Activity
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beyondme submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem about what you are grateful for in your life 4 months agoGrateful
BeyondMeIt’s easy — isn’t it
To look back on our life & remember all the worst
All the worst times of our life that always seem to come firstLike the first time — I experienced racism
The first time — I experienced bullyingThe first time — my love was used against me
Or the first time — my heart was brokenThere was a lot of first of “THE WORST”
But likewise — there were many first of the bestLike the first time — I got the job I really wanted
Or the first time — I graduatedOr the time I won my first real fight with ease
Or the first time a family member came home from jail surprising meThere’s been a lot of good moments
but I seem to have forgotten a lot of themI’m doing my best now — to live in the present moment
—To soak it all inCause I know there is so much to be grateful for
—There’s always beenLike my mom choosing peace & safety over toxicity — for her children
No matter what — she never let fear stop her
She was unbelievable
She was unstoppableShe did the best she could with the hand she was dealt
Like getting that job that not only paid the bills
but also provided us with a warm free houseOr that one time she pointed out to her lawyer — how she was wrong
That was only one of the many steps she took — to obtain our freedom
I still remember the first time she met my little boyfriend
She offered to give us some money
—then suggested we go to Barnes & Noble
to drink some coffeeAt the time it was so embarrassing—
But looking back now— She’s so funny
We were like 14 — Not 40I still remember — I tried to avoid repeating history
but somehow history didn’t escape meOne day — I had to text my mom discreetly
I asked her to please come save meI won’t go into detail — but that day she rescued me from hell
I remember the times my brother and I would go skating
Or this one time we decided to try out this game — where he had to try to make me pass out
& it actually worked — he did
Except I think he thought he killed me
I don’t know — but that shit is funnySome of them were good memories
& some were bittersweetI wish I could remember them all
but disassociation got the best of meSo here’s a few more that easily come to mind
Like when my first love never made me feel pressured
— Simply lovedOr when my second one spoke a prayer over me
That felt majestic & empowering
— Like freedomOr when my friends and I thought we were cute — walking around the east side
Just waiting on the cute boys to drive by and say hi
Haha— those sure were the good times.
Then there was that time an important figure in my life somehow ended up in jail
Managed to post bail & still make it back in time to my baby showerOr when that amazing teacher who quickly became family
Went out of her way to pick me up for school dailyOr when another amazing teacher who often went above and beyond
Was touched by some writing assignment I did
& surprised me with an unexpected giftSo yeah—
It is easy to remember all the worst — but there is also so much to be grateful for
I’m grateful for every glimpse of heaven I’ve ever received
I’m grateful for a badass mom & her vision to always
Push forward & succeedI’m grateful for the village that helped raise me
I’m grateful for any friend who served a purpose in my life
Even if at some point — our lives no longer alignedI’m still grateful for the good times & the memories left behind
I’m grateful for the short-lived respect & pure love I received —from my first love
My impossible babyI’m grateful for the amazing son — my second one gave me
There is so much more to be grateful for
even from all the worst that were followed by the bestOr I don’t know — maybe fue al revés
Either way— I thank you God — My best friend
May I always be able to shine the light on the better side of perspective
May I continue to be able to see all the good that still lives within the broken world we currently live in
May we not only see the trauma we’ve endured through our struggling
But the perseverance & resilience we received simultaneously
So for both the good & the bad
I gotta be grateful for it all — and I am
Voting is closed
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You have been through so much in your life, and yet your heart is still so warm and loving. That is a gift to yourself and to those around you. While you are grateful for the good and bad, always be most grateful for you. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family. <3 Lauren
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Thank you so much Lauren ! 🥹💙
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Hey! are you getting my email?
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Dear Beyond Me,
Your words are so powerful. You have had a challenging yet good life and your Mom sounds amazing. Continue to be blessed and grateful!Shelley
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Dear Beyond Me,
Bravo! This poem reminded me of Faiz “My heart, my traveler” and especially of the line “I would gladly welcome death if it were to come but once,” You’re so talented ! Can’t wait to see mroe of your work!
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Beyond Me shared a letter in the
Poetry group 4 months agoRespect 💞
BeyondMeI told my brother once — who I was dating — & He replied to me
“I thought you had more self-respect than that”
Later on in life — I realized — he was right
(But it was not my intention)For the last 10 yrs — those words have been engraved in my mind — like a tombstone
I had a lot of deja-vu signs —
That led me to believe — him & I were meant to be — but we weren’t tho
Im sorry — but I mean — come on now
He read me — Bible stories & Scriptures 🙏🏽I thought — I had self respect — thru a period of time — in the past
But somewhere — down the line — I lost it
I like to think — I’m doing better now a days — & I can finally say — once again — I have it
I was just an old soul — in a superficial world
withought a strong voice — of her own — to put her foot downI was searching for something — in someone else — that was meant to be found — within myself
But truly — I think— what he said to me — then — really did help
I think back on — the first time — I moved out — on my own
About a year or so — out of an abusive —relationship — with a child of my own
Things became different — then the life — I envisioned — & it really took a toll
Lord knows — all I wanted — was a God filled family
Definitely not — another broken home
I was readjusting my lenses — to try to understand — & accept my new life — and what happened
I questioned so much — about myself — & all I believed in
Every-time I tried to do right — It backfired on me
& the emotions became — overpowering & depleting
My first love — was facing a long time — on the other side — & the news of that — was heartbreaking
We weren’t together at the time — but that’s something — you never wanna hear about — your middle school love — from 8th grade
My second one — was church bound — for a while — long enough to make me smile — & put a ring on it
We got engaged after 3 months — but shortly after that — things changed
We went from Bible stories to —
“I hope you die bitch”But Ik that — he’s only human — so I try to my best — to forgive him
He tried to walk down — a Righteous path —
& a part of me — wants to believe — the intention was pure — and authenticBut how could he not — go back to the hood — when what he thought to be true
became faker then the streets — he once knew — & tried to get away from
The pastor — along with his crew — were all
“wolfs in sheeps clothing”Sneaky, deceiving & misguiding —
Misleading everyone they knew — including you — & I’m sorry
I had dedicated — several years of my life to God — & he told me — to trust him
But can you imagine?
How painful & confusing it was — to have lost — not only my first love — but my second ?
All while trying — to make the right choices —
but instead gaining — religious PTSD — in the process ?Who was I suppose to turn to — & believe in
While battling — all these inner demons — & traumas — I was dealing with
I went thru many — up-down phases — of believing — while simultaneously — grieving
So I ran away — from my feelings — into the arms of people — I can no longer — even remember
I gave access to my home — & my temple — & said yes at times — I should have definitely — had said no
I had a voice of my own — but didn’t know how to use it
That shits triggering — to remember
Cause little me — just wanted someone to love — & protect her
Not realizing then — I was all I ever needed — & was looking for
So I’m thankful — I now — better respect — myself & my temple
Thankful — I respect my brother — as a father figure — more then I do — a brother
His opinion — really matters to me — So I truly strive — to make him proud
I’m sorry bro, that back then —
Your little sister — didn’t know how 🥺
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Roses shared a letter in the
Parenting group 4 months agoMy Son Remember This
RosesColoring when you’re younger is letting each shade have it’s alone time
They say elders deserve it
But I never had the opportunity to see your hair age to grey
You were a silver fox
Illusive with your presence, no matter how much of a present it would be for me
Doesn’t anyone care about how I feel
I didn’t ask to be here, yet I am, and everything is falling apart… And I have to pick up the pieces and make something beautiful
Whoever said horror was beautiful never had a cut deeper than the surface
I can’t escape this horror story, and adults keep preaching about the honor they don’t even hold on to
Your moral compass clearly was never fixed so stop trying to fix me
I’ll do it myself just like everything else
I don’t care if I take the long way
What’s a little more pain with this depression
This is what I imagined your thoughts said after you heard me communicate: mom and dad are getting a divorce
I’m sorry to have multiplied the trend of men walking out of your life
Son, I’m sorry and I hope you don’t keep your hands around the neck of a grudge
My son I love you, I’m sorry your picture of love now has a crack in it,
My everything, if you hate me and ignore everything else, please remember this: respect is earned not given
So, learn to give it even when it’s not deserved
Because pain can learn to heal when patience reflects
Respect can’t be bought so don’t spend your money on brands expecting it to elevate your title
Your name holds a weight more valuable than gold, not even the world can hold
You, let nothing hold you back
Dad will always have your back
Respect those that hurt you, more than the love they didn’t give
When you treat respect like the kindness everyone should receive you won’t have to ask for it
Then you can paint your own future
Coloring when you’re older is letting the paint sit at the grown folks table and mix conversation
p.s. no matter what our colors will always match… -
beyondme submitted a contest entry to
What are your goals for the new year? 4 months, 1 weeks agoVision Reality 🌥️ (Poem—3 parts)
-BeyondME……………………………….
Vision reality — Pt.1✨
Dreams VS. Vision 💭
……………………………….
Dreams to me—
are what you see when you’re asleepVision, is what you set goals for—
to execute & achieveI have so many goals in mind
& I believe what the mind can see—
you can bring to lifeFrom Vision to Reality
But There’s just this little catch though
Sometimes it feels like it works
& sometimes—it feels like it don’tSometimes you get to keep somethings
Sometimes you won’tThen there’s times—
you don’t even get to have itUnless it’s in your dreams
& not realityI know at times its felt so real
But then it quickly disappeared
Like quick sand slippen thru your hands
On it went—to never ever landAt first it hurts so much
You question everything—including you & your self-worthSomethings are just not meant—for you though
Sometimes it’s just wrong size—
perhaps wrong addressOr simply just—
wrong timingAlotta times—
things tend to look all pretty & shiny ✨So much so—
they can easily become blindingFrom afar they’ll bling —
attracting anyone & anythingJust remember—things aren’t always what they seem
Sometimes the ring don’t fit
Or your body don’t accept itSometimes I’m allergic
& my body rejects itBut with so many options in this world
Sometimes—
Just Sometimes—
Less is moreBut don’t get discouraged—
I just want you to knowWorry bout yourself & your home
Everything else will fall into place for you—along the road
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Vision reality — Pt 2. ✨✨
2024 Goals 📝
……………………………….So when they ask me about my 2024
This is what I wroteI set some goals
& I could easily tell you now
but my goals aren’t for everyone to know
I would rather show you howI rather create my master plan—
have a talk upstairs w my old man
Jot them down—
remember howThe struggle is real
but God is RealerHow—plans are a guide
But usually never—fully set in stoneSometimes you’ll go straight ahead—
sometimes you detourStay on your toes—
& ready for redirectionCause the time will come—
when plans ain’t steadySometimes they go south
Sometimes they’ll go NorthBut don’t you worry—just hold tight
& don’t let goKeep in mind—
there is more than one way—you can goJust hand him the wheel—let him steer
& put your blinders on—
so you can see clearListen up & listen close
Be careful with all that—outside noiseSometimes his voice can be real quite
So I do my best—to quite my surroundingsCause—
How I’m suppose to hear him talking—
while listening to—“Yo Gotti”God be tryna reach out to me—
after me asking him to guide meBut then—
I go straight into hidingHiding behind memes & streams—
that contradict what he believesCatch what I’m saying?
I’m sorry Lord—I’m trying
I know you know best—
where I am—where I’m headed
& what needs—be left—behind meLike that one time—
I had that vision of a business
But it didn’t make itNamed it—Vision Reality
I was so hopeful & determinedI held on to the idea—for some time
Tryna not—let go of itI paid a lot of money out of pocket
Until I couldn’t pay—no more of itSpent months & months—working on it
Alot of frustrating late nights—
that felt like wasted timeBut no time is ever wasted—
if you chose to learn—from all the unexpected lessonsI know more now—then I did back then
& perhaps that—one failed attempt
will help me—perfect the next
……………………………….
Vision reality — Pt 3. ✨✨✨
Love Note Back To You 💙
……………………………….So when I think about 2024
& my goals I have set forth—
I write them down & plan ahead
Always keeping in mind—RememberingI’m never fully in charge—
I’ve never beenI always wanna be in control
& I know it’s time—I learn to let goLet go—of my so called “Master Plans”
Lay them down into—the Real Masters HandsLet him help me quite all the noise
Take my lil social media breaks—as needed
so I can fully hear his voiceFocus on my own goals & life—
not just sit back-chillin—
watching y’all live yoursLive my life for me
Remembering—Not everything in life—
needs to be shared
Not everyone—
needs to know everythingW so many distractions—
It can be easy to be sucked into the madness
To forget—our own goals & visionsSo I take breaks—when I start to feel low or stagnant
& I revisitRevisit my goals & pray on em’
Cause soon as I get comfortable—
i’m uncomfortable again
knowin I should—be working on the next oneSo I ask him to help me—shut the world out again
& all it’s nonsense
To give me back my tunnel vision
& let me get a lil glimpse of himTo not let this world stain my lenses
cause I hate to become blind
& a prisoner of my own mind
& rob myself—of my own blessingsBut when everything around me’s—
fake news
When everything is wrong—
that I once thought to be trueAll this & more—can really weigh on me
& I can’t lie—it can really get depressingSo I ask my God—
for some love notes—here & there
To let me get a glimpse of heaven—
util I myself—can finally get thereSo for 2024—
there’s so much—that I plan to doMost of all—I just want to become—
less of me & more of youI really love to brag about your love for us
Cause I wish the world knew—it’s trueBut vise versa—I could never brag about MY love for you
I know I fail you—every day
Real quick tho—I just wanna sayThank you—Lord
For your provision & my daily breadFor the day you told me
Just hold on—you won’t regret it
Trust me—I got itCause even though it sometimes hurts—
I’ll take it15 yrs later—You were right
I don’t regret it2024—is yours Lord
Show me—just what you can doI think I’m ready now
I wanna see you moveLet’s go—Let’s get it
God,
This is My Love Note back to you💙🙏🏽
Voting is closed
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roses submitted a contest entry to
What are your goals for the new year? 4 months, 2 weeks agoNew Year Resolutions Everyone Should Share
Joshua Clark (Roses)Have you ever read the same book but a different story, there’s a saying for that phenomenon
I just finished my Saturday morning coffee and chocolate chip muffin complimented by my current read
It’s that time of the year again Deja Vu
So, I pull out my pen and begin to write about how to become a better version of you
I didn’t fully comprehend what I thought knew
This year I’m going to do something new
Looking in the mirror but only seeing half of me
I lost myself living as person three, instead of the main character
It’s time to take back all of my identity
Completing every goal this year but first let’s focus on the top threeNumber 1. I’ll start by losing weight
Burning the off calories procrastination added
It’s easier to run to your goals when you sculpt the weight around your waist
The time is now, why wait
You don’t want to be late to your dreams
So, go ahead and book that first trip you’ve been planning for the last 2 yearsNumber 2. I want to travel more
Travel to the past so I can better see my future
A frequent flyer because I was too focused on yesterday
Now these miles are just lessons learned
A frequent flyer because growth is my meditation
If you ever want to get somewhere fast it’s better to slow down
Speeding will only get you a $300 ticket you don’t have the money forNumber 3. I want to be better financially
Health is wealth or so they say and last year I was broke
Broken heart, shattered mind, but you can still see yourself in a cracked mirror if you choose to
Today I choose you, reciting my daily affirmations
Self-care is one of the best ways to say I love you
Learn to say I do to the future you
Investing in yourself pays more than your 9-5
You will be tired
But that just makes it easier to sleep with your day dreamsIgnore the world the same way they hit snooze
Wake up early, aim high, then reach higher
My goals are only one page turn away
So, stop judging my cover before you read my book
If you simply read the preface, you might begin to understand the trails I’ve faced
This book is about the evolution of me
You don’t have to read it, but you will respect my art the same way I cover myself with peace
p.s. these are my goals for leaving 2023…Voting is closed
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“If you ever want to get somewhere fast it’s better to slow down”
This is so true. I also loved this line:
“Self-care is one of the best ways to say I love you”
This whole poem is really powerful and sounds like it’s written by a man ready to take control of his peace and find his happiness. I am excited to see what the year brings for you. T…read more
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If you ever want to get somewhere fast, just slow down.
I totally felt that. I am ons that wants stuff done and want it done now. That line speaks volumes for all of us. Great read!
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jjoshua submitted a contest entry to
What are your goals for the new year? 4 months, 3 weeks agoI’m Doing That!
Janet JoshuaEyes open and there’s my smile.
I’m alive and I made it.
Lord, thank you for seeing me through.
12 more months to create internal joy and more self love.
I’m doing that!Is that the sun shining ?
Sure as hell is, and it’s 2024.
Clap clap because, It’s about to go down.
12 more months to create financial abundance.
Im doing that!Alexa play Anita Baker, You Bring Me Joy!
Who is that dancing in the window?
It’s me, because I bring me joy.
12 more months to create that solo dance performance.
Im doing that!Shit!
Your son is getting married in 4months.
You heard me, 4 months!
Weight Watchers app, can I get a clap
Clap?
4 more months to look extra good and 8 more months to feel like I’m Hollywood!
I’m doing that!The journal is open to create more stories.
Traveling more to see what else is in store.
You wrote a story from the heart in 15 minutes and won that contest.
Shut up! Who did that?
12 more months to dedicate time to writing, reading and expressing.
Yes, you!
I’m doing that!Don’t you think you’re doing a lot?
What?? One son overcame his panic attacks , stuttering and is 29 , a plumber and getting married.
The other son overcame having seizures and couldn’t talk for almost a year and has graduated music school and has an internship as an audio engineer.
Dam right Im doing a lot, cause im doing all of that!Voting is closed
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Janet! You are amazing. This piece reflects the fact that you are a force of nature. There is so much power and positive energy. It exudes pride and confidence in yourself and that is an amazing and beautiful thing. Your kindness, strength, and power all inspire me. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. xoxo <3 Lauren
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THANK YOU SO MUCH! I appreciate and love your kind words! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to finally meet you and thank you for this safe space for all of us.
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I love your poem. It’s very inspiring.
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Thank you so much! I love the fact that we can reply to each others stories/poems and discuss. Thanks for the feedback
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jjoshua submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter or poem about your favorite day of 2023 5 months agoQueridas Madres
Janet JoshuaWow! You’re a mom now, and you’re 18 years old. Who would have thought that?
You just left high school and now you’re getting ready to be a mom. How is that even possible?
When you’re in high school, you have dreams of who you want to become as an adult. Being a mother at 18 wasn’t the plan.
July 30, 1994, your first son was born. February 15, 2002, your second son was born. Two sons and they are both great bundles of joy.
The day comes and your son decided to get married. He gets engaged and you’re so happy for him. Celebrating your child being engaged is totally different than actually seeing them get married.
Your son planned a wedding for May 2024, and decided last minute that he will have a small ceremony in City Hall beforehand. He calls to tell you he is getting married a little early.
Wow! Is this really happening? Your son is getting married. Your baby. He’s getting married in 2023. Right now? Today? No way!
Watching your child grow for 25 years and then seeing him carry his dresser out into a moving truck to go on his own. The tears roll down your face. You wipe it with pride. You’re okay.
The day comes and now he is walking down the aisle of City Hall to get married. The tears start to roll down your face again. Your son growing from a baby to a man in front of you daily, is the best feeling ever. Tears of joy is inevitable.
He holds his soon to be wife’s hand, and begins to say his vows. You’re looking and saying to yourself, “this is it; He’s all grown up. He is not a baby anymore. How?”
He looks at her and says “I do”. Tears roll down again. It’s all joy!
He’s married. He’s a man. He’s on his own.
It’s now Mr. & Mrs. This is the best day of my year.You have nothing to worry about because he’s an amazing man, mature, loveable, ambitious, and resilient. Maybe you can put the mom
guard down just a tiny bit. Relax your shoulders. Release!Moms, I want you to know that motherhood is ups and downs. It’s not always going to be oxtails smothered in gravy with rice and beans. But it will be delicious. Just make sure you have a tall glass of liquid to wash it down with.
He’s married. He’s happy. He’s smiling.
One of the biggest joys ever. I love you!
This is the best day ever! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs.
Voting is open!
Voting ends December 4, 2024 12:00am
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Janet, I am literally crying reading your piece. Congrats to you and your son on your son’s wedding! You are such a warm, and loving person and mom. Your son is so lucky that you were his mom. I know he is definitely ready for this next chapter of his life. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and heartfelt piece.<3 Lauren
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Thank you so much Lauren. I’m so happy that I touched you. You created this path for us. I’m so happy to be able to use it. I love my sons so much. Thank you so much for your comment.
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Vision shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 5 months, 3 weeks agoWhy i Love The Woman I've Become
Vision .WYou’re Confident
You’re Beautiful
You’re Loving
You’re Kind
This beautiful heart that has developed
To care about individuals as much as you do
The confidence you truly found in you
I’m proud and love the woman I’ve become
It took me a long time to get here
You’re a queen
You’re a goddess
You are it
No one can take this away from you
You made it Vision
You love you
You don’t doubt yourself anymore
You believe in you
I love who you have grown into
A true Vision of Love-
I love this piece. I am including it in today’s newsletter. Keep on the lookout for it. And never stop loving yourself. You are wonderful!
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Aww i didn’t get a chance to see it thank you soo much. Can you send me the news letter from yesterday if possible.
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It should be in your inbox already from yesterday. I think I sent it already 10 or 11 but just search my name. It should pop up.
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I never got an email, i tried searching your name i just wanted to show my baby and my family.
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I found it thank youu im just now getting the email
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Vision shared a letter in the
Poetry group 5 months, 3 weeks agoLet It Out
Vision WIf i say what is on my mind
Will i be heard
Will it show on my face before my mouth says anything
If i express it
Should i
Will i regret it if i come out with it
The flashbacks are coming out
I can’t hide it anymore
It will release me
Get the burden off my shoulders
I see it still hurts me to think about
A moment where i truly felt weak and helpless
No means no right
Why did he do that
I trusted him
He was supposed to be my best friend
Stop please i said
I don’t want to do this i said
My words meant nothing
I tried to fight him
I wasn’t strong enough
He’s hurting me
As i am crying saying please stop stop
No
No
When he finished i was bleeding
He took it from me without my consent
I balled up in a ball told him to get out
Fucking Leave
The audacity to ask me if i am okay
No i am not okay
You Took advantage of me
You took something i can’t get back
I’ve never been the one to cry for help
I held it in
My emotions
My feelings
Everything
Feeling of embarrassment
How could i let it happen
I had no control
I need to scream it out
I have to Let it not anger me anymore
I have to tell my mom
So i can feel free &
Live in peaceWill it hurt as much
As it does now
Am i overreacting
Am i being dramatic
Or am i just expressing how i feel inside
Should i be penalized for feeling this way-
Vision, Your pain and emotions are valid. It’s important to express how you feel and seek support from those who care about you. Don’t doubt yourself or feel guilty for sharing your truth. You deserve to be heard, understood, and supported. Take the necessary steps to heal and find peace. You are not alone in this journey.
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Thank youu so muchhh !!!! I greatly appreciate it .
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Vision shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 6 months, 3 weeks agoPain
Vision WEven now sometimes i have my moments
Moments where i feel like
I’m gonna fall apart
Can’t let it consume me
Let it go
Breathe just breathe
You’ve come so far
To go back
I know it hurts
You cry when you don’t want to
It’s trying to release
He’s gone
Your dad is gone
In the wind
You severely question
How can he not love you
Not be there for their for you
To still have breath in your lungs
But alas be gone
I never thought you would leave me again father
Why don’t you want me
When i am made up of half of your DNA
I can’t even say i hate you
I Love you Dad
But i have to let you go
You abandoned me
Came back
Left again
Came Back
Left again
Why come if you never intended to stay
Leave
You can’t be the reason
Theirs’s no peace
I will always love you
I have to live
To explore
Without a painful memory of you
Here is our long distance goodbye-
Vision, I am so sorry to hear about your relationship with your dad. Please know it is not you. You are so easy to love. The problem is most likely that your father doesn’t love himself. When you don’t love yourself, it makes it harder to face others. Don’t let his shortcomings bring you down. You are light. You are loved. And you have and will…read more
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Thank youu so muchh it means alot Lauren!!!
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This piece is incredible, thank you for sharing!
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Thank you so much for reading!!
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vizo2123 submitted a contest entry to
Write about what you are most excited for in the new year 6 months, 4 weeks agoJoy
Vision WEndless Smiles
Heart unbroken
Life looking up for you
Looking at the girl of your dreams
Doing what you love
Writing more
It’s your passion
Spread your voice
Let them hear you
It’s okay
Don’t be scared anymore
To let it show how talented you are
Express
I’m sure it’ll have them impressed
But again you’re not doing it for them
You write for you
It brings such joy
Puts an instant smile on your face
Lets Embrace
No more hiding in the shadows
This is our year to show who we really are
Not what others want to believe
Protect your peace
Go with the flow
Let it be
We are truly smiling againVoting is closed
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Your piece is truly exceptional, thank you for sharing it!
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Love, love, love this!!
“Don’t be scared anymore
To let it show how talented you are
Express
I’m sure it’ll have them impressed”You have already impressed so many. Keep writing and living for you. And keep smiling. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
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Thank youuu so so much!!!
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vizo2123 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem about what you are grateful for in your life 6 months, 4 weeks agoMi Beautiful Musician
Vision WThe moment i locked my eyes on yours
It felt like magic
An instant connection
All we did was smile at one another
We knew what it was
It was
Love at first sight
For the first time in my life
I felt a feeling i haven’t felt before
It’s not the same old saying
Oh i like her cause she’s different from the rest
No
It’s a feeling where my heart beats a million beats a minute
It’s pounding out my chest to the
Sound of your voice
By the way you look at me
Your intellectual mind
Your touching soul
Your glowing smile
How big you heart is
Mi amor i truly am thankful for you
And all you do
You show me you love me
That you care
You have my heart
I wish to not part
To this special woman i love
I’ve fallen in love
You make my life worth while
You take my away from my reality
Only you are not a dream my love
You are real and true
I get lost in you
I never thought it was gonna be like this
Such a bliss
You amaze me
This is true
Baby soon you’ll know it’s true
How grateful i am for you
I’ll express how i feel
To show you what i feel is realVoting is closed
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Vision, this piece feels magical. It is such a beautiful reminder of the magic of love, connection, and destiny. You are so lucky to have experienced such a sweet and magical love. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being such a big part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
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Thank youu so muchh !! It’s such a wonderful joyful feeling to be truly loved.
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vizo2123 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your ideal self 6 months, 4 weeks agoIdeal Self
Vision WMy best self is truly joyful
Not letting the little things bother
Live with ease
Proceed with caution
Not everyone has pure intentions
Stop giving to those whom don’t give back
Don’t Stress on situations you can’t control
Be you
No matter what
Don’t let anyone change the woman you have become
You’ve come such a long way
Through pain in the past
To get you where you are now
You are Poet
You are a Singer
You are a true writer
Here’s to sharing your story with the world
Using your words and melody
Smiling even though you’re hurting
This growth i see
This Vision
Our Journey is here
It’s Ours
Patience is key
Persistence is needed
Be Consistent
You are no longer distant
You are me
We are one
Us as one will become
Everything we dreamed of
In time we will see
What it takes to
Express meVoting is closed
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Current Events group 7 months, 2 weeks agoI am scared and heartbroken
LaurenLast night, I didn’t sleep well, as I had several nightmares. I was haunted by the endless images I saw in the news: A young woman’s naked, lifeless, unconscious (possibly deceased) body being paraded around as a trophy after Hamas attacked young people at a music festival in Israel, a 25-year-old woman begging for her life as she was taken as a hostage and babies whose faces were covered in dust and blood from the bombs thrown near their homes.
When I awoke this morning, I immediately read the news to see the latest. And while the horror continues on the other side of the world, I was also disheartened to learn that hate was just outside my doorstep.
People at rallies down the street from where I slept last night are wearing, holding, and celebrating images of swastikas and promoting anti-semitic rhetoric. For the first time in my life, I was and am scared to be Jewish.
While I have been doing my best to educate myself through the news, friends, and online resources, I am not going to sit here and pretend I fully understand the conflict between Palestine and Israel – because I don’t. And I know that it’s natural and easy to see the world through the lens of my own experiences and identity.
However, we all, myself included, should see and feel our humanity reflected in every person on this planet. And act accordingly.
As I try to process these last few days, the violence happening in the Middle East is not just about me, or any one group of people or politics. This cruel attack on innocent people is about all of us. It is a threat to all of humanity.
No child, no person, whether they share my background or not, whether Palestinian or Israeli (or any other culture, race, or religion), deserves to live or die in such an inhumane way.
There are a lot of issues we can’t and won’t agree on in this world. But we universally should believe in and tirelessly advocate for love, compassion, and peace for all people.
And sadly, right now, that’s not the case.
I am scared and heartbroken as I pray for the victims of violence, our world, and humanity.
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I’m at a loss for words to describe the depths of evil for these murders of innocent people. I can’t comprehend humans committing these acts against other humans. Why with all the prayers that happen worldwide daily do things like this even happen? Please stay safe from these protests and God help the Middle East with everything you have.
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Vision shared a letter in the
Poetry group 7 months, 3 weeks agoAway
Vision WPlease don’t go away
Please don’t go away from me
Don’t hurt me
I thought you loved me
Show me
Don’t walk away
Why won’t you stay
I love you
Can’t you see
You’re Everything to me
Why leave me
To confuse me
You made my heart believe you
Truly loved me
What did i do to deserve this
You hurt me
Why
All i ever did was love you
Hold, Squeeze you hoping you’d dream of peace and harmony
We were supposed to grow together
Now we are apart
I never knew
You’d be the one
To Break My Heart-
Aww I have totally felt like this in my life before. In the moment, it is so excruciatingly painful and confusing. But in my situations, time not only helped me heal but it also helped me see why these situations were not meant for me. In the meantime, keep putting one foot in front of the other. Do things that make you feel good: workout, yoga,…read more
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Chasing Your Dreams group 9 months, 2 weeks agoMy first cover letter
Lauren BrillDear Mr. —
Did you know the NFL’s Ryan Grant also participated in basketball and track and field during his time at Don Bosco Prep School in New Jersey? Did you know the NBA’s Adonal Foyle still holds the record in New York for most points in a high school tournament game? Did you know former Suffern High School girls’ lacrosse star Crysti Foote is a member of the Canadian National Team and is recognized as one of the best female players in the world? Inspired by the commitment and passion all great athletes demonstrate, I know both the technicalities of sports and interesting facts about the athletes themselves, which is why I believe if I become a reporter for MSG Varsity I will be a powerful conduit between the athletes and the tri-state community. I will ask questions the viewers want to know and receive honest answers from athletes who respect my knowledge.
My confidence in my future success is based on the achievements of my past as well as my present occupation. As a young 21-year-old college graduate, I began writing for NBA.com and WNBA.com. With my own swagger, I entered NBA and WNBA locker rooms to interview athletes double my size among journalists twice my age. Publishing hundreds of articles and blogs on NBA.com, WNBA.com, D-league.com, NikeWomen.com, and WomensProSoccer.com, I have also had my fair share of on-air opportunities. Currently, I am a co-host for On the Mike With Mike Sherman, a weekly entertainment, lifestyle, and sports show that airs on a CBS affiliate (My33) in South Florida. Last season, when the 49ers took on the Giants in New Jersey, I was there to interview athletes and report back on the night’s events for CBS’ San Francisco affiliate. I have reported local news on Long Island and worked as a sports reporter for Artsis Media, where I shot, edited, wrote, and produced all my own stories.
Throughout my tenure at Columbia University, I majored in sociology and focused on the sociological impact of sports. Through my 40-plus page senior thesis, I discovered that to have longevity and acceptance as a female sports reporter, you must be a sports connoisseur yourself. Voted biggest jock in my high school senior superlatives, I have lived, breathed, and loved sports throughout my life. I believe if given a chance I will be recognized and respected by the sports world for telling compelling stories and conducting in-depth thought-provoking interviews. In other words, I’m a talented young recruit with an All-American future and would love to help the MSG Varsity team work its way to the top of the game.
Sincerely,
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Chasing Your Dreams group 10 months agoHow in the world did I end up here?
LaurenThis weekend, I was standing on top of a hill with a fortress and a lighthouse that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea in a small beach town in Spain called Tossa De Mer. It was absolutely breathtaking. And I never even heard of this place before we arrived. All I could think was, “How in the world did I get here?”
Flashback five years ago, I was at a job in Ohio, and I was not particularly happy for many reasons. Guided by a strong intuition (and maybe my misery as well), I left my career as a sportscaster to start my own company, theunsealed.com. We are a platform that allows people to share personal stories in an effort to use writing to transform pain into power. If you know me, you know The Unsealed fuels my soul. It makes me excited to wake up in the morning and fills my life with meaning and purpose. For the first three years after starting my company, I worked every single day – most of the time, ten hours a day. No vacations. No days off. And I was perfectly happy doing so.
Personally, I have always enjoyed dating and the attention that comes with it, but after two very serious relationships in my early and mid-twenties, for a long time, I didn’t want anything serious. I always feared that a relationship would and could hold me back, especially when I was a sportscaster, and I didn’t know what city or what job would be next. However, as I became more certain that The Unsealed was what I wanted to do and could do with my life, I became cautiously more open to the idea of a partnership.
Then, after the pandemic, my brother sent me an online flyer for an event. It was called Miami Tech Night; a networking event held every Wednesday in Miami for people who work in tech. My brother thought it would be a great opportunity for me to meet people in my industry. So, as I usually do, I followed my brother’s advice. It was maybe my second or third time attending when this tall, handsome man approached me and asked me what I did for a living. I happily told him, and then he shared a little bit about his career. As we chatted more and more, he revealed that he had started a successful online business in his 20s and sold it. I was impressed, intrigued, and inspired. He invited me to my favorite taco spot down the street to continue the conversation after the event. We quickly realized we had similar interests and family values.
From there, we started spending time together almost daily. Every week seemed to get better and better. So, one day, about three months into our relationship, I suggested getting away from Miami for a few weeks during the summer. Summers are so hot, muggy, and humid in Miami. I proposed L.A., and he said he had wanted for a while to take this massive three-month trip to Europe. He asked if I would be willing to come along. In theory, it sounded amazing, but I needed to work! Plus, leaving my dog for that long would not be easy for me.
My parents agreed to watch my dog, and my boyfriend promised me I could work as much as I wanted on the trip. He’s been where I am, so he gets it. I agreed to go, and for the first time maybe ever, I am figuring out how to have a work-life balance, waking up early to work before we go out for an excursion, and finding cafes in every city to continue to put in at least eight hours every weekday. Instead of resenting me, my boyfriend pushes me to wake up early and goes to play tennis when he doesn’t have his own work to get done.
At night and on the weekends, when we have time, we have the most incredible experiences exploring the world together, visiting castles in Portugal, wandering the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, and getting lost in the public transportation system somewhere in Europe (super grateful to the restaurant owner who called us a taxi).
There is no way if you told me five years ago I would be here right now, I would believe you. But as I sit in a cafe in Spain and reflect, I realize I don’t know exactly where my life is headed, but I do know how I got where I am right now. And that is by personally and professionally following my heart.
With love,
LaurenP.S. Special shoutout to my boyfriend – thank you for believing in me, pushing me, loving me, and inspiring me. And thank you for speaking three languages. We certainly would get far more lost otherwise!
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I love this story. This inspires me to hold onto faith and to let things happen on its own. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story. I’m happy you were able to balance work and travel.
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Thank you! It was definitely the best summer of my life!
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Lauren!!! I love this line “I don’t know exactly where my life is headed, but I do know how I got where I am right now. And that is by personally and professionally following my heart.” It’s exactly the space I’m in where life can be so mysterious. While that can be unsettling there is hope in knowing that by following our dreams and what we l…read more
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Thank you so much. I have more faith now than ever that if you follow your heart, things have a funny way of falling into place. <3 Lauren
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This is my favorite story
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jjoshua submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter or poem to your Body 10 months, 1 weeks agoShe Didnt Know…….
Janet JoshuaDear beautiful woman,
You ever wake up most days, and you’re all smiles? Yeah, that’s a great feeling! The way I see it is, If you can get through 245 of the 365 days in a year being happy, then that’s a pretty good year to me. That possibly leaves you with 120 days of uncertainty.
How do you feel on a day-to-day basis? What are you thankful for when you wake up? Do you ever think for one second that you may not be here the next day? Scary thought, huh?
I woke up one morning in November of 2021, not feeling great. It was during the pandemic and I had a bad cough. I thought the Rona had taken hostage over me. It was just a miserable feeling. My body didn’t feel well. I knew something was wrong.
The doctor visit was a little bizarre to me. The doctor was prescribing medication to me without checking my lungs out with an x-ray. I asked the doctor “can I have an x-ray?” She replied” sure”. The X-ray results were in and it showed a shadow in my lungs. My body with a shadow didn’t make sense. What does that even mean? I tested negative for corona, strep, and flu. I could not figure out what was going on.
The insurance didn’t approve me yet for a CAT scan of my lungs. I felt a tug on my lungs, as if someone tapped me and said “we need a further examination”
Weeks later, I still didn’t feel well. I was at work feeling like I was having an anxiety attack. I never had one before so I couldn’t compare this feeling to anything else. My body was definitely speaking to me. I called an Uber and went straight to the hospital. My body was still tapping me and saying “get a CAT scan”. Sometimes your body can turn in t a Bully to make sure you understand it’s language.
“I can’t breathe, ma’am”, is what I stated to the doctor. To be honest, physically I could breathe fine but mentally, I could not. I decided to exaggerate just a little so I can get the answers that I was looking for. I was rushed into the machine and received a CAT scan of my lungs.
“FINALLY, let’s do this”, I said to my body. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. My body was still talking to me. After the scan, I was placed in the waiting room. Scans showed a mass that was near my heart since 2011, has become too big and I will need surgery to remove it.
I thought to myself “is this woman talking to me, because ain’t no way I had a mass since 2011 and I was never informed”. It’s 2020 now. I asked myself “could that be a mistake?”.
I continued to do further testing and was able to be seen by a surgeon. The surgeon stated that the cat scans show a mass near my heart and it needs to me removed.
I was alone in the doctors office trying not to cry. “I have two sons and I need to see them grow into the great young men that they are becoming”. I learned a true lesson of “when your body speaks, you need to listen”
My surgery was scheduled at another hospital. I couldn’t dare have surgery in a hospital that never informed me of my mass in the first place. My body rejected that surgeon and his theories.
With the help of my attorney that I worked for, I scheduled my surgery in the City for March 2022. I had an MRI on January 25th. That was my dads birthday. My body knew that I was going to be ok, just for the simple fact that I would get clear answers from a test that I am taking on my dads birthday. He passed in 2018 from colon cancer.
March 2021 came and I was cut open to hand my mass removed from around my heart. Once I was opened,unbox revealed that it was not near my heart, it was wrapped around my lung. It was huge. My body had a score of “3”and these hospitals scored “0”.
A thoracic surgeon was on board and he saved the day. I thought to myself “thank god I listened to my body. I would have never known”.It was not a speedy recovery. I went from not knowing anything that was going on in my body to having a tumor that was non cancerous out of my body.
Healing was not easy. I had to go back to work while I was trying to heal. The people I worked for asked me “what’s taking you so long to heal?” A woman being cut down her breast, asking her what’s taking long to heal? Imagine that shit! I quit and didn’t look back.
I didn’t know that I had the strength to build myself back up. My body has been through plenty of other surgeries but not like this one. My lungs were collapsed during this surgery and that’s not easy. I didn’t know that it takes mental, emotional and physical strength to get yourself back together.
I have a scar down the middle of my breast and I felt that I would be embarrassed to show my body. It’s a scar of resilience, courage and fight. I fought for my body and I’m glad I did. I am not going to be embarrassed of what happened to my body ever. I’m here and I’m alive.
Listen to your body at all times. It speaks to you, because you simply wouldn’t know.
Voting is closed
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Chasing Your Dreams group 11 months agoThis is why I am making the world my workplace for the summer
LaurenAs a kid, I was adventurous, riding rollercoasters at age five, going on a plane by myself at seven, and willing to travel just about anywhere up through my college years. I am not sure if it was the pandemic or the tragedies we see daily in the news, or maybe just me getting older, but somehow, along my journey, my fearless spirit began to fade.
In April, my boyfriend (of just a few months at the time) proposed a trip of a lifetime, three months of traveling all over Europe while working remotely. In theory, it sounded amazing. I went to Europe in my teens and early 20s and loved it. But three months is a long time away from my family and dog, and Europe feels so distant from home. I was scared to go.
Nonetheless, knowing how much my boyfriend wanted to travel and how wonderful an opportunity and privilege this trip truly is, I agreed to go with him. However, during the three weeks leading up to the trip, I had two separate back spasms/herniated discs, and, for the first time in my life, I fainted and hit my head pretty hard. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not. But I definitely felt very anxious.
Once we made it to our apartment in Barcelona, Spain, I felt slightly more at ease. So far, we’ve walked for miles and miles along the beach, not knowing where we were going or what we wanted to do. We’ve tried delicious food that was possibly worth the ensuing stomachache. And I have attempted to speak and understand a language I do not know. All the while, my boyfriend and I are beginning to learn more about each other’s quirks as we fully live together for the first time.
As I sit here writing in a cafe in Barcelona, eating new food, working on The Unsealed, and listening to various languages in a city I don’t know very well at all, I am now hopeful that getting a little lost in this world will help me find a part of myself that I thought was long gone.
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To be able to travel all over the world is super cool and It’s a great thing that you’ve got you traveling mojo back and that you’re traveling with the one you love. Thank you for sharing
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Lauren I am so grateful to have seen your letter. As a young woman that desperately wants to travel but didn’t even go away for school it comforts me in so many ways to see you pushing past your fears and learning how to live in a way that’s such a genuine experience. I pray that soon I’ll be able to tell my own version of this story and I hope to…read more
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I somehow missed this response when you wrote it but saw it today. Definitely push yourself outside your comfort zone. It was the best summer of my life, not to mention I fell completely in love with my boyfriend. I was so scared to go and now I want to go back. I can’t wait to hear your story :). Lauren
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beyondme submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter or poem to your Body 11 months agoIn This Body Of Mine
BeyondMeI’ve been feeling so defeated.
So many emotions bottled up,
Looking for a healthy way to release it.I’ve always loved to write,
But too afraid to share the feelings I’m feeling.Wanting to use my life to make a difference,
But I’d have to put myself out there,
For the whole world to see it.Too afraid to lose my sense of security,
I hold on to all that I been through.
But what good is my pain,
If it’s not used to help you.As the years pass me by,
Sometimes I feel I’ve lost my purpose.
Just when I think I’ve got it figured out,
Here comes life saying,
“Here, let me show you this.”I have to relearn & readjust,
Every so many years,
& it’s so exhausting.Idk whats right & what’s real,
Life tends to back out on its word & confuse me foreal.
Todays healthy, is tomorrows cancer.
Just when I think I’m headed in the right direction,
I fall off my track,
& create a new disaster.I never knew how to love myself,
Even though I really tried.
My idea of self love backfired on me,
Time after time.Then one day my body gave me no choice but to listen,
I was barely walking or standing & my mental health was deteriorating.I had those thoughts we never talk bout,
Because I wasn’t living.
I was glued to my bed,
Thoughts racing day & night in my head.I couldn’t be the mom I wanted to be,
& above all, I think that’s what broke me.
So many things combined,
Made my body explode inside.
& From there on out,
I had to say goodbye to the old me.Day after day,
I wake up & go to bed in pain.
But I try… again & again.
Whole body screaming,
“Someone please come & heal me.”Slowly but surely, I’m working.
Hoping to find the remedies to heal all the trauma stored in me.I deserve more then self pity.
I’ve seen ppl worse off,
living they’re dream.It would be so disrespectful,
Not to do all that I can,
To feel better.I’m hurten,
but occasionally I hear that voice in my head saying, “I’m worth it.”It’s a painfully slow progress,
But Its said, “slow & steady wins the race.”
I hear we hold within us & above us,
All the tools & strength.
Strength needed to face tomorrow,
Until you reach the day with no more sorrow.
Self healing, not self pity,
Is the motto.My body is a powerful place,
Covered in Gods healing & grace.
& one day I shall conquer.Voting is closed
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Aww it is never too late to find or pursue your purpose. Keep pushing yourself to love yourself, and enjoy all life has to offer. You are right, slow and steady does win the race. You got this. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our unsealed family. <3 Lauren
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