This book comes to you straight from my heart and soul. A lifetime of trauma, hurt, and pain... mixed with a dash of hopes and dreams... and sprinkled with bits of happiness for good measure. For most of my life, reading, and watching TV were the only escape from such a harsh reality. Aside from literally disappearing every chance I got. But I could only stay away for so long, no matter how I made my escape. Before I found myself being drug back into the chaos, turmoil, and difficulty... real life had to offer me. I was around eight or so when I first started writing, and I discovered such a major part of who I am, and my life's purpose... Let's just say I bleed ink, and paper is my bandage... Writing is like breathing for me! So, when I can't or don't write... it feels like I am suffocating. And for the last several years leading up to about mid 2023, when I finally started putting this book together. That's exactly what I was doing. Suffocating! I had stopped writing and had all but stopped being myself. To be what others wanted, I stopped being me... I put down my pen and put up myself along with all of my work. In a box, high on a shelf. Where I hoped it wouldn't bother anyone. But the longer it sat there, the more it did bother someone... Me! When I finally woke up enough to realize that I was causing myself more pain than anybody. By ignoring my right to exist. I just knew I couldn't stay in that place any longer. I had to get out, had to break free... and so, here I am! I overcame my fears, challenges, every voice of doubt that said I couldn't do it... I stopped letting circumstances and what everyone else said or thought dictate and run my life. I made the decision to live my life as much for myself as for others. And for the first time I can remember, I actually began to feel alive! I have not turned a cold shoulder or a blind eye to those in need, or that I love and care for. I am still there for them all every way I can be. But I did begin to set healthy boundaries and to stand up for myself when and where I need to. Also, to put my foot down about things that were hurtful and wrong, and that I knew couldn't continue to be a part of my life or the lives of my children. My journey isn't over, I know there's still lots to learn as I go. And while I can see more clearly than ever, the damage done over the years through toxic relationships that seem to permeate throughout. I can also see how even the worst of what I have faced, has helped to shape and form me into who I am. I am currently working on a second part to this book of poems. It will focus more on the healing side of it all. In the same way that this book was more centered around the trauma and hurt while so many of the wounds were still fresh, deep, or just coming to the surface. The escape of said pain, and search for what I felt love both should and can be. I write more than just poetry but felt this was where I needed to start for good reason. And I had to sit on it for nearly thirty years while I learned and grew, in order for it to be what it was meant to be. My hope is to raise awareness to such things. To help give others the courage to find and learn how to use their own voices and talents to be who they were meant to be. To help them see that they matter! We were each born when and where we were for a reason, a purpose. But we have to realize that and begin to seek understanding and truth. We have to love ourselves enough to see that we matter too! There's nothing wrong with having hopes and dreams, or with making a little time for yourself every day! It's not selfish to think of you as well as everyone else! None of us know how long we have, but it's what we choose to do with this time that counts. Will we give it our best shot? Or look back in regret knowing we didn't give ourselves a chance? You are not as alone as you may feel! Not ever!
ASIN: B0DTHLQJM4
VSKU: PKV.B0DTHLQJM4.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:McDaniel Hughes, Rachel Elizabeth
Binding: Paperback
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: A well-loved companion. Corners and cover might show a little wear, and you could find some notes or highlights. The dust jacket might be MIA, it might have been a library book and extras aren't guaranteed—but the story's all there!