Small Victories

 
Take the time to put the work in. People may not see it. Those who do may not respect it. But in the end your blood, sweat and tears will pay off. Because hard work is its own reward and the skills you cultivate from perfecting your craft will mean more than an easy road to success. The beautiful of life is in the journey. Enjoy the small victories. 

Love always, Esha 

Forgiving Yourself

The hardest thing to is forgive. You may forget times and places but you always remember how someone made you feel. There is no hurt more painful than losing the hope for positive interactions. When people make us feel bad we internalize that pain. And many take it out on themselves. By believing that they are deserving of poor treatment and wicked words.

Some connections are so broken that communication became improbable. Beyond arguing and yelling there is nothing of value that can be shared between enemies unready to bury the hatchet. How do you let go of the disappointment caused by a relationship gone sour? How do you my move forward with a friend that betrayed your trust? How do you hit pause on the grievances initiated by family gossip?

But at the core of it all, you have to remember that moving on is the best remedy for healing. If you hold on too long... It's possible that you may go down with a sinking ship that's filled to the brim with emotional disdain. Swimming in sadness is the answer for many of us. I have seen people drink the bottle dry. Pop pills till their higher than the afternoon sky. Sniff coke till their noses turn red and they get the sniffles.

Though it alleviates the sting of discomfort. But this does little to remedy the loss of trust. Drugs and alcohol are unable to address the ache in the heart of man. That's why I stopped smoking. I found myself at the end of the blunt and wondered quietly, Why don't I feel better? 

It's healthier to deal with life from a sober perspective because the world medicates emotional pain but that solves nothing. So cry your tears. Ask your questions? Read books, dance, sing and shout. Fall down, dust yourself off and figure it out. Because life ain't easy but giving up instead of overcoming distress is much harder. 

It is my long held belief that forgiveness starts one step at a time. But it truly takes effect when you forgive yourself. Because the things we endure have a way of intensifying the way we see ourselves for better or for worse. That's why it's best to view yourself the way Jesus does. Or at least try too. His love is never ending. He is loyal beyond the stretch of the imagination. He leaves the 99 to go after the lost sheep and rejoices when it's found. Because He cares for us more than we could ever conceive. So if you think about it, forgiveness is necessary in order to love and live a fuller, happier life. 

Love always, Esha 

P.S. Check out my podcast Hope Speaks for the new episode Rant on Relationships

Podcast Segment & Poetry: Aren't Acquired Easily

Aren’t Acquired Easily

I waited for the break of aging time 

But wrinkles never formed on the hands 

And rust never touched the dial

Meanwhile, I moved eagerly to the sound of tic toc tic 

My arms stretched out like eagle wings ready to soar 

My feet stepped in sequence to the beat of unrealized dreams

Deadlines have evaded me 

Pit stops have kept me sidetracked too long  

I begged and pleaded for a moment 

That surpassed my meager understanding 

Patience is not on my side 

But I nurture it with hope birthed in the belly of the trenches 

Awaiting a season that beckons the seed 

That laid dormant in harsh winters 

And endured the bitter rain of a spring not quite broken 

That sat through the abundantly hot weather of summer 

Only to arrive at fall all over again 

Do not let the time of harvest past me 

Let my crops rise up strong from barren, decrepit soil 

The foundation is hard but my ground is solid 

The wind may blow but my bedrock will not giveaway 

The sound of steady brass ticking 

Fills my heart with anticipation 

Everyday is another chance to face my struggles and grow 

No amount of daylight savings can stop the progress I have made

I am claiming my tomorrow today

There is no biological clock bigger than my aspirations 

I will live with the sunshine on my face 

And the darkness on my back 

Standing in the truth that is awaiting those who smile in the midst of adversity 

Now and forever my heart will sing a new song 

I will sit near the edge of the dock awaiting the breath of daybreak 

Soon my seeds will blossom 

And I will dance upon the ease of their arrival 

Their leaves will open like unraveling scrolls of truth, 

Not yet realized 

But ready to exist in the cool breeze of Monday mornings 

Awaiting the warm feeling of resting dew drops 

Time has taught me patience 

Because the greatest things in this life 

Aren’t acquired easily

Love always, Esha

Check out my podcast Hope Speaks Episode 12