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lostone89 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to someone who inspired you 3 years, 1 months agoThe Online Connection That Would Change My Life
Dear Family Member,
It’s hard to believe that we’ve known each other for nine years now. It feels more like five years than nine. That’s how much fun & a blessing this journey has been for me. I’m so grateful that we crossed paths.
To think, it all started by meeting each other on a website called Christianity Oasis.
After messaging other members & being in a good mood, I almost logged off that site for today, but, for some reason, I decided to hang around a little longer.
So I stayed looking at a quiet chatroom for several minutes. And then you arrived. I thought one of the other members would say something to speak to you, but, no one was typing.
”Hello?”, you said
Still nothing from no one else. So, finally, I replied back, just to make you feel welcomed. Just from our first interaction, I could sense you were a really kind person. Plus, I was glad to make you laugh too.
We would chat a few more times on Christianity Oasis before moving to Yahoo to talk. After chatting on Yahoo for a while, then we started messaging each other on Facebook & then Glide.
The positive impact you were having on me was already enormous. Like, teaching me things like how to do taxes online or how to cook French Toast.
Your big heart for others inspired me to share that same love for those that want/need it. Despite my best efforts, It’ll never be as much as the love you send to others.You would embrace me like I was a member of your family (who I loved).
The biggest impact you had on me, I didn’t see coming until it came to pass. You would start sharing the blogs you were writing on this site called WordPress.
It had me curious to read your writings. It was great to read about your early life & how things were in the 60s/70s from your perspective. I couldn’t get enough of reading your blogs & then you would stop writing them.
At first, I thought maybe you were taking a break from them. But, then, the more time had passed since your last blog, the more it sunk in, that you weren’t gonna share any more of your early adventures.
A month or two later, curiosity would push me to start writing blogs of my own. I opened up a WordPress account & started writing about a Saturday morning of watching cartoons.
When I typed, it was as if the words were flowing from my hands like a waterfall. This just felt…right. After finishing my first post, I felt great.
”That was fun”, I thought.I couldn’t wait to write the next idea I had for a blog. Once again, I let the words flow from my hands to the WordPress page.
The topic was about the loaded Western Conference & the Lebron Conference for the upcoming 2017-2018 NBA season. Another blog is done. I would get my first like ever with that post.
That really made me feel good! It felt like I was onto something with this writing thing.The third blog is when I began sharing my writings on Facebook. I thought maybe one or two of my family/friends would react to it. To my surprise, I had seven of them respond positively to my blog. I was stunned.
I would continue to write & learn how much creativity I had buried inside of me that needed to be released. My writing journey would lead me to other writing sites like Booksie, Medium, Newsbreak & eventually… The Unsealed.
All this was possible because of you.
It’s because of you, I’ve learned to be more open than I was in the past. I’ve also become a better person over these last nine years. And finally, it’s because of you, that Gerald the writer/storyteller was born four years ago.
I could never thank you enough for the overwhelming impact you’ve had on my life. It won’t stop me from trying though.
Gratefully,
Voting is closed
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
To my younger self group 3 years, 1 months agoMy advice for the younger me
lauren (the older you)To my younger self,
Several years ago, mom and dad moved out of our childhood home and mom sent me a box filled with items from our room that she didn’t know if I wanted to keep or throw away.
As I looked through this box, I found random items like a Mia Hamm Barbie in a package that I never opened and drawings from third or fourth grade. As I dug a little deeper, I also found a letter written to my future self. It was written by you – my younger self – a 17-year-old high school senior.
You’ll be happy to know that you got off the waitlist and into your top-choice school, Columbia University. While you will question whether or not you are smart enough to go there, college won’t be very difficult for you. Academics will almost come secondary to falling in love, getting your heart broken, making lifelong friendships, and starting your career.
After college, it will take a little bit of time, but you will make it on air. You will become a sportscaster. In some ways, the dream will be everything you ever imagined and more, and in other ways, you will be left hurt, frustrated and disappointed.
I’m sorry to tell you that so far, you didn’t get your own show, and you don’t have your own network.
But that’s OK.
What I love about you and what I love about me is that we follow our heart, and we stay true to our morals. We stand up for ourselves and others even when there is a heavy price to pay.
These qualities will lead you to tell the world in an open letter about what happened at that house party in Nyack when you were 16. I know you thought you’d be able to bury that, to push it away and forget what those boys did to you forever. However, it just won’t play out that way.
Don’t worry. You’re OK. You are more than OK. Your letter, which was addressed to sexual assault survivors, will help you transform all your pain into purpose.
Sharing your truth will feel so empowering, you will decide to lend your ability to write and tell a story to other people’s voices. You will start a business you can’t yet even visualize. It will be called The Unsealed, and you will ghostwrite open letters that will inspire strength and encourage equality.
While most of the letters won’t be about you, you will write the letters based on your interpretation of each person’s story. And thus, within each letter written, there will be a piece of you and a part of your heart. These letters will reflect the compassion you feel for others and the impact you want to make on the world.
The response to your work will be incredible.
Your very first letter, which was about grief, will save someone’s life. A man, who lost his mother, will reach out to you and tell you that he read the letter with a gun in his hand. By the time he finishes the letter, he will have a tear dripping down his face. That will be the moment he decides not to take his own life.
And that’s not all.
A former foster child will tell you that you made her feel seen. A father who will lose his son to cancer will thank you for caring about his child’s legacy. A teenage rape survivor will tell you that you are the reason she shared her story, and you are the reason she feels hope for her future. Countless people will be grateful because you listened to them, helped them express themselves, and amplified their voices.
Your work will give you so much happiness, purpose, and connection. The passion you feel burning through your veins will help combat the nerves that come with the uncertainties of starting and running a business.
It’s not your own show, and it’s not your own network. But this will be right for you.
Once again, you will be confident that you are good enough, but you will still want to be the best. Your dreams will once again be big, and your plan will be very specific:
Build an enormous badass company that will change the whole damn world!
You will have your moments where you wonder, “Is this possible?”
“Can I take this to the next level?”
“Will I continue to grow?”
Most of the time, you will be excited, but there will be moments that you feel scared. And in those moments, you will think of the letter your 17-year-old self wrote to your future self.
See, when I think about you and your struggle and how the cards ultimately unfolded – I know precisely the advice I want to tell you.
I want you to relax. You have wonderful friends, the best parents and you are young and curious. Stop missing out on the joy of the present moment because you’re consumed with the unknowns of your future.
Don’t worry. Everything always turns out just fine.
All you have to do is continue to follow your heart and work hard. If that doesn’t take you where you plan to go, I promise it will lead you somewhere better.
I hope this helps.
And thank you again for writing to me. The advice that I realized I wanted to give to you ended up being the exact wisdom I needed to remind myself.
We got this! Let’s go!
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Aww Roger, that is so sweet. It’s people like you that keep me pushing. I still want to grow and be so much bigger. But I know I have to be patient and it will come. I am so glad The Unsealed and our friendship has had such a positive impact on your well-being and your life. You inspire me to keep pushing ever day.
Life is really hard sometime…read more
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I believe that your a very strong, independent, and a successful person. I feel that you are a person that will help others speak out more on there experiences which you are currently doing; your on a level where the stories you post motivates others to post as well. You are a leading example of how a lot of people who go through hardships with…read more
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That part on stop missing on the joy of the present moment because you’re consumed with the unknowns of your future is so true! It’s tough to stay in the present when your mind has been conditioned to constantly think about the future. The Unsealed (In a way) is your show, Lauren. It shows your willingness to share other people’s stories. It a…read more
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It really is tough to stay present. It is something I still struggle with. I am a worrier and trying to build a business sure doesn’t make that any easier. But it’s people like you and letters like this one that remind me that everything will be OK and that I am on the right track and I just have to keep pushing. I am so glad you found The…read more
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Your story amazes me. To go through something so horrible and to turn it into something that inspired a passion to help others speak up on their experiences, is just so encouraging to me. Reminds me that there are people who actually care out there. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Magical Moments group 3 years, 2 months agoMy big brother believes in me
LaurenTo my Big Brother @andbrill,
The other day I was updating you The Unsealed and you said to me, “You know it’s really hard to even get to this point. Almost impossible.”
You are very practical person. You’re logical and reasonable – not the type of person to chase dreams that are completely unrealistic or super farfetched. With that said, YOU were the one encouraged me to start The Unsealed. In fact, I think you might even been the one to plant the initial idea in my head.
So , the other day when you told me that it was so unlikely to even get this far (which isn’t that far we still have long ways to go), my first thought was “Why in the world would you tell me to do this then?” And I asked you that very question.
Your response was, “Because I thought you could do it. ”
I almost cried when you said that. Knowing how you think, I knew you when you said that you really looked at what I have done and who I am and you calculated in your head that I had what it takes to do this.
Knowing you believe gives me so much confidence in myself and I am forever grateful. I love you.
Anyone else have a sibling who pushes and encourages them in life?
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This is beautiful, what a brother. As he stated, he thought you can do it, and that’s how much he believed in you, even though he didn’t truly know how far you will get with it, he still thought you could do it. and you did. I have many brothers and sister, and I can say out of all, only 1-2 may support you, but most won’t support you in your…read more
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Mental Health group 3 years, 2 months agoDon't Worry, Be Happy
LaurenDear Kris, @krisqts-us-com
The other night I was super stressed and I read a post of yours that said, “”In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry you make it double. Don’t worry, be happy!” – Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.”
I am a worrier. I have always been like that. It’s the way I am wired. And this month I was worrying more than usual. When I read that, I thought about you and your story and suddenly felt a calmness. I just wanted you to know I am incredibly inspired by you and you are helping some many people just by being you.
I think when we as a humans are in extreme situations we see the world and the purpose of life with so much more clarity. When you share that clarity and perspective with others it not only allows you to live your best life, but helps others do the same. Thank you for sharing your light with the world. Your light is helping people step out of their own darkness.
Grateful our paths crossed. xo (@shelleybrill @oneturbobenz @jim-c @kayjahlorde)
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lostone89 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to a loved one that you lost and share how you are honoring their legacy/life 3 years, 2 months agoDear Mom, It is Me Junior
Dear Mom,
It’s me, your oldest son…Junior.
I should speak to you more through prayer, but, I haven’t, which is my fault.
It’s hard to fathom, but, it’s been 20 years since we last saw each other on Earth. The world has changed a lot (good and bad) since you passed away in 2001.For a long time, I struggled to talk about you to people I knew when they would ask about you - because the deep sadness & emotions I felt would rise up within me.
I would do my best to remain as stoic as I could, but inside, that confused 12-year boy was crying to be released and to express the overwhelming feelings he had when he lost you.It felt like I was going to see you cook those wonderful meals, watch you shop for things that you wanted forever, or see you watch those soap operas you loved. And then one day I see you in the hospital thinking I was gonna see you recover to be your normal self, only to learn that it would be the last time I would see you.
I’ve thought about that moment throughout the years, and each time, it makes my grief stronger. I wish I could see you somehow or hear your voice. It’s gotten so bad that I can’t remember what your voice sounded like. That makes me really sad.
I grieve for you and how you were robbed of getting to live a long life as Betty White did. I also grieve for the many lost experiences that we never had together & the positive ones that you would have made with so many people you had yet to meet.Your untimely passing was the ultimate lesson in how unfair life can be. It was also the first major step in shattering how the world was in my optimistic head. But, I take some comfort in knowing you have great company up there with you.
For years, I was in denial about an obvious truth, which is, I missed you, and wish you were still here in 2021. You must be smiling from heaven at your four children. Your two grandchildren must also have you smiling with their bubbly & kind spirits.
Dad talks about you more now than he has in years. Each time he mentions you, it’s in a positive way.
You’re missed mom, by a lot of people. Even though your life was short, you left quite an impact on me through your loving demeanor.
I just hope I’ve made you proud so far, even though I still have a long journey ahead in life (God willing). It’s been a tough road trying to figure things out, but, in recent years, the road has gotten smoother than ever before.Every day I honor you, by being the best person I can be, doing good to others, uplifting others who need it & emphasizing with people who had similar experiences in losing a loved one dear to them.
I hope to see you in the spirit someday, until then, I’ll honor you as long as I’m around in the flesh.Voting is closed
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Lauren Brill shared a letter in the
Remembering those we lost/Grief group 3 years, 2 months agoWhy my ex-boyfriend is always in my heart
LaurenIt’s been almost six years since I lost my ex-boyfriend, Brian. He loved me with all his heart. And even though I broke his heart, he never stopped caring about me, supporting me, or cheering on my success. When he was alive, I spent years keeping him an arm’s distance away. At the time, I just didn’t want the same relationship that he wanted. But when he died, I almost fell in love with him all over again, or maybe I realized I never stopped loving him. At that moment, I remembered the roses he bought me for no reason, the times we ran around lower Manhattan going to psychics to see what they’d say, and the comedy shows where we laughed until our stomachs hurt. Brian never wanted to tell me “no” about anything. He always wanted to see me happy. I never really thought about how I’d feel if one day he was no longer here.
Before he died, he made me promise him that I would never settle for anyone who didn’t treat me the way he treated me. He literally made me look him in the eye and say, “I promise.” Now, when I date, and someone falls short of treating me how he wanted, it’s almost like I grieve him dying all over again. With each disappointment, I am reminded of him and how we really did have something special.
While I can’t turn back the clocks of time, I keep Brian close to my heart every day. And when I find that person who treats me how he wanted me to be treated, I will honor Brian’s life by meeting that standard as well.
Never again will I take anyone’s love for granted.
Anyone else have someone in their lives that they hold close? How do you guys deal with grief? Would love to hear from you guys <3
@amazz94 @bigstudbundy @zsigray81@delanomassey @josh-copeland @jim-c @fpjames7 @oneturbobenz @shelleybrill @telina27
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That’s a powerful story. He’s right. You shouldn’t accept anything less than what he would have been willing to give. From anyone. Grief is tough. Comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m currently apart from my ex girlfriend. It’s brutal. I want to be back w her so much. But I can’t speed up the process. It just has to be a one day at a time proces…read more
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I am so sorry for your losses as well. They say time heals all, but I remember writing when I was a kid that time doesn’t heal all, you just start to get used to the way you feel. One day at a time is definitely the best advice, but the reality is, some days are certainly better than others.
With that said, I have also experienced magical…read more
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I think you are right on. I don’t think you ever fully heal from serious grief like that. You just get used to things as they are. Because to be fully healed, I’d think that means as good as you were before the loved ones went away. And I don’t think that will ever be the case in things like that. Nothing will ever be as good as it was. You just…read more
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Grief in general is hard to deal with because when we lose someone we feel like apart of us is gone, but we take on who they were in the things we do. Each person we meet gives us apart of themselves. When I lost my dad I was angry 😡 and sad at the same time. I couldn’t understand why I had to lose him. As I started to come out of my anger I r…read more
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@oneturbobenz @telina27 I think you are both so right. We all find our own ways to grieve. But i think the underlining similarity is that we all need to allow ourselves to grieve and to express our emotions. Telina, I went through that anger stage like you did. Wanting someone or something to blame. And Roger, I also had guilt, “why did i leave…read more
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This is a powerful read. It’s not easy losing people we care about. It takes time to process a loss. Our minds start wondering how things would be different if that person was still alive. It’s said that time heals all wounds, but, it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like time just makes us get into a place where we can tolerate our wounds. Not…read more
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Gerald I know your mom is looking down on you and she is really proud. You know, I too often bury my emotions . Not because I think I have too but because it’s easier not to face them. Often they come out in other ways like anxiety, stomach aches or even back aches. That’s how I ended up writing. It became a healthy outlet for self-expression. A…read more
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Appreciate that Lauren. I believe she is too, looking down with a smile. Yeah. Anxiety is definitely one way those emotions can come out. I’m glad you found healing and empowerment through writing. I feel writing has done the same for me in terms of its healing power & empowerment I’ll never felt before. It’s a great outlet for self-expression. I…read more
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I struggled for quite a while after losing my mother. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer many years prior to succumbing to it. When first diagnosed she entered a trial study and it was under control for years. When the trail ended, she was so excited to find out she was in the test group and he cancer was under control. About a year latter…read more
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I am so sorry for what you and your mother went through. But you are so right, focusing on the happy times makes everything a little easier. Also, you can feel gratitude for having so many happy times. With my grandfather, I always think about how he called me his little athlete because he knew I got my athletic talent from him. With Brian, I…read more
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I remember the first time I read about the promise you made Brian. I think what he wanted was to ensure you were happy. The way he treated you was the way he felt was the best way he could make you happy so that is what he hoped you would find with someone else. Maybe a part of him hoped you would look and not find someone and come back to him.…read more
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“Maybe next time instead of putting his sister at your table he will put the guy you are looking for there.” This line nearly made me cry. He is probably just waiting until i feel so tortured that I will appreciate that person to no end. And I do think you are right. I do think on some level he was hoping I would one day come to him. I just don’t…read more
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@jim-c @oneturbobenz @telina27 @lostone89 @bigstudbundy All of your responses were so thoughtful and so beautiful. It really touched my heart. Grief is one of those things that I feel like always stays with us in some form. Maybe it gets easier. Maybe it doesn’t. But Grief also means we were lucky enough to have someone pretty special in our…read more
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My husband has been nothing but good to me. It’s hard for me to fathom that someone can hold so much love for another person. I can’t imagine what it would be like if he was no longer here with me. I do know it would shatter me. I’m so grateful for him.
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This is beautiful, and I’m sorry you lost a true love. Someone that cherished you with all he had. And, No, you don’t find that often and what you promised him, you should hold dear. He wanted to make sure if it wasn’t him, it would be someone who was his example, love you dearly. There’s a true saying, “you don’t miss the water, until the well…read more
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I’m literally in tears. I found another “Brian.” He is in the next room working. While they are very different, and they express their feelings for me totally differently, their love and care for me are the same. Thank you for reading. I know somewhere Brian is smiling down on me – on us. <3 Lauren
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lostone89 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem to the new 2022 you 3 years, 4 months agoHello 2022. Nice To Meet You
As the new year arrives
I’m grateful that in 2021, I’ve taken tremendous strivesThe courage & belief in self really blossomed this year
After years of my mind being controlled by fearI’m really excited for 2022
Hopefully, we’ll all make it throughThere are so many things I want to do
Like continuing to grow as a writer & go back to school, just to name a fewI embrace the surprises that will come along the way
It also helps to have fun & play.So, I’m ready for the great year, that’ll be 2022
I hope you are too.Voting is closed
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lostone89 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your younger self 3 years, 6 months agoCONTEST ENTRY: Embracing Who I Am
Dear Future Butterflies,
The ones that are having a hard time fitting in with their peers. I see you guys sitting in your school gym listening to a speaker that doesn’t give you any encouragement for your future.
Right now, I know many of you feel lost in a world that’s giving you confusing messages on who you are and who you should be. You’re made to believe that you’re supposed to be tough all the time or be a bully & terrorize other kids, but, that’s not who you are deep inside your heart.
The school world probably isn’t helping bring out those characteristics about yourself that make you ”you”. Nor are your loved ones (bless their hearts). They’ve already picked certain students who they believe will be future stars and left ones like you behind because they see no value in you.
You want to cry and take your anger out on those who mistreat you, but, you’re afraid, that you don’t have the strength to defend yourself. You have more power inside than you think. You just haven’t been allowed to see it yet. A long adventure awaits you.
I was like many of you for a long time. I had a hard time showing the qualities that made me feel alive - because the environment I was around didn’t allow them to grow into healthy flowers. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina for the first fifteen years of my life. I would discover my love for History and Reading there.
A lot of kids I knew, didn’t share the same love that I had for those two things, so, it was impossible to make friends because the boys I knew were into making fun of others, fighting, and establishing dominance over others.
Those things never interested me so I became a target of their cruel games. They enjoy bullying me and making me feel low whenever they had the chance. Enough bullying had happened that they got their wish. My self-esteem was in the negatives. That bubbly kid died in middle school.
I became quiet and only said the bare minimum just to get by without anyone picking on me. It would take years for me to finally rejoice and embrace the qualities of myself that are a part of me. It was a long journey into learning more about myself.
While my peers had seemed like they had figured their life out and were doing great things, I remained behind just trying to make sure I don’t take the wrong path in life for most of my 20s.
The amazing part is I would start coming across people online & offline in my 20s that would help me find the path where I’m on today. Now at 32, my self-esteem is in a better place than it’s ever been. I can’t wait to see my progress in five years.
I share my love for history out in the open. I also would discover this amazing gift called writing - thanks to a close friend I met on a social media site that I remain close with to this day.
If someone from the future told me that my life would change 20 years ago, I wouldn’t believe them– because of the mental state I was in at the time.
Like me, you’ll discover people who will bring those amazing qualities you have out of you and made you feel safe being who you are.
I wish I could tell you that your journey would be easy, it may be a tough one for you. Rejoice though, you’re gonna make it. Just trust the process, even when it gets painful (which is a hard challenge).
You’ll do a lot of inner work on yourself, a lot of it will be uncomfortable. You’ll read articles that talk will make you feel bad about yourself. You’ll even have a lot of self-loathing moments.
You’ll even be mad at yourself for not having the courage to stand up for yourself when you were younger. All of the hardship & pain you’ll go through is to produce a strong human being.
So, I hope this message empowers you, you’re journey is just beginning and I hope to see you on the other side someday.
I wish you all much success,Voting is closed
