running in slow motion
By: Jim Kellogg
(The Queer Poet)
9-30-24

running in slow motion
at an exceptionally reduced pace
toward
away from
not content in the middle
looking back
with mixed emotions
hostility
satisfaction
looking forward
with mystery
a riddle
a question mark
creating a kaleidoscope
black and white
dazzling hues
unsteady
stable
mirrors and shards of broken glass
reflecting
challenging
creating madness
birthing sageness

running in slow motion
at an exceptionally reduced pace
closed doors
barriers and secrets
open doors
exploration and opportunities

I FEEL IT, I LOVE IT
IT’s THAT FEELING CALLED HOME.

Kicking off my shoes, as I undo my hair
Hanging up the keys, as I climb up the stairs
I feel the same reassurance flooding my inside
As I peel off my pretenses, my ego, my pride.
Standing there exposed, leaving it all on the outside
There was no longer a need to cover
To fake , to pretend or hide.

For I was finally home!

Kindling up the fires , I brew a comforting cup of tea
With no inhibitions or rules, my soul feels happy, peaceful and free.
This was my shelter , my no judgement zone
Unburdening the weight of opinions
I feel light as just me and me alone.

For I was finally home!

Nudging me to step out,
To discover, conquer and explore,
But enticing me to return,
Today and everyday even more.
Quelling my fears while keeping me calm,
This is one place where I know no one can do me harm.

As I shut the doors each day , I ask myself
Do I ever truly leave?
For though around me , the world and it’s people I see
In my pocket, I secretly carry that piece of home with me!

See these footsteps? These are the imprints of the precious little feet I created with my DNA. My little son walking, frolicking, and playing in the sand. Living life and enjoying it in the moment. I can now hold on to this picture, the memories attached to it- and now even this letter … forever and ever 🌹❤️

May the strength of my men always carry me through the longest of walks in life.

Was driving home from work after not having the greatest night… and I saw a guy, with his hazards on, pushing his van…

I came back around and asked him if he needed some help (along with another person who had stopped) and he said that he had run out of gas. I told him that I needed some, too, and to hop in my car.

We pull up to the gas station and there’s a container sitting right next to the pump. Could not have scripted it better…

While I was filling the container, we were talking and he told me how thankful he was… I said that it was no problem and that he had to pay it forward. He then told me that a few days earlier, he had helped a man who was suicidal. I said that’s amazing and that this is just coming back to him for doing the right thing!

My point in telling this story is that the world is not as bleak as it is made out to be… times are obviously very tough right now, but there is still something to be said for helping each other out. I told the guy as he was leaving that good deeds go in a cycle, from one person to the next… we hugged and went on our separate ways, both better for having met each other.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”

— Muhammad Ali

Happy Birthday Lauren thank you for this amazing platform and community of like minded individuals wishing you continuous years of greatness and happiness🤗🫶🏾✨

Dear Lauren,

I always hoped that clicking around on social media would lead me to a community that was authentic and motivated, but safe spaces like that aren’t too common like that on the internet… Luckily, one fateful day in 2022 I saw an ad for The Unsealed. An invitation to share my story and a community to share and grow with was like a dream come true. My confidence and connection with writing has grown so much in such a short amount of time and I have to give major credit to this community. A community that wouldn’t be possible without the remarkable and inspiring expertise and humanity you, Lauren, offer to all of us.

It will take me years and novels to truly express my gratitude for this opportunity of a lifetime. The opportunity to be connected to enlightened writers and led by such a exceptional soul.

Lauren, I hope your birthday feels as special as you have made The Unsealed community feel.

Best Wishes. I can’t wait to see why you do next. ❤️

Dear Lauren,

Thank you for creating this community and in turn giving us a safe space to share our stories and find strength in one another. I am new here, but I already feel so grateful for this community of people who can come together to share their experiences, their fears, and their dreams. There is something so beautiful about that level of vulnerability and connection in a community. Thank you and happy birthday! 💛

To the one who took a passion,
aligned with her soul mission,
and birthed an entire community.

You are deeply appreciated.

My journey as a poet and intuitive writer started just two short years ago and I’ve officially been a member here for 1/2 of that 🙂
I’m not sure how I found my way,
but that magic moment unlocked
a source of Brilliance
that I never dreamed possible.

That Brilliance is you
That Brilliance is this community
That Brilliance is The Unsealed
and every single action you take
to encourage new artists
to keep going.

I don’t think we take enough time to pour into you as much as you have for each of us,
so when Rick reached out for ideas
of something we could collectively give as a token of our gratitude,
all I could think is how you deserve your flowers, too 🌸

Thank you so very much for all you do.
Thank you for giving me a safe place
to express my deepest feelings with
compassion and love.

Thank you for publishing these sacred pieces of my story in not one,
but two books!
Typing that out feel like a lie
that imposter syndrome tries so hard
to force me to not believe
but it is true,
and that is all because of YOU 🙂

May this next chapter of your life
be the one where abundance comes to you with ease
where grace saturates all of your darkest days
as the angels bless you with the love and gaiety needed to stay grounded through each breakthrough.

Something tells me you are going to have a wonderful year 🙂

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

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!

When I stumbled upon The Unsealed, my life was in a dark place. In private, I could hardly muster a smile upon my saddened face. Writing is all I wanted to do, but a few poor decisions turned my dream into a nightmare. What this world is capable of, yet rarely do people embrace, I was about to enter a writing space where miracles are made possible; a chance to erase my past mistakes. Little did I know, the miraculous woman who orchestrates miracles by encouraging people to believe in themselves, shares the same birthday as my one and only baby girl. As fate would see fit, my daughter was born on December 11, too. Isn’t this the kind of miracle that strikes you! Shocks you! Fills your heart with magic? What if told you, the day after my grandmother passed four years ago, the number I couldn’t escape was 11:11. From that day forth, I imagined my grandmother taking on the form of an angel, guiding me on my new path as a writer. To this day, I’m confidently convinced that my grandmother led me to a living angel, my dear friend, Lauren Brill. I wish you a wonderful birthday Lauren, and I hope your special day is filled with magical moments 🌷🎂🎈🎁🎉

Lauren I went through our first book, page by page and reached out to everyone that I could find.
I went through all of your tags to see everyone that was associated with the unsealed, and I got to say everyone that I was able to reach was on board with doing this.
I had a small glimpse in everyone’s lives, and your impact was always a shining moment at the epicenter. It was always something like “I can’t believe I see my name in a book!” or “I can’t believe I’m on a billboard!”
All these people who are writing your messages today they all said the same thing: that it was a wonderful idea and that they would be happy to help surprise you.
I can not thank you enough for you and the community that you lead with love.
This is me as your friend showing you my gratitude for giving us a space to share the things that we share here, you curated an environment for strangers to become friends.
I’m so proud of you and I look forward to further collaborations and I really hope that you take this to the highest level that you can. Happy birthday!