and babydolls..

At six years old all she
knew were charm
bracelets and babydolls..

Yet the lies that communicated
that brown skin wasn’t as valuable,
worth it, or worthy as those
that had other skin tones,
lighter skin tones, especially those
with whiter skin tones, those lies
began tip-toeing in through
the back entrances of her
six year old tea parties..

Echoing those lies that anyone that
had her full lips, her hair texture,
and her shaped nose were
people of lesser significance..

How could such violence
reach her… when all she
was reaching for…
were charm bracelets
and baby dolls?

Her six-year-old little fingers,
grabbing the undertones of
society that showed up
without welcome.. and those
lies were placed in her unaware
hands as she accepted the
poison she had no idea
she’d even accepted..

And while her family kept putting
out the wildfires of society that
was teaching her to hate herself
by teaching her how beautiful her
brown skin was, her value, and
how to love herself- yet messaging
that opposed this often was louder..
Because it was simply everywhere
she went.. and everywhere
life presented..

And so her innocent conscience
displaying mixed reviews
of her own worth..

How did such violence
reach her…when all she
was reaching for… were
charm bracelets
and babydolls?

I would like to share a magical moment that has become a delightful part of my life. It’s been nearly a year since my husband and I decided to add a furry member to our family: our cat, Tigger. He is an orange tabby with a very unique personality. He loves to sniff you, rub against you, and meow loudly whenever he feels ignored.

Since we’ve had him, Tigger has developed a bad habit of trying to escape and sometimes goes missing for a day or two. He can also be quite destructive, scratching up furniture, messing with the blinds, and clawing at the windows. Despite these quirks, he is very lovable. He meows at you, snuggles next to you, and follows you to the bathroom. He definitely makes his presence known whenever you try to work.

So far, Tigger has been dealing with fleas and ticks, but ever since he started his new medication, he’s been doing much better. Even though he can be a handful at times, we love him no matter what, and we’re grateful for the happiness he brings into our lives.

A woman in her comfort zone lies on a sea of mystery, lost for words as she tries to figure out her next source of inspiration. She contemplates what activities she will pursue next and what creative ideas she can incorporate into her work.