I absolutely relate to being the “clingy” friend. I wish I had your wisdom when I was your age. I loved it hearing for the first time tonight and I love it again reading and processing it in my own time.
Thank you! I thoroughly enjoy being a part of such a safe and uplifting community. I find inspiration from so many people. I feel honored to be included with them. Thank you for putting this together. And thank you for your compliment on my poem. I worked really hard on it.
My aura is black.
Black because they tried to singe me with deeds,
Black like the sooty soil that nurtures her seeds.
Black because before they knew who I was,
When I was given no choice or even some gauze
Black like the bird that sings to be free
Black because my memories haunt me
Black like the sheep who’s breaking chains.
Black like the hole that’s swallowing pain.
Black like the smoke twirling up through the sky
Black like the panther and her silent battle cry
Black like the ash that softens the earth
Black because now she knows her worth
Black like THAT little dress, brilliant;
the one that makes every woman feel resilient.
Black like the lace of her wings
Black in the sky that midnight brings
Black like the velvet in her gentle coos
Black like silk skin that into she grew
So now instead of green, red, or indigo
My aura is black
Black like obsidian
Black like pearls
Black like geodes
Black because my shadows healed it so.
K, embrace the beauty of your black aura, forged by resilience and growth. It holds the strength of obsidian, the elegance of pearls, and the mystery of geodes. Your shadows have healed you, making your aura a testament to your journey. Embrace it with pride.
I love how you brought that black back to your shadow. This is so honest and so creative. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3Lauren
Thank you! I thoroughly enjoy being a part of such a safe and uplifting community. I find inspiration from so many people. I feel honored to be included with them. Thank you for putting this together. And thank you for your compliment on my poem. I worked really hard on it.
Thank you! What had happened was this young person went to pick up his brothers from a friends house and accidentally knocked on the wrong door. The home owner shot him and then no one would help him. It is shocking what people expect children to have to carry and recover from.
Wow. This grinds my gears. Shooting an innocent child because they knocked on your door. This stuff just make me lose hope in humanity. This is sad and I hope that person gets what they deserve.
Thank you for taking the time to post this! You’re absolutely correct and it’s a much needed reminder. I’ve also had a few reminders given to me from random strangers I have encountered the last few days. It seems the universe is sending you to remind me of my why and push me to keep going. Thank you 🫶🏻
Thank you Lauren, it’s good to know I’m not the only one. You’re right the quote is the perfect image for what I need to think about. I’ve got some meditating and energy work to do. I’m not sure what’s for me at this point, I need to clear out the fog so I can think.
My mother used to tell me where there is a will, there is a way. If you want to help and educate children, there is a way for you to do that that is safe and joyful, and non-toxic. Don’t give up. <3 Lauren
I became a teacher to shift the paradigm and break the chains of toxic tradition. My childhood education experience paralleled that of Matilda. Most all my teachers were more Trunchbull and less Honey with the exception of 2 up through high school graduation and gaining another 4 up through my masters program. When I decided to become a teacher, I wanted to be a Ms. Honey, I wanted to be what I so desperately needed as a child—And I did. My biggest flex is that I became the adult I needed, the teacher, the mom, the neighbor. But here’s what they don’t tell you: the cost of becoming a chain breaker, a paradigm shifter, a warrior, a Ms. Honey is expensive. Its loneliness, its heartbreak, its rage, frustration, anxiety, and despair.
As an educator, you often hear: “Know your why”, “remember your why”, “it’s for the kids.” And while this is absolutely the truth and it does help keep focus; it does nothing to shield the abuse hurled from those satisfied, or even winning, with the mediocrity of tradition. My fellow educators are overwhelmed, defeated, and burnt out. This leaves no energy for change because change is hard work and dedication. I have found that very few admin appreciate growth as well. The worse abuse I have ever faced in education, is from principals and assistant principals. Those in power, when there is perceived threat of losing control or power become the most dangerous. It takes an unusual strength to stand in an abusive environment and feel unscathed. I don’t think I have this strength.
I feel guilty because I think about leaving the education career. Yes I have thought about changing districts and schools- unfortunately, in my experience toxicity is everywhere and the unknown of new administration is scary. I don’t have much self or energy to give left. I never know when entering a new school environment if when they say things like they are “student centered” or “wanting student advocates” if they actually mean it. My experience has shown that more often these are tokens administration throws out to entice teachers with little to no intention of follow through.
I look at the other Honey’s scattered throughout the US knowing they face similar treatment and I think of how brave and strong they are. I have my master’s degree, I am trauma informed, I’ve completed my national board certification- for absolutely nothing. I don’t have the skin to be unaffected by ill-treatment. I’m not a Trunchbull. But I’m not a Ms. Honey either. I don’t know what I am; I think I’m just finished.
There is a famous quote that says “the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” When you are trying to do something different, or better, or if someone feels their power is threatened there are people who will hold you back and hurt you in effort to stop you Naysayers are almost a sign that you’re doing something right. The world needs…read more
Thank you Lauren, it’s good to know I’m not the only one. You’re right the quote is the perfect image for what I need to think about. I’ve got some meditating and energy work to do. I’m not sure what’s for me at this point, I need to clear out the fog so I can think.
My mother used to tell me where there is a will, there is a way. If you want to help and educate children, there is a way for you to do that that is safe and joyful, and non-toxic. Don’t give up. <3 Lauren
Change is a slow process but it is important to know that you are an essential part of the process. Your efforts and dedication are contributing to a gradual transformation. You are the hope and inspiration for your students and so you should keep up the good work and always push yourself to do more good.
Thank you for taking the time to post this! You’re absolutely correct and it’s a much needed reminder. I’ve also had a few reminders given to me from random strangers I have encountered the last few days. It seems the universe is sending you to remind me of my why and push me to keep going. Thank you 🫶🏻
I hope when he reads them he feels everyone wrapped around him! I’m very curious how he is doing. I wish we could just reach out to him. Either way, I hope he is healing
Thank you Lauren. I hope that they bring her a form of a hug; at least maybe she will know she isn’t alone and people care. That was a very thoughtful plan.
You don’t know me, but I hope that you will get some comfort and love from a stranger with these kind words. Too often we ask children to carry too much, things that they shouldn’t have to carry. Then we facetiously shove the badge of “resilient” onto their lapel. While you most definitely are resilient, you shouldn’t have to be, and your strength came from responding to a stolen innocence at a heavy cost. I see the news stating that you are a wonderful child, an exceptional musician, and a caring brother. And while these qualities are very important to who you are- they don’t speak to you as a human being that didn’t deserve this. What happened to you was wrong on every level and our community should not be making excuses but should be comforting and holding you with our love and sitting with you through your journey to healing.
My heart cries out for you and your family and I hope you understand that you are not at all responsible for any of this. I hope you continue on with your passions and goals. I hope you don’t allow the evil of others to poison your soul with jadedness. And above all else, I hope you live fearless.
Aww Kelsey! This is beautiful and so sweet. This line is incredibly powerful, “Your strength came from responding to a stolen innocence at a heavy cost.” As society, we failed Ralph like we are and have with so many others. No child deserves this. No person deserves this, and yet it keeps happening. Thank you for writing such a beautiful letter.…read more
Thank you Lauren. I hope that they bring her a form of a hug; at least maybe she will know she isn’t alone and people care. That was a very thoughtful plan.
So sorry about what you’ve gone through but if you never remember anything else, Please, Please remember the bad thing that happened to you then and in the future is never your fault. You didn’t cause it in anyway, form or fashion. That evil entered your life without your permission, like a thief in the night. No one knows when a thief will…read more
Your words are so kind, caring, and wise. No child deserves to go through this. I’m so grateful that you and many others have written letters to this young man.
I hope when he reads them he feels everyone wrapped around him! I’m very curious how he is doing. I wish we could just reach out to him. Either way, I hope he is healing
I’m not sure what happened but I do agree with you about the innocence of a child and the right to preserving that innocence. Instead of ripping the innocence away and dumping stress and unneeded trauma on a child they should be loved and nurtured and their innocence should be encouraged.
Thank you! What had happened was this young person went to pick up his brothers from a friends house and accidentally knocked on the wrong door. The home owner shot him and then no one would help him. It is shocking what people expect children to have to carry and recover from.
Wow. This grinds my gears. Shooting an innocent child because they knocked on your door. This stuff just make me lose hope in humanity. This is sad and I hope that person gets what they deserve.