Saturday, June 8, 2024

TALKING YOURSELF OUT OF IT

 You’re fine. 

Say it again. 

Until those two words reach your limbs. 

Look in the mirror. 

Ignore the tired in your eyes. 

Implore yourself to smile. 

Don’t cry. 

You’re fine. 

Get dressed. 

Go be perfect. 

Go be incredible. 

Go be the friend your friends deserve. 

Go be everything you’re in need of. 

Try again. 

Try harder. 

Don’t quit.

You’re fine. 

Remember better days. 

Disappear in them. 

Come back stronger. 

Stop complaining. 

You’re fine. 

Be happy. Be happy. Be happy. 

Be ashamed for not being happier. 

Pull yourself out of it. 

Find your footing. 

Find your dreams. 

You’re fine. 

Look for the light. 

Be the light. 

Work harder. 

Work more. 

Work. 

Laugh, despite that sinking feeling. 

Swallow the knot in your throat. 

Step over the pit in your stomach. 

It’s not your fault that it’s your fault. 

It’s ok to not be ok, 

but hurry up and be ok. 

You’re fine. 

Say it again. 

Say it until you hate it. 

Say it until you can’t stand the taste of it. 

Say it until there’s no air left in your lungs. 

Say it until you cough on your own exhaustion. 

Say it one final time, 

then swear to never say it again. 


Don’t leave the raging tempests within you untouched. 

Let the heavy rain soak your burnt-out frame.

Stand still and beg for the lighting strike.

Feel all of life profusely. 

Learn the rough weather you’re made of,

until you love the storm you are.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

A Reminder

 the next time 

you refuse to sing

because you’ll never 

fill a stadium

or decline the joy of dance

for fear of looking

ridiculous

or you resist risking

the new adventure

because you’re 

not entirely ready or

you dim your shine

because you’re not

completely healed and whole


the next time

you hold yourself suspect 

because you’re not

entirely qualified


just remember


a bird doesn’t sing 

because it’s talented

a bird sings because 

it has a song


the moon doesn’t only shine

when it’s whole

it can show up with 

a single sliver of itself

and still light an entire

night sky


show up. sing. shine.

the world needs you

as you are