Tag: self acceptance

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 30

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness, The Power of WordsLeave a comment

Part of my job is peer mentoring and a big part of that is helping to resolve interpersonal issues amongst my co-workers. I often use some of the principles of mindfulness to provide tools to aid this process. One of the main ones, is to not live in past issues or project future ones, but to deal with the moment we are in.

This is the focus of the penultimate verse for this year. Enjoy!

Don’t Fear What’s Not There

The past is gone do not live there,

The future not yet here.

Remove what was and what may be.

And so reduce your fear.

What we most fear is in our heads,

Not in front of us now.

Our future guess based on our past,

Is what we dread somehow.

We cannot hear a calming voice,

So sure it’s just a ploy.

Imagination robs us of,

Our very real joys.

Yet still our brains won’t let us be,

See dangers everywhere.

The “What ifs” start they never stop,

Are more than we can bear.

But if we stop and realize,

What we fear may not be.

From our eyes we can lift the haze,

The truth more clearly see.

The past is gone, why let it run,

The future you create.

By making choices for you now,

Stop ere it is too late.

The future is not carved in stone.

Why fear what is not there?

This does not mean you should not plan,

That you should not take care.

But do not base that plan on fear,

But common sense instead.

By starting in the here and now,

You see farther ahead.

So be here now and find your peace,

Within the now we share.

And from this moment you can find,

Such joy if you just dare.

The future is not carved in stone,

The past no longer here.

And we can find our peace right now,

Choose to live without fear.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 1

On By WinstonIn Bullying Yourself, Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Poetry, Self Awareness, The Power of WordsLeave a comment

It seems like it was only eleven short months ago that I wrapped up my last verse of the year. Now here we are again. Softly, gently, we find ourselves wrapped in the sweet warmth of the dream, knowing all the time… the nightmare of writer’s block lurks somewhere up ahead. But that is a problem for another day. Without further delay my season opener.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Continue reading “NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 1” →

NaPoWriMo Day 24

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness2 Comments

In my experience, each of us carries things with us that we keep locked away from those around us. If we are truly blessed, we will find someone with whom we can share almost anything…. but there’s still that one secret corner that even we don’t want to look into. Today’s poem is about that corner. Enjoy.

HIDE NO MORE

To speak the truth that’s in my heart,

To this I do aspire.

That what I write should burn without,

Reflect my inner fire.

That those who read should somehow glimpse,

The real me inside.

That words could peel off the mask,

Myself no longer hide.

For everyone of us is masked,

Lest those who judge us say.

“Behold the freak, the misfit there!”

From us then turn away.

Yes deep inside our secret hearts,

Each has some secret thing.

And each of us is sure that it,

An end to us would bring.

And so we lock that thing away,

We pray no one will ask.

And day by day that fear becomes,

Our old familiar mask.

But we cannot of these things speak,

No more could I mine write.

But when alone might whisper soft,

Deep in the darkest night.

Admit to you if no one else,

That thing within your heart.

That simple act, that honesty,

At least it is a start.

I do not care just what it is,

Behind the mask you wear.

If you accept and own your truth,

A lighter load you’ll bear.

Cheers, Winston

Personal Poetry Challenge Day Forty -Nine

On By WinstonIn Bullying, Enlightenment, Personal, Personal Poetry Writing Challenge, Poetry, Self Awareness1 Comment

Self acceptance and self worth are really important to me.  That’s why they are recurring themes in my writing.  I was bullied when I was young and it took me a long time to find those things for myself.  If my words can help just one person to find their own sense of self worth…. I couldn’t ask for any better reward.

Love Poem For Yourself

There’s beauty in this would of ours,
It’s what makes life worthwhile.
It’s in the bloom of every rose,
And every childs smile.

It’s in the eye of he who looks,
Not all will feel the same.
If someone judges how you look,
It’s them who should feel shame.

You must be true to who you are,
And what you feel inside.
You’ll lose yourself by thinking that,
Your truth you have to hide.

No one can tell you who you are,
Or who you have to be.
You are the one to make that choice,
So look inside and see.

Some may not like may not agree,
With choices that you make.
But they’ve no right to make you change,
Or freedom from you take.

There’s beauty in this world of ours,
It’s there in who you are.
So to yourself you must be true,
Head high you are a star.

Cheers, Winston

Personal Poetry Challenge Day Thirty-Five

On By WinstonIn Bullying, Enlightenment, Personal, Poetry, Self AwarenessLeave a comment

A little bit of introspection led to today’s tale of woe and self-redemption. It’s all about self acceptance and understanding your own worth. Figure out for yourself who you are instead of just accepting what people tell you. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself and the sooner you do, we the better your life will be.

I Win

Back when I was a little boy,
I often felt quite bad.
I didn’t try I had no friends,
I often felt quite sad.

I wasn’t fast I wasn’t strong,
I didn’t get along.
And when I tried hard to fit in,
I’d always get it wrong.

I used to think that it was me,
Something inside was broke.
I thought that I would always be,
The butt of someone’s joke.

For many years I felt this way,
My worth was less than dirt.
I built my walls kept people out,
Saved me from further hurt.

It worked so well for oh so long,
Then cracks appeared at last.
I made some friends but trusted not,
Too wary from my past.

But still I learned that I was not,
Just what the world had seen.
There’s so much more but buried deep,
Where it had always been.

There’ve been some people in my life,
Who helped me understand.
That I am worthy I am liked,
Self loathing must be banned.

I have a wife who understands,
How deeply I am flawed.
And yet her love is so complete,
Self doubt should be outlawed.

At times it still will creep back in,
No matter my success.
That nagging voice from childhood,
Still cries out in distress.

But if I let it run my life,
I let the bullies win.
But that can’t be if I just know,
I like myself. I Win.

Cheers, Winston