“New year, new me… new goals set for 2023!” The 1st goal is checked by the fact that I have enough air within my lungs to breathe.
I am here! I make peace with the fact that 2023 is already looking up for me.
I’ve already had my vision board mapped out and told myself that “all of 2023, i’m gonna live comfortably.” I deserve it!
New goals set for 2023 and they all align with my purpose.
Did so much healing over the past few years that I’ve laid a solid foundation that’s much deeper than what lies beneath the surface.
The shedding of my tears, old habits, and fears has allowed me to align with a laser sharp focus
as it reveals all of my inner truths… I confidently speak up for those who feel hopeless.
Although, prior to now it felt like no one else could even hear me. Maybe because I didn’t fully yet hear myself… so to speak.
New goals set for 2023, I am a leader amongst my own destiny…
Mastering all that I continuously co-create. Learning more about holistic medicines to heal my ancestral lineage for goodness sake!
I’ll continue meditating and going within…
and promise to myself to continue flowing… not only just with the pen.
Faith and alignment is all that I’ll really need
because for the new goals set… the divine will make sure that I’ll continue having everything that I could ever desire, want, and need!
Living fully within each moment, I’ll approach each day gratefully.
I will continue to prioritize peace and balance. Allowing myself to grow and expand from more of life’s daily lessons.
Heavy, yet gentle on the self-care towards showing up as the highest version of myself.
Having no specific expectations… by letting it all unfold for me naturally. Praying that everything turns out even better than I could imagine it to be!
I set out to intentionally pour into my passions of inspiring others, creating, writing and dancing joyfully.
Also, remind myself to playfully explore many new exciting festivities. I’ll indulge in the various wonders of very tasteful vegan recipes.
Counting my blessings as I know that not everything in life is guaranteed.
I value to equally nurture and grow along with my loved ones. I am also open to new, yet healthy/ lasting connections because I’ve detached from most of the old ones.
Love (unconditionally), soft yet bitterly sweet, that’s the fluent language that I sacredly speak.
Claiming it all! Signed “Aligned by Seven: 2023”
Hold up! Just one last thing…
I promise myself to maximize my unlimited potential… So, here it is. 2023, the journey begins!
Valencia – This is fantastic. You are definitely a strong person. This line is so real and so relatable, “Although, prior to now it felt like no one else could even hear me. Maybe because I didn’t fully yet hear myself… so to speak.”
We definitely hear you and I know you now hear yourself. Go be the highest version of yourself. You are ins…read more
Valencia my favorite line is where you said “Living fully within each moment, I’ll approach each day gratefully.” Sometimes we don’t take the time to be grateful for the things we already have even for our bodies. Whether we are grateful to have food on our table breathe air or so on and so forth. Even though we have plans for the future we stil…read more
Yessss!!! Thank you Kayjah, absolutely right on point with that. It makes a great difference in how we can better show up and receive even more of those blessings in advance. I appreciate your comment 💜
I want you to breathe easier
To not critique yourself and art into artistic paralysis
Do not question your Intuition
I will let you make mistakes
Only if you can learn from them
I will not beat you up for being human
I will give you the grace I allow others
I am now able to love you as you need to be loved.
And that love will grow with each passing day
I believe that you are worth the struggle.
That love is just as important to receive as give.
You will be the change you want to see in this world.
You will rage against the dying light
And I will love and be proud of you with every moment of this coming year.
Sarah, this is so good. You give so much love and kindness to others. I hope and pray every day you give that same love and kindness to yourself. You are wonderful and amazing and I hope you are as proud of yourself as I am of you. Thank you for sharing. I hope your year is going even better than planned. Thank you for sharing your heart with the…read more
It’s always good to give ourselves grace because sometimes we tend to be a little too hard on ourselves we have to understand that sometimes we don’t have the ability to do everything we want to do our way. We sometimes have to understand that we are not perfect. I love that you said that you will rage against the dying light showing that no…read more
Sarah giving ourselves grace is important, especially living in a society where there aren’t many people that will give you grace. Accepting grace for yourself is important, but also accepting grace for others is even more important. We need to remind ourselves that grace is there for us. We have the power to have grace in moments where we feel l…read more
Jules… this poem is a whole mood! It really sets a tone and shares your feelings. Your writing shares so much strength and intelligence. But there is also pain and struggle. Decide whatever it is you want to do in life, and just go for it. You are smart and you are strong. There is nothing in your past and there is no person that can stop you.…read more
Jules this is such a powerful poem! Your journey will continue. You have so much strength and nothing should hold you back from reaching your goals, not even your past. You’ve built solid ground now it’s time to move forward and step out of your comfort zone.
Right now, there is snow on the ground and children sled down the big hill in the park,
Shriek out in joyous rapture
From the window:
smells of rosemary, bacon sizzling in the pan, and coffee burnt but loved by all fathers who share in the exhilaration of a snowy day
Today is filled with happiness, shared as commonly as the lone cigarette at a party,
Passed around
Still, and not unlike that cigarette, the day is filled with a feeling of finality
Heavy as led
When it is over,
When the clock strikes for the last time, feeling more like a period than a comma
Ball dropping in Times Square like that most final form of punctuation
That is when I wonder:
What will those children’s delighted screams sound like in the next year to come?
Will the fathers hope for more wind chilled days where their young cry out to be pulled along in that red toboggan we all know so well?
Do they wish for their children to call out to them, “please daddy, please just one more ride!” as they watch their babies grow?
I may never know what those fathers, those proprietors of black and bitter folgers, wish for when they hear that vast and final toll of the clock tonight, marking the end of their latest sentence
And what of the children?
Whatever they wish must stay unknown to me, their own desires a mystery for them alone to learn
And when it rings in at midnight, the clock will have already accomplished it’s most sacred task of the year, only wishing to do it again and again endlessly
Comma after comma until the night when the ball drops again
Party poppers exploding in primary colored cheer
The clock ringing out,
A period to end the sentence
When the clock tolls
Heavy
Final
period after an endless run-on
I will hope for just one thing
I will close my eyes
And make a wish:
Love without fear is what will ring in my ears like the music all around me
When I feel myself grow angry, stubborn, or closed off
Love without fear is what will bring me back
this year
I can taste that goal like candy hearts, passed out in grade-school Valentines
When I turn on the news to see fires
Or war
Or violence of unspeakable measure
Those horrible unmentionable things that make blood boil
I will still look out my window and see love in all that’s around me
Keep candy hearts under my tongue so even the most bitter days taste sweet
And I will have love this year
Love for my students
And friends
Love for my own mistakes
Love for forgiveness, and the planet, and the oceans and the heavens above
Love
For all of it
I will hear that bell ring, twelve booming dings
And I will have only one shining syllable roll around on my tongue
That word will break free from my mouth in a joyous shout
The ecstasy of newness will overtake me then, and I will begin the hard work of loving myself,
Of loving the things I cannot change
I will do this so that maybe the next time there is snow on the ground,
And the bacon,
And the sleds
A period ready to be placed neatly at the end of this sentence, and a clock ready to strike
All around will be the taste of love
Then, with candied sweetness on my breath, I will be ready with a new list of goals to accomplish
Things far more tangible than this one thing I must do when the ball drops tonight.
Maybe,
I’ll finally learn to sew, or paint, or start a garden
I’ll tell strangers how beautiful they are, and walk more, or learn to juggle, or learn to cook
I will bake the perfect soufflé, and learn new songs, and write the most eloquent poems
Again,
The clock will ding
And the ball will drop
And people will scream out in glorious cries of “I love you!“ to anyone willing to listen
And there will be confetti, and kisses, and rosy cheeks filled with grapes for good luck, and happiness radiating from every direction as champagne is poured, and toasts are made to good health
And I will have beautiful new goals,
Because
Sonora, This is so sweet. I love how descriptive and thoughtful this poem is. I love how your recognize the power of Love. Love has the power to heal, empower, connect, and inspire. Thank your for sharing your heart and your writing with us. And thank you for being a part of our unsealed family. P.S. Have you learned to sew, paint or garden yet?…read more
Sonora, you will be able to live with people don’t be afraid to love. Yes sometimes you get hurt but you learn from that pain and just continue to love more. Just know whenever someone you love lets go of you. You can always gain love and affection from someone else. Never be afraid to love with your heart and don’t stay closed off.
2023
You stuck up on us
Like deer in the night
I had heard of your coming
But still wasn’t prepared for your arrival
At the same time,
I’m excited you’ll be at my door soon
There’s so much I want to tell you
Hopefully, you won’t be overwhelmed
by my words
I want to tell you
That I want to finish my book
Travel to other places
Continue to work on being a better writer
And to pursue it as a career
I also want to strengthen my relationships
and make new ones
2022 went by so quickly
I’m hoping you’ll go slowly
As long as your year is a good one
For every human being
and creature on earth
Gerald!!! I didn’t know you were writing a book! That’s amazing. I can’t wait to read it and I can’t wait for other people to see your beautiful heart. You are such a good soul and I am so glad you are part of The Unsealed family and our paths crossed. Thank you for being you. <3 Lauren
Lauren!!! Yep. Haha. I need to start working on it again. I can’t wait to finish it and am thrilled for you and others to read it. I appreciate your kind words very much, Lauren. I’m glad our paths crossed too and to be a part of The Unsealed. Thank you for your light. 🙂 Gerald
Gerald!!! I absolutely can’t wait to read it. Let me know when you do it. We can promote it on the site and on our social media. You are amazing. Grateful for your friendship. <3 Lauren
Will do! I’ll let you know when I finish. That sounds exciting! Thank you, Lauren. I’m grateful as well. I still can’t believe we’ve crossed paths sometimes, but I’m glad it happened. <3 Gerald
Gerald, I’m glad that this year is a happy look for you. I’m sure you will be able to travel more, write more, build relationships, and finish your book. You are so passionate about writing I can’t see you not doing it. You got this! Keep fighting!
Thank you, Kayjah for your touching words! Keep fighting and striving I shall. I hope 2023 is going well for you so far and that good things have come true for you.
This is the year I learn to breathe underwater
When the tides threaten to overrun the shore and drag me in
When the waves blanket me and try to swallow me whole
Not knowing
This year is the year I grow gills
I grow fins to help me glide through the water
Because the floaties I had last year popped
And I could only hold my breath for so long
But still- I will evolve
This is the year I learn to fly
When the world tries to tie me down
When the wind makes me a kite on a string
I’ll cut myself loose
Turn into a paper plane and soar
Pray the rain doesn’t try to ground me
But still- I will endure
This is the year I transform
But still- my roots remain
When my mom cries, I will hold her
When my dad despairs, I will bring him laughter
When my brother worries, I will bring him understanding
However, no longer will I play the martyr
Because this is the year I will only give what I can and not all that I am
But still- I will love
AWW REYNA, I love this. This is such a sweet and powerful poem. I love this part: “This is the year I learn to fly
When the world tries to tie me down
When the wind makes me a kite on a string
I’ll cut myself loose”
I hope you are flying free this year and you never let anyone or anything hold you back. Keep leading with love and chasing your w…read more
Thank you so much for your kind words! This year has been especially rough on my and my family which has kind of led me into playing a backseat role in my life because I’m so worried about making sure everyone around me is ok. But this year I’m planning to stay true to myself and make an effort to put my needs first when I need to.
Reyna, I love the line where you said “This year is the year I grow gills I grow fins to help me glide through the water Because the floaties I had last year popped And I could only hold my breath for so long” wow what a way to compare what you went through last year. You had to grow and develop in ways you didn’t expect to reach your goals. Such…read more
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my poem! Life is all about adapting, it’s sink or swim. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need tools to help us stay afloat. I hope people take the message I meant to convey to heart and that this poem inspires them to live a life full of joy. Surviving is the minimum, happiness is the goal.
the two holes in my face
where my eyes used to be
have begun to spread ––
my remaining soul begins to leak
and I start to smell the reek.
what reeks I cannot have;
what feels I do not own;
what sings I cannot reach;
i am not my own.
it smells of burnt lust and old fuzz
i start to cough but nothing evades
there’s nothing left of me to free
there’s nothing left of me that’s me.
//
the clock turns twelve
i have my eye drops that I no longer need;
so the eye drops, they seem to fall asleep
the mirror reflects no light; no life
the shower shivers; it hates itself
the tv flickers; a bright baby blue
(or maybe crimson red)
i see the Sea in the hue
or do I see my eyes?
(they used to be bright baby blue too)
//
this dessert you feed me
oh how it eats me;
not I, that eats it
–– oh no, not I ––
–– oh no, I wouldn’t dare––
it steals the nourishment I have
it takes
and takes and takes and takes
(this Desert is trapping)
there is wind in my soul
and this fine slender sand makes me cough;
but still, I try to eat it.
it’s the only thing I have.
(this Desert is trapping)
you hold my life as an hourglass with slender sand.
your white knuckles withered, strangling my glass
(trapping my Desert)
so
there is no me;
there is no time that is mine
(time isn’t yours, but you hold it still)
(sight isn’t either, but you carry mine still).
//
Oh look!
The Sea sees me; and I see it too
The lighthouse blinds me; I fall.
The esoteric night sky that they call the Sea
Oh how it eats me!
It’s royal blue encases all my crevasses
While the whales feed me to the plankton
I am not what is not me;
But I am just as much food, as food is me.
Oh, but no!
I have been eaten, but have given nothing;
My life as a sacrifice
Is like a lamb without meat;
My bones are brittle,
My heartbeat weak,
But my diaphragm that’s ripped out,
It is still singing!
Oh, It starts raining!
What a wonderful sight to see
The rain joins the water; so the rain joins me
Oh new life!
Oh how bright!
The rain seeps through, I am renewed!
The two holes in my face have been filled by the
Sand of the Sea
tears of God
And the resilience of
Me.
//
I didn’t find my eyes;
The Earth made another pair for me.
I didn’t get my time;
I made time get me.
I didn’t reject the food, but ate it;
As food will no longer eat me.
//
my bones form together;
My flesh is flesh no more;
my skin finally breathes;
My brain is back in place;
my back is back up right;
Oh what a wonderful day;
oh what a wonderful night!
Aww Braya, this is super creative and interesting. And you are right, you are so blessed. Thank you for sharing this poem and thank you for being a part pf The Unsealed family.
Lauren
This year, you stop getting snubbed. There were too many moments where you stood back, gave your self-expression up for the sake of community, and said “in due time”… well it is due time. When you wake up, you will be in the front of life. No more being hidden in plain sight. Let everybody go blind if it means you keep shining. You see your path, and walk it. You know what to do with your life, and you do all of it. Success comes easily to you, because you make hard work seem easy. You get in that car that you earned, all on your own, drive it to your apartment where you find peace and quiet, and it is just you and your cat Sebastian. Bali, Italy, New York… they will be so happy to see you show up this year. This year, vacation is your friend. You have a great job with great pay, and you don’t have to give up your mental health to have it. This is the year that your friends stop by with snacks and wine so good, the re-runs on TV seem extra hilarious! And maybe you will or won’t find love this time, but when you ask yourself “will I find love?” the answer won’t hurt or make you nervous anymore. It won’t hurt to even wonder if you will. You know how to take it one day at a time this year. This year, your vision board becomes a memory board.
I love you, I will never play around when it comes to you,
Mikhala, you sound like an incredibly strong, disciplined, independent and focused young woman. You have so many reasons to stand tall and feel proud. What you said about finding love is so true. Don’t think about it too much, and take life one day at a time. You have a nice circle of peace – so whoever comes into your life has to match your…read more
Thank you Lauren! I appreciate that and I am happy to have this community as an outlet 🙂 my journey to love is definitely something I wrestled with the most and I appreciate your support in me sharing that <3
Mikhala, yes relaxation is your friend. Sometimes we all need a breath of fresh air. We need a break from the places we always see to places we’ve never seen. I hope you get to develop this year meet new people and be happy. Enjoy every last bit of it. Enjoy your travels.
Thank you Kayjah I appreciate the love and am definitely taking your advice to enjoy every last bit! <3 I'm sending you good energy as well, may we all get to experience peace and celebration 😁
Nicole this is so good. I love how you wrote from Chaos to Calm. I could relate so much to this poem – as I too am often trying to find the calm when I feel the chaos. This is so well done and I truly hope you do feel free and relaxed and let go of any angst. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem and for being a part of our family. <3 Lauren
Nicole, in glad you were able to free yourself from chaos and become calm in your own body and feel comfortable. I’m sure it was hard to face those challenges of feeling anxious all the time and overthinking. I also had those feelings too. But you’ve made it out and found a way to feel comfortable again. Proud of you!