Be yourself entirely and unapologetically
Be love purely and magnetically
Be wisdom openly and prophetically
You will detour as you explore to become more
You will rise as you begin to amplify your core
You will experience moments to recover and restore
Redefine what you value and believe to be true
Stand in love and harmony to be the most authentic you
Don’t allow shame to hold you captive
Negatively evaluating yourself is maladaptive
Your purpose is deeply rooted within
Release the fears that make you pretend that you don’t have what it takes to win
The world awaits your creativity so PLEASE begin

I feel like we forget sometimes that it’s not about sharing our story but the wisdom that comes from the experiences.

You don’t have to have everything figured out to be great. It is who you are naturally.
You just have to be you.
And continue to be you.
That is your power.
Because no one else can do that
It’s all you.

And knowing that
is the greatest thing you could ever know.

I feel like we get caught up in trying new things
or trying to figure out life
that we forget to check in.
To check in with the one who got us this far in the first place.
It’s important to check in
it keeps you balanced
and connected
to the source.
The source within

Life is beautiful and ugly
Life is loud and quiet
Life is light and dark
Life is sad and funny
Life is long and short
Life is exciting and boring
Life is lonely and congregated
Life is here and then it’s gone

In the blink of an eye life will turn and show you the dichotomy that surrounds us every moment

Never be complacent in this world and appreciate the NOW because that is all we really have

There is always an outcome… unpredictable. The constant is knowing it will either be positive or negative – this is the power of the universal energy

Be present always and understand the value of recognizing these possibilities

Never fear change as it will happen regardless

Focus on the space you inhabit right where you stand

Realizing your place is ever changing and malleable

The freedom of this
acceptance and no expectations is priceless

So love this life and those you meet along the way

They too are learning the lessons

If we pay attention we are each the teacher and the student

We each have so much to offer and so much to gain

So much to lose in failing to see this in everyone walking their own path

Always be kind ❤️

Purple SKY
This thing called life
It’s your chapter
No matter if this is your CHAPTER 1
Or your CHAPTER 21
Life isn’t just short
It’s precious
Don’t be alarmed when it’s only YOU
Even if your sky is Purple
And not so much of the color baby blue
Don’t forget the one up above chose YOU
Don’t give up
Do it afraid
Because GOD knows the true YOU
You see
Life doesn’t accommodate our trials
Nor does it wait until things are just so perfect
The moment when we hold on to something so tight
We slowly start to feel that fright
The fright of letting go
And the fright of the what IFS (of course)
THIS THING CALLED LIFE
We continue to ask ourselves
Can I do this ?
Is it me you chose for this assignment GOD?
This thing called life hits a little different
But, It’s ok to be different
It’s ok if your sky is purple
It’s ok if you have to rehearse before it’s time for your actual rehearsal
It’s ok to be in the PRESENCE of your own moment
Even when others are so far gone in their future
Don’t worry
You will get there
You will get to the finish line
Now to be honest
Maybe not as fast as Track star Ms.Richardson
But soon
Dare to be different
Even if your sky is purple
Who cares if you’re a little different
This thing called life

-Rayven Washington

I remember thinking that I’d get sucked into the drain along with the water after a bath. I know now that it was because I could not see what was on the other side. Just a baby in the universe, so it made sense you know? My Ama would laugh & tell me not to be afraid…I believed her but I still didn’t know what was on the other side.
I remember looking at these little pieces of me- afraid of going down the drain after a bath. But I knew what was on the other side, so I’d laugh & explain how it wasn’t physically possible to go down the drain. But they were babies… so none of it made sense.
I remember opening my eyes to see God before me, laughing- with the same adoration in her eyes that I had when my babies clung to me. She was confident that there was nothing to be afraid of & amused by my fear of the unknown.
I realized a few things then, but mainly that I was just a baby in the universe. Afraid of silly things that I don’t know yet & things that I can’t see. I can bet that if I just have faith to keep going wherever life leads me, I will find myself on the other side of what was once unknown…& I will probably laugh. So I want to encourage the readers to let go of fear & go forward in peace. You don’t need to know what is on the other side, you don’t need to play it safe or set limitations. I promise you will get to where you need to be if you just persist. It would be a much more pleasant experience if you do so in peace. So have faith in yourself & in your ability to achieve your desires. You are here for a reason and it’s your job to make it there.

If you find yourself getting frustrated because you haven’t gotten there yet, channel that energy & label it instead as motivation to keep going. Your soul is telling you that you’re so close. If you find yourself in a stagnant place, take that time to recharge. There is so much beauty in the now and you only get one chance to be present in the now. Just be, before the moment is gone. That faith will remain in the back of your head- what’s for you will always be for you. Expect it just like you know to expect the reflection in the mirror looking back at you.
We do not have to fear the unknown, we’ll know it one day.

It’s okay if no one sees things from your point of view.
Not everyone has the same heart as you.

Why does the world lack so much empathy?
Let’s try to understand each other, agree to disagree.

You can’t make people change, you can only control you.
If they refuse to want better, there’s nothing you can do.

You can’t force people to see you for who you truly are.
Yet, you continue to shine like a twinkling star.

Some people are blessings, while others are lessons.
Good people will always leave a lasting impression.

Sometimes, things are better left unsaid because there’s nothing left to say.
True colors will be revealed when boundaries are at play.

Healing isn’t linear, so extend yourself some grace.
Be gentle with yourself as things slowly, fall into place.

It’s okay to love others, but love yourself more.
Self love can open doors you were blind to before.

When life gets you down, shake it off and step up.
Adversity can be disguised as an overflowing cup.

Never give up on yourself, the best is yet to come.
The worst part is over, you’ve already won.

Mistakes are gonna happen, nobody’s perfect.
Just remember, in the end it’ll all be worth it.

I learned life’s biggest lessons through trial and error.
You can weather any storm, no matter the weather.

This life’s a high-thrill roller coaster ride
with climbs and drops, with loops and turns— you blink
and future’s past— it’s transience defined.

Cry.

Or don’t. It matters not, for wheels still clink.

Along the track of destiny we fly,
entrusting cars attached by tungsten links
to comfort whether plunging from the sky
or taking corners, screeching, on the brink.

There are no brakes, nor gear that’s marked reverse.

Since seatbelts won’t keep everyone from harm,
enjoy the passing scenery of Earth
and all its blurry, ever-changing charm;
remember nothing lasts— not hurt, not mirth—
so, open up your eyes and raise your arms.

Hi sweet heart.
How are you doing?
I see you standing there,
Alone in dark, cold rooms,
Trying to brighten them with laughter and smiles.
All while the weight of raising adults at such a young age crushes you beneath its state.

I wish I could tell you it gets better,

Because we always believed everything would be alright,
As I held my pillow to confort me
crying myself to sleep at night,
But we both know we’re bad at lying,

And that would be an egregious one.

The truth is ….

And I hate to say this…

It’s get worse

And worse, and worse,

And I’m so sorry but
Im here to tell you we can’t control any of it.

So don’t try or else you’ll tear us apart.

It’s simply
a very dark start

To our story,

But if anything I want to prepare you

Give you a look into the future of tommorow.

So Brace yourself.

We lose all of our closest family members
mom as you already know ,
But Too young to yet comprehend.
Watching that coffin close again,
And…Mikey
The pain of a loss you thought you’d never understand
As they buried our brother in ashes
We hold our own hand
Ourselves,
our only friend,
No savior on the other end.

The ones that actually seemed to like us and care,
Are no longer there
So we’re left with the ones that hate us
Yet smile in our faces
A toxic fueled mess of toxity and stress you never wanted to ensue
But nevertheless,
They do.

As they maim, mock, and hurt you .

I’m so sorry for how they blame you
Or For the way you blamed yourself as if you could change fate
Saying if you could just change
Your whole life would rearrange?

By rearranging yourself.
Being anything, anyone else,
But ourselves.
Because that is deemed the worst hell.

I’m here to tell you you can’t
make them love you or change them
Especially not by changing or blaming ourselves.

And though we argue that we aren’t,

that’s not true.

Because we branded ourselves with their actions,

And can’t see clearly enough to know how to escape from the reactions.

I’m sorry it hurts so much that in the process of changing ourselves we were only crushed, and rushed to grow up,

But I can tell you from the multiple suicide attempts

Death isn’t the answer for us.

But the truth,

Is in case they haven’t told you
I’m so proud of you,

Because despite our pain
The one dream that always comes true,
Is your strong
And we can make it through.
Even if it’s by ourselves
we face the fires
And walk through.
Always the one lesson to stay with you

“Born New”
A poem about the importance of hope

By Ariana Cooper

“A needle my dear…
Why, doesn’t that scare you?’’
I said, “no sir, go right ahead.”

For that painful poking feeling,
that leaves others reeling,

I’ve come to accept and not dread.

The strong scented soap,

Trying to learn to cope,

My life under a microscope,

The coldness of the stethoscope,

Tellings of my horoscope,

Struggling to stay afloat,

MRI lights, like kaleidoscopes,

Feeling i’m at the end of my rope,

Opening mystery envelopes,

Receiving prayers from the pope,

Feeling like I’m in a sinking boat,

Searching for the antidote,

Being treated like a dope,

Bystanders that tease and provoke,

Always being overshadowed,

Clinging tightly onto hope.

My most important lesson learned,
is that hope NEVER stops,

A nagging earworm of a song, a catchy tune, a bop.

Hope is like a tiny voice that you must not ignore,

Through our struggles, through our pain, although our souls feel sore,

They can’t hurt me anymore,

Though I feel rocked to my core.

Now that I am so much wiser,

I’m not a quitter, I’m a riser!

I may still only be a teen, with wisdom beyond my years,

For from a young age, I have learned, we all eventually face our fears.

Fear is a LIAR,

But hope’s like a choir,

That sings and inspires,

Burns strong like a fire,

Makes darkness lighter,

Makes a walker a flier,

‘Cause hope takes you higher.

The problems you have do not define you,

Your courage, your strength, your truth, will shine through,

How do I know? Because I have been blue,

My soul has evolved, a completely new hue,

A rainbow of colors, for I am born new.

When you get tomorrow morning, it may not be the best, the car doesn’t start, your breakfast is cold, you will go to work and people may not talk to you, you ask WHY ME, it’s not fair, Stay focused, you want to scream at times a loved one is sick and THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, STAY FOCUSED, you will make it, YOU CAME THIS FAR, finish strong and STAY FOCUSED

One message I have for every person in the world is don’t take life for granted because tomorrow isn’t promised anything can happen to yourself or your loved one. I for one took life for granted and I lost my soul pet, you may ask what you mean by that well If I didn’t go out as much to be with friends or be busy with work and had taken care of my Mitsu aka my black cat he would have still been here with me and not get sick too easily and quickly. One thing I regret is not taking him to the doctor’s first thing instead I waited until he got worse, he was always meowing at night in pain and I always thought he wanted attention, but he was just in pain I think about how I failed as a cat mom because I couldn’t do much at first but overall, I loved and cared for my Mitsu he knew that because everyone abandoned him, abused him, locked him in cages but with me he was free to do whatever and he was happy. I remember every morning he would come into my room by opening the door with his head and get on top of the bed waiting for my mom to give me my breakfast which was tea and biscuits and Mitsu waited for my mom to give him biscuits and once she did, Mitsu ate all the biscuit he could. All the memories I have of Mitsu are blessings I’m glad that I could share my life with him, and that he could share his love and commitment with me, he showed me a pet’s love is pure and more trustworthy than a person’s love because a pet is more loyal than certain people. My message to everyone in the world is don’t life for granted because life isn’t promised tomorrow, life is precious and people and pets are also precious I took life for granted and lost my Mitsu but God gave me another chance on make things right with now my Mocha aka my black kitten spending lots of time with him, taking care of him and making my Mitsu proud from heaven.

Three times I’ve prayed over a vision You, the Lord of hosts, have shown
First You said “trust Me” second “just be” third You said, “you’re not. I am. Just sit back and be amazed at what I’m going to do.”
And however “it” is to be, I have not a clue…
But You said I was going to Russia, when others told me the idea I should abort
Because they were leaving in two weeks, and I had not a passport
Yet we were all baffled when it came in a week and a half.
Or when You said I was going to the Middle East
But as to how, an idea I had not in the least
Only to sit in a church, with the specific destination You said on the screen
And the pastor reading genesis 12:1, “Get out of your country, from your family
and from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.”
Therefore I knew, You mean what You mean
Only to visit another church, for a man to introduce me to a woman
She said they were leaving for there in three weeks
But in my spirit, I knew it was the journey I was to take
And my job, security, and life I was ready to forsake
Or when I awoke, and You said Guatemala while I was still in a daze
No money, no means, but a trust in Your ways
Only for people You touched to give me money to go, and to buy the ticket for my plane
Or how I still find it insane
How You’ve sent me back three times to the desert sands
Without a dollar leaving my hands
Downtrodden and feeling down on my luck
Praying because I needed to find a new truck
But You already know the needs that I have before I ask
And I found myself basking in Your glory with a huge grin
When I test drove a truck with a sermon on the radio and my name in the VIN
Thinking back to when my book I knew not how to publish
Yet You sent a long lost friend, who randomly told me how to fulfill my wish
But that is not all
For You care about the big things, but also the small
Like when I needed stove top cleaner
And not a soul on this earth knew but You…
The joyful demeanor I had when I came home to find it hanging from my door
I could go on, for You’ve done so much more
But as part of my story has been unfurled
The message I wish to share with the world
Is just what the Lord said… “trust Me.” And “just be.”

What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor? An astronaut? Maybe a police officer? When I was little, I always said I wanted to be a “typer girl” or a pediatric nurse. But, as I grew older, I realized that I really just wanted to be myself. I was always bullied and gossiped about in school whenever I stuttered during prayer before lunch or when my best friend and I had a secret handshake or when I said I love the Titanic (1997) film. From the music I love to sing to the company I keep, someone always had something to say about it. But, after so long, I learned to ignore those who didn’t like the real me and just focused on those who loved me for me. My advice to is: JUST BE YOU! I always introduce myself as a proudly weird person because I would rather just be myself than someone I’m not. So just remember, always be yourself and don’t ever let anyone tell you any different!