My childhood had exceptional ups and crummy downs. I also wasn’t the most well-mannered daughter. My mom always did the best that she could with what she had. Those are some of my best memories. Working 3 jobs and I was helping her with one. I could’ve done better, but I learned my lesson. I understand now that is how life is. One thing I also know now that I didn’t know then was that parents understand you. They know what they are talking about when they are having an important conversation with you, so make sure you listen. It’s for a reason and it doesn’t make sense at the moment. It makes little sense until later, when you least expect it.Ever since I can remember, we mainly lived in apartments and my mom was usually the on-site manager. It was always small communities, but it was home. I always enjoyed helping my mom and I would see my mom and how she was with the residents. At 16, she started having me help with a few tasks like answering calls, setting up showings, collecting rent and writing out the receipt. I hoped to be outside playing with my friends. Whenever my mom would ask me to help her, I would make faces. I was thinking my mom wouldn’t see. I just found out a few weeks ago that she knew all along. We can laugh about it now It is something that I feel she was pushing on to me and was looking for other options to do after I finished school. I did one fast food job, which wasn’t for me. I had one retail job which also wasn’t for me. Since I had helped by mom, I had some experience in office work, so I got one job in property management. I was the leasing agent and who would’ve known that I would be so good at it? I stayed there for almost a little over 2 years.I moved and did retail pharmacy for 6 years; I did because I had to, not because I wanted to. The only bright side is I would see my coworkers. Property management was still a topic I would like to discuss. I’d offer advice to the customers when they’d mention something about the apartment they were living in. I quit my retail pharmacy job and didn’t know where I was going to next. It seems like no matter what I did, my heart was always with property management. I prayed and believed that if property management was truly my calling, an opportunity would present itself, considering my 10 years of experience. I got hired by a temp agency telling them I wanted to try this again. Since it was a while, I preferred to go the temp route. I went to one position and I remember how excited I was to be there. That specific situation did not feel right, so I called the agency and they switched me right away. Speaking up instead of remaining silent was a moral decision, and I’m glad I made it. Because I respectfully advocated for myself, I accepted a temporary position with another company. I love to help and learn as much as I can, so I was excited to be a temp with this company. I have a tendency to ask what feels like a thousand questions. The people I would talk to were so helpful, understanding that I had limitations in my ability to help. I had to keep learning and continue to wait for an opportunity to show mainly myself that I can do it. The opportunity to prove myself showed up, and I showed out. It felt amazing to know I was on the right track. I got hired by the company. I worked for the company and gave it my all so much that my 1 year review was proof that I sure can do this and I succeeded. There was another opportunity that appeared and it was a company that I had worked for about 10 years ago. I love how life comes full circle. I didn’t have the experience back then that I did now.I ended up getting a job as an on-site manager. Once I was moving in, I called my mom. I told her thank you for showing me at the age that she did and for believing in me. I apologized for my behavior from when I was younger. It seems like my mom knew what she was talking about. She had seen something in me I didn’t and it took me time to believe that I can do it. I am so proud of myself for not giving up and believing in myself and being able to be a part of a community, just as I always have been. Home is where the heart is and for me, that’s being a part of a community. I am proud of myself for not giving up. It took sometime to believe in myself like my mom believed in me. I’d always remind myself that nothing worth having comes easy. If it was easy, then everyone would do it. That’s why it feels so great when you achieve it. Only you know how much you worked for that. No one sees your struggles behind closed doors and those are the toughest battles, but it’s ok you can do this because you deserve it.
I unapologetically love me unconditionally
I apologize to my past selves for doing it indiscriminately
In order to be my best self would mean I am elated
It took a while and I’m proud to say it’s been reinstated
I do what makes me happy especially my inner child
She’s is so over the moon that her little heart smiles
She loves to color, sing and dance like no one is watching
It’s the growning soul and the little soul that are interlocking
She’s making all versions of her past self morph into her best self
Her happiness is her version of a prosperous wealth
Self love is psychological, spiritual growth and physical
With a proportional rainfall strictly biblical
It’s my definition and my own version
I am uniquely my own person
Thank you, God, for all that you have done for me and my family
I only got one life, and I want to do it right by being happy
No one can do me better than me. My only competition is me
My lessons are mine to learn only I would know
The path it took to get here and I’m not done though
I learn daily and I don’t claim to be perfect because I am human
I have to remind myself that life is a classroom
I’m not afraid of the lessons I let them pass through
I owe it to my heaven sent angel and angel who fluttered with his wings
You both are my life and light and also are my kings
It’s because of you I unapologetically love me unconditionally
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL words. You have such a gift. The way you spoke warmed my heart. I am so proud of you for owning your power and speaking your word! 💜 Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in the future. Keep writing
iambrizei,Your letter is a beautiful expression of self-love and gratitude. It showcases your journey towards embracing and cherishing yourself unconditionally. Your words reflect a deep understanding of the importance of personal growth and happiness. Your acknowledgment of your past selves and your commitment to learning and evolving is…read more
BRI!!!!!! This piece is excellent! I absolutely love it! I love the rhyme and how it flows, and of course what a great message. I am so proud of you!! Giving you a standing ovation. <3 Lauren
Please bear with me as this is something that I’ve been wanting to do & finally got the courage to do so a freestyle fiction story that has been on my mind.
A child’s core memories develop at 5. Her core memories were not like others. Her core memory was waking up from her sleep as she was in the backseat of a car covered with her dad’s jacket while he was speeding on the freeway. She felt safe seeing her dad and went back to sleep as he told her to do.
She wasn’t going to school, but she went from home to home thinking about what a great time she was having with her dad. She went with the stepmom to be with her siblings. She doesn’t recall how she spent her time there but just the vhs movie that the stepmom threw away. Once dad picked her up, he noticed she was sad. Since her dad asked her what happened, she did just that. Dad said, “Wait in the car. I’ll be right back.” She just knew that her dad was going to take care of it. In her world full of chaos, all she can do was observe. When it felt like she was all, alone she realized that she was always guided and protected.
She went with another stepmom who was just a sweet and caring soul. She treated her right, and she knew, being in her presence, that everything would be just fine.
My description of a delightful conversation that is open-minded and nonjudgmental. You can see each other’s point of view because you listen intending to listen. When starting off the dialogue, others refrain from interrupting you, allowing you to get to the point. I understand why it’s so difficult to have it with most people. The reason for that is simple: you appreciate it more when you have that delightful conversation.
I used to love reading and writing, how much emotion they expressed with the power of the written word. What’s more powerful than the written word? That would be the words that we speak; the spoken word. Words have the power to build or destroy you. When you have ill intention, then the words hurt and create chaos for the person receiving it. A delightful conversation has the power to bring in positivity and possibly people together. Some people can agree to disagree and continue on with the conversation. While others stand firm that there is only one way. There is nothing magical about having a conversation that is only one-sided.
My magical moment was joining The Unsealed, knowing that I can also transform my pain into a superpower. It inspired me to express my thoughts the only way that I knew it would be best. I had a zoom meeting with Lauren, which went amazing. She is so kindhearted, empathetic, and compassionate. I believe I cried during that zoom call. A pile of emotion from my story & to how she just listened, intending to listen, providing me with that safe space. I wanted to just pull her from the screen and give her the biggest hug.
I know everything happens for a reason and sometimes we don’t always understand why it happens. I know the reason I am writing this today and that is because it is a very special someone’s birthday 12/11. The founder of The Unsealed, who has given people a voice to be heard and listened to. To have the weekly zoom meeting and writing contest. The way you genuinely reach out to every single member. It really is a community so much so that you published books with our pieces in it! You provided a safe space for us to express ourselves and we are so grateful for that. I wish you nothing but the best for you on your special day because you deserve that and so much more. Thank you for everything you do and for allowing us to be a part of your journey. You have gathered like-minded people together and allowed us to express ourselves with the written word. You truly are one of a kind Lauren, happy solar return!
Bri! This is absolutely beautiful. I love reading your writing! You have so much power and greatness within you. I really appreciate your kind words. They inspire me more than I can ever express. I am so happy The Unsealed has had such a positive impact on you. I wish I could jump through the screen and hug you right back. Love you and thank you…read more
Positive change in the world is everything to me
What first comes to mind is empathy and compassion
The world has forgotten what it is like to be there for another
Oh what joy it would be to witness that beautiful interaction
This pandemic took us all for a topsy turvy flip side turnaround.
People became selfish and completely avoided any interaction
I was working non-stop and saw firsthand how quickly it turned
People were avoiding each other and looking at each other with dissatisfaction
People forgot what it was like to be there for one another
Forgetting to place someone else before themselves
All it takes is one for someone to pay it forward even if it’s something small
It could mean the world to them and in the end make a new friend
We forget that people lost their close friends and family
We forget the loneliness that we felt while being in lockdown
We forget the fights over toilet paper and water
How quickly we turned on one another in and around this town
Remember when we were there for our friend, family and neighbor
How nice it felt to be able to uplift them and see them smile
You didn’t know what they went through or going through
How nice it felt to be genuine just because without being hostile
Let’s get back to being there just to be there whole heartedly
Let’s get back to having empathy and compassion
It starts with you and being able to pay it forward
Oh what joy it would be to witness that beautiful interaction
Aww you are so right. The world needs kindness, and it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in someone’s life. The smallest gesture – a smile, a compliment, a hug – can make someone feel less alone and change the way they feel about life and themselves. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
This letter is to my younger self in hopes that she remembers that these events were not done to you that they were placed for you. Placed for you in this lifetime because you are a badass and always come out with your smile as bright as the sun and your head held higher than the clouds. When you tell people of your story you deem it to be normal while others are floored with how it has been for you. You are you for a reason but most importantly never forget that your feelings are indeed valid, do not put others needs before you when you are tired and need to rest and recharge. Remember learning an enormous amount of compassion and empathy for others which is a rare superpower. Once you have recharged and nurtured yourself then you can go and help others. Never regret the help you’ve given others, remember that empowering feeling you get once you do; like you can do anything. Remember to keep going and never stop and when you look back don’t forget to smile because we did all that and then some. I love you I can’t wait to color and go rollerblading.
I love it, the events were placed for you in life. A great way of putting it. I’ve never heard it that way. And yes, I said it once in one of my poems, you were meant to be you, not him, not her, not me, only you! And you’re right, you should never, ever regret the help you do for others. It should give you the most wonderful feeling. And yes,…read more
This is so sweet. As we grow up we often look back on the mistakes we’ve made. Not giving ourselves a break is often something we neglect. I’m glad you took the time to acknowledge your inner child and told her to rest every now and then. Thank you for sharing.
That section I call karma which is part of the circle of life
Had I’d known that I definitely would’ve thought twice
Walking away to not say things you don’t meant out of anger is best
When you reap what you sow it’s the infinite test
As a child learning the 10 commandments is just 1 that does it for me
Honor thy mother and father and everything else happens as it should be
Hi, I thought your poem was beautiful and I truly enjoyed reading it. I thought your word choice was perfect and everything fit so well together. Most importantly I loved the message of your poem. It really made me think about how important our actions truly are and how almost everything we do will somehow impact another person. It also reminded…read more