#BeReal – RAYMOND BAXTER

My #BeReal guest today is Raymond Baxter. The events in my life that broke me Well. This is my story. A special thanks to the #BeReal series for letting me publish this. I’ll also link to Darla Halyk for giving me the confidence to write this post. For helping me to make the decision to finally admit…

WE WERE BORN POLITICIANS

I stood still Invisibly quiet A bystander A witness To an atmosphere Gaining tension Not me, no way It wouldn’t be me Tipping the scale The precarious needle Into the red territory Crimson delicacy Marking danger Overloaded Overheated Over the limit Voices were angry And so very loud Eyes were enraged Focused and wide Yet…

YOU ARE THE SUN

I look out and see a meadow covered in fog.  It is as if the whole world is sad and the earth is listening.  My brain can relate.  Depression feels like that fog.  Drifting silent above the world.  Alone yet not.  An atmosphere confused and heavy. But then the sun comes out and things begin…

EMPTY GLASS

  The smooth surface feels like glass Pressed hard against my wet cheek Shapes dancing just inside memories Behind curtains of shame and regret I see shifting blurs race to and fro Dripping down the canvas of yesterday Stripes that don’t last, or change Bright spots that linger when you blink Peeling itself off the tapestry, alive…

CALL ME CAPTAIN

  Endless moments were given birth Rippling reflections of the past Floating effortlessly into my future Often, I sail back to those moments That made it into lasting memory And find those that changed me Those tidal waves of insecurity The typhoons that toppled me Each storm followed by peace Fashioning a strength that comes…

HELD BY DESPAIR

May is Mental Health Awarness month. I suffer from anxiety and depression.  Many people do.  I imagine many mental illnesses require the same if not more attention than depression does.  It is exhausting always having to search yourself for motive and intention.  It isn’t easy to separate rational ideas and expectations from irrational ones. Reality…

UNCLEAR

So many of us have an unclear perspective of ourselves.  We can’t see what other people see.  Why?  Well… We all see things differently. For every 10 people who find me unattractive another 10 will find me average and yet another 10 will find me beautiful.  I think the trick is to practice selective listening.…

#BeReal – JEFF WELCH

My #BeReal guest today is Jeff Welch. One of the things I love about #BeReal is that I don’t censor anyone.  I love the unique voices.  Of course we are looking for the acceptance of positive and real behavior so I am selective about who I invite to write here.  That is to say I…

#BeReal – ASHLEI HAWLEY

Please welcome my #BeReal guest today, Ashlei Hawley. Hi and welcome all. 🙂 I am honored to do a guest posting here at HastyWord’s blog on her awesome #BeReal series. I’m all excited so let’s dive right into it. For me, to #BeReal is to be an advocate, a creator, a seeker, and a scholar.…

#BeReal – SHAWN HENFLING

My #BeReal guest today is Shawn Henfling. “I don’t need to be Michael Jordan but I’d at least like to be in the NBA.” I don’t like myself. Rather, I don’t like who I think I am. I can’t really hate myself because I don’t know who “myself” is. I’ve gotten through 38 years of…