Mountains in our lives

I recently climbed Cape Town's iconic Lion's Head and whilst making my way to the summit, so many thoughts crossed my mind and reminded me how many times in life we face mountains of various shapes and sizes. Some with more complex and trickier paths and some not so challenging. All the thoughts, feelings and emotions led me to write this post. 

It does not matter what your race, background, educational status, level of employment or age, each one of us have mountains to climb in our lives. At times these mountains seem too steep to climb, but the Lord promises us, that He will help us to climb these mountains and also help us to overcome it.

Mountains in our lives come in the form of work stress, financial problems, marital problems, problems with children, family issues and the list goes on. We all know the kind of mountains we or someone we know may have faced in life. The mountains we face can be overwhelming and can pose threats to our overall wellbeing; body, mind and soul.

When faced with what at times seem like an unclimbable gigantic mountain we need to remember we serve a mighty God that will hold our hands and help us climb and overcome this mountain.

The mountains that we face are not new, someone, somewhere at one stage in their lives have faced a similar mountain before. How you climb and face your mountain may not be the same as another person, your journey to the summit may take you on other paths and rocky roads, and it is important to know that the Lord will always make a way for you and He is by your side every step of the way.

When facing these mountains, we may at times feel alone, but we are not. Pray to God and ask for His guidance. He may even send “help” in the form of family, friend or colleague to support you and help you conquer your mountain. Our climb becomes easier if we have someone around whom we can talk to and hold our hand.

To end, we all have mountains in our lives, some bigger than others. The first step to overcome a mountain is to identify it, say it as it is, give it a name and understand how it affects you.

Be clear on what you want to achieve once you have climbed and overcame the mountain. Honor the journey as you climbing the mountain. It will not disappear overnight. Throughout keep praying, keep hoping and keep making the required changes in your life that will help you overcome the mountain.

Remember the Lord has given us power over every situation that we come against. Trials and tribulations will come and go but the love, forgiveness and promises of the Lord will always be there.

Does it scare you?

Attempting something new can be terrifying. You never know for certain where you’re going until you get there. And it’s difficult to silence your fears. BUT, it is okay to feel scared. Even though I must admit, it's not a great feeling.

There is a well known quote saying “Do one thing every day that scares you” - Merely thinking of this scares me, coz what possibly can I be doing every day that will scare me. Well, it can be as simple as dancing alone in front of a crowd of people, singing out loud, asking for help, pitching an idea, speaking in front of an audience, admitting a mistake, taking on a new task/responsibility etc.

These are my simple steps to become more confident in situations that scare you.
Step out of your comfort zone.
When you stay within your comfort zone, you restrict yourself to a room that has limited opportunity for excitement, adventure and growth. Don't be scared to touch the edges of your comfort zone. It is important to try something new/scary to stretch your limits and discover what you are capable of. You will soon learn, what was uncomfortable, will become second nature. Each level of discomfort will challenge you to grow and expand your level of confidence. Take one step at a time, that is all that matters.

Stay optimistic - no matter what.
We are surrounded by many people whom have managed to overcome tough times by having an optimistic mindset. If a situation makes you feel insecure or scared, stay optimistic and cut out any negativity. Focus on what is scaring you and then shift your approach on how are you are going to face it. Whether it requires more practice, more learning, more research - do it. The more you familiarize yourself with all the aspects of this fear, the more competent you will become and through that you will develop a thought process on how best to  attempt what is ahead of you.

Lastly, Be Strong.

Remember that this is your life and you are in control. Being strong is not just about physical strength. When faced with difficult circumstances, some people will stumble and fall during a storm and are never able to get up again, whilst others survive and even thrive once the storm has passed.

We all have the strength and intelligence within us to overcome any obstacle that’s in our way. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to take on the world with an unbeatable inner strength and power.

Remember, never let anything get in your way of achieving your goals!

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Embrace Uncertainty

Uncertainty is part of life and something that almost everybody feels at one stage or the other. Being uncertain or unsure does not mean that you are lost - it simply means that you are living.

 At times, uncertainty can be overwhelming!

The most difficult part of uncertainty, at least for me, is the inability to plan and feel in control. During those times, it is important not to become lost in the uncertainty. Deal with the curveballs that life throws at you on a day to day basis, handle what you can, how you can and when you can. And trust that whatever is remaining will work itself out over time.

 Uncertainty can keep you up at night.  At times, you will obsess over ways to protect yourself from anything that might go wrong. On a positive note, the uncertainty can motivate you to practice acceptance, live in the moment, and embrace the adventure of living.

What’s coming tomorrow might not be easy - or it might fulfill you in ways you didn’t know to imagine. What’s certain is that it will come and when it gets here, you will respond to it, learn from it, and move into another tomorrow full of endless possibilities.

 

In moments of overwhelming uncertainties and confusion, JUST BREATHE, and in a slow and steady voice, say to yourself - Life is good and deal with it!

Feeling unsure and lost is part of your path. Don't avoid it. See what those feelings are showing you and use it. Take a breath. You'll be okay.

 

 

Cherish the relationships you have, life is short.

“Be grateful for those who make us happy and make a positive impact to our lives, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

 Take a moment to pause and reflect how fast life passes us by. With our busy schedules, spending time at work, fulfilling church-, social- and personal commitments we sometimes, if not often neglect relationships with family and friends. And through the rush, we lose contact and miss out on important life events – and in most cases never get a chance to catch up with them again.

Instead of dwelling on regret, decide to recommit to your current relationships. Cherish them now -  your friends, your families, colleagues. Don’t postpone to next week, next month, or ‘next time’, make time today. It can be in the form of a phone call, a message, meeting for coffee or any other gesture that will enable you to reach out and spend time. As long as you take the necessary steps to reconnect and reach out to that someone special.

Relationships make life full and rewarding. Whether it be our families, friends, colleagues, or partners. Take time out today to show someone special how much you cherish them. 

LIFE IS SHORT - spend it with those you truly care about and who make your heart smile.

If you feel a bit nervous and uneasy about reaching out to someone you haven’t seen or spoken to in years, take a deep breath, remember what great friends or family you used to be, and hope that that friendship can be rekindled.  There are different means to reach out, just contact them and extend the invitation to reconnect. If they don’t respond, that’s okay, move on. But if they do, great! Go catch up!

“IF we remembered every day that we could lose someone at any moment, we would love them more fiercely and freely, and without fear- not because there is nothing to lose, but because everything can always be lost.”

Never underestimate how wonderful it is to be in the presence of another person and feel calm and happy.

IF you love someone, love them completely, cherish them, and say it but most importantly, SHOW IT. Life is infinite and fragile, just because someone is there for one day, they might not be there the next, cherish people.

Never take those you love for granted.

 

Facing reality

I will start by saying, facing reality is not an easy task.

 

 

At some stage in our lives we have to  deal with things and situations that are not ideal.

 

When being completely honest with oneself about certain things, it can be really scary  and become quite messy and we hardly know to handle it or are not fully equipped to deal with realities when confronted with it.

 

Sometimes we preamp and anticipate how we may go about to handle things. For example, if you know a storm is coming, you will equip yourself with the necessary gear and equipment to protect yourself but what if the storm is bigger than expected or it arrives unexpectedly? You have no choice but to use the resources you have and hope to get out safely on the other side.

 

'Facing reality isn't the easiest thing to do, but accepting your current situation can make you happier in the present and also lead to a better future'.

 

Facing reality of your situation is hard and takes time to process, deal with and accept. By keeping a journal and writing down your feelings and emotions helps you to acknowledge that the situation is real.

 

Once you have assessed and accepted your situation and what you don’t like about it as well as how your actions contributed to creating it, you can now decide how you want your life to be different going forward.

 

Life gets tough at times. There are many things that take a toll on us and some challenges and failures seem unbearable but through it all don't lose hope, don't give up on your life and your destiny - Rise from the ashes, cheer up and move forward!

 

 

Hopes in Life

Everyone have their goals, dreams and hopes, no matter what their age.

 

Normally, our desires change as we grow, because at different stages in our lives, we have different thoughts, needs and expectations. What is amazing is that as we mature, we start to think about things that we don’t normally would have thought about. No matter how challenging it may be, but most people will try their utmost best to achieve their goals, dreams and hopes.

 

 

What is it that you hope for today or in life?

 

Is it for a dream house, car, better job, no debt, forgiveness of your sins, to have a greater level of spiritual joy, a better relationship with your family and friends, good health, financial stableness...?

 

Or are your hopes perhaps focussed on self-acceptance and confidence, inner peace, independence, to make a positive difference or simply just to be happy?

 

We all hope for something and if you don't, the very least you can do in your life is to figure out what to hope for.

Once you have figured it out, "the most you can do is live inside that hope. Do not just admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof!" ~ Barbara Kingsolver

 

Most importantly NEVER let go of hope. One day you will see that it has all come together - what you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back & laugh at what has passed.

 

"When everything else fails, there is only a single rope you can hold on to, that is HOPE"

 

"Never lose hope. You never know what tomorrow may bring."

 

H - ave faith
O - one step a day
P - ositive thoughts
E - mpower your mind

 

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”
― Laini Taylor

How truthful are you?

 

Definition: To be honest about things and feelings with oneself and others

 

Truthfulness has many characteristics and its complexity unfolds as we mature. Truthfulness is a lifelong guideline to practice. Its attributes are complex and often dependent on circumstances.

"To be truthful means being honest about things and feelings...being honest with ourselves and with others. Being truthful is not always easy because truth is not black and white. Two seemingly contradictory statements could both be the truth depending upon the perspectives of the observers. It takes courage to be truthful because others may disagree.”

Being truthful requires good judgment about WHAT to say, WHEN to say it, to WHOM to say it and HOW to say it.

Being truthful is an important building block for human relationships and therefore has significant consequences on both the short-term and long-term."

If we aren't truthful; people and especially family and friends, will be suspicious when we share experiences, stories or feelings. And if we can't be trusted to tell the truth with even insignificant information, how can anyone believe that we we are saying is true? By telling the truth, friends, family, and colleagues will believe what we say and in addition the human body feels less stressed when we tell the truth.

When being truthful you will experience an increased sense of confidence, less anxiety, worry and guilt. You will have an increased ability to deal with crises and be better equipped to handle problems. You will experience improved interpersonal relationships and greater control of your emotions. You may also experience the ability reason better and to influence other people.

When you’re not truthful, you tend to be more frustrated with yourself and life in general, you may lack self-confidence, have dysfunctional relationships with family, friends and colleagues and possible suffer different kinds of stresses.

A renowned quote states the following “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything”. Tell the entire truth immediately rather than a little at a time. Credibility and trustworthiness is easy to destroy with a few simple untrue stories that’s told in a moment.

Telling the truth isn't always easy. Often, telling the truth brings unpleasant consequences. However, telling a lie under whatever circumstances almost always has far-reaching consequences and too often of greater severity than if we simply spoke the truth up front and accepted the consequences. - as unpleasant as it might be. Once we're caught lying, people lose faith and confidence in us and this is devastating. Rebuilding trust is a topic for another post.

Remember: Truthfulness is one of the greatest and most important of all human virtues. Speak the truth, even if it hurts.

 

When you want what you can't have

Most of us have experienced a burning desire, a deep longing for something or perhaps someone, who is just out of reach - that one thing you just can't have.

 

Several factors play a role in this. Maybe it is because the goal is too hard to reach or the person is taken, or may be this person does not reciprocate your feelings. So often despite all the stumbling blocks, we just want that something or someone so much more.

 

The question you then ask yourself is "WHY?".

Why is it that when you can't have something, you are willing to put all our energy and effort in, to go the extra mile just to get that something that is out of reach?

 

What comes to mind is "personal vanity" - As humans we all like to feel special and important. These are amongst the things that boosts our pride, self-image and confidence. Nobody wants to feel powerless or unable to affect people. The fact that you can't have or attain something is a blow to your personal vanity. This results in you chasing that thing more aggressively.

 

The human mind is fuelled with some sort of urge or deep desire when you become aware or told you are incapable of achieving something. We tend to overstep moral code or even hurt others when we are told we can't have something or someone.

 

Wanting what you can’t have, whether it’s a luxury lifestyle or a relationship or dream job, can be a thrilling experience. What you need to ask yourself is "what happens when it's attainable? Will you be satisfied?". May be or may be not, because the thrill will be over and you will move on to the next best thing OR you will cherish it and be pleased that you finally got what you once thought was unattainable. Always keep in mind that all things work out as it is destined to.

 

What is it that you wanted and didn’t get?
The affection of a person?
That dream job?
A promotion?
A luxurious lifestyle?
Better education?
Being able to experiment with alcohol as teenager but restricted by your parents?

 

 

 

Protect your peace of mind and happiness

Most of us know or have an idea of what happiness is/means to us. I am going to start with: "What Is Peace of Mind?"

"Peace of mind is a state of mental and emotional calmness, with no worries, fears or stress. In this state, the mind is quiet, and you experience a sense of happiness and freedom."

Peaceful moments are often experienced without us actually realizing it; it can be through watching TV, being in the company of someone special, or walking on the beach. Most times, activities like these take the mind away from its usual thoughts and worries, and it allows you to experience inner peace. However, throughout most of these activities it so often happens that one does not fully experience peace of mind. Now the question is: "how do you get to experience more peace of mind, more importantly, how do you experience it in difficult and challenging times?".

 

 

 

The following are my tips to foster peace of mind that can lead to overall happiness.

Negativity

This is the biggest culprit in disturbing your peace of mind and stealing your happiness.

Stay away from negative conversation. Negative words and thoughts sink in to your subconscious mind and affects your mood and behaviour.

Forgive

Do not hold grudges. As difficult, painful or hurtful as it may be, learn to forgive and forget. Nurturing feelings of unforgiveness hurts you and makes you bitter. Forgiving someone or something will not change what happened, but it will have an impact and change the future.

Jealousy and envy

As hard as it may be, do not be jealous of others. Jealousy means that you have a low self-esteem (not necessarily) and therefore, consider yourself inferior to others. Be accepting, be loving and be happy with who you are.

The past

Don't dwell on the past. The past is not here anymore, so why think about it? 

Let bygones be bygones. Forget the past and focus on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and get immersed in them. Learn to be more patient and tolerant with family, friends,colleagues and everyone else.

Don't take everything too personally. 

When we take things personally we are giving another individual more power over us than what they deserve, or should ever be allowed to have.

In some cases a certain degree of emotional and mental detachment is helpful. Not everything is about you. 

Refuse to think negative thoughts, reject feelings of worry and anxiety, and by doing this, your inner peace will eventually grow and it may lead to external peace. Focus your mind so that you can more easily reject worries and anxieties. Refuse to think negative thoughts, and reduce the constant clutter of your mind. Inner peace eventually leads to external peace. By creating peace in your inner world you bring it into your external world and into other people's lives.

Make a conscious choice every day to protect your peace of mind and not let anyone or anything interfere with it.

 

 

Anothers perspective

 

Consideration and true understanding of another persons perspective can bring great value to those involved. Acknowledge that everyone is unique in thoughts, ways and approach of doing and dealing with things. Every person you meet has a different background and life experience.

In order to get to know a person better or in an attempt to understand their perspective, ask questions, do not assume. Be present and listen attentively to what is being said. Though your perspective is valuable, it is not the only one.

Seek ways to relate with people. Depending on their experience in life, their opinion, ideas & outlook in life might be completely different to yours - try to see things from their point of view and by doing this you might learn something new.

To better understand put yourself in their shoes - IF it was you, think about the "how would I feel, what would I do, what would i have said" in that context.

Listen attentively and keep an open mind throughout, wait until they are done and then give your opinion.

Be objective and evaluate what the person has said and identify if they have enough ground to stand on (information/facts to support their point) Consider their perspective but if you are not comfortable with it and don't agree, challenge them, turn it upside down, flip it around, who knows the exciting ground breaking possibilities you may learn from it.

 

 

 

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”

Traveling

Firstly let’s define “travel”

“Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.”

Throughout my life I have traveled a lot; local trips, national and international. Each of these travels has brought a unique experience and taught me valuable lessons.  Though travelling alone isn’t for everyone, I still feel that everyone should try it at least once in their lives.

The thought of a solo trip may seem scary and awaken thoughts like “what if I get lost…?”. In my opinion, getting lost is never a bad thing. You discover a new place and you might meet new people. When lost, always be observant. Familiarize yourself with the area and surrounding and never panic. Not everyone around you needs to know that you are lost. Who knows when you might return to this lost location one day or what treasure you may discover whilst there.

Sometimes the thought of travelling alone, and possibility of getting lost can become overwhelming. However, with proper planning and preparation, you just need to get out there and experience it.

One of the greatest benefits of travelling alone is that you learn to become independent. Be selfish and put yourself first, do not wait around for someone else to make it happen, make it happen for yourself.

A solo trip gives you the opportunity to take control and ownership. When you are lost, YOU will be the one to ask directions, YOU get to decide what activities you want to do. If you're bored, YOU will have to browse and find something fun to do. Therefore, solo travelling is one of the best ways to build your independence.

When travelling alone, starting conversation is slightly easier and you get to meet new people. This is often less likely to happen when you already have company. A solo trip allows you to do what you want on your own time and convenience. You are free to do whatever you want to do. Most times when travelling with someone or in a group, travelling can become stressful because everyone has their own expectations and preferences. When travelling alone you are allowed to be selfish and you do not need to apologize to anyone for it.

Unplug from your normal lifestyle and go find yourself. Take the time to discover. Do some soul searching, think about every aspect of your life.

Spending time alone will allow you to reflect on your life, any challenges you might be facing, and plans you have for the future. Being alone is also an amazing way to heal.

Swallow your pride, conquer your fears, take a chance to explore, for yourself and by yourself – do not be afraid to travel on your own.

"Don't be scared to walk alone. Don't be scared to like it"

"Sometimes, you just need a break. in a beautiful place. to figure everything out"

"As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are"

Good Bye 20's, Hello 30's!!!

On the eve of my 30th Birthday, I reflect on the journey of the past decade. 

Being on the verge of 30, I am proud to say that:  

"I know myself very well!

I know what I like!

I know what I want!

I know what I will not tolerate! 

I am very comfortable with who I am."

AND I have the confidence to be it every day OR in any situation I find myself. 

The twenties is a journey where one feels to prove yourself. In some cases there is pressure to live up to expectations of others. Moving from your teens to twenties a person is still trying to determine what career path to follow, what your personal style is, establishing relationships with others in the hopes of finding a significant other to spend your life with - to me being in your twenties is/was like an experiment. Each and every experience you go through is vital and ends up being a building block in shaping your life.

As the years passed in my twenties, i became more comfortable, the uncertainty got less and less and confidence grew stronger. I learnt to stop apologising for who i am, stopped worrying about what others think of me or to please them. When you've encountered several hurts and disappointments, you realise what/who is important and what not. Someone once told me that " A woman in her 30s has a level of confidence that females in their 20s have yet to discover. It is  the type of confidence that is attractive to both men and women of all ages."This has stuck with me over the years and I can now already confirm there is truth in that statement. At age 29 I have accepted and learnt how to make the best of my flaws & in some cases found a way to minimise or get rid of them. 

The twenties has been challenging at times, it had its highlights, good times, successes and somewhere in between the opposites of these also occurred BUT never did I allow it to get to me or stop me from being happy and chasing my goals. A big smile appears on my face as I reflect on every thing that has happened and to see how I have progressed through the years. My heart is filled with thankfulness. I am content with my career and the growth in this the past decade and I am still striving and finding ways to improve to get better at it. Since my early teens I have worked hard to earn independence, I have learnt the value of money and importance of saving.

People have come and gone (unfortunately with some I have lost touch & worth other  i am pleased to say they are are gone!) BUT those who I’ve chosen to continue to grow with are truly cherished. I have friends that I know will be life-long & some live thousands of kilometres 

away, but the connection is never in doubt AND when I  know no matter what, when I see them it’s like no time has passed

Not to go into too much detail of the twenties,  a few things that want to highlight:

• BE comfortable with yourself and the decisions you make, 
• DO what makes you happy, 
• PURSUE your dreams,
• STAY focuses and dedicated, 
• WORK hard and continue to grow
• LIVE your live with purpose and passion!

In every moment, look for the magic within it. Whether big or small, every moment has something special to offer. Appreciate life and the people you get to share it with.

As I bid farewell to my twenties, I dream of great things to come. To go out there and make a difference, to achieve my goals both professionally and personally, to continue to travel and explore new things, to embrace opportunities to grow and learn.

As the sun rises on my 30th birthday tomorrow, I feel appreciative of the past, content with the now and excited for the future. With the possibilities of the next decade to be unknown, I am ready for whatever it has to offer. I sense that my thirties will bring the best that is yet to come.

The 20-zone has come to an end! Welcome to the 30's!

Life = lake?

by Angela Luna Wolf

What is life?
Could it be like a lake?
You are the lake.
You're life is the lake

The fish in the lake are the people in your life
Some are big and some are small
but they all play a role in your life somehow
Some matter more than others
The way your lake is be it beautiful or gross
is the way you live your life

It won't always be perfect and look like glass
there are many things that will create ripples
however some ripples are beautiful
not all of them are created for the wrong things

Go look at a lake
study it throughout the day
see what changes and what is the same
see how it could describe your life
watch the fish and the ducks
the geese and the leaves

the lake is something beautiful if treated correctly
if people litter in your life then you begin to feel ugly
like the insults and people talking about you are the trash and cans
they can screw up the way you live but
there is always someone who will come to clean up the mess
a person will walk in one day and fix everything
make you feel beautiful and clean and important

It won't happen the second you get trash but it will happen
you'll find your happiness one day

there will be a person to come help piece you back together and clean you

Just wait

Life is just like a Lake

Author Notes

one day i was sitting at the lake by my house and was taking pictures and i got the most perfect picture of the lake. the lighting was just right and the angle was perfect. i put it on Instagram and immediately when i was writing the caption i thought about how life is like that lake and that is where the inspiration for this came from.

Woes of making a friendship

by haifa

Woes of making a friendship
Seems too simple
Yet quite sophiscated it is
When I seek a friendship
Never hath I looked upon
The boundaries of religion , culture ,gender or anything
Then why'd anyone do so
Don't they understand how very stimulating they are in
Doing nothing but separate us
Forbids the simple joys of friendship
If only you were to take time and understand all of it
Then only would you have become
A better mother , a better father , a better human.....

Author Notes

This is poem written when I felt somewhat mad at my parents as the were telling my friends were of different religion hence don't maintain such close relationships.all on the basis of our difference of culture and religion. I feel so sad and I pity them for not understanding a person from deep within.

Fakes And Pains

by Adathorrules

We are humans
We are smiling
Are we happy?
Probably not
Why?
No one knows
we all suffer
we all live
why smile if there is nothing to be happy about?
As a cat masks the pain of its injuries when it senses predators are near we too mask our inner pains despite the fact there are no clear predators. we are not on any known food chain.
So why do we do it?
Is it pride?
Is it fear?
Is it societal pressure?
What are we hiding from?
Who are we hiding from?
Are we real?
No
Then why do we fake our true feelings?
Are we robots?
No
Then why act like them?
Be human and feel
we were given them and they are how we know we are alive.

Wild and Tame

"What should I do about the wild and the tame? The wild heart that wants to be free, and the tame heart that wants to come home. I want to be held. I don’t want you to come too close. I want you to scoop me up and bring me home at nights. I don’t want to tell you where I am. I want to keep a place among the rocks where no one can find me. I want to be with you."

Jeanette Winterson

Theories about the Universe

"I am trying to see things in perspective.

My dog wants a bite of my peanut butter

chocolate chip bagel. I know she cannot

have this, because chocolate makes dogs

very sick. My dog does not understand this.

She pouts and wraps herself around my leg

like a scarf and purrs and tries to convince me

to give her just a tiny bit. When I do not give in,

she eventually gives up and lays in the corner,

under the piano, drooping and sad. I hope the

universe has my best interest in mind like I have

my dogs. When I want something with my whole

being, and the universe withholds it from me,

I hope the universe thinks to herself: “Silly girl.

She thinks this is what she wants, but she

does not understand how it will hurt.”

"

Theories About the Universe (Blythe Baird)

Poetry ~ My journey

In recent weeks i have read different types of poems and decided to post few of those. I will give reference to the poet and/or website I got it from as it is not my own work.

Firstly, lets look at what is poetry:

• It is literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; 
• a quality of beauty and intensity of emotion regarded as characteristic of poems.

Poetry:

• welcomes what’s inexpressible.
• doesn’t demand explanations.
• makes room for things that are difficult to understand.
• Allows me to notice things.
• Can be direct, powerful, thought provoking and beautiful
• Allows for ways to express frustrations, but also deepest dreams.
• Allows for way to express / relate stories of strength and resilience.

I have fallen in love with poetry and I hope one day i will be courageous enough to put my own story, what I experienced and what I felt, into a poem...

So the next few posts will be provoking, powerful poetry.