Poetic Resurrection: Recent Episodes
Sonia Iris Lozada
The Letters I Never Expected to Receive
Some creative works quietly continue long after we've finished making them.
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, I reflect on the unexpected journey of one of my most meaningful Insight Timer meditations—a meditation on grief that continues to reach listeners during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Through the messages I've received over the years, I've come to realize that we rarely know which poem, prayer, or quiet offering will become someone else's source of comfort. Creativity has a way of traveling farther than we ever imagine.
If today's conversation speaks to you, I've included links to the original Insight Timer meditation, which features my poem "Bound" and a closing prayer of affirmations, as well as the Poetic Resurrection episode where I read the poem and discuss its meaning.
Thank you for listening.
Many blessings.
Resources
Insight Timer meditation featuring my poem "Bound" and a closing prayer of affirmations:
Poetic Resurrection episode featuring a reading of "Bound":
https://poeticresurrection.com/
Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams available on Amazon
This month's poem, Bound from Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams, explores the invisible ties that remain after loss. As Mother's Day and Father's Day passed without both of my parents, I found myself reflecting on attachment, dreams, guilt, and the quiet courage it takes to let love change form. Together we explore insights from John Bowlby, Carl Jung, and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, discovering that healing isn't forgetting—it's allowing love to continue without holding it captive.
https://poeticresurrection.com/
Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams available on Amazon
Music by Gotama - Forgiveness and Beyond the Horizon available on Bandcamp
Change can feel exciting, unsettling, and sometimes overwhelming. In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia reflects on her poem Change and explores the challenges of navigating uncertainty in a rapidly shifting world. Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung, Pema Chödrön, and her own experiences, she discusses transformation, resilience, purpose, and learning to trust ourselves during life's transitions.
References & Further Exploration
- Carl Jung – Man and His Symbols; Memories, Dreams, Reflections
- Pema Chödrön – When Things Fall Apart
- Alan Watts – The Wisdom of Insecurity
These works explore transformation, uncertainty, resilience, and the lifelong process of becoming who we truly are.
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia shares her poem She Moves and reflects on the emotional experience of uncertainty, collective change, and inner grounding. Blending poetic insight with gentle humor, this episode offers a calming perspective on navigating instability and reconnecting with presence.
She Moves poem is from Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.
With subtle inspiration from Carl Jung and nature-based cycles of transformation.
- Man and His Symbols — Carl Jung
A gentle introduction to Jung’s ideas on the unconscious, symbols, and inner transformation. - The Turning Point — Fritjof Capra
Explores how personal and global change are interconnected, offering a more holistic view of crisis and transformation. - Entangled Life — Merlin Sheldrake
A poetic exploration of fungi and interconnected ecosystems, revealing how deeply everything is linked beneath the surface. - When the Forest Breathes — Suzanne Simard
A reflection on resilience and renewal in nature, showing how forests regenerate through cycles of connection and support.
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia shares her poem Important to Me—a deeply personal reflection on boundaries, emotional independence, and the journey back to self-worth.
Blending poetry, psychology, and spirituality, this episode explores how external expectations can shape identity, and how reclaiming personal truth becomes an act of healing. Sonia reflects on self-preservation, the fear that can keep us stuck, and the quiet strength required to move forward.
This episode is for anyone learning to release what no longer belongs to them and step into a life aligned with what truly matters.
REFERENCES (for show notes / blog)
- Carl Rogers — On Becoming a Person (1961)
- Bessel van der Kolk — The Body Keeps the Score (2014)
- Steven C. Hayes — A Liberated Mind (2019)
- Kristin Neff — Self-Compassion (2011)
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia shares her poem Forgiveness and reflects on self-forgiveness as an act of compassion and love. As part of February’s Still Point Minute theme — Compassion & Love — this conversation explores how releasing self-judgment opens the door to healing, growth, and inner peace. A gentle reminder that love must include ourselves.
What You’ll Hear:
• Full reading of the poem Forgiveness
• Reflection on self-compassion and emotional maturity
• The symbolism of “broken time” as a pause for healing
• A brief guided reflection on forgiving yourself
Themes:
Compassion, Love, Self-forgiveness, Emotional growth, Inner healing
Podcast: Poetic Resurrection with Sonia Iris Lozada
Music: Gotama - Forgiveness & Dissolving Dreams
This episode is dedicated to all the brave, courageous souls around the world who continue to stand for human dignity, even when doing so requires quiet strength, resilience, and the willingness to walk a less familiar path.
In this January episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia Iris Lozada reads her poem Courage and reflects on the human fear of change, inherited beliefs, and the quiet bravery required to walk forward while the past still burns beside us.
Grounded in psychology, ecology, and lived experience — not politics or religion — this episode offers a contemplative look at letting go, planting something new, and choosing what we carry into the future.
Poetic Resurrection is a space for writing, reflection, and acceptance.
No answers offered — only an invitation to walk.
Poetic Resurrection Podcast
Courage from Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams
Music: Sincerely – Kevin Macleod
Music Take a Break - Gotama
As the year turns, this short episode offers a pause rather than a conclusion. Poetic Resurrection is a space for poetry, writing, curiosity, questioning, and acceptance—but above all, for noticing what it means to be human without rushing toward answers.
This New Year reflection is an invitation to stay curious, allow space for expression in whatever form it takes, and meet the coming year with a little more gentleness.
May your questions stay generous,
your words stay honest,
and your becoming unfold at its own pace.
Thank you for listening, reflecting, and being here.
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia Iris Lozada reflects on the many voices that surround us in today’s world and the importance of returning to the quiet truth within. Through her reflection On Voices Outside of Us, she invites us to pause, breathe, and rediscover the steady voice that belongs to us alone.
The episode then shifts into Sonia’s poem Esperando — originally written in Spanish and featured in her poetry collection Inspire Me: Raw. The poem explores memory, longing, and the crossroads between past and present, weaving imagery of desert landscapes, childhood echoes, and cultural reflection.
Together, the reflection and poem create a meditation on presence, resilience, and the gifts hidden in waiting.
Reflect with Sonia:
- Which voices outside of you are shaping your path?
- How does your own voice return you to stillness?
- What truths are quietly forming in your waiting?
Find Sonia’s poetry collections at PoeticResurrection.com.
Music by Gotama – Ocean Bliss
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, we explore “The Path,” a poem from my collection Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. This piece invites us into the quiet wisdom of nature — where release, stillness, and renewal are part of every cycle. As we walk from the noise of the world into the calm of the natural world, the poem mirrors our inner journey toward clarity and emotional rebirth.
Through gentle reflection and psychological insight, we explore how letting go becomes nourishment for new growth, how presence restores peace, and how nature reminds us that change is not failure — it's transformation. If you're navigating transition, healing, or simply seeking grounding in your day, this episode offers a moment of breath, contemplation, and renewal.
“The Path” is part of the poetry collection Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams, available wherever books are sold.
On Amazon
References:
- C.G. Jung – symbolism & individuation
- Joseph Campbell – transformation archetype
- Kristin Neff – self-compassion research
- Steven C. Hayes – ACT & emotional flexibility
- Barbara Frederickson – broaden-and-build emotional resilience
- Jon Kabat-Zinn – mindfulness practice and presence
- Theodore Roszak & Andy Fisher – ecopsychology and nature-based healing
Music by Gotama – Beyond the Horizon & Take a Break
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia Iris Lozada shares her poem “Outcast” from her book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Inspired by the dandelion—so often dismissed as a weed yet full of nourishment and healing—Sonia reflects with emotion and compassion on what it means to be misunderstood, overlooked, and yet quietly resilient.
While the poem was born from feeling, listeners may also hear echoes of psychology within it. Carl Jung’s shadow self reminds us that what we push away may hold hidden medicine, and the study of resilience speaks to the strength of rising again after being uprooted.
Themes:
- Misunderstanding and hidden value
- Emotional resilience in the face of rejection
- Jung’s shadow as a lens for integration
- Nature as metaphor for the human spirit
In this episode, Sonia Iris Lozada shares her poem Doorway, a reflection on thresholds—those moments in life where we stand between what has been and what is yet to come. With her signature blend of poetry and conversation, Sonia invites listeners to consider the spaces we step into and the ones we leave behind.
The doorway serves as a metaphor for transition—whether grief, growth, or new beginnings. The stillness before stepping through is just as meaningful as the act of moving forward. Every doorway asks us to choose: to stay in the known, or to enter the unknown. Sonia connects the poem to her own experiences of grief, transformation, and creativity.
Doorways exist in many forms: relationships, careers, health, and inner growth. It’s okay to pause at a threshold—reflection is part of the journey. Crossing through is an act of courage, even when the next room is uncertain. Poetry can help us reframe transition not as loss, but as opportunity for expansion.
Reflection questions for listeners:
- What doorway are you standing in front of right now in your life?
- What feelings arise when you imagine stepping through it?
- What do you want to leave behind on the threshold?
- What do you hope to find on the other side?
If Sonia’s words resonated with you, share this episode with someone who may be at their own threshold. Subscribe to Poetic Resurrection for more reflections and poetry on navigating life’s transitions.
Music:"Parting of the Ways - Part 2" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
In this episode of Poetic Resurrection, Sonia Iris Lozada shares her poem Insensible, written during a time of overwhelming grief. The poem explores the raw emotions that often accompany loss: frustration, anger, exhaustion, and numbness. Rather than offering a neat resolution, Sonia reflects on how grief sometimes manifests as emotional overload and the inability to feel at all.
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Grief is not always tears—it can manifest as frustration, irritability, or numbness.
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Emotional overload often leads to temporary emotional shutdown, a natural coping mechanism.
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Healing does not follow a timetable and can include moments of silence, anger, and detachment.
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Allowing grief to unfold without forcing clarity is itself an act of healing.
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“Don’t ask me for anything / I’m exhausted by existence.”
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“I don’t have the patience to think / to write / to be.”
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“Just emotionlessness, yet full of emotion / Emotional overload / insensible.”
Sonia reflects on her own experiences with grief, sharing how periods of numbness and irritability were not signs of failure, but part of the grieving process itself. By embracing these feelings without judgment, healing gradually unfolded. The episode encourages listeners to accept their emotional states, even when they feel contradictory or uncomfortable.
Listeners are invited to reflect on their own relationship with grief and to give themselves permission to feel—or not feel—without expectation. The reminder is simple: grief is not something to control, but something to witness and live through. Healing comes with time, compassion, and patience.
Episode closes with an offering: a reminder that numbness, rage, and silence are all part of healing. Sonia leaves listeners with the gentle affirmation that if all you can do today is breathe—that is enough.
"Clean Soul" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Welcome to another episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. This episode is in memory of my father, Francisco Lozada, who passed away on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025. During his memorial, I read a tribute to him and, in a rather unusual moment, I sought guidance from my higher self. The response came to me as a poem/letter.
This episode is dedicated to everyone who has lost a loved one. My dad was the last of his generation, and his absence will be deeply felt. Sending love to my dad and to everyone out there who is grieving. Blessings.
Final Tribute: “Today My Dad Took His Last Breath”
In loving memory of my father
Today,
my dad took his last breath—
a long gasp
followed by
the slow, steady beats of his heart.
Beats that continued
even after he had said
farewell to life.
Farewell to family.
Farewell to his independence.
Farewell to the walls of his home.
My sister was there—
a witness
to his final breath.
I’m grateful
he didn’t leave this world alone.
She held his hand
as he whispered goodbye
to this earthly plane—
his hurt,
his love,
his joy,
his pain.
I said goodbye
and told him I loved him
over video—
Afraid I might arrive too late
to hold his hand
while the rhythm of life
still echoed in his pulse.
I arrived
ten minutes after he passed.
Ten minutes—
a breath,
a blink,
a lifetime.
Still,
I am grateful.
Grateful for the time we shared.
Grateful for the grace of presence.
Grateful that he was my father.
And I,
his daughter.
Song by Gotama - Forgiveness
Welcome to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. I’m Sonia Iris Lozada—poet, voice, soul traveler.
Today’s offering is a moment of stillness and remembrance.
A breath into the vastness within us… and around us.
What if your body wasn’t just matter… but a shimmering map of memory?
What if your cells knew how to dance the cosmos?
Reading of “Cosmos” from Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.
We are not just bodies.
We are stardust stories.
Every ache, every joy—encoded into light.
This poem came through as a reminder:
We don’t have to hold ourselves together so tightly.
Sometimes, the breaking is how we remember.
Sometimes, the scattering is how we reconnect.
When you feel lost…
maybe you are simply orbiting — in motion,
becoming.
And when you return to yourself,
you bring the wisdom of the stars.
You are the cosmos.
Shimmering. Expanding. Returning.
Thank you for joining me in this moment.
If this touched something in you, I invite you to sit with it…
breathe with it… or share it with someone whose soul might need it.
You can find more of my poetic transmissions, including my book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams, on my website at poeticresurrection.com.
Until next time…
Walk gently.
Speak soul.
And remember—your light shimmers with blessings
PoetryPodcast #CosmicJourney #SoulPoetry #SpiritualAwakening #CosmicLight #EdgewalkerTransmission
Music: Ether Vox by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7014-ether-vox
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Thank you for joining me for another episode of Poetic Resurrection. I must be open with you—life has recently been a tumultuous journey. I understand that this is merely a temporary phase, but my aspirations producing this podcast season with video and on a weekly basis have slipped through my fingers like sand. I'm healing from an injury, which has added to the complexity of my days. My father is unwell, and I've had to make multiple trips to Chicago to be by his side. Although the podcast was something I truly wished to pursue, the clarity and motivation seemed to elude me, like mist in the early morning light.
However, a silver lining shines through as my book, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams, has garnered the most glowing reviews I've ever received for my writing. This book, a labor of love years in the making, delves deeply into the themes of grief while also exploring the triumph over personal obstacles through wisdom and the act of surrender. Today, I will delve into my poem "Lost for Words," which reflects on navigating the complexities of our modern world and understanding our role within it. It speaks to overcoming life's myriad challenges and realizing that we alone hold the power to transform the perceptions of our thoughts and emotions.
In this upcoming season, I'll be sharing and discussing poems from my various collections, with a special emphasis on my latest book, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. This season is unique as I will be recording video content for YouTube, while the audio will be available on all podcast platforms. We will also feature a few guests who will either read or discuss the poems. I encourage you to join me this season as I explore different approaches to writing poetry. We'll dive into the inspirations behind each poem, the emotions felt before writing, and various aspects of self-awareness and acceptance, as poetry allows you to be authentic.
Today, I'll discuss my book, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams, which explores the theme of grief, inspired by my personal experiences. Over two years, I lost my mother, sister, and a close friend. To lighten the book, I included quotes, uplifting poems, and meditations. I'm a survivor, and if you've read my previous works, especially "The Little Girl" from my first poetry collection, Inspire Me: Raw, you'll understand. I've faced trauma, but coping with grief is exceptionally tough. You must confront it and move through it because suppressing grief can cause additional pain and unforeseen sadness later. One of the best pieces of advice I received was to dedicate an hour a day or week to looking at pictures, watching videos, or listening to audio of the loved one who has passed. Allow yourself to cry and experience your emotions. This practice can help lessen unexpected emotional triggers, like hearing a song that reminds you of them.
The poem I'll be reading is titled "Strange Thing Grief."
Music by: Kevin MacLeod - A Turn for the Worse
Welcome, dear listeners, to the finale of Season 6. Our literary journey has taken us through the works of novelists and poets, exploring the depths of Literary Fiction. And for our closing episode, we have a special guest - Chuck Rosenthal, acclaimed author of Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest. As we delve into the premise of his latest book, we are transported into a world of love, longing, and artistic passion. Through this enthralling conversation with Chuck, we not only unravel the complexities of his main character Beatriz but also gain insight into the lives of 19th century romantic literary giants. Get ready for an educational and fascinating finale that will leave you yearning for more.
Tune in to our upcoming season, where I will recite my poetry from all of my published works. Season 7 is aptly named "Inspire Me," promising to ignite the soul and capture the imagination. Each episode will be a journey through words, painting pictures of raw emotion and thought-provoking ideas. So, sit back, relax, and let yourself be inspired by the power of language and the artistry of poetry.
Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest. Deep within the hidden library of Los Angeles' iconic poetry venue, Beyond Baroque, all modern electronics mysteriously fail. There, 19-year-old Beatriz encounters Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, who promises a magical adventure back to 19th-century Europe.
There, Beatriz meets literary legends John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, and Lord Byron, experiencing the romantic landscapes and dangerous exploits of their world. As she navigates this liminal space, Beatriz discovers the power of poetry and art, and the courage to find her own identity.
Rosenthal, an acclaimed author, brings historical figures to life, offering a deeply intimate tale of passion, creativity, and self-discovery. Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest is perfect for anyone who has ever lost themselves in the magic of a hidden library.
Chuck Rosenthal was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Allegheny College, Bowling Green State University, SUNY Buffalo, and the University of California, Davis, where he earned several advanced degrees in English, Sociological Theory and philosophy. He earned a Ph.D. in English and American literature with emphasis in creative writing and narrative theory from the University of Utah.
Rosenthal is the author of fourteen novels: the Loop Trilogy: Loop’s Progress, Experiments with Life and Deaf, and Loop’s End; Elena of the Stars; Avatar Angel, the Last Novel of Jack Kerouac; My Mistress Humanity; The Heart of Mars; Coyote O’Donohughe’s History of Texas; Ten Thousand Heavens; The Legend of La Diosa; You Can Fly, a Sequel to the Peter Pan Tales; The Hammer the Sickle and the Heart, Trotsky and Kahlo in Mexico; and Let’s Face the Music and Dance a hybrid novel.
He has published a memoir, Never Let Me Go, and a travel book, Are We Not There Yet? Travels in Nepal, North India, and Bhutan (Magic Journalism), as well as a second book of Magic Journalism, West of Eden: A Life in 21st Century Los Angeles. Rosenthal published two books of experimental poetry, Tomorrow you’ll Be One of Us (sci-fi poems with Gil Wronsky and Gronk, illustrator) and The Shortest Farewells Are the Best (noir poems, also with Gail Wronsky). They also wrote and directed the sci-fi play, People of Earth, This Is Your Last Warning, performed at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. Rosenthal has written a book of animal philosophy, How the Animals Around You Think, the Semiotics of Animal Cognition.
He’s published in numerous journals, and read and lectured at universities and on television and radio throughout the U.S. as well as in Mexico, Argentina, India and England.
Please check out his website:
https://chuckrosenthal.com/
Thank you for joining us on the yearend episode of Poetic Resurrection. The year of 2024 brought about a whirlwind of changes in society, politics, and spirituality. It was a time of both struggle and beauty, as people grappled with the shifting landscape of the world. And as we enter this new year, I am excited to announce an upcoming podcast with author Chuck Rosenthal in January. But that's just the beginning - our next season, starting in February, will feature captivating video and audio episodes focused on my latest book, "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams." Aptly titled "In Time of Need," this season is set to be a journey of self-discovery and growth for all who tune in. However, as we approach February 2025, the title may evolve to better reflect the essence of the show.
As the New Year approaches, I send my heartfelt wishes for prosperity and blessings to all of my dear family, friends, and listeners. May the coming year bring joy, love, and success in all aspects of your life. And as we bid farewell to this year, I can't help but express my gratitude to each and every one of you for being a part of my journey.
I extend my sincerest gratitude to our esteemed guests of 2024:
Ruben Rodriguez – Book Editor
Jack Remick - Writer
Rha Arayal - Poet
Lynne Thompson - Poet Laureate of Los Angeles
Luis J Rodriguez - Former Poet Laureate of Los Angeles
Inam Inamullah - Multitalented Author and Artist
Hannah Parry - Author
Matthew Carauddo - Writer
TeZa Lord - Author
Nathan Singer - Acclaimed Novelist, I was honored to have Nathan write the foreword of my new book.
So, here's to a fantastic New Year filled with endless possibilities and endless love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy New Year!
Poem/Story
As the clock struck midnight, a cascade of colorful fireworks burst through the darkness, illuminating the sky with bursts of light and sound. The air was filled with the scent of sulfur and the cheers of people hugging and celebrating around me. In that moment, I could feel a surge of emotions - excitement for the future, hope for what is to come, and determination to face whatever challenges may arise. As I looked around at my loved ones and supporters, I felt overwhelming gratitude for their unwavering presence in my life. Together, we stood on the cusp of a new year, ready to embark on a journey filled with unity, health, kindness, and resilience. We held onto the power of hope to fuel our dreams, the courage to stand up for what is right even in the face of adversity and fear, and the wisdom to guide us through the unknown path ahead. And as we stepped into the new year, may we find peace within ourselves, strengthen our relationships with love, fulfill our purpose in our work, and cherish joy in every single moment. Here's to a Happy New Year full of endless possibilities and endless love!
Joining us on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast is author and musician Nathan Singer. He has written numerous books and plays in the band Whiskey Shambles. In this episode, we delve into his latest release, The Duplication House, and he shares how he came up with the concept for this novel. We also touch on two of his other works, Chasing the Wolf and A Prayer for Dawn. It's a lively and engaging conversation filled with laughter and interesting insights. Tune in and enjoy!
About the author
Nathan Singer is a novelist, playwright, composer, and experimental performing artist. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist for award-winning “ultra-blues” band The Whiskey Shambles. His published novels are the controversial and critically-acclaimed A Prayer for Dawn, Chasing the Wolf, In the Light of You, The Song in the Squall, Transorbital, and Blackchurch Furnace. He currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio where he is working on a multitude of new projects.
The Duplication House on Amazon
Nathan Singer Author page on Amazon
Join us on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast as we chat with TeZa Lord, author of the captivating novel "The Bridge Tender". In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of the main character and in the style of magical realism. With poignant observations on life's lessons and joys, this book beautifully explores the theme of unity and interconnectedness. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!
Capturing the sacred in everyday moments is the driving force behind teZa Lord's work. As an artist, writer, yogi, and ocean sailor, she has dedicated her life to sharing this passion with others. Along with co-hosting the ZLORD podcast for years, Lord's body of work includes stunning multimedia art pieces and five published books, all of which can be found on her website, tezalord.com. Her personal mantra, "Love is the weapon of mass illumination," serves as a guiding light for her creative endeavors.
The Bridge Tender available on Amazon
"I'm into joy, seriously," teZa sings, in full color, in the illustrated "We Are ONE."
More info about books, events: teZaLord.com
@teZaLord on Instagram, X, Facebook
Join us for an exclusive interview with author Matthew Carauddo, known for his captivating fantasy series "Diamond Dragons." In this episode, we will embark on a journey through his creative process and explore the influences of other great writers, concepts and films on his work. Get ready to be transported to a world of magic, adventure and dragons as we delve into the mind of this talented storyteller.
OVERVIEW: In addition to acting, writing, singing and voice-over, Matthew Carauddo has over 15 years of experience in fencing, staged combat and martial arts (Wing Chun Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Shotokan Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Tricking). Matthew is a licensed fencing instructor, approved and examined by the Federation Francaise D’Escrime (FFE). He has taught hundreds of group fencing classes and one-on-one lessons behind the mask throughout the California bay area at schools, academies of fencing, summer camps, and parks and recreational facilities.
ORIGINS: Matthew began acting as a child when he was around 9 years old. He pursued on-stage performance throughout middle school, high school, and all throughout college.
https://diamond-dragons.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddragonstale
The latest episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast features the talented author Hannah Parry, as we delve into her novel Breathing for Both of Us. With a background in pediatric nursing, Hannah shares her journey to becoming an author and the inspiration behind her powerful story. Our conversation is filled with thought-provoking insights on life experiences and the dedication it takes to pursue writing. So, tune in and join us for this engaging and enlightening episode that is sure to leave you wanting more!
Hannah Parry trained as a nurse and has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Birkbeck College, University of London.
She has had four short stories published. Farrukh and the Matchmaker made the longlist of the BBC Short Story Award 2021. The Chrysalis was awarded a Pushcart Prize nomination in 2021.
She does beta reading for established authors and was part of the editorial team on Mechanics’ Institute Review Short Story Anthology in 2018.
Hannah has written two middle-grade historical thrillers - Winter’s Bite and Fever Quest - and two commercial fiction novels which she will publish as H.P. Parry. She developed Breathing for Both of Us, a psychological thriller, on the Curtis Brown Creative course in London and it was published in April 2023.
The Baby Exchange, an upmarket fiction manuscript is on submission.
Breathing for the Both of Us on Amazon
Hannah Parry Website
This month, our guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast is Inam Inamullah. We delve into his book Whispers of the Flight, a Sufistic novel that explores the journey of self-discovery through life's peaks and valleys. In addition, we take a look at his personal experiences and how he rose to become an internationally recognized artist, with one of his commissioned pieces displayed at the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York City. It was a fascinating conversation with a guest who has much wisdom to share. Don't miss it!
Inam, originally from South Asia, is a world-renowned artist, poet, and playwright. His work has earned international acclaim for its depth, creativity, and spiritual insight. Despite the challenges he faced early in life, including the hardships brought on by polio, Inam found solace in his art. Through resilience and a profound sense of creativity, he transformed his struggles into a source of beauty and inspiration.
Inam's artistic journey is not confined to the canvas alone; his passion for the written word is evident in his prolific contributions to poetry and playwriting. His works reflect a deep appreciation for the ancient wisdom imparted by Sufi sages, which has unveiled the mysteries of the universe to him.
A graduate of UCLA with an MBA, Inam also serves as a Life Coach, guiding others through their own journeys of transformation. His commitment to giving back to the community led him to found the Glitter of Hope Foundation, a local charity dedicated to supporting single mothers and orphans, primarily within the refugee community.
Inam's latest work, "Whispers of The Flight," offers readers a profound journey that promises to illuminate the path to inner transformation. Whether you're a spiritual seeker, a lover of allegorical tales, or someone on a quest for deeper understanding, this work ensures a transformative experience that resonates deeply with the soul.
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/472w8tO - Whispers of the Flight
Find out more about his artwork: https://www.inamgallery.com/
Whisper of Flight site: www.whispersoftheflight.com
Inam’s life coaching site: www.elevatelife.guru
The Whispers of Flight novel invites readers into a world of spiritual discovery and self-recognition, echoing the timeless lessons of self-discovery and the transformative power of following one’s dreams.
We are thrilled to welcome back Luis J. Rodriguez, former Los Angeles Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016, in this episode. We discuss the Always Running festival, which is named after his well-known book - Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. Since our last interview, Luis has been traveling with his wife Trini for poetry readings and speaking engagements around the world. Currently, he is working on a script with Freddy Negrete based on the true story of the killing of David Dominguez, a gang member, by San Gabriel ex-cop Billy Joe McIlvain. We also touch on a project that Luis was involved in with John Leguizamo, though unfortunately it was not completed. One of the most heartbreaking topics we discuss is the growing homeless population in Los Angeles and how expensive housing is causing many people to leave the city or move to Mexico. Take a listen to this insightful conversation with an accomplished author and activist.
In addition to being a novelist, memoirist, short story writer, children's book writer, and essayist, Luis is also a poet. He is also known as a mentor, healer, youth and arts advocate, community and urban peace activist, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
And if you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, be sure to visit Tia Chucha Bookstore and Cultural Center.
He has 16 books in all genres (poetry, children's books, fiction, and nonfiction), including the best-selling memoir, "Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A." His latest memoir is the sequel, "It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing." His last poetry book is 2016's "Borrowed Bones" from Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press. In 2020, Seven Stories Press released his first book of essays, "From Our Land to Our Land: Essays, Journeys & Imaginings from a Native Xicanx Writer."
Among his many awards and fellowships, in 2022 Luis was given a California Arts Council Legacy Fellowship and a Los Angeles Times' Robert Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award.
Luis is founding editor of Tia Chucha Press, now for over 30 years, and more than 20 years ago he co-founded with his wife Trini Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore in the San Fernando Valley. He has traveled across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, and Japan to speak, do poetry readings, indigenous ceremonies, or reportage over the past 40 years. This includes prisons, jails, and juvenile lockups in around 20 U.S. states, as well as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Argentina, Italy, and England. Dedicated to his indigenous roots and Native American spirituality, Luis has a Mexika name: Mixcoatl Itztlacuiloh. With his wife Trini (Tlazohteotl) he has a podcast called "The Hummingbird Cricket Hour"--http://hchpodcast.libsyn.com/
Luis is dedicated to a clean, balanced, abundant, cooperative, healing world. No more capitalist private property relations, exploitation, war, or inequities. "In essential things, unity; in nonessential things, liberty. In all things compassion."
Always Running – La Vida Loca, Gang Days in LA by Luis J. Rodriguez
The Concrete River: Poems by Luis J Rodriguez
Tia Chucha Bookstore & Cultural Center
Freddy Negrete: Smile Now, Cry Later
Good Cop or Bad Cop? The Story of Billy Joe McIlvain and the Murder of David Dominguez
Los Angeles Poet Laureate, Lynne Thompson, as our distinguished guest. Her words flow gracefully and effortlessly as she reads several of her poignant poems, including Ode to Bones and A Woman’s Body, Aging, Still Loves Itself from her latest book Blue on a Blue Palette. Through our conversation, Lynne shares insight into her poetic process, the lessons she has gleaned along her journey, and powerful observations on the current state of women's lives and history. Tune in to experience the eloquent wordsmith at work and delve into an enlightening dialogue with this remarkable poet.
Lynne Thompson was the 4th Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles, The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, her poetry collections include Beg No Pardon (2007), winner of the Perugia Press Prize and the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s New Writers Award: Start with a Small Guitar (2013), from What Books Press; and Fretwork (2019), winner of the Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize. Thompson’s honors include the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award (poetry) and the Stephen Dun Prize for Poetry as well as fellowships from the City of Los Angeles, Vermont Studio Center, and the Summer Literary Series in Kenya.
https://www.lynnethompson.us/
Lynne Thompson’s Blue on a Blue Palette (2024) reflects on the condition of women—their joys despite their histories, and their insistence on survival as issues of race, culture, pandemic, and climate threaten their livelihoods. The documentation of these personal odysseys—which vary stylistically from abecedarians to free verse to centos—replicate the many ways women travel through the stages of their lives, all negotiated on a palette encompassing various shades of blue. These poems demand your attention, your voice: “Say history. Claim. Say wild.”
Blue on a Blue Palette
Fretwork
Beg No Pardon
Start with a Small Guitar
The latest episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast features the incredibly talented Rha Arayal, a poet who has graced our show before. In the time since her last appearance, she has added several more titles to her impressive collection, including her latest work, Sunset Hues. As our honored guest, she treats us to a powerful reading of two of her newest poems – "The Graveyard of Ambition" and "Maya" – both featured in her upcoming book. During our conversation, we delve into a range of thought-provoking topics such as Shakespeare, the fascinating realm of lucid dreaming, and how her experiences at university have shaped her daily creative process. Prepare to be captivated by this dynamic discussion with one of poetry's most promising voices.
Rha Arayal is a 20-year writer from South Wales with British and Nepali roots. She finds joy in exploring the interplay between nature and nurture, particularly regarding her own identity as an Asian Welsh person. Through her writing, she delves into themes of racism, kindness, and other facets of humanity. In 2021, her first book of poems, Encapsulated Emotions, was published by Genz Publishing. Outside of writing, she enjoys indulging in American vampire television shows, practicing Pilates, and browsing secondhand bookstores.
Amazon US: Encapsulated Emotions Book: https://amzn.to/4bBdFGw
The Wishing Well: https://bottlecap.press/products/wishing
Amazon Europe/UK: https://amzn.eu/d/bAL73gZ
Writing poetry has been a passion of mine ever since I learned how to write. However, for the past couple of years, I have been determined to complete my next book in the Inspire Me Series, titled "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams." Lately, though, my thoughts have been clouded and focused on sci-fi short stories instead. My goal is to finish this poetry book by summer so that I can fully dedicate myself to the short stories. It's strange how my writing habits have changed - from writing multiple poems a week to only one a month. Perhaps it's due to the pandemic, or the loss of my mother and close friend soon after. Strange Thing Grief, is the title of one of my upcoming poems, referring to how grief has affected all aspects of my life. Simple things are no longer simple. Writing poetry used to be therapeutic for me, but lately my emotions have been too heavy to express through writing. This poem, "Bound," is from my previous book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 and is a glimpse into my upcoming collection.
Bound
Sorrow sweeps through my soul like
The sword of yesteryear
Waves of sorrow smash upon my heart
Reminding me of you
Of your love
Of your kindness
I drown in the eventual stillness, gasping for air
Why was life so unfair to you?
But it's me who doesn't let go
It's me who feels guilty for not
suffering your loss longer
If I hold on to that feeling, then the memory
Of you doesn't slip away
Miss the feeling of our etheric touch
I dreamt of seeing your soul last night
but I had tied a rope to it
You kept trying to fly away
But I kept pulling you back—You turned to me, broken
Today I cry and let you go—release you from the earth plane
The rope unties and I see your smiling soul fade away
Music by Gotama: Take a Break
We are thrilled to announce that Jack Remick will join us as our guest for this month's episode on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. He's a poet and a writer and he recites his poems, Dying Dreams, Secret Disease and Lovdeth, from his poetry collection entitled Satori. They're beautiful poems. I love this section from Dying Dreams: "Despite the cult of youth, we know this: flowers fade, we come to the closing of doors where we lie down naked for the dying of dreams." Not only is he a talented poet and writer, but he also imparts his knowledge by offering a writing masterclass. Take the time to listen in to this episode, which promises to be both enjoyable and educational.
Throughout my career, I have taken on various roles such as a college instructor, grammar school teacher, social worker, community activist, tunnel worker, and even a bus driver. But my journey as a writer began at UC Berkeley where I studied poetry under the guidance of Thom Gunn. It was there that he taught me the importance of originality by challenging me to question why I was emulating the styles and ideas of other poets who were no longer living. Jack, he said, when you inhabit another man's universe, it will always be smaller than the one you create for yourself.
After years of work, experimentation, and exploration of the writing world–which involved three trips to South America and their exposure to both Indigenous and Colonial lifestyles–I returned home carrying a load of understanding and desire that had not driven me before. Life in South America gave me three novels: No Century for Apologies, which won Honorable Mention for the Hoffer Grand Prize; Gabriela and The Widow, which was a finalist for the Book of the Year Award; as well as a Finalist for the Montaigne Medal and One Year in the Time of Violence, a novel that follows a Gringo living in the time of the Colombian Violencia with all its horror and political chaos.
My writing world expanded with each life experience until I was able to write a ground-breaking novel titled Citadel. Enraptured with fiction, I had ignored poetry until events unfolded, which led me to write Josie Delgado, a Poem of the Central Valley and Satori, Poems. With each publication, I understood more of Thom Gunn's wisdom. I have learned the effectiveness of collaboration with other writers. Robert J. Ray and I co-wrote The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery a how-to that demystifies writing of the mystery.
You can find my published work here:
http://www.amazon.com./author/jackremick
Ruben Rodriguez, our guest for this month's episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, is a highly accomplished editor and English teacher. He shares with us the intriguing story of how he first ventured into the world of editing and teaching. From a young age, Ruben had a deep appreciation for literature and storytelling, which led him to pursue a degree in English. Throughout his academic journey, he discovered his talent for editing and his ability to bring out the best in written works. His passion for working with writers and helping them refine their stories is evident in every project he takes on. Ruben's experiences have taught him the importance of not only understanding the technical aspects of editing but also fostering a nurturing and collaborative relationship with writers. In this episode, he shares valuable insights on the creative process, the challenges faced by writers, and the fulfillment he finds in helping them realize their literary visions.
Ruben J. Rodriguez received his degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in English from UCLA, magna cum laude, was an editor of Westwind magazine, has read his works at UCLA’s Powell Library, co-edited the L.A.-based poetry anthology Coiled Serpent, and currently works as a freelance editor, including with Tia Chucha Press, and as an English teacher through IANT Education with a focus on creative writing. He recently started a YouTube channel focused on book reviews and discussion of literature, To Readers It May Concern.
Listen to his YouTube Channel Here
In this January 2024 episode, I'll discuss poetry. Poetry became my outlet, my means of processing and articulating the complexities of my dual identity. Through the rhythmic words and vivid imagery, I could capture the nuances of my emotions, the clash of cultures, and the struggles of navigating between two worlds. It allowed me to explore and embrace the beauty of both sides of my heritage, while also acknowledging the challenges and conflicts that arose from it. Poetry became a form of self-discovery and self-expression, a way for me to make sense of my place in the world. It provided solace and comfort in times of confusion and uncertainty, offering me a sense of validation and understanding that I couldn't find elsewhere. Poetry became my therapy, my self-help, and my sanctuary, guiding me through the complexities of my bi-cultural upbringing and shaping me into the person I am today.
In my teens, I had a poetry notebook I would carry with me everywhere, treasuring the words I had carefully written. However, one unfortunate day in the bustling streets of Chicago, my three-ring binder slipped from my grasp and scattered its contents in the wind. Helplessly watching as my precious poetry scattered into the air, I felt a deep sense of loss. Unlike today, where technology allows us to back up our work easily, back then, everything was typed, and I didn't have a copy of my poetry. Despite this setback, I refused to let it deter me from my passion. I continued to write, pouring my emotions and thoughts onto paper. Over the years, I have managed to compile my poetry into four books, each representing a different phase of my life. "Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2" was published in 2022, previously published were "Inspire Me: Perception" and "Follow Akashic Dreaming Through Time" in 2019. My first book, "Inspire Me: Raw," was released in 2017, marking the beginning of my journey as a published poet. Currently, I am eagerly working on the third installment of the Inspire Me Series, titled "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams."
In, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams I hope to take the readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It delves into the depths of one's subconscious mind, exploring the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform. Through imagery and thought-provoking verses, I hope this book encourages readers to explore their innermost desires, embrace their passions, and awaken their true potential. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the complexities of human emotions, and the mysteries of the universe, the poems in my new collection offer a unique blend of introspection and inspiration. With each turn of the page, I invited you to delve deeper into your dreams, discovering new perspectives and unlocking hidden truths. As the third installment in the Inspire Me Series, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams promises to be a soul-stirring addition to any poetry collection.
As the new year begins, I am excited to share a glimpse of my upcoming book, "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams." Within its pages, you will find a collection of heartfelt poems, including one titled "Shade of Being." This poem delves into the complexities of human existence, exploring the various shades from beginning to end that make up our being. "Shade of Being" is a reflection on my journey of self-discovery and the power of embracing our finite nature. For those who can't wait to dive into my upcoming book, a sneak peek of "Shade of Being" can also be found in the "Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2." Let this new year be a time of inspiration, growth, and awakening as we embark on a poetic journey together.
Shade of Being
I stand on the beach, absorbing the indigo sky. The whispering breeze surrounds and envelops me as I breathe. It cools the soul. The waves creep up and work with the sand to mold my feet on earth. The Sun's desert colors—rays of light peak through the singing ocean waves, sounds of release and content. There I feel light, floating slowly over the water. I'm not afraid as I'm swept towards the light of eternal energy. The sea creatures do a singing infinity dance by my side. The sparkling eyes of these mammals transform my essence. I'm not alone. How long I have waited to go into the depths of the ocean where emotions ease life's pains as they bathe the skin in harmony. No entanglements, no reins holding me. I turn to see my past and see the shadows of my family and friends holding onto the remaining essence of the sand encasing my life, my experience, the memorable existence of each footstep we walked together.
Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 (Amazon)
https://poeticresurrection.com/
Music
A String of Hope by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7077-a-string-of-hope
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Happy New Year to all! As the year comes to an end, I want to wish everyone an amazing New Year filled with love, joy, prosperity, and most importantly, good health. We often take our health for granted, but it truly is the foundation for enjoying life's many blessings.
Amidst a global pandemic, I named this extended podcast season "Life," using it as a tool for introspection and helping others do the same. But now, as we enter a new season, I plan to shift gears and focus solely on fictional literature. We will continue to showcase authors and poets and their creative processes, while also inviting literary agents, publishers, and editors to share their insights and educate us on the industry.
This year we had amazing guests and I want to say thank you to them.
Bex Rose – Poet author of Health via Poetry.
Rocco Jarman - a Poet – author of Stepping Through, Philosopher and Podcaster.
Kevin Palmieri - Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University Podcast
Kelly Keefe - Creator of The Heartspace.co, and a Reiki Master Teacher.
Jim Marshall - Author of Septemics.
Rha Arayal - a nineteen-year-old British Nepali Poet – author of Encapsulated Emotions
Cindi Buckley – Author of Love Awakens You
Phyllis Leavitt – Psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy
Rachel Hanfling – Emmy Nominated Producer and Motivational Speaker
Barbara Ann Briggs – Poet and Author Pilgrimage on the Path of Love,
William Mackenzie-Smith – Medicinal Alchemist Healing
Tune in for the new season as it should not only be entertaining but educational.
Many blessings and Happy New Year.
It is our pleasure to have Bex Rose, Poet and Mental Health Professional, as a guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. She shared her poem called A Subconscious Mind, which talks about depression from her book Mental Health via Poetry. We had a fascinating conversation about the poem and her personal story of growing up in Brooklyn, New York writing poetry with Tourette’s, then transitioning to become a mental health clinician. Tune into this touching and entertaining interview to learn more about Bex's inspiring journey.
A Subconscious Mind
What are these thoughts
The if, and, why,
What is this feeling I get
As if I'm ripping apart from inside
Why has my internal drive
Become so weak
Why am I too depressed to even open my eyes
To even sit up and think
Can't even make it to my own kitchen sink
Not even thirsty for a drink
It's lawless
The pressure to be human
Eat, think, sleep like a person, it's arduous
It is not involving the effects of any one single event
I wish my time could be better spent
Society's pages depend on a therapy book
So quick to not even take a real look
So quick to hand us the bottle than to ask us how to spell out the name
I'm not so easy to belittle with labels
Each diagnosis on paper
Can become quite easily a fable
Remedied with quick-think drugs bought from any store and self-help label
Not knowing there's also drugs on the corners underneath the table
Waiting
For us to crave more
Why do we have to think and be challenged to want to search for more
When we’re left un-adored
In majority, for the very same reason you referred us to get help in the first place
I am not a charity case
I will not just fall in line
I will make use of this time
As I tiptoe between the tattered line
Between each tear-stained work of mine
I speak
For others whose medication has rendered them mute and subconscious
How dare you try to band-aid depression as if it's a rouse
I think rather that it's abuse
To be this overlooked
Well I stand here let-loose
I will tell you with my rhymes
The enforced societal standard behind each bind
Left on the "mentally unequipped"
Considered Drones of the unkind
These vastly purged minds
It's exhausting
Left unchecked it could be an easy departing
Why should I let that be the case too
I am as much a human being as are you
If I had a presumed fully capable mind and funds I guess I would sue
But you'd stay there thoughtless
Wondering how this mess started to involve you
Feeling targeted you alone
Truth oftentimes is that
You don't even bother unless it happens to one of your own
Biography
Bex Rose is a born and raised Brooklynite and native New Yorker who is both openly gay and active in the social work community. As a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC), Bex is a Program Director for a NYC based non-for-profit. She has a background in family focused evidence-based practices as well as upper leadership administrative management. Additionally, her work extends beyond community-based services and extends into her private practice – Candor’s Call for leadership development, coaching and consultation.
Despite a dysfunctional childhood and diagnosis of OCD and Tourette’s she has been able to cultivate success in her field and through many social media platforms. Her most recent book “Mental Health via Poetry” speaks to the duality of a role as a clinician and experience living with Tourette’s. Bex hopes to utilize social media platforms to continue promoting healthy conversations, collaborations and content around mental health, creativity and positive representation.
Get her book: Mental Health via Poetry
https://linktr.ee/Bexrose
https://www.candorscall.com/
Rocco Jarman, a guest poet on the Poetic Resurrection podcast, read his poem; They Might Have Told Us. The message was clear: awareness of our behaviors and beliefs influences all aspects of our lives. The tone was one of reflection and self-examination, so that we might overcome ourselves.
"Sacred does not need to have anything to do with shared or imposed ideas of religion or god, or whimsy. It is simply the answered wish to discover something deep, foundational and meaningful about this world and our sense of very private gratitude and belonging, we get from that encounter." ~ Rocco Jarman
Rocco is an Australian Philosopher Poet and Podcaster. He has an unorthodox and autodidactic mastery of human psychology which provides cutting and insightful observations on all levels of personal psychological, interpersonal and societal dysfunction and specifically the path to effective remediation and stable actualization.
Rocco’s own idiosyncrasies have proven to be his greatest assets, which are an undiagnosed neurodivergence, a mistrust of teachers, sycophants, systems and hierarchies, and an irreverence for the restrictive silos of academia. This has resulted in him being an autodidact across many fields such as psychology, philosophy, behavioral science, psychedelics, project delivery, corporate leadership, agile, history, social engineering and relationships.
Rocco has an extraordinary mind, with a way of looking at the world, our journey through it and the blind curve we are stuck on, which beautifully reconciles the scientific and the sacred, and provides insights which land like a drink of fresh water after weeks in the desert.
They Might Have Told Us
they might have told us
when we were young:
self-ownership is a kind of leadership
where you do not expect of yourself
to master the world around you
but rather,
it is an allowing of mistakes.
they might have said
not to get so hung up
on the successes or failures
of a moment,
they should have said
to allow yourself to try,
and not expect
to get it right first time,
allow yourself even
perhaps, to give up on things
that are no longer meant for you,
or were never truly yours to begin with.
they might have let us know
that the path to wholeness
involves asking no one but yourself
for permission,
and wearing all regrets
like a meadow wears the morning mist
and afterwards the dew.
they really should have told us.
but they did not know themselves.
because no one told them.
and now,
no one else is coming.
© Rocco Jarman, October 2021
Instagram.com/@rocco.jarman
Website is roccojarman.com
Substack is https://eyeswideopenlife.org
On this episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, we have Kevin Palmieri as our guest. Kevin offers his wisdom about personal growth and maturation. We talked about the variations between having low and high self-regard and trust in oneself, and how those variables impact our goals and ambitions. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge about what it means to be alive.
Kevin Palmieri is CFO, Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast with more than 1,350 episodes and 800K+ listens in over 125 countries.
In Kevin’s own words:
Some people find rock bottom... I found out that rock bottom had a basement.
In my mid 20's... I had it all. I had a beautiful girlfriend, high paying job, sports car, my dream body... but I still ended up sitting on the edge of a bed debating suicide. After my rock bottom moment, I went all in on holistic self-improvement. I was determined to overcome my anxiety, depression and to finally live the life I'd always dreamed of.
Years later, I now host a podcast that impacts hundreds of thousands of people in countries all over the world. At this stage, I've helped grow the podcast into a multi six-figure business, and I've recorded well over 1,300 episodes. I've also given hundreds of speeches, trainings and coaching calls with people all over the world.
The main thing that changed was ME. I focused on learning what I didn't know (unlearning a lot too), and my life started to shift. I love talking about Consistency, Commitment, Habits, Mindset, Confidence, Fear, Relationships, Limiting Beliefs and everything in between. I believe in a heart-driven but NO BS approach to holistic self-improvement, and I look forward to teaching even more people about what it really takes to get to the next level!
Check out the Next Level University Podcast
I'm thrilled to introduce Kelly Keefe, the founder of Heartspace.com and a dynamic presenter. She speaks about her vocation and shamanic practices with enthusiasm. Tune into this enjoyable episode as we delve into the world of Heartspace.
Kelly Keefe is the creator of The Heartspace, an organization founded in 2016. She's a Reiki Master Teacher, Transformation Guide, and Vibrational Artist who specializes in helping people tap into their innermost feelings. Kelly has written both fiction and nonfiction books. She globally offers coaching sessions, Reiki training courses, and group transformation programs to help guide individuals through life-altering transformations. Her book 'Rise Above Fear' encourages readers to understand fear and embrace it as a way to move past any obstacles they may have created for themselves. Kelly loves living boldly and hopes that others will too.
Our guest for this month is Jim Marshall. We have an educational discussion about his book Septemics. We posed a hypothetical story to experience an in-depth look at the inner workings of the book in relation to personality, behavior, and insight.
Jim Marshall is a polymathic intellectual who has devoted over 50,000 hours to the study and practice of multiple dimensions of human potential and development. He received a classical education as an honor student at a Jesuit Military Prep School, was accepted into engineering school while still a junior in prep school, and attended college on academic scholarship. He graduated college with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. While still an undergraduate, he began the study of “alternative” Arts and Sciences which today would be described as Transformational and Holistic. Eventually, he became a professional practitioner and, after 28 years of formal education, had a long career as a Human Development Engineer. Jim has integrated the best aspects of the most advanced techniques on the planet, and expanded their limits by his own Research & Discovery. He has successfully treated and/or trained hundreds of clients over a 40-year career, and is the inventor of Septemics and several consciousness-expanding systems. His areas of expertise include psychology, philosophy, theology, parapsychology, science, engineering, mathematics, law, literature, history, music, organization, metaphysics, military science, political science, physical culture and education.
Visit the Septemics website
Septemics on Amazon
Our guest this month was the young poet Rha Arayal. We had a captivating talk about her poem ‘The Girl That I Am/The Girl That I Should Be,’ how to handle growing up bicultural, being published at sixteen, and more. It was delightful to speak with her; it's amazing to see someone that age demonstrate such inner strength.
Rha Arayal is a 19-year-old British Nepali writer living in Wales. She enjoys examining the balance of nature and nurture, especially the notion of an Asian Welsh identity, as well as exploring racism and kindness and other aspects of humanity in her writing. Her debut poetry collection, Encapsulated Emotions, was published with Genz Publishing in 2021. When she's not writing, she loves watching American vampire shows, practicing martial arts and buying second hand books.
Poem:
the girl that I am/the girl that I should be
she crouches on the floor wearing mud-encrusted flip-flops
there is a red shawl wrapped tightly around her waist
it holds her brick phone which has run out of battery
it holds her aching back like PVA glue wrapping around jigsaw pieces
she reminds herself that she is no one
just a village girl who cuts grass for the cow
her mother milks it and loves it
her father carries the milk on a motorcycle into town
this world may be alien to you
but it is almost home to me
but it nearly happened to me
but it also never did
and for that, I am grateful
she isn't scared of snakes winding up her legs
her skin is slightly cracked and is darker than mine
sun cream is too expensive and the village shops only sell instant noodles
she isn't afraid of cows or spiders or the dark
they stomp and crawl and engulf her life
they are a crucial part of her life
they are alien to me
so many sources of brutality
of nature and of rich cultural love
surround her
like her red shawl which is split at the seams
her grandmother owns the other half
my grandmother, who cries to me on the phone
my grandmother, who I hope is hanging on
like crimson threads swaying in the wind
oblivious to snakes and cows and spiders and the dark
Instagram @encapsulated_emotions
Click here for a copy of her poetry book Encapsulated Emotions on Amazon
This month’s special guest is Cindi Buckley, the author of Love Awakens You. We had an enjoyable time talking together, where she told me about her experience going from working in a corporate job to writing her book. We had a great time talking and sharing stories, , and I was also able to take a look at her incredible collection of crystals (which wasn’t caught on camera/audio). She talked to me about how cancer impacts both the body and the mind.
After 15 years in the corporate world in logistics and software consulting, Cindi changed her life’s direction in her early 40’s. For the last 20 years, she has helped hundreds of people through meaningful life transitions, such as the death of a loved one, opening to spirit and finding the courage to make a change for the better. She published her first book Cosmic Unity and became a student of A Course in Miracles.
Cindi Buckleys book: Love Awakens You is available on Amazon.
http://cindibuckley.com
Connect with her on Linkedin and Facebook
Cindi refers to this book in the discussion of a course in miracles.
The Disappearance of the Universe on Amazon
Our guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast is Phyllis Leavitt, a psychotherapist and author. We discuss her upcoming book America in Therapy where she utilizes her thirty-year practice in psychology and relates it to the state of the country. This is an interesting and informative episode where the dynamics of family and relationships is discussed and applied to what is currently happening in our country.
Phyllis Leavitt graduated from Antioch University with a Masters’ Degree in Psychology and Counseling in 1989. She co-directed a sexual abuse treatment program called Parents United in Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1991 and had a small private practice before going into private practice full time. She has been a psychotherapist treating children, families, couples, and individual adults for 32 years, and has worked extensively with abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, their aftermath, and some of the most important elements for healing. An author of two published books, A Light in the Darkness and Into the Fire, that focus on her spiritual journey, and she is presently working with a professional editor on the book I have written called America in Therapy. She lives in Taos, NM and she’s mostly retired now, focusing on writing. Her website is www.phyllisleavitt.com.
“Writing has always been my path and my practice. For most of my life, I have sought deeper connection in some form—to myself, a higher consciousness, and a greater understanding of the meaning and purpose of human existence. I have participated in a wide variety of spiritual practices, healing modalities, a deep connection to nature and art, and in the blessings and challenges of relationship and motherhood. I became a psychotherapist over thirty years ago and did many years of therapy myself. Through it all, writing has been my constant companion and guide. It has gotten me through the darkest times in my life, brought me the greatest wisdom and fulfillment, and it is now my primary creative pursuit and the way I seek to share all that has been given to me. I have written two books about my spiritual journey—A Light in the Darkness and Into the Fire—and I have just completed my third book about bringing America to therapy. Both my inner work and all my psychological experience over many years, have taught me that, for the most part, we are as emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy as our human environment and the family systems we live and participate in. Some of us make it out of the most abusive conditions despite a lack of support or a map to follow, but many of us do not, and what I have found is that we are all at risk from abuses that go unchecked and continually fuel a cycle of violence. My new book is dedicated to helping make common knowledge everything I have learned about how we can repair our fractured human relations in ways we can all implement in the lives we currently live. My deepest wish is that we both understand the severity of the dangers we face from escalating divisiveness, hatred, and violence, and, at the same time, feel hopeful that no matter what our sphere of influence, we can each play a meaningful part in restoring ourselves to peace, safety and caring reconnection to one another. My deepest hope is that together we bring to the Family of America the same healing we are learning to bring to individual families— and thus to all our children, who will inherit everything we leave them.”
Phyllis Leavitt lives with her husband in Taos, NM. She has three amazing grown children and three beautiful grandchildren and is a lover of art, nature and gardening. She has a Masters Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Antioch University and has had a private psychotherapy practice for over thirty years. She is recently retired and is now focused on writing.
This week on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast we have Emmy nominated producer and motivational speaker, Rachel Hanfling. We had a great conversation about her life and career journey. I learned so much from Rachel. We laughed and had a great time discussing the art of giving speeches.
Rachel is an inspirational media coach and communications coach who has helped countless individuals reach their goals in the world of media. With her vast experience in the industry, she has developed a unique approach to coaching that helps her clients become successful communicators and storytellers. She believes everyone has a story to tell, and it's up to them to find the courage to tell it. With Rachel's help, you can learn how to craft your story in order to make an impact on those around you and achieve success in your career.
Bio:
Emmy-nominated Rachel Hanfling is your guide to clear, confident, charismatic speech. A former producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, she's coached clients to land deals on Shark Tank, sell out on QVC, dominate worldwide speeches, generate explosive sales, nail workplace politics and more. She's taught at Harvard, internationally, and across the US. Rachel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a mom to twin boys and a dog in New York City. To learn more about Rachel, visit https://www.rachelhanfling.com/
In celebration of World Poetry Day held every March 21st. I'll be reading some of my poetry and since it's an international event, I will also read them in English and in Spanish.
"Arranged in words, coloured with images, struck with the right meter, the power of poetry has no match. As an intimate form of expression that opens doors to others, poetry enriches the dialogue that catalyses all human progress, and is more necessary than ever in turbulent times." Audrey Azoulay – Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The following poems are from Inspire Me: Raw. The poem Citizen and it's Spanish translation Cuidadana are read and performed. Also, Forget and it's Spanish version Ovide and to add a little humor because not all poetry is dramatic or traumatic, we have the poem Go-Go Boots.
Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2
Contains Inspire Me: Raw, Inspire Me: Perception and five poems from the upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.
Barbara Ann Briggs is this week's guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast where she discussed her journey into meditation and how it has helped her with her writing. She also shared a reading of her poem Alone which reflects the power of spirituality in helping to create meaningful content. She also graced us with a reading from her book: Pilgrimage on the Path of Love chapter 11.
She’s currently working on her book: The Secret of Creative Abundance: Alignment with Your Spiritual Nature.
Barbara Ann Briggs believes that meditation can be a powerful tool to help writers unlock their creative potential. Through her poetry, she encourages writers to use it as a way to find inspiration, focus on their craft, and even access higher levels of consciousness
Bio:
Barbara Ann Briggs is a poet, podcaster and the author of two books. She has over twenty years' experience as a freelance journalist and has had numerous articles and essays published in both print and online media. A practitioner and teacher of Transcendental Meditation for over thirty years, Barbara hosts a bi-monthly podcast called Essence of Life, which has a rapidly growing audience. She was on the faculty of the Maharishi University of Natural Law where she developed courses on poetry, art, creativity and consciousness. The Facebook page for her debut novel, Pilgrimage on the Path of Love, has garnered 2,500 likes. Barbara was born in Manhattan, New York. Her mother came from Vienna, Austria and her father from New Orleans. Needless to say, she loves music! Barbara, who currently resides in India, has travelled widely and considers herself a "citizen of the universe."
You can get in touch with Barbara Ann Briggs at the following links.
Barbara Ann Briggs Website
Essence of Life Podcast
Pilgrimage on the Path of Love Book (from human love to spiritual love)
Please view and subscribe to her YouTube channel: Spiritual Wisdom – Barbara Ann Briggs
Life - A Poem and Prayer for the Grieving
I recently lost my mother and even though we knew it was coming, it was still a very difficult loss to accept. This poem and affirmation prayer is for those who are grieving. I've had many suggestions, but one of the most helpful that I have received is to set aside time to grieve. Pick a time and review the experiences, videos, notes, and other communications from the past loved one. May you find healing in this process.
Bound
Sorrow sweeps through my soul like
The sword of yesteryear
Waves of sorrow smash upon my heart
Reminding me of you
Of your love
Of your kindness
I drown in the eventual stillness, gasping for air
Why was life so unfair to you?
But it's me who doesn't let go
It's me who feels guilty for not suffering your loss longer
If I hold on to that feeling, then the memory
Of you doesn't slip away
Miss the feeling of our etheric touch
I dreamt of seeing your soul last night but I had tied a rope to it You kept trying to fly away
But I kept pulling you back—You turned to me, broken
Today I cry and let you go—release you from the earth plane
The rope unties and I see your smiling soul fade away
Dear spirit, God energy, higher self, universal knowledge, thank you for hearing this prayer as I need strength during this challenging time. I turn to you for guidance and love.
- May I be strong.
- May I have the strength to accept my grief.
- I understand I feel grief because I have loved.
- I know who has passed, would not want me to live in sorrow.
- May I cherish their memory and remember them with fondness.
- May I find peace.
- I understand my grief has pushed other emotions and responsibilities aside. Yet, I can accept it.
- May I have the knowhow to work with grief.
- May I cope with this endless sadness and constant heartache
- May I accept my loved one is no longer suffering.
- Help me see the good in my life.
- Guide me through my loss.
- May I feel loving kindness.
- May I forgive myself for the things I've done or not done.
- May I accept that there was nothing I could have done to change what happened.
- May I heal from the silencing of their voice and touch
- May I set time aside to remember their memory
- Thank you for having this beautiful soul in my life. I will cherish them and let their soul be free.
- May I feel safe.
- I send my love.
Thank you for hearing my prayer.
Blessings
The poem Bound is from: Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
Music: Parting of the Ways - Part 1 by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4195-parting-of-the-ways---part-1
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In this episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, we have William Mackenzie-Smith. We discuss the various medicinal properties of CBD, CBDA, and THC for healing purposes. We laugh about youth mishaps with cannabis and how everything is dosage. His journey with shamanism, ayahuasca and soul retrieval. A really interesting, informative and enjoyable episode. Tune in!
William Mackenzie-Smith Bio
Described as an alchemist by LA Weekly, William Mackenzie-Smith was a photographer and cinematographer in England before moving to the United States where he began his study of shamanism and ethnobotany. A life-changing trip to the Amazon confirmed his belief in the healing power of plants and on his return, he successfully treated his own skin cancer with topical cannabis. Soon he was making medicine for family and friends and Mackenzie Medicinals was born.
Mackenzie Medicinals supplied major dispensaries in the L.A. area with cannabis oils, oral tinctures, and topical oils for many years. The family owned company has won numerous awards for almost all their products. Full legalization brought changes to the medical cannabis landscape and Mackenzie Medicinals is currently in the process of launching unique and potent formulas that combine CBD and herbs to target specific conditions.
You can reach William at Instagram @mackenziemedicinals
In Loving Memory of Martina Aviles
Welcome to the January episode. As, many of you might know, I have slowed down the podcast over the holidays. I thought I would get a head start and work on creating new episodes and possibly have more episodes during the month. Well, that didn't happen. On January 3rd I lost my mother and I dedicate this episode to her. She had had dementia for several years but after several falls which lead to brain bleeds, which she bounced back from and we thought it was getting better. On January 2nd I saw my mother at the nursing home via FaceTime and she was being her fisty self and my sister was by her side. My mother had a habit as we were children to always kiss us on the forehead. My sister kissed her on the forehead several times and mom had this big smile on her face. I said "look at her smile", it was beautiful. The feeling that I received from her smile was as if she was stating: "It's okay to go now. I know love." I couldn't sleep that night, but I also accepted that if she wanted to leave us, it was okay. I didn't want her to suffer. Those words are hard to say, but I felt I was being selfish because knowing her personality, she didn't want to live the way she was living. She passed the following morning. To state I miss her is an understatement. I don't know how to feel. There's an emptiness and numbness.
I flew to Chicago for the wake and the funeral. It was surreal. She looked as if she was sleeping in the coffin. I spoke at the wake and told a funny story about my mom and the next day at the funeral I read the poem I wrote about her called "Warm" because that's how she was. The poem which I will read at the end of this podcast states how she kissed me on the forehead. This poem is several years old. Synchronicity is strange, isn't it?
I am mourning. The APA Dictionary of Psychology states "mourning is the process of feeling or expressing grief following the death of a loved one, or the period during which this occurs. It typically involves apathy and dejection, loss of interest in the outside world, and in activity and initiative. Bereavement and grief are similar in definition but different. Wikipedia states the following: Grief is the response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement refers to the state of loss, while grief is the reaction to that loss."
Death of a Parent - For an adultAs you get older, many expect it to be easy to lose a parent because you have had many years and it's expected. It's not easy. Especially when the parent is loving and caring. Wikipedia: "When an adult child loses a parent in later adulthood, it is considered to be timely and to be a normative life course event. This allows the adult children to feel a permitted level of grief. However, research shows that the death of a parent in an adult's midlife is not a normative event by any measure, but is a major life transition causing an evaluation of one's own life or mortality. Others may shut out friends and family in processing the loss of someone with whom they have had the longest relationship."
I've been studying grief and what to expect and work through during this difficult time. I've enrolled in grief consulting, taking a meditation course on grief, and learning to be kind to myself during this process. I know I will dip in and out of grief. As mentioned to me, it never goes away, but it can subside. There was a card made from the funeral home in honor of my mom. My mom was religious, and we picked the following poem to match her beliefs and how we felt about her.
Our Mother's love, had no strings attached.
It was unconditional, truly unmatched.
She stood by us, through thick and thin.
She was strong in faith from deep within.
Everything she did, was with us in mind.
A giving Mother, the unselfish kind.
She lived her life, with little regret.
Our cherished memories, we will never forget.
She put us first, above everything.
For her now, God's angels sing.
Though invisible, to our eyes, thus.
She will always be, watching over us.
She's in heaven now, with all her family who has passed.
She is with her glorious host, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
As a lover and writer of quotes, I find knowledge in them. Here are some quotes that have comforted me:
- "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." Author unknown
- "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."Marcus Tullius Cicero
- "Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve."Earl Grollman
- "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love."Washington Irving
- "Grief changes shape, but it never ends."Keanu Reeves
- "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."Marcus Tullius Cicero
I wish anyone that is going through grief to be kind to themselves. Some helpful self-care tips that have helped me are:
- Meditation—there are many great apps that are free I.e., Insight Timer in which I am a teacher there. https://insighttimer.com/sonia.iris.lozada
- Prayer–whether religious or secular. There's a healing feeling to them
Wayne Dyer once stated and I paraphrase—Prayer is when you talk to God and meditation is when you hear God. We can interchange God with higher energy, higher self, universal knowledge. Whichever is your belief.
- Keep a journal
- Keep in touch with family & friends.
- Pamper yourself
- Be kind and patient with yourself
- Seek help
- Take it one day at a time.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid using excess alcohol, medications or drugs to mask the pain.
- Try to keep up basic hygiene. Remember basic grooming and appearance.
- Get enough sleep but if you can't sleep, just lie down, close your eyes, and rest.
- Get some kind of exercise. Even walking can help relieve stress and tension.
- If at all possible, try to maintain some type of a normal routine such as sleeping and eating at your regular times.
This is the poem Warm from Inspire Me: Perception and also in the newly released compilation book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
WarmLoving smile
Warm embrace
Gentle forehead kiss
Singing me to sleep
Sad child
Needing safety
Warm drops cascade face
She wipes them
Years pass
Fragile in time
Wrinkled smile
Love's blank gazes
Destiny gifted you
Being loved, a blessing
Devotion everlasting
Ease in loving you, mom
Thank you so much for joining me on this podcast. I wish you love, happiness, and many blessings.
https://insighttimer.com/
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
It's that time of the year where most of us reflect on what we did or didn't do in 2022. Looking forward to an upward emotion in 2023. I'm hopeful. Even though, like many others, I've had a challenging year in various aspects of my life. I feel hopeful and excited about the new year. It might be a dream, but I'm okay with it. We need to flourish with possibilities.
As many know from my podcasts and blogs, I love comedies, enjoying a quiet evening with family and friends and quotes.
Salvador Dali "Have no fear of perfection—you'll never reach it."
Dr. Seuss "You'll never get bored when you try something new. There's really no limit to what you can do."
Pablo Picasso "Action is the foundational key to all success."
Alan Cohen "Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect."
Antonio Banderas "Expectation is the mother of all frustration."
S. Lewis "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
Melody Beattie "The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written."
Taken from the Loving Kindness Meditation
May you be happy, May you be healthy, May you be safe, May you live with ease
Que seas feliz, que estés sano, que estés a salvo, que vivas con tranquilidad
I wish you a safe and Happy New Year.
Life, grief and the holidays. During this time of the year is when many of us reflect on those we love who have passed and other changes in our lives where there’s a loss. Be it a family member, friend, pet, or a career. We all grieve in various ways. In this episode, Adriana Avila M.S., LMFT explains what we feel and what we can do to help ourselves during challenging times. A must listen.
Grief, what describes your grief? Grief is unique to each and one of us. There is no wrong or right way to grieve, and it can turn your world upside down. Grief needs to be acknowledged, expressed, and spoken about to bridge our sadness to joy, hopelessness to hope, and powerlessness to empowerment. I, like you, have felt the depth of grief, and when I thought I would never find hope again, day by day, hope started showing up in my life. My relationship with grief led me on a path, a journey, and a deeper connection with myself and others. Because of my life experiences, life led me on a professional grief journey. My trainings include: training with grief expert, David Kessler through his grief educator program, Paul Denniston, founder of grief yoga, trauma informed yoga, and I am also EMDR certified. I have learned to embrace my life journey, and I am humbled by those that I work with in my practice. I guide you to tap into your strengths, your resources, at your pace and your time, with kindness and compassion. I offer individual therapy, group therapy (pet loss groups, healing after loss groups and grief and trauma informed movement groups) and I also enjoy speaking at events. Part of my self-care/self-love is hiking, yoga, reading books, spending time with my dogs, and running.
Adriana Avila, M.S., LMFT-116562
EMDR Certified, Grief Yoga Certified, Trauma Informed Yoga Facilitator
Grief Educator (Trained by David Kessler).
https://www.traumasensitiveyoga.com/https://griefyoga.com/https://grief.com/
Jeanette Yoffe is the guest this month on Poetic Resurrection. We discuss her life as an adoptee, her solo show, we laugh and get emotional in this episode. Tune in to hear this amazing woman enlighten us about adoption. November is adoption month.
Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T. earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in children, from Antioch University in June 2002. She treats children with serious psychological problems secondary to histories of abuse, neglect, and/or multiple placements. She has specialized for the past 20 years in the treatment of children who manifest serious deficits in their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development.
As the Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy Inc. A mental health center in Los Angeles providing services to families, children, teens, and adults connected by foster care and adoption. Learn more here.
Jeanette's desire to become a child therapist, focusing specially on adoption and foster care issues, derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system. Her personal experience has informed her education and provided insight into the unique stresses involved with these issues.
For more info visit JeanetteYoffe.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanetteyoffe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanetteyoffe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanetteYoffe
These books are available on Amazon and Audible.
What’s Your Name, Who’s Your Daddy?
What’s Your Name, Who’s Your Daddy? Audible
What is Adoption?
What is Foster Care?
Working with Traumatized Children, Teens and Families in Foster Care and Adoption
Why do we feel helpless? What causes helplessness? I'm usually independent but currently what makes me feel helpless is the state of the world. I know I can't change the world by myself. But I can do something big or small to help the community. So, how can I give back? One way I give back is with this podcast. I search for topics that can help the listener ask introspective questions. The only one that has the answers to those questions would be the person asking them. I sometimes get those ah-ha moments, and I might have asked myself the same question many times. Sometimes, it's just the phrasing of the question. The Cambridge Dictionary defines helplessness as: The feeling or state of being unable to do anything to help yourself of anyone else.
GoodTherapy.org: Feelings of helplessness can be fueled by trauma, grief, stress, mental health conditions, isolation, and many other factors.
"The loneliest moment in someone's life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly." F Scott Fitzgerald.
"It takes courage to grieve, to honor the pain we carry. We can grieve in tears or in meditative silence, in prayer or in song. In touching the pain of recent and long-held griefs, we come face to face with our genuine human vulnerability, with helplessness and hopelessness. These are the storm clouds of the heart." Jack Kornfield
"One of the biggest defects in life is the inability to ask for help." Robert Kiyosaki
Asking for help is difficult, especially when you don't know what to ask for. You just need help. I have found myself in this dilemma many times. Sometimes, just stating you need help will let others know you need help. I was once told when I asked for help that I surprised them because I needed help, since I usually look like I can do it all. I can't, it isn't possible.
A few suggestions I've tried on asking for help.
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Write it down. I wrote several books of poetry to get through my emotions.
- Meditation helped me be clearer minded, so that I can ask for what I needed.
- Always be kind to yourself. You are valuable. Know your worth.
The poem for this week is Frozen from Inspire Me: Raw and also in the compilation book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 and 2.
FROZEN
Sitting on a stoop in a barrio of Chicago
Summertime and everyone's outside
Escaping sweltering heat from
Un-air-conditioned apartments
Everyone vocalizes in Spanish accents
Puerto Rican, Mexican—some Gypsies too
It's Bucktown in the sixties
No attention to their surroundings
Cars breezing by—open windows
Giving relief to drivers
A two-year-old
Trotting down the sidewalk—Mom unaware
He steps out onto the street
Pounding heart—can't speak!
I see, but no words
Feel guilty, but can't move
He walks and hits side of moving car
Is thrown into the gutter
His mom screams, but he's okay
Life continues. Reliving that moment…
I did nothing. I froze.
Many Blessings
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/helplessness
Music: Kevin MacLeod: Parting of the Ways - Part 1
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4195-parting-of-the-ways---part-1
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Our guest is Leon Conrad, an author, educator, and story structure consultant and author of the recently released book Story and Structure: A Complete Guide.
In this episode, we discuss harmony and how it relates to writing. We review different styles of writing with an emphasis on poetry. I was listening and learning at the same time. He’s entertaining and if you want to know about story structure, this episode is for you.
Story and Structure: A complete guide is about story—as a dynamic force of life. More importantly, it’s a book about how to find harmony—by following story back to its source, so we can find more flow in our lives.
What excites me most is that story has a purpose. Story generally appears when we face problems. Most story structures arise because we face different kinds of problems. There are problems we can easily solve ourselves, for instance, and others we can’t easily solve without a little help from our friends. It’s the differences in the kinds of problems that we face that give rise to different story structures.
Website leonconrad.com—find the latest information, social media and contact.
Amazon: Story and Structure: A complete guide.
As I start season five, I give much thought to what this season is. I’ll call it life, because that is what happens when we are making plans. Life sometimes defies us, challenges us, yet what I have learned is that it teaches us to move forward and when we refuse to move forward is when we see and feel the challenges. I’ve learned to stop and ask why. Why am I going through this? What am I to learn? What is my lesson? I find life can be challenging when I want it to go in one direction, but that isn’t what my heart and soul wants.
As Roy T Bennett states from his book The Light of the Heart “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”
In this season, the theme is life and what we can make of it. The dreams we have. The people we love. Caring for ourselves and others. This is life, and it is a gift to cherish. Let go of anger, hate, anxiety, fear, depression, jealousy and resentment, but don’t suppress them. Face them and let them go, so that you can be free. Your body will be grateful, those around you will see the lightness in your being. Be love and know that you have always been love.
Here are a few quotes on love:
Lao Tzu “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Rumi “Love will find its way through all languages on its own.”
Jesus Christ “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Dalai Lama “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
Taylor Bennett of Thriveworks writes: Spiritual love can refer to love rooted in a spiritual connection that helps us find meaning and purpose in our lives. These spiritual loves can serves different purposes. Some are meant to walk with us through life, while others are meant to teach us lessons.
Learning from these lessons can be challenging and taking responsibility for our actions is the first step into finding love for ourselves and others.
I close this episode with another quote from Roy T Bennett “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
Many blessings.
Music: Timebeing by Airtone
Thriveworks Spiritual Love
Sonia’s current book: Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
This has been my longest season and mainly to be honest I just didn’t know what theme I wanted for the next season. I feel it should be about life. It’s been challenging for many and myself so I figured let just discuss life’s journeys. I’ll be having more guest and as you probably have notice I’ve changed Poetic Resurrection Podcast to every two weeks with one guest per month and releases on either of these days: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
We discussed the following topics in this season. I’ve added the links in the notes. Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 Available on Amazon
- Ep16 We discussed the difference between Emotional and Mental exhaustion with a reading of the poem “Love and Blessings” from the Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
- Ep 15 Prioritizing and promises and why we break them.
- Ep 14 Self-forgiveness – letting go of feelings and emotions and why we prolong self-forgiveness. A reading of the poem “Alliance” from the Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
- Ep 13 Doreen Calderon a fellow actor and transformational coach. We discuss acting, our experiences and how it led her to assist other actors in recognizing their talents.
- EP 12 Thierry Kehou from Lampblack and Poets and Writers Magazine. We discuss publishing and his journey in translating to English literature from black Francophone.
- Ep 11 Expectations – what are expectations and are they beneficial to our life now.
- Ep 10 Evelyn Eccard from Bravo Leadership – we discuss the importance of employment, leadership and what makes us happy.
- Ep 9 Paul Meixner a military veteran discussing what Memorial Day means to him.
- Ep 8 Mark A Pearson, an entertainment attorney discusses copyright law. If you want to know about copyright law this is the episode to listen to. Great advise.
- Ep 7 Memories – this is a heartfelt episode for me as I discuss my mom’s dementia during Mental Health Month and read the poem “Memories”.
- Ep 6 Diana Rosen – poet. We discuss her journey and she reads her poems “Bus Stop Story” and “Nectarines: from her book High Stakes and Expectations.
- Ep 5 Overwhelmed Yet Excited. When we acquire our desires only to be overwhelmed by them. A reading of the poem “Vulnerable” from the Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
- Ep 4 Martina Reisz Newberry poet reads Glyphs in the Canyon from her book Glyphs.
- Ep 3 In observance of poetry month. A reading of the poems “Silhouette, Food and Tomorrow” from Inspire Me Perception Also, available on the Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
- Ep 2 Inspire Me Raw for poetry month. Reading of the poems “Citizen, Forget and Go-Go Boots”. These poems are also available on the Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2.
Music Gotama, song Buddha Nature
The last couple of weeks have been emotionally and mentally challenging. Not physically, even though I know that's something I should pay more attention to.
Why are enjoyable moments in our lives fatiguing? I did a list.
- Traveling—exhausting. I wish they could beam me to where I want to go. As much as I enjoy being in different destinations. The airports, airplanes, ground transportation. Much of it is hurry and wait. On my trip to Chicago, the airplane from Burbank airport took off an hour late. Which I missed my connecting flight in Phoenix and had to wait six hours before getting on another plan. I was traveling for fourteen hours and I was tired. I arrived in Chicago the next day.
- Visiting my parents—loving. I miss them and wish I could visit more often. They're in Chicago and I live in Los Angeles so I've been going back every six to eight months.
- Auditions - Exciting! I've had three self-tapes and one held at the casting office. Two commercials, a movie and a TV pilot. I love auditions. I'd love booking the jobs more.
I was wondering why I felt mentally and emotionally exhausted.
Emotionally because my parents are elderly and I want to make sure I'm there for them. Is there more I can do? How do I make their lives easier? I guess all I could do is to be there for them. I send them blessings and love every night. When parents get elderly, that question you don't want to ask is: Will this be the last time I see them? It breaks my heart when I think of it.
Well traveling. Anyone that travels often knows the airports and all transportation can wear on our mental and physical energy. That's why so many of us need a vacation from the vacation. I've found that I need a day or two off from traveling just to center myself.
Leaking pipe. I arrived back on Tuesday night to find my bedroom had a leaking pipe, which I didn't notice because I had shoes on. Then, as I prepared to go to bed by taking a shower after a day of travel, I stepped bare footed onto a wet rug. I called the manager, and he got a plumber out that night. It was 9pm when I called him. The plumber came—a nice guy and left around midnight. I was exhausted and went to bed with the wet rug. The next day when I woke up, and it smelled like mildew. Wow, how long has this leak been going on? It didn't smell the night before and believe me, I would have smelled it. So, the next day, I didn't go to work, but I need to take out anything I needed from the room so they can do the repairs.
As tired as I was, I wasn't upset. That was surprising with everything that's been going on. I just accepted that what is, is. Getting upset wasn't going to get me anywhere. I just wanted to sleep.
I was looking around the internet to find more info on being exhausted and I found this information from Healthline. It's a very good article and I've put the link below if you want to read further.
"Generally, "mental" tends to refer to cognitive skills, like thinking, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. "Emotional," on the other hand, has to do with feelings, including your ability to identify, process, and express them.
You might notice emotional exhaustion when navigating difficult, painful, or unwanted feelings, such as:
- grief
- sadness
- anger
- loneliness
- anxiety
Both mental and emotional exhaustion can leave you feeling detached, unmotivated, apathetic, and trapped. The challenges you're facing might seem impossible to overcome, and you might feel too drained to keep trying.
If burnout comes to mind, you're on the right track — burnout can stem from emotional and mental fatigue."
With all that has happened in the last few weeks and its inconveniences, because truth be told. Life is good. I appreciate any insights I receive. I meditated on why all this was happening and all that would come up with is self-care. So often we lead our lives with "having to do this or that" and leave our welfare for the last item on this list, if we even list it. So, I'm going to take care of my mental, emotional and physical health. My book releases and sad to say the podcasts are still here. I can work on it later.
The poem for this week is Love and Blessings from Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
When thoughts
Overwhelm your being
Send love
When worrying about the family
And wanting to care for them
Send love
When sleep evades
When thoughts repeat
Send love
When finances diminish
And needs remain unmet
Send love
When feeling defeated
When feeling alone
Send love
When feeling fear
That life isn't fair
Send love
Sending love
Doesn't cost anything
Sending love
Brings us to the present
Sending love and blessings to you
Music: Passing Time by Kevin Macleod
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-exhaustion
Prioritizing and Promises.
This past weekend, I had everything planned. I was going to organize my guest/craft room by taking everything out and only keep what I will actually use and need. I woke up early on Saturday and then realized that I had an audition self-tape. On Friday, I remember replying to my agent that I will look at the sides for this TV show. Something was nagging at me to look at the sides in the morning. I figured I would clean the room then spend the rest of the day reviewing them. Didn’t realize this was an important audition and merited much of my weekend.
I like to memorize my sides (script section) because it makes it easier to perform. As I read the breakdown and reviewed the sides, I realized I needed a coach and a reader to help me learn the lines. Saturday was gone and even though I spent most of the day learning lines, they wouldn’t stick. After making a list and prioritizing what I needed to do, I saw the problem with memorizing my lines.
I just couldn’t get away from breaking a promise to myself, YET AGAIN. The truth is housework will always be there. My sister pointed that out to me and she’s correct. I had a great opportunity to work on a funny script. I asked a friend if she knew anyone who’s a coach and can help me with the lines. She did. I set an appointment and headed to Ojai with my friend for the day. Well, at least I thought it would be for about three or four hours, but no, it was the day.
The coach was great. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s also a stage director and had brilliant advice on the character. We were able to record it there. I am grateful to him and my friend who, by the way, drove.
The fact that I actually hesitated to stop everything I was doing to delay this great opportunity surprised me. Why would I do that? I dream of opportunities like this. Was it fear? Was it not feeling that I’m good enough?
Louise Jackson states: “We often have opposing desires, feelings, beliefs, and ideas. These can create internal conflicts and struggles that mean clashing forces feel like they’re fighting each other inside your brain. And expecting dramatic change overnight is incredibly stressful. …Trying to do too much at once makes you way more likely to break your promises to yourself.”
Yes, this was me. I had opposing desires and ideas. I rather be working on my creative endeavors, acting, writing and my podcast, yet, I like calmness. For me, calmness comes from a clean and organized home. I’ve started so many projects around the house only to leave them partially finished. I’ve worked on all my creative projects, just not the chores.
Think about this same scenario, but played out in your relationship with yourself. You break your promises so many times you can start to doubt yourself. Even if your intentions to change are good and pure, it can be difficult to change because you lost credibility with yourself. Ayodeji Awosika
So, what to do? I left the housework behind and decided not to beat myself up. Maybe I set too large an expectation. I then learned the script lines, got coached and recorded my self-tape. I understand that the biggest hurdle I had was that I didn’t want to once again break a promise to myself. I learned to practice self-kindness and to acknowledge that I might have perceptions (ideas) for the day, but life happens and there are gifts in the unpredictability of it.
So, I’m taking my sister’s advice and I’m spending an hour or less on clearing the guest room every day until it’s done.
Be kind to yourself. Understand life happens and many blessings.
Music: Island Vibes from DreamHeaven
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6481-island-vibes-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
https://hackspirit.com/how-to-stop-breaking-promises-you-make-to-yourself/
https://medium.com/swlh/how-to-stop-breaking-the-promises-you-make-to-yourself-5406808aec13
Forgiving yourself means letting go of the feelings and emotions associated with what went wrong. You let go of any resentment or anger. It may be easier to do this when forgiving others, but many find it hard to do this for themselves. Betterhelp.com.
What causes us to prolong self-forgiveness? Why is it easier to forgive another–and yet, difficult to forgive ourselves? Can we find joy in the chaos? Is it our own anger, bitterness, and stubbornness? When these feelings are felt, it's a sign for us to forgive–ourselves or others.
Focus on the emotions. It's a process of learning to forgive ourselves. Sometimes it's difficult to understand why we feel a certain way. Is it part of our story or experiences? Understanding how we feel is opening a door to forgiveness.
I practice mirror work. If I can look at myself as I state my mistake/misunderstanding, I can move on. This is difficult because we don't want to feel at fault or vulnerable. Yet, vulnerability is strength.
I write feelings/emotions down when I find them challenging to accept. Journaling or my pros & cons list goes something like this example.
- Why do I feel this way? Then I list pros & cons.
- Pro: They needed to hear how they made me feel.
- Pro: I felt empowered for the moment.
- Con: I hurt them more than I imagined.
- Con: I responded too strongly to what the situation merited.
- Another method is I write a letter to myself using handwriting. Not a computer/phone or any electronic means. I address the wounded child within me. Can I forgive that child? Sometimes, it takes several letters before I can see the truth within myself. Practicing kindness to myself can lead to letting go and eventually joy.
We've all heard that we are our worst critics and we can be. For me, it's the constant repetition of the situation. It repeats the many scenarios that could have happened. Could've, Should've, and would've are not our friends. It can take us down a rabbit hole which I have found to cause anxiety over a situation that might happen.
I ask myself what caused the breaking point? Was I too tired? Not enough sleep? Not feeling well? Did they push my buttons when I needed support? I've learned the hard way to bite my tongue because I came from the philosophy that honesty is the best policy. What I have learned is that it is not. Kindness is the best policy because honesty is just an opinion. One person's truth is not mine and vice versa.
I have found that just pulling off the bandage and apologizing and making amends is best for me. What can you do to fix the situation? Be sincere in the apology. Know we might not remedy the circumstances, but understand that we all make mistakes and we need to learn how to forgive ourselves. I've had a situation where I was wronged. They never apologized and even though I have forgiven them, the relationship changed. There was a loss, and I realized my part was my perceptions were not in line with the truth of our relationship. I needed to be responsible for my beliefs. What part have you had in a relationship? Was it your perceptions? Were your needs not being met? Were your needs in alignment with theirs? Expectations of others can lead to misunderstandings. Expect what is true and forgive yourself when your perceived needs are not met. Self-forgiveness is a learning process and the sooner we learn the process, the calmer and faster we can move on.
"Choosing to forgive ourselves is a great act of compassion. Our compassion towards ourselves will radiate out into the world towards others. You will experience peace, joy, and humility. Your vibrational energy will rise. There are so many benefits to Self-Forgiveness. I have come to learn that healing is truly from the inside out." Belinda Haverdill from Spiral Path.
There's a list of various in-depth articles that can help in your journey to self-forgiveness in the notes.
The poem for this week is: Alliance from The Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 and will appear in my upcoming book. Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. This poem also appeared in the June podcast under expectations.
Alliance
Sometimes my essence aches because of the many adventures and events others have had without a mention, and I wasn't there. Is it me? Is the perception of what they sense I am determining my behavior, my thoughts? We spoke of holiday two summers long set for the third. The third visit around the sun and I asked when are we going? I don't know, was the answer. Facing the truth—via social media as I view the celebratory drink in hand with another. Visiting the places of visual beauty, of distant land we planned. Why not explain? Why falsehood? A sadness took over me. Was it them? Was it me? Was it my perceptions of childhood memories that stood in the way of the truth? A truth that hasn't existed in decades. A long ago feeling attached to a person whom I've surrendered my alliance. Taking responsibility for my emotions as I breathe and let go. Let go of my ideas of the past. Do I blame them? No, I'm accountable for my beliefs. Will we plan again No. Our characters detached the blinders I wore since childhood. Abandoning my memories and allowing myself permission to move on.
Many blessings.
Follow me at: https://poeticresurrection.com/
Podcast: https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/awakening-dreams-expectations/
Helpful links:
https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/alphabet/view/11/forgiveness
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-forgive-yourself#3.-Think-of-each-mistake-as-a-learning-experience
https://www.lifehack.org/837308/self-forgiveness
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/self-esteem/what-is-self-forgiveness-and-why-is-it-important-to-your-mental-health/
https://positivepsychology.com/self-forgiveness/
https://www.spiralpathhealingartscenter.com/post/self-forgiveness-as-a-spiritual-practice
https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/deepak-chopra-how-to-forgive-yourself_2
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_healthy_way_to_forgive_yourself
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes
https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/
Music: Passing Time by Kevin Macleod
This week on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast we have Doreen Calderon a friend, fellow actor, and transformation coach. We discuss acting experiences and how they led her to assist actors in recognizing their talents with self-awareness and acceptance. Stay tuned for a must-listen episode for performing artists. The Recognized Actor Doreen Calderon coaches experienced actors and artists who work in the industry, but crave more. She reliably helps professional artists wake up to the deepest and best they have inside them, then shows them how navigate their world with ease and grace. Clients gain clarity and understanding around the nature of the artist, the nature of the industry, and the nature of life. The Recognized Actor (founded 2012) has evolved from a postcard company, to a marketing company, and now is pure coaching. Doreen’s seasonal Action Groups combine goal setting, individual coaching, resources and community over the course of three months. Private sessions are tailored to the individual’s current needs. On Monday mornings, she facilitates her FREE on-line forum, “Now What?”, for those who already know the business, but yearn for deeper discussions around it. Her motto: “Quit thinking so much, just show up, and play!”
Doreen Calderon, is a Los Angeles-based actor, originally from Chicago. Conservatory trained, she worked in both legit and improv theater for ten years before arriving in L.A.. Recently, she was in the Oscar-nominated Live Action Short, Please Hold, now available on HBOmax. She can be seen in Maya Rudolph’s new AppleTV sitcom, Loot, (Ep. 2), as well as the Season Two premiere of ALLBLK TV’s, For the Love of Jason. In 2021, she shot four national union spots (AT&T, Hyundai, and Bank of America) as well as scenes for upcoming, Hulu and HBO projects. Past credits include: Riverdale, Call Me Kat, This is Us, Animal Kingdom, etc. She currently performs and teaches with Cold Tofu - the nation’s first Asian-American comedy group.
The Recognized Actor
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheRecognizedActor/
WEBSITE: https://www.dcdesign8.com/
IG: @the.recognized.actor
NOW WHAT?: https://calendly.com/recognized/now-what
Professional Actor
IMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0129522?s=b2c088ce-2349-cb8a-d1b2-47dcc7a38d31&site_preference=normal
IG: @doreen_calderon
In this week's episode, we speak with the multifaceted Thierry Kehou. We discuss publishing and his journey in translating French to English books from Cameroonian writers. We discuss Lampblack a non-profit organization representing Black writers globally. He's the Director of Programs & Partnerships for Poets & Writers where they offer Mapping the Maze workshop several times a year.
Thierry Kehou is a board member at Lampblack and a writer and literary translator from French. He holds a BA in Individualized Study from New York University's Gallatin School and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers University Newark. His writing has appeared in Departures Magazine, The Huron River Review, Lampblack, and elsewhere. His working translation of Francis Bebey's Three Little Shoeshiners has received support from the Breadloaf Translators' Conference and was longlisted for the 2020 John Dryden Translation Competition. His translation of Jean d'Amérique's debut novel Soleil à Coudre will be published by Other Press in 2023. He is currently working on a novel.
https://www.lampblacklit.com/
https://www.pw.org/
https://www.pw.org/content/mapping_the_maze
This week on Poetic Resurrection we're going to discuss expectations. Why do we expect? What do we expect? I believe it depends on the circumstances. If I pay a vendor for a service or a product, I expect it to work. I also expect that this vendor has more knowledge than I do. For example, I expected I would do an episode last week. Well, I also expected to have the internet I pay for but that was not the case. It took me three days to get back online.
It's good to be aware of expectations. Are they realistic? Are we expecting someone to act in a certain way? Expecting others to act according to a preconceived notion then we might have can lead to discontentment? Is that a requirement you'd like others to have of you? Sometimes, when we know the other person well, we expect them to behave a certain way. But people change and they should be allowed to change. There are many expectations that we have and, as I mentioned the vendor. Let us discuss expectations of ourselves and others.
Many expectations are connected to our perceptions of how situations and events need to work out. At the same time, who's to say we're correct? Questioning our perceptions and seeing how they relate to our expectations can enlighten us on what we find important in our lives.
Psychology Today "First, merely expecting something to happen will not make it happen. For many of us, it is difficult to let go of the idea that expecting something to happen will make it happen."
I did this with affirmations. If I state it long enough and with conviction, I expect it would happen. I certainly would be thrilled about it.
"Second, human beings have a natural tendency to pin their hopes for happiness on fulfilled expectations."
My experience with this is perceptions. Our perceptions are if I move to a home, city, country, etc. Then I would be happy. It can be a new job, a new place, or a new relationship. I feel I had to ask myself: why am I wanting to do something different outside myself? Is it me? Am I running from something, someone, or myself? I'm going to go wherever the change is. Is this a pattern in my life?
Psychology Today: "The problem of expectation occurs when we expect something to happen without good reasons for that expectation.
Expecting life to always turn out the way you want is guaranteed to lead to disappointment because life will not always turn out the way you want it to. And when those unfulfilled expectations involve the failure of other people to behave the way you expect them to, the disappointment also involves resentment.
Let go of expectations and find something to be grateful about, even when things do not turn out the way you hoped, and you will experience serenity rather than resentment."
"I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values - and follow my own moral compass - then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own. Michelle Obama"
The poem for this week is Alliance from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. You can also read it in my compilation book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2.
Alliance
Sometimes my essence aches because of the many adventures and events others have had—without a mention and I wasn't there. Is it me? Is the perception of what they sense I am—determining my behavior - thoughts? We spoke of holiday - two summers long—set for third. The third visit around the sun and asked—when are we going? I don't know, was the answer. Facing the truth - social media—as I view the celebratory drink in hand with other. Visiting the places, of visual beauty of a distant land we planned. Why not explain—why falsehood? A sadness took over me—was it them? Was it me? Was it my perceptions of childhood memories which stood in the way of the truth? A truth that hasn't existed in decades. A long ago feeling attached to a person whom I've surrendered my alliance. Taking responsibility for my emotions as I breath and let go. Let go of my ideas of the past. Do I blame them - no – I'm accountable for my beliefs. Would we plan again – No. Our characters unveiled the blinders I wore since childhood. Abandoning my memories and allowing myself permission to move on.
Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 is available on Amazon
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cui-bono/201802/the-psychology-expectations
Music: Pachabelly by Huma Huma
This week on Awakening Dreams our return guest is Evelyn Eccard from Bravo Leadership Int'l (BLI). In this episode, we discuss what is important to us when it comes to employment, leadership, and what makes us truly happy with ourselves and others. Mentorship and coaching are reviewed (see link below for the previous episode). We discussed the Great Resignation and how employment expectations have changed. Tune in to this informative episode. It might be that AHA moment that is needed in your life.
Evelyn Eccard is the founder of Bravo Leadership International. She named the company after listening to a friend yelling out "Bravo, Bravo" at a tennis tournament. When the player won, she purposely looked for that solo voice yelling "Bravo" and rewarded him by tossing him a tennis ball. She appreciated him and his encouragement throughout the game. That's when Evelyn knew the name BRAVO was perfect for her business. Evelyn said "My intention is to up-level people's mindsets through training and coaching and help them become a better version of themselves. I want to cheer them on. Bravo! Bravo!"
Throughout her career, she has chosen positions in which she has positively impact the company's culture by training and developing executives, management and hourly employees. She trained everything, but her passion is leadership. She applied the leadership principles within her Sales team and saw first hand, the positive impact (increase engagement, dedication, and productivity). Soon after, her team was sought after by other departments as well as corporate head quarters. They wanted leaders who had the experience of being on her team.
Evelyn had a vision of taking what she has learned in her 25+ year career and making it available to others. She knows there are many managers out there struggling because leadership training isn't a priority in many organizations. Companies would rather deal with constant problems that arise vs. training their managers to lead. That thinking tends to cascade throughout the organization.
LEADERSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE
Bravo trains and coaches managers so they become LEADERS. We teach leadership so that leaders can create the environment in which all of us can work to our natural best. This produces trusting teams.
Evelyn's goal is to train managers to become exceptional LEADERS.
Bravo consist of Evelyn Eccard and Stacey Aveling. Both are certified John Maxwell Team member and passionate about leadership with over 20+ years of experience. They specialized in leadership, communication, customer service and sales training.
Bravo believes in maintaining a positive mindset, creating long term partnerships with a purpose, developing all levels in an organization and always striving for significant outcomes. When working with Bravo, you should expect a collaboration with transparency and consistency.
Our goal is to up-level your thinking so you can be the BEST version of YOURSELF.
https://www.bli.life/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynlozadaeccard
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-employment-mentoring-coaching/
Today, on the Poetic Resurrection - Awakening Dreams we celebrate Memorial Day with guest Paul Meixner.
Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States honoring the active-duty fallen soldiers. In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York the birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because they had been celebrating their version of Memorial Day since May 5th, 1866. They honored fallen soldiers by putting flags and flowers on their graves, and close their businesses for the day.
There is much emotion when it comes to soldiers. I know this is probably going to cause some controversy, but I feel if you go to war and are willing to die for your country then we as a country should take care of veterans for life.
In observance of Memorial Day, veteran Paul Meixner discusses what it was like to be in the military and what Memorial Day means to him. This is a brief and heartfelt interview. An introspective talk about his military journey.
Paul Meixner is a former US Army Infantryman turned Filmmaker and Weapons and Tactics instructor. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @Mav11B and follow his podcast @ThunderPunkRadio with his co-host @FlirtCheap.
Joshua Scott info:
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-chief-warrant-officer-2-joshua-michael-scott/885652
This week on Poetic Resurrection Awakening Dreams we have attorney Mark A. Pearson. This is a must listen and save episode covering copyright law. It’s so informative, we discuss copyright law for authors, artists, musicians, and other creatives. If you have a question about creative copyright, this episode is a must listen and should answer many of your questions.
Mark A Pearson is the principal counsel at ARC Law Group, a law firm focused on advising Creative, Talented, and Entrepreneurial clients in the areas of business, entertainment, sports, and technology law. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, but with clients in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Nashville, Mark is a former award-winning television producer who spent the past decade advising some of the hardest working acts in the music business, including international touring arts Con Brio, Front Country and DJ Mark Farina, as well as serving as production counsel for Academy Award nominee, Borrowed Time. Recently awarded the Governor’s Citation Medallion for his service to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy® Award), Mark also advises leading entertainment companies Rock the Bells (LL Cool J), Twitch, TuneGo, Caffeine, and Fandor. You can reach Mark via www.arclg.com.
In honor of Mental Health Month, we discuss memories. Why do we forget them? What causes us to forget? How do we comfort a loved one who has dementia?
The last couple of months have been challenging in that my mom isn't well, but grateful that she is quickly recovering. Last year, we needed to move her into a nursing facility because of her dementia. It was heartbreaking. Seeing this vibrant outspoken woman's life change prompted me to find a comparison between depression and dementia. I've noticed not only my mom but some others I have known who have suffered from depression are also going through some form of dementia. Can this be true? I looked for a spiritual correlation between the two and didn't find one that dealt with spiritualism alone and did not have an organized religion association. What I was looking for was are we made to lose cognitive skills in order to forget our depression? Is it a form of letting go of the past? Lao Tzu quoted "If you are depressed, you're living in the past. If you have anxiety, you're living in the future. If you have peace, you're living in the present".
A study of the association between depression and dementia by HealthDay News reported on WebMD.
"Depression is a risk factor for dementia, researchers report, and people with more symptoms of depression tend to suffer a more rapid decline in thinking and memory skills. While the study found an association between the two, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship."
A Healthline article on vascular dementia
"Vascular dementia is caused by a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels that provide blood to your brain. This reduced blood flow deprives your brain of much-needed oxygen, which can damage your brain very quickly.
Numerous conditions can cause this reduced blood flow to your brain, including:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- aneurysm or blood clot
- heart attack
- stroke
Of those, stroke is the most common cause of vascular dementia.
Vascular problems, such as stroke, high cholesterol, and hypertension, aren't related to Alzheimer's disease, as they are with vascular dementia. There is no known cause of Alzheimer's, though your risk of developing it increases with age."
I guess I'm trying to make sense of memory loss. I'm at the stage in my life where many of my friends and family are dealing with a loved one with dementia. It saddens me to see such beautiful people with beautiful lives lose their history.
The poem for this week is Memories—dedicated to my mom; from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. This poem is also in my book Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2 with excerpts from my upcoming book.
Memories Today I go through my mom's memories I go through her pictures I go through her life's stories I find her in the past The memories she has forgotten The ones from long ago That linger in the glimpse of her life
Today I go through my mom's memories The ones she has tucked away The ones her strokes cheated from her The painful memories erased What can I do to make your life easier? What can I say to erase your traumas? Do I ignore—when you forget? Do I keep your sadness in my heart?
Today I go through my mom's memories The disappointments she kept close to her heart The wanting to be loved yet feeling abandoned The simple dreams she was deterred from The disappointments fade The abandonment fades The sadness lingers
Today I go through my mom's memories And merge my memories with hers Feeling the sadness, the disappointments Wishing the sadness to fade
I love you, mom
Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
AARP article on the Difference Between Dementia & Alzheimers
Symphony of Soul - Dementia a Spiritual Perspective
WebMD - Scientists Shed Light on the Link between Depression & Dementia
Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
This week we have Diana Rosen. She reads several poems Bus Stop Story and Nectarines from her book High Stakes & Expectations. We discuss her journey from a journalist, and non-fiction writer to her current poetry book. Listen in to this great story.
DIANA ROSEN is an essayist, poet, and flash writer with credits in online and print journals here in the U.S., Australia, U.K., Canada, and India, including Existere, Ariel Chart, Rattle, and As It Ought to Be Magazine. She is also the author of ten nonfiction books and co-author of three others. She currently contributes content on food and beverage to various websites, and just released her first full-length poetry, "High Stakes & Expectations" from The Tiny Publisher. Diana lives in Los Angeles where her backyard is the 4000+ acre Griffith Park, The largest urban green space in the country. To read more of her work, visit www.authory.com/dianarosen. To purchase her book visit www.thetinypublisher.com/shop.
Bus Stop Story
The first thing I notice is the fine line of beard outlining his strong chin up to the side of his shiny bald pate. He walks restlessly, rubbing a forefinger along his left temple. Next to me another man poses the usual bus stop questions: Has the Number 50 come? You been waiting long? You work around here? The sound! The sound! Searing right through me it starts like a hum then goes higher, louder, from ah ah ah ah to AYE AYE AYE AYE, the man with the fine line beard flails his arms like a bird ready to soar, whirls and whirls then falls into the street like a boulder tumbling down the side of a mountain. The questioner and I rush to him. Still flailing, his right hand clenches my left wrist like a crushing vise. We turn them over on their sides now, the questioner says calmly, his cigarette dangling from his matter-of-fact mouth, no more putting sticks in their mouths to hold down the tongue. As we roll the man onto his side, his hand drops heavily from mine, his huge shaking body becomes quiet. I’ve called the paramedics someone else says, they’ll be here soon, and with that, the chartreuse truck rolls up and medics step out, into their official roles. The Number 50 arrives and I climb aboard. The questioner remains with the epileptic. I can’t shake the sound or the feel of his grip. A few weeks later, the man with the fine line beard is back at my stop. I rub my left wrist. Our eyes do not meet.
NECTARINES IT’S A HECKUVA FRUIT!
Juicy warm, broiled with goat cheese and honey,
a must to bring my dad just to hear him laugh,
recite again from his favorite Carl-Reiner-Mel Brooks
recording, with the 2000-year-old man, velvet caped
and gravelly voiced, who reveals he once dated
Joan of Arc, married hundreds of times, had 42,000
children and not one came to visit!
I don’t care. But they could send a note, write, “Howya, Pop!
True, Dad didn’t date Joan of Arc, but he did date
Pearl, his memories kept in the thick album
Of Kodak black and whites with curvy edges slotted
Into triangle black corner holders pasted on dull
Cream pages, captioned, “Me and Pearl!” or, “Pearl
And Me” or, my favorite, “Guess Who?”
That Mom had no compunction about this totem
Of his life before us said a lot about their marriage
‘til death did part them. My stepmother helped Dad
buy a new suit and tie to meet Pearl and her husband
for lunch following her surprise call. You know what
happened. Civil conversation. The ride home longer
than to the restaurant, the scrapbook returned
to the shelf. Dad didn’t even reach a century much
less two millennia yet to the end, smiled to see another
fuzz-less peach, sweet nectar of summer, its smooth
skin not unlike Dad’s with its signature blush of red.
I still miss our calls.
What’s the secret to your long life? Reiner asks.
Nectarines! I love that fruit. It’s a heckuva fruit!
Get your copy of Sonia Iris Lozada's new book:
Inspire Me Series Book 1 and 2
Overwhelmed yet Excited
Have you ever wished for a certain situation to happen, be it a career, family event, or a relationship, only to be overwhelmed when it does? There’s excitement there to see how a dream is materializing and then the overwhelmed button seems to turn on just when you feel your life is going your way. Is it because we’re not prepared? Can it be that we anticipated a different scenario? What we perceive is just that—a perception.
This happened to me lately. As an actor, you want more opportunities to audition. More auditions equal more possibilities of booking a job. Got a new agent, and I assumed the experience I have had in the past, would continue. It didn’t. I’ve been going out on many auditions. It’s so exciting to audition and book one or two here and there. Great! I love it!
The situation of feeling overwhelmed happened when I didn’t alter my regular routine to accommodate the change. I was trying to do it all.
There are several situations in life that needed to be altered. How do I schedule my auditions, regular job, book launch, writing more stories, and still be able to interview/write/edit my podcasts?
I love doing my podcast, so let’s move that to the weekends.
Writing—I can do it early in the morning or do I move it to the evening? Will I be too tired to do it in the evening is my question? Creativity comes from quieting the mind. So how do I decide? I’m thinking of meditating before I write. I’m concerned that I’ll be too tired and just fall asleep. It’s happened and I don’t doubt it’ll happen again. It’s okay. One thing I’ve learned in life is don’t fight your body because, in the end, the body will win.
The pandemic is tapering off and my employer wants me in the office.
I believe the answer I’m looking for is balance because life is good.
So, what is being overwhelmed, excited, and balanced?
Overwhelm
According to the GoodTherapy website, the definition of overwhelmed is emotional overwhelm is a state of being beset by intense emotion that is difficult to manage. It can affect your ability to think and act rationally. It could also prevent you from performing daily tasks.
Excitement
Whereas excitement is an emotional state marked by enthusiasm, eagerness or anticipation, and general arousal (APA Dictionary)/
Balance
Is a harmonious relationship or equilibrium of opposing forces or contrasting elements.
Can we do it all? I believe you can make the most of these situations. First, ask yourself what is really important to you? What are you willing to let go of? Can you write out a pros and cons list for each situation? Quiet the mind. Do some meditation, and go for a walk. Do something that brings you joy, right here, right now. Life changes and so can you. Let go of what no longer serves your life. Follow your dreams. We are resilient.
Much gratitude.
A reading of the poem "Vulnerable" from Inspire Me: Raw.
Until next time when I’ll have more questions. Many blessings.
Music
Mesmerize by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500005
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
This week we are honored to have Martina Reisz Newberry return to the show. We discuss her poem Glyphs in the Canyon from her new book Glyphs. We reflect on life's questions of reincarnation, thoughts, dreams, and perceptions.
Martina Reisz Newberry is the author of 7 books of poetry. Her most recent book is GLYPHS, due out in May 2022 from Deerbrook Editions. She is also the author of BLUES FOR FRENCH ROAST WITH CHICORY, available from Deerbrook Editions, the author of NEVER COMPLETELY AWAKE ( from Deerbrook Editions), WHERE IT GOES (Deerbrook Editions), LEARNING BY ROTE (Deerbrook Editions), RUNNING LIKE A WOMAN WITH HER HAIR ON FIRE: Collected Poems (Red Hen Press), and TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME (Unsolicited Press).
Newberry has been included in The Cenacle, Cog, Blue Nib, Braided Way, Roanoak Review, THAT Literary Review, Mortar Magazine, and many other literary magazines in the U.S. and abroad. Her work is included in the anthologies Marin Poetry Center Anthology, Moontide Press Horror Anthology, A Decade of Sundays: L.A.'s Second Sunday Poetry Series-The First Ten Years, and many others in the U.S. and abroad.
She has been awarded residencies at Yaddo Colony for the Arts, Djerassi Colony for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Disciplinary Arts.
Passionate in her love for Los Angeles, Martina currently lives there with her husband, Brian, a Media Creative.
THE GLYPHS IN THE CANYONS
I’ve forgotten those times between
wakefulness and dozing and sleep.
I know something happened,
but I can’t recall what it was.
It’s like trying to recall where
I was just before I was born.
My friend tells me that this is the
reason I should never fear death.
She says, “You don’t know where you
were before you were born, so why
fret about where you’ll be after
you die?” This is wisdom I can
acknowledge, but from which I glean
no comfort and it is comfort
I want more than nearly any
thing. I want the great eyes of God to
turn my tears to opals and the
great tongue of God to tell me that
life and death are the same--that I
will keep loving and making love, and
walking and humming, and wanting
and holding, and will never lose
my appetite for joy or for
potato chips and onion dip and ice cream.
Between wakefulness and dozing
and sleeping, what is there to know?
Who do I serve awake/asleep?
Who do I honor when I doze?
And why is wakefulness the stain
on all this embalmed paradise?
Her previous episode on Poetic Resurrection can be listened to here.
(We are part of the Amazon Associates program and proceeds go back into the podcast)
Glyphs is available on Amazon
Her other books are also available on Amazon and other book retailers.
In continuing the celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will have two poet interviews. We again will welcome Martina Reisz Newberry and a newcomer to our podcast, Diana Rosen.
In this episode, I will discuss and read a few poems from Inspire Me: Perception. Inspire Me: Perception was recently re-edited and we will release a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!
The poems in this episode include “Silhouette”—a poem about a traumatic experience “Food”—a poem about my love of food and how a loving family makes fun of you and currently the most popular poem “Tomorrow” about how we view life and rethinking our perceptions. Various lines from “Tomorrow” have been quoted by several websites.
Silhouette A dark shadow appears—soul shakes, the body suspends. A story of an altered spirit who’ll manifest soon in the deepest of night. Shadow essence of two-week visit encompasses my thoughts and sleep. If present, she’ll be safe. Who do you speak of, spirit? A man’s silhouette in the early morning as the streetlights gleam upon glistening muscle tone. The sun peeks as my roommate dreams, unconscious of his gaze. In the darkness, a gun rises in his hand, aims at roommate’s head. Silence takes over as the smoke aura scars her fate. Dream propels my slumber, and I go to her room. If I’m present, she’ll be safe repeats. Sunlight dances on my face as the night’s story whispers away. She awakens, “Had that dream again, didn’t you?” “Yes.” Three full moons calendar the sky. Gotham called for her home—She’s safe. Chitown childhood friends summer evening visit—Sunset Strip. Summer heat, sleep half nude as evening completes at midnight. Vocal and joyful friends jest of a man at the window where the drapes bellow. Amusement drains the night as the muscles gleaming silhouette appears. She runs into my bedroom, gun points at third eye—forced out of comfort into the lifeless living room. Essence extends my body as I guard the front door. “Think you’re going somewhere?” He shouts. Gun points for me to sit by piano. The silent melody piano bench where I abide. “On the floor,” he casts me as he bares my skin from sheet. Little sister weeps and window slams, fearing discovery of his carnal acts. Guilt survival mission defuses the present. Escaping—leap two steps—first landing. Leap again, gun at head. Blinding movie screen of my life flashes, steals my sight. Land on corner of step and propelled onto the ground. Not dying, not tonight! Street or parking lot? A straight shot I will not be as I hide beside cars until I can jump a concrete fence that divides the building. Footsteps dissipate. Blood curdling screams echo in the distance. I climb many staircases and a man stands with two dogs. “Please call the police,” I beg. “I think my friend’s dead.” His girlfriend’s pink robe drapes a childhood fear. We hide. Police state, “Stay inside.” Helicopter’s beaming lights—Treble sirens and watchful dogs ease chaotic street. An hour-and-a-half, a knock. Police state, “He escaped—assaulted another woman and stole her car.” Friends approach in a cloud of disbelief, sobbing. They heard my fall, calling—No answer—Saw my death in his hands. Police, “He’ll return.” Neighbor held us safe, and we slept on her floor. My scarred friends left the next day. Never went back. He never paid. Warning from silhouette, but I didn’t understand. Premonition, and it’s real impact. Checking doors and windows for a year, but I know I saved my friends because—I was there.
Food Reminiscing Food stories that my family tells About behavior Don’t remember, age three or four
Learned to walk, learned to climb Kitchen chair, telephone books God forbid family would Buy a step ladder to make my life easier
An old refrigerator (not old back then) Lever—jump up and pull down Sister wonders why fridge is ajar Opens door—Surprise, it’s me!
Sitting on a shelf eating an apple She grabs me, fights to get fruit Tug of war ensues She wants a chewed apple?
Stomping away (I had such an attitude) Fruit in hand—I won Sister retells story as family laughs I am offended by their laughter
Rope around stove, fridge Padlock on pantry? Chocks for candy! Where’s the fruit? Watch fire in stove—I love fireplaces
Upset, storm off to yellow vinyl 50’s sofa Jump up and slide back down Jump up again and again Oh well, I’ll throw myself on floor
Crying because I’m a miffed child Check to see if they’re watching Mom comes over and hugs me Sit on the big vinyl sofa—Finally!
Tomorrow If I were to die tomorrow Would I have organized my home Would I have left my paperwork in order Would I have made it easier for my family
If I were to die tomorrow Would I have followed and completed my dreams Would I have loved the way I wanted to love Would I have visited the world like I wanted to
If I were to die tomorrow Would I have told those that I loved that I love them Would I have seen the beauty in my own life Can I say that I lived my life to its fullest
If I were to die tomorrow Would I have lived today Would I have loved differently Would I have felt my life was complete
If I would die tomorrow A sadness would be there To know I wasted so much time
If I were to die tomorrow I would make the unknown I’d face the unknown I was so afraid of As I choose my life today with strength and joy
Music
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will interview poets and links to previous poet interviews. In this episode, I will be discussing and reading a few poems from Inspire Me: Raw. Inspire Me: Raw was recently re-edited and a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books will be released this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!
Citizen poem was written several months before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. When this happened, I was surprised that many didn’t know Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. This poem explains how many Puerto Ricans feel.
Citizen Curly red hair
Freckled skin
Speaking Spanish
Not fitting in
People’s biases
Perceptions
Ignorance
—Citizen
Where are you from?
How did you get here?
Was it a struggle?
No—Citizen
No boats
No tunnels
No hiding
Airplanes
I belong here
Born here
Educated
—Citizen
Forget was written about a woman who lived in the tenement where I grew up in Chicago. As a child I would catch her crying in the hallway after her husband physically abused her.
Forget Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The times I run out and say nothing to you
The times I am angry and pretending to be okay
The times I don’t come home at night
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
When your anger lashes out at me
When you drink too often and hurt me
When you disappear into an aberrant abyss of time
Sometimes I do remember: often, actually
Your cruel words that hurt Your desire to touch that repulses
Your anger at who you’ve become
I remember and choose to forget
Do you love? As those you love are hurt
Do you know the emergency room—a second home?
Do you understand—Inner scars show more than the ones I wear?
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The raising of happy children here
The life we thought was possible
The comfort of a safe, loving home
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
How reality needs exposure
How I’ve always remembered
How lights slowly dim on you
Go Go Boots is about being a ten-year-old child and wanting to be thin so she could wear the sixties fashions. They didn’t fit.
Go-Go Boots At 10
Made a mistake
Told my teacher that I
Want to lose weight
First diet included
Liver, once a week—Yuk!
Different recipes, so nasty
That’s not what I was seeking
Stood in line for free lunch
Menu: peanut butter cookies
My favorite munchies
I wanted one—Damn!
“Hide one for me, please”
When teacher’s not looking
Don’t want to get teased for
Failing program on first day
My mom states, “You’re only ten!
No reason for a diet”
Wanting to be model thin
Groovy clothes—Buy them
Go-Go boots the stylish trend
Chubby clothes too short
Regular pants too long
Big kid bell bottoms reach calves
Average size bells at ankles
Others smoke bongs
Skunk weed smell
Permeates halls
Hide don’t tell—jail fate in ‘68
What to do with weight
Insecurities begin
Entire life, same shit—wasted time
And now I’m fine
Music by: Gotama “Forgiveness”
Visit https://gotama-music.bandcamp.com
In this week’s episode and intro to season four, we’re going to discuss Awakening Dreams. The next book entitled, Inspire Me: In Time of Need, we changed the subtitled to Awakening Dreams. In Time of Need was a working title and since the pandemic has lessened, Awakening Dreams is a much better description of what many have experience.
There is a newly re-edited compilation book coming out this month. Includes the first two books in the Inspire Me series and then five poems from my upcoming book—Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. The topic for this season is awakening dreams. What dreams and aspirations have you had which led you to a new way of thinking and living? Mine started with reading the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. After that, I became a self-help junkie and couldn’t read enough books on the subject. I also learned that reading them even though they make you think about your beliefs and actions, the concepts need to be applied. Since then, I only read the books that pertaining to my development at this time. What I have learned and this is so cliché is that you need to live in the present. While worrying about the future and the past, we miss the present. Lao Tzu stated: “If you live in the past, you’re depressed. If you live in the future, you have anxiety. If you live in the present, you have peace.”
In all my soul searching, and that is what it is unless you apply the knowledge you’ve acquired. We need to reflect and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. When I stopped being defensive, which came from insecurity, I became accepting of what my beliefs and behaviors were and how many weren’t even mine. Allow yourself to feel, being grateful even when situations are challenging. And, knowing you have value.
The poem for this week is Vulnerable from Inspire Me: Raw.
Vulnerable
Call upon angels for clarity
Are they listening?
Meditate, feeling the joy
That enchants the heart
Meditate, letting go
Bliss surrounds me
Chill flows through my spine
Inspiration finds me
Energy flows through my fingers
Onto a notebook page
Close eyes and let life be
Unafraid to be exposed
Allowing myself to be
Love and consideration
How can this be hostile?
Vulnerable exposition
Cold sharpness, head to toe
Release, remove my mask
Golden light surrounds
Fulfills my existence
Many blessings
Music: With These Wings by essesq
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: https://amzn.to/3u5oihk
Further reading on awakening:
https://chopra.com/articles/10-signs-of-spiritual-enlightenment-awakening
In finishing Women’s History Month, these accomplished poets have the essence of life and experience. With all the women in this month, I have learned much about them and myself. I am truly grateful to all the women on the podcast. Please listen to these inspiring talks. It is with honor I present:
Martina Reisz Newberry does a reading of the poem “Subsequence” from Blues for French Roast with Chicory. We discuss the suffix “ess”, ageism and creativity and how it affects the perceptions of being. Cultural perceptions of age and value are discussed and explored.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-being-with-martina-reisz-newberry/
Poet/actor Jasmine Di Angelo reads her poem “Halves of Halves”. The poem reflects on being multicultural from Denmark and coming to Los Angeles at a young age. Check out this unique discussion on identity and acceptance.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-jasmine-diangelo/
Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, we discuss her poem “Invention”, her experiences of being an adoptee. We laugh about rejection letters and go into detail about her journey to becoming the Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles. It was great to have previously interviewed her for Poetic Resurrection website, and several books later she is the Poet Laureate of Los Angeles.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/
Luivette Resto reads her poem Living on Islands Not Found on Maps. How growing up bi-culturally and using Spanglish or as I like to call it “fusion of words”. We had a great time conversing about Puerto Rican culture. I love guests I can laugh with and laugh we did.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luivette-resto/
Until next season, be joyful and kind. Many blessings.
Music: Los Angeles by Quincas Moreira
life #lessons #living #poetry #poets
Women’s History Month – Healing Poets
Poetic Resurrection has featured various female poets. the talks are divided by the essence of the topic. There are two types of poets on this podcast. This week we will discuss healing poets. The difference between the two since poetry is healing in itself is these talks have the sense of healing others as in self-help/mindfulness. I, myself fit under this category and you can catch any of the many poems on the podcast. For the sake of this episode, I will add a link to the bottom to my talk on Grieving Dreams and the poem Quiet from Inspire Me: Perception.
The following episodes can be found on all podcast platforms including: Apple/Itunes, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible and wherever podcasts are played.
Maryam Ghouth discusses the three-part poetry film Journey of Becoming. A reading of the poem Your Autonomy, (part I) of ‘The Journey of Becoming’, which is a series of philosophical poetry films about self-realization. The purpose behind this film is to describe the struggles we face when we step away from the trodden path to follow our own unique path.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-becoming-with-maryam-ghouth/
Louise Alexandra Erskine. We have an amazing discussion with the lovely Louise. We discuss her poetry, toxic relationships, parenting, and being a single mother raising boys and how her poetry and photography clarified and taught her acceptance of being imperfect. We are all a work in progress.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-imperfection-with-louise-alexandra-erskine/
Melissa da Silva discusses her book Lose Me with readings of several of her poems. Her journey from a toxic relationship to self-acceptance and love. We discuss grieving of lost love.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-a-relationship-with-melissa-da-silva/
Trini Rodriguez. We have an informative talk with Trini discussing Native American and Mexican American sweat-lodges and how this brings you closer to your soul. She reads her poem I’ve Been a Woman. We discuss healing and talking circles and how they facilitate the “self” in becoming “whole” and the Aztec (Sun) calendar and how it guides you to the essence of your character.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-healing-with-trini-rodriquez/
Dr. Egypt Iredia performs a reading of her poem My Child-Like Eyes and the concept and development of the poem. We discuss her journey from a medical doctor, developing a holistic method for her patients, and her love for hidden knowledge and healing.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-dr-egypt-iredia/
A talk on Grieving Dreams and how we strive for a dream only to realize we need to let it go. A reading of the poem Quiet from Inspire Me: Perception.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-grieving-dreams/
Music:
Healing by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3860-healing
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Thank you for tuning in to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. In celebration of Women's History Month, I am honoring the amazing women that have been on the podcast, and I hope you join me by listening to them and their incredible stories and gifts of knowledge. I’ve been honored by having such brilliant women on my podcast and this week we are focusing on leadership. Next week we will celebrate female poets and writers. Please stay tuned.
Poetic Resurrection is available on all podcast platforms including, Apple Music, Google, Pandora, iHeart, Amazon, and many others.
- Evelyn Lozada Eccard, Perceptions of Employment - Mentoring & Coaching: We discuss how to choose the correct job/position which works with your personality. We discuss various topics from employment, and how to prep yourself with knowledge and understanding to help you in your next job interview. Evelyn Lozada Eccard is a leadership coach and the founder of Bravo Leadership International. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-employment-mentoring-coaching/
- Che'Rae Adams, Soul of Writing: We discuss what it takes to write a good story and how the story germinates from the soul. That inner voice drawing us to write our story. We discuss the concept sentence, the why of writing and even when we write a memoir or solo show there is a beginning, middle, and an end. Che'Rae Adams is the artistic director of PlayPenn in Philadelphia. Her credits include teacher, director, producer, and dramaturg. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-writing-with-cherae-adams/
- Nancy Hinman, Perceptions of Trauma: In this episode, how our beliefs affect our behavior and emotional state. We address alternative practices for helping oneself. Nancy Hinman, Ph.D., LMFT is a doctor in Depth Psychology with an emphasis on Psychotherapy. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-trauma-with-dr-nancy-hinman/
- Jaclyn Steele: Soul Connection, we discuss how our soul's calling intertwines our lives, beliefs, and our connection with others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-connection-with-jaclyn-steele/
- Dominey Drew, Perceptions in Expectations in Relationships. In this informative episode, we discuss experiences and expectations in relationships. We talk about various gender misconceptions and stories that might derail a relationship. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-expectations-in-relationships/
- Isabella Lozada, Perceptions of a Teenager: In this episode, we interview my niece, because I wanted to get the perspective of a teenager and their thoughts regarding the pandemic before and after. Isabella Lozada (at the time of recording) is a sophomore in high school. She enjoys playing lacrosse and hanging out with her friends. Her interests are in advertising and acting, and she plans on further pursuing them. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-a-teenager/
- Barb Moses, Perceptions of Joy. An introspective view of how gratitude and self-acceptance affect Joy. Barb Moses is the Founder and CEO of High5 Leadership, who created this business to inspire others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-joy-with-barb-moses/
- Corine La Font Perceptions of Toxic Relationships. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Corine La Font's experiences and how she overcame toxicity in her life with self-acceptance and self-compassion. Corine La Font is a PR practitioner, Speaker, Podcaster, Author, and Business Coach. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-toxic-relationships/
Music
Peace of Mind by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4199-peace-of-mind
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Welcome to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast's Colors of Life Season 3 recap.
I'd like to thank the following guest for their knowledge and talent on the podcast. There are links below in the notes and you can also find us on Apple/Itunes, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, Google and many other podcast platforms.
- Luis J. Rodriguez reads his poem "Always Running". This poem describes the hardships of poverty, love loss, and how he dealt with these experiences.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luis-j-rodriguez/
- Luivette Resto read her poem "Living on Islands Not Found on Maps" and discuss the experience of being bi-cultural.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luivette-resto/
- Lynne Thompson read her poem "Invention" and her life experience from being an adoptee to becoming the current Los Angeles Poet Laureate.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/
- Jasmine Di Angelo reads her poem "Halves of Halves" which addresses her identity and acceptance.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-jasmine-diangelo/
- Dr. Egypt Iredia, the first guest for Black History Month. She reads her poem "My Child-Like Eyes" and we discuss the concept and development of the poem.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-dr-egypt-iredia/
- CEO Spoken King is our second guest for Black History Month. He reads his poem "The Black King Song." Which covers the black experience.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-ceo-spoken-king/
- Christoph Jenkins closes off season 3 and Black History Month. He reads several of his haikus and we discuss the meanings of each one. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-christoph-jenkins/
We will be on hiatus for the next month, but don't worry, we'll have weekly episodes. When we come back, we'll have more poets, writers, and people of interest, along with fresh stories and poetry. Until then, many blessings.
Music: Run Until Your Wings Grow by Late Night Feeler
In honor of Black History Month, we close season three of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast with Christoph Jenkins. Haiku poet and founder of The Poet Life, Christoph Jenkins and I discuss various subjects and learned how poets can have an income from being a poet. Great information for poets on this podcast episode.
Christoph Jenkins, Founder & CEO of The Poet Life, is a poet and entrepreneur. He began writing poetry in grade school and soon found it to be his passion. Running The Poet Life has led him to become an advocate in the community and a builder of the Poetry Industry. His company has three pillars that start with the letter "E"; EDUCATE, ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN. The Poet Life educates through their online university, Poet Life University where they teach poets how to start a poetry career. There is also a non-profit arm called Poet Life Academy where they teach students, K-12, how to express themselves through poetry. Christoph is the host of the Poet Life Podcast where he has conversations with poets around the world who have made major headway in the poetry industry. In addition, The Poet Life host their annual festival called the Poet Life Fest in different cities around the country.
Surround yourself with
People and things that grow you
Either grow or die
Imposter syndrome
Is attempting to play you
It can’t outcast you
If you are dreaming
Without a plan to fulfill
Said dream, keep dreaming
@ThePoetLife
ThePoetLife.com
This week on Poetic Resurrection we have CEO Spoken King as our guest. He does a reading of his poem “The Black King Song”.
The Black King Song By CEO Spoken King Yes, I know who I am. I'm a black King. Yes, I'm more than just a man. So listen to my story, Because I'm about to tell it as best as I can. The world recently started to love me. From my bronze skin to my afro From my braids to my dreads that bare many knowledge. So tell me who from the beginning was actually thinking higher? Our knowledge helped the world to rise to a higher power. Many say they see my vision and dreams, And my aspiration to heal people from a role the world wanted us to play. But down in the trenches, many people start to think a different way. Leaving a King with many tears of unforeseen dreams. Choosing his family over the things God blessed him to have... To bless the world. So the question is... Are you doing the right thing? Because if God gives you a talent To bless the world. He maybe using you to connect with another person across the world. Too many of us sleep on our talents and dreams Instead of being woke. Too many of us drive off of the street of life, And fall into the ditch of broken promises and dream untold. The dilemma the black King holds. So don't stop our growth. Too many untold dreams lies before my eyes. I refuse to be another statistic in the world's mind. Suicide use to be Satan's way to cover my eyes. Thank you Lord for waking my third eye. This is why... Now I can give you many excuses why I failed. But how many will realize I didn't stay knocked down... But I rose up time after time. Lead by the holy spirit and the glory divine. I know if I keep on pushing, My prayers of peace and finishing the race. Will be mine! This is the black King's song. This is not your ordinary rhyme. The true kings walk in the land of the blind with one eye. We bear scars that hold the ultimate truth. People say they are afraid of no man, But are afraid of progression. The truth is you can never be afraid of what tomorrow will bring. Just live for today, Our present, Because tomorrow is unforeseen. This is the true thought process of a black King. We bare many crowns and many rings, But deep down inside... This is the song we sing. Just to hold our royal family up. So they won't ever have to sink. CEO Spoken King has been writing poetry since the age of sixteen. Poetry is his therapy and healing. In 2020, he started a podcast to highlight poets, visual artists, actors and more. Then he started to incorporate his music on the podcast. His podcast became more of his passion than just a hobby.
In 2021, he released his first book entitled Dominik's Words. He was an online radio show host from 2020 to 2021.
Life is full of opportunities it's our choice to make a difference.
https://www.facebook.com/CEOSpokenKing
https://linktr.ee/CEOSpokenKing
Youtube: CEO Spoken King
Twitch: CEOSpokenKing
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/t-corner
You can get his book Dominik’s Words on Amazon https://amzn.to/3p1X0Fx
In this week's episode, we discuss contentment. What is it like to be content? Is it different from being happy? Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction. Kendra Cherry.
Contentment is an emotional state of satisfaction that can be seen as a mental state, maybe drawn from being at ease in one's situation, body and mind. Contentment could be a state of having accepted one's situation. Wikipedia
Why do we create contingencies when it comes to being content or happy? Will a certain amount of money make us happy? Yes, it can, temporarily. A certain amount of money in the bank can make you feel safe. It can make you feel taken care of. What about success at a job/position? Would this change who you are? If a group or an individual accept me then my life would be better? Would it? Does this mean that we don’t have value unless someone else reassures us? What about fancy/expensive items? Does owning a home make you feel successful? When I retire then I can be free and happy? What about feeling content – right now. “Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want but the realization of how much you already have.” Anonymous. Look within yourself for a change that wouldn’t cost you anything. What can you do today to feel better about yourself? Take a walk. Look at family and friends' photos and videos. Meditate. Call friends and family. Read a book and if it’s your dream to write one-write the first sentence.
“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having a few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation.” Dalai Lama
"He who is contented is rich." Lao Tzu
The poem for this week is Awakening of Spirit from Follow: Akashic Dreaming through Time.
Twinge of sorrow trembles lives’ stories. A visit to the Earth of your creation. Accept rebirth of assignments, hastening an awakening of the spirit. Understand the lifetimes of hurt, anger, disappointment, sacrifice and love. The creator of my malcontent, has always been me. You never meant to harm with the expedited lifetimes. A need to be by your side. Comprehend the intricate truths as the celestial dove glides upon Akashic records. A grateful farewell as the elysian fields emerge. Thank you, Father.
Many Blessings.
Music: Little Planet by Bensound
Follow me on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/sonia.iris.lozada
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-happiness-4869755
https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_if_you_pursued_contentment_rather_than_happiness
This week we have Dr. Egypt Iredia. She performs a reading of her poem My Child-Like Eyes and the concept and development of the poem. We discuss her journey from a medical doctor, developing a holistic method for her patients, and her love for hidden knowledge and healing.
Dr. Egypt is a multi-passionate, healer, physician, poet, metaphysician, and non-linear creative. She believes that minimalism, slow living, and living a spiritual and intentional life are all-powerful healing forces. She believes in using all of our wonderful gifts to show up authentically in our lives. She has many passions and embraces them all to craft a conscious life. All her work and offerings are grounded in natural law and guided by spirit and intuition. Her mission is to empower people to live healthier, calmer, connected, conscious, and creative lives. She sees life as alchemy, art, and magic. Her journey of self-discovery and healing is never-ending. And she uses her strengths and vulnerabilities to act as a healing guide for others to manifest their highest selves.
My Child-like Eyes
At times I want to dissolve into the void Into the place where I lay nameless Where I possess no attachment to the weight of the world A place where no tongue wags in my honor. Or in my disdain
Where I can be me. Where I can be free I want to rest free, held by the knowingness of the Mother Gaia For the love has flowed without condition She has seen my darkest clouds, yet carried me through
I’m wary of ever seeking the eyes of others Of ever proving my worth to be seen or heard I’m fatigued with the many masks I must wear, not including my own I want a sweet liberation, that which only the nothingness holds
What I speak of is not death, not an uncoupling of this mortal coil What I speak of is not a hermitage, not a recoil away from this world No, what I speak of is the untethering of my mind from the cares of others From frivolous yearnings, that holds no essence
I seek for a new mind, Unweighted with the many burdens of fixed paradigms I want to once again see the world anew Like the first day I kissed the earth hello
I ask again for my child-like eyes
by Dr. Egypt Iredia
Links: Website: https://manifestingalchemy.com/
all my poems: https://ello.co/manifestingalchemy
Poetic Resurrection Website: https://poeticresurrection.com/
Colors of Life - Nothingness and numbness
We sometimes interchange these terms with how we feel, but they are different. Nothingness is a term in philosophy that is of a higher power (In existentialism, the void is associated with the belief that nothing structures existence. Within this theoretical framework, the nothingness or meaninglessness of human existence is thought to be the primary cause of existential anxiety or anguish. APA Dictionary) I’ve spoken with several people and they have informed me of their feelings of numbness. “There have been moments in my life when I’ve become numb to certain aspects of myself that I found frightening. Or I’ve conformed to certain morals of society and then maybe rebelled or found a way out.” Jessie Buckley. The pandemic has caused much concern about mental health and there are various local agencies that offer help during this time. I have gone through this numbness. In spiritualism, we can view nothingness as positive as a higher existence. (The Indian Vedas say that ‘nothingness’ is the ultimate source of knowledge—the final human frontier beyond which nothing else remains to be known. According to the scriptures, nothingness forms the chassis of ‘somethingness’ in its most subtle form. NatureAsia.com). I find when I go through a period of numbness is when I’ve been overwhelmed by emotions or situations and then the overload makes me feel numb. Coming out of this numbness, I feel a perception/belief has changed. Usually for the better. Situations, titles, and possessions, whichever might be the cause of numbness, are not as important anymore. I then wonder why I have given these things so much of my personal power. Is it what society, cultural beliefs expect from me? I’ve searched the internet for this and couldn’t find any information about what happens after the stage of numbness, except for referrals to therapy. I guess this is such a personal journey that only a therapist or clergy can understand what an individual is going through. I believe in helping ourselves with mind, body, and spirit. That includes therapy.
How do you seek help when there’s a feeling of emptiness/numbness? We’re human and we will feel empty for many reasons. A loss of a person, dream or a change in lifestyle. How do we handle this when you don’t care one way or another? When forcing yourself to take a walk is a chore and you don’t want to do anything? These are questions I’ve asked myself. Is it depression, anxiety, worry? Maybe you’ve also asked yourself these questions. Sorry to say, I don’t have an answer. I could just tell you what I’ve done. I meditated and went to therapy. Meditation might not be for everyone. Prayer might help. “If prayer is you talking to God, then intuition is God talking to you.” Wayne Dyer. Whatever is your belief, work with it during this time. When I first meditated, my to-do list was all that I kept seeing or what I could or should have done. Should’ve, could’ve, and would’ve are not action words. In meditation, I’ve learned to see myself in a safe place-the forest, beach, meadow, my home. This has helped me not focus on my what ifs and to do list.
Know that you have value and you’re good enough. We are all at various stages in life. If you need help, ask for help. You’re worth it. A quote from Rumi “Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom.”
I’ve listed links in the notes regarding various articles on this subject.
The poem for this week is: Time Passes from Inspire Me: Raw.
Sun caresses
Rosy hues
I flourish
Breeze prunes
Exposed and cleansed
Past stripped away
Layers erode
Float down
Chimes of time
Naked in the wind
Grasp reflections
Petals float
Rain overcomes
Only a fraction stays
A stem with leaves
One last rosehip - drops
Peaceful in the dust
Awakening
Sun caresses - New sprout
Rebirth from past
Many blessings.
Music: Drifting @ 432 Hz by Unicorn Heads
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html
https://dictionary.apa.org
https://psychcentral.com/depression/i-feel-nothing-emotional-numbness#causes
https://www.healthline.com/health/feeling-numb#causes
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/emotional-blunting#takeaway
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/emptiness
https://lonerwolf.com/emotional-numbness/
This week on the Poetic Resurrection podcast, we have poet/actor Jasmine DiAngelo. We discuss and she reads her poem “Halves of Halves”. The poem reflects on being multicultural from Denmark and coming to Los Angeles at a young age. Check out this unique discussion on identity and acceptance.
Jasmine was born along the North Sea and learned how to walk under a Scandinavian sun (aka Denmark). She then made a quick, twenty-year pit stop in Los Angeles where she was raised acting on sound stages, in casting offices and sparring boys at her parents’ Taekwondo studio. Once baked until golden brown in the heat of the San Fernando Valley, she headed east and is now proud to call herself a New Yorker.
Jasmine has been writing poetry since age 11 and is the author of a one-woman play called S.T.A.T. (or, Stop Talking About That). Currently, she is compiling her first book of poetry to be released in late 2022. Jasmine also posts stories on her blog at jasdiangelo.com. Instagram: @jasdiangelo
“Halves of Halves”
Hum hum
Where are you from?
Stay out of the sun, stay out of the sun.
Small feet stretch and leap
From Nordic flatland to Californian heat.
Hum hum
Where are you from?
Strange sounds folded my tongue
Into halves of halves, splintered DNA wide
So I don’t look how I feel inside.
Hum hum
Where are you from?
Where there’s hygge and chocolate pastry with rum
Black licorice whiplash made syllables unsweet
And my soft consonants were rounded with concrete.
Hum hum
Where are you from?
A deep weaving of words came loose and undone
Replaced by hard R’s and confused faces
And all the wrong checkboxes naming all the wrong places.
Hum hum
Where are you from?
She gave him a daughter, but he wanted a son
Kicking and punching and dancing and screaming –
Multicolored horrors printed in all my dreaming.
Hum hum
Where are you from?
My skin is adjacent but cannot fully become
The flags in my cells, the spice in my blood
Many shades of soil heavy with flood.
I go slipping in the mud —
And my hands and feet won’t plant because
I am from everywhere and nowhere
Crossing bloodlines and flood lines
And lies
And lines and lies and lines
Pressed in the corners of my parents’ eyes.
The forward pitch
The needle stitch
Wove countries and more countries together which
Bent themselves into the shape of my body
Tucked cultures into the ridges of my irises–browned
Identity at once lost and found.
And in the mixing there was
Erasing
And in the erasing
Came something new
Brilliant in its Namelessness.
Hum hum
What are you?
And who are you from?
Someplace suspended between the moon
And the sun
Where freckles stretch footprints across the bridge of my nose
Where a new color quietly grows
Where many faces merge into one
And languages lay languid under my tongue
2022 © Jasmine Di Angelo
This week on Poetic Resurrection we welcome Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson. We discuss her poem Invention, her experiences of being an adoptee. We laugh about rejection letters and go into detail about her journey in becoming the poet laureate.
Lynne Thompson is Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles. She is the author of Start With a Small Guitar and Beg No Pardon, winner of the Perugia Book Award and the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s New Writers Award, and Fretwork, winner of
the Marsh Hawk Poetry Prize. Thompson’s work has been published in Pleiades, Black Warrior Review, Ploughshares, and Best American Poetry 2020, among others. She sits on the Boards of Cave Canem and the Los Angeles Review of Books and chairs
the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Scripps College.
Her website is: https://www.lynnethompson.us/
Invention
If he could have, he would have whispered my name like an old wish— would have admitted I am your father
I am a rage of teeth I am absent but no marathon of deletions I am your dancing foot’s “Why Ya Wanna Make Me Blue” the heat from a hastiness of cooks I am the distraction that is every father
(Maybe one day I’ll find him among a rascal of boys — neither a man nor a lad — but this day isn’t that day—)
If he can, he should reach out to me — say my name like an old wish: admit he acted like a knot of toads a shell of electrons a breakdown in his woman’s plans He should say he can never tell me why or why or why not Just that he was never a hum of hymns knows he was never relevant in any of my lunar years was a smokescreen & all-ways a plague of questions
Reprinted by permission – The Night Heron Barks, October 2020
A couple of years ago, I was thinking of writing children’s books, I came up with this story called Teddy. It was named after a teddy bear that I’ve had for many years.
Today’s mood I wanted it to be uplifting and have something children can listen to. Self-reflection is always a good thing, but today we’re going to have fun with a simple rhyming children’s story. Enjoy the story of Teddy and his friends. Please let me know what you think in the comments. Have a blessed day.
Teddy bear sits on a chair
Sees me and stares
What will we do today?
Can we go out and play?
Yes, we can, little one
Let’s go out and have some fun
The day is sunny
Teddy says, “I want some honey.”
Walking down a forest path,
Suddenly we hear a splash
“Help me please!” yells the bee
I can’t swim in the sea
Teddy grabs a stick
Bee asks, “Is this a trick?”
“No, grab on, I’m here to help.”
The stick is what the bee held
Out the bee came soaked
The bee dried himself and spoke
“Thank you for saving me
Can I offer you some tea?”
“I don’t have any money
Do you want some honey?”
Yes, I do
For my tea brew
Tea party and all are happy
Time to go home for nappy
The day was fun
Being out in the sun
Thank you, sunshine
For my lunchtime
This beautiful day
In the month of May
Happy Ukulele Children Party by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6302-happy-ukulele-children-party
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Colors of Life—Grieving Dreams
Grieving Dreams is when we review our lives and realize a dream we have pursued for so long doesn’t benefit us anymore.
I recorded an episode of my other podcast, Chica and the Man with my co-host Alex Greenwood. We talked about career changes and how they affected us. (Listen to that episode here). How we grieve when we have pursued a job, career, or a business and gave our heart and soul to it only to have to let it go. We know it’s the right thing to do, but yet there’s this sadness of letting go. We think what if I could have done more? Where did I go wrong? Was I just not good enough? In reality, I feel the lessons and importance of it have run its course. When we feel this way, it is a form of grieving. We need to address it. As Eleanor Haley from Grieving the Loss of Hopes and Dreams states: When we care deeply about something, it can be difficult to know when to let go. Sometimes our hopes are all we have to keep us getting out of bed in the morning. People always like to say things like, It’s never too late to follow your dreams and many times this is true. When there’s a chance to see your dreams through or there is still joy in the journey, by all means, keep going.
I grieved letting go of acting. There was no more joy in the journey. I knew I couldn’t make a living at it, yet I pursued it for many years. I was in disbelief because I had invested so many years and my soul in it. How can I love acting and the career doesn’t love me back? Nowadays, if it comes my way, I’ll be happy to do it. It’s the pursuit of it I have released. It was heartbreaking and liberating at the same time.
Grief is a normal response to loss during or after a disaster or other traumatic event. Grief can happen in response to loss of life, as well as to drastic changes to daily routines and ways of life that usually bring us comfort and a feeling of stability. Common grief reactions include:
- Shock, disbelief, or denial
- Anxiety
- Distress
- Anger
- Periods of sadness
- Loss of sleep and loss of appetite
CDC on grief and Loss (see link below)
Regardless of the scenario, the loss of hopes and dreams can be incredibly hard to accept and cope with. Eleanor Haley.
Deep listening is the practice of turning toward your feelings and emotions.
Most of us have the tendency to run away from anything uncomfortable within us. It’s only natural. But numbing, avoiding, and rejecting our pain only makes what we feel larger and ‘scarier’ than it truly is. When we turn toward our pain with curiosity and gentleness, we often find an immediate sense of relief. Aletheia Luna
What I’ve learned through grief is to accept, be kind, and love myself. Life will have its moments, it’s part of living. Learn to ride the beautiful, never-ending passions and gifts of life.
The poem for this week is Quiet from Inspire Me: Perception
Black and white
Chrome bedroom
Reflects silvery gray moods of
The uncharted mind
Incandescent garden lights
Shine through the blinds
Marking lines on face
Stares at the light
Answers from another realm
Beyond our three dimensions
Silence prey’s existence of
Yearning questions
An essence enters
Smoky figure gazes
Into questioning eyes
Serene presence felt
Changing monochrome
Movie of thoughts and dreams
Reflect on cheeks and lips
Grin extends to essence
Crimson smile, blushing face
Sends joy to ashen figure as
Chromatic shades appear and
Smoky image disperses
Lights fade into darkness
REM creating memories of
Longevity with peaceful
Nightfall sleep
Goodnight
Music by: Ocean Bliss
by Gotama
https://gotama-music.bandcamp.co
https://lonerwolf.com/deep-listening/
https://whatsyourgrief.com/loss-of-hopes-and-dreams/ (Eleanor Haley)
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/grief-loss/index.html
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This is a bonus episode from Chica and the Man Podcast. Many of you know I have another podcast that I co-host with Alex Greenwood of Mysterious Goings On Podcast
This is Chica and the Man's year-end episode. We humorously reflect on 2021 and the near future of where our lives, career, and self-care. We discuss lessons we've learned and be open to new experiences and appreciation for the now. Alex released his eighth book in John Pilate's Mysteries entitled Pilate's Faith available on Amazon.
Sonia is working on her upcoming book Inspire Me: In Time of Need which is being edited. You can find her books on Amazon here.
Happy New Year - See you next year!
We are part of the Amazon Associates program and any proceeds earned go into our podcasts.
Yearend episode 2021
Here we are at the end of 2021. Another year of the pandemic. When this pandemic started, it was a time to reflect. Reflect, I did and now in the second year–I’d like it to end. I’ve been vaccinated and boosted and, to be honest, I don’t want any more vaccinations, but it’s not about me—it’s about those around me. I want the pandemic to end. These last two years have been a challenging and trying time. I had a friend die this year of covid. I’ve had a scare with my elderly parents and I’m grateful they’re okay. I feel blessed that everyone and I are healthy. I was hoping the pandemic would have ended with herd immunity, but we never got to the 70% vaccinated to have that occur. I wish I had an answer to what is happening; I don’t think anyone knows.
My year in review.
I started a second podcast called Chica and the Man with podcaster and friend Alex Greenwood of the Mysterious Goings On podcast. It’s so much fun to just talk about anything that comes to mind. The subtitle of Chica and the Man is As Unscripted as it Gets. It’s different from the Poetic Resurrection podcast. Doing this podcast has been slow in editing as my computer crashed and it’s taken me about a month to retrieve my information. I was shocked but can’t complain the computer lasted seven years.
I’m on vacation now and I’m working on my fourth book—Inspire Me: In Time of Need, still. I have a new editor; Ruben Rodriguez and I’m looking forward to the release—early next year. Fingers crossed. I love writing poetry and the last two years have put a slight halt in writing. I guess the pandemic has affected me more than I thought. So many deaths, sending blessings to families for your healing. The dichotomy of this nation and others. This is a world healing time and even though we would like to get back to normal, what is normal anymore?
I’m an avid researcher. I feel exhilarated when I learn a new concept, belief or skill, and yet I’m exhausted this year. I used to feel I knew what I wanted and now it’s all in question. Do I want to continue acting? I love being on the set, so if it comes up, I’ll be happy to do it. I had two photoshoots this year. One was headshots with Mark Atteberry, which I also use for my podcast, and the other was an artsy shoot with Ken Sawyer. I had a great time doing both. I booked a print job and have auditioned for many shows.
Poetry, another passion of mine since childhood, still exists but it’s change on what I want to write. I’ve gone from writing about acceptance and life to a surreal style. A style I find challenging to write since the reader needs to visualize and understand it.
The Poetic Resurrection Podcast has reached over fifty episodes and has over 1500 downloads and as Alex Greenwood informed me, that’s fantastic for a podcast without an advertising budget. I’m on season three of the podcast and I want to say thank you to all the guests for honoring me with your presence and knowledge.
I meditate every day and decided to become a teacher on the Insight Timer app I have talks and meditations.
The poem for this week is Love and Blessings, recorded in 2020 and is available to see and hear on YouTube. It’s from my upcoming book Inspire Me: In Time of Need.
When thoughts
Overwhelm your being
Send love
When worrying about the family
And wanting to care for them
Send love
When sleep evades
When thoughts repeat
Send love
When finances diminish
And needs remain unmet
Send love
When feeling defeated
When feeling alone
Send love
When feeling fear
That life isn’t fair
Send love
Sending love
Doesn’t cost anything
Sending love
Brings us to the present
Happy New Year–love and blessings.
Music by: Bensound.com
Song: Love
This week on Poetic Resurrection we have Luivette Resto. We discuss her poem Living on Islands Not Found on Maps. How growing up bi-culturally and using Spanglish or as I like to call it “fusion of words”. We had a great time conversing about Puerto Rican culture. I love guests I can laugh with and laugh we did.
Luivette Resto was born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, but proudly raised in the Bronx. Her two books of poetry, Unfinished Portrait, and Ascension were published by Tía Chucha Press. Her third collection of poetry is from FlowerSong Press.
Living on Islands Not Found on Maps I live on an island not found on maps. Growing up in the shadows of one of the most popular surnames: García. I speak Spanish to my abuela on Sundays but rely on Google to help my children with their homework because the accent rules never stuck. Stress or unstress? Penultimate syllable? Took the paradoxical college course: Spanish for Bilinguals where every Tuesday Prof. Cruz de Jesús would shake his head with indignation at my use of the familiar tú versus usted. No me conoce, he said. He was right. He didn’t know me and I didn’t know him or the proper word for bus or orange juice. What I did know is summers in Puerto Rico, eating quenepas as relatives asked, ¿No entiendes lo que dijo tu primo? And my abuela defending my tongue. This tongue. Colonized not once but twice. Leaving me isolated at family reunions. Feeling inadequate for my inability to conjugate on command. Sounding out store front signs while riding the #42 bus on the way home from Kindergarten where I concentrated to understand Mrs. Farrell’s lessons about the seasons. But I finally found a home between Bronx bodega aisles, code switching with my homegirls about how many times Juana beepeó that boy we saw standing in front of él building. This became the island where I belonged. Unfettered and absent of red pen corrections. Juana didn’t care if I used the tú or the usted or if my yo was about me or an emphatic reaction to her crazy story. This island didn’t care if I rolled my r’s or ever got the purpose of vosotros. An island where our bodies translated feelings: pursed lips, a raised brow, an aggressive eye or neck roll. We were bilingual neologists, inventing new lands we could carry in our Timbs and bubble coats. Here, language, like us, wasn’t disappointing or broken.
“Living on Islands Not Found on Maps”
first published on The University of Arizona Poetry Center’s website
Nov. 2020. Reprinted by permission Luivette Resto
https://www.luivette.com/
We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Ascension: https://amzn.to/3qgOzpK
Unfinished Portrait: https://amzn.to/3H60aPv
Colors of Life – Confusion
This week on Poetic Resurrection we discuss confusion. Sometimes I wonder why we go through experiences and maybe read too much into it and then we’re confused. This month didn’t get off to a great start for me. My computer crashed and I’m still recovering my info. I usually have an episode ready each Monday but that hasn’t happened this month. One of the pluses so far this month is that I visited my family in Chicago and I’m blessed to have my parents in good health.
What is confusion? Dictionary’s definition is lack of understanding or uncertainty; the state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something. Why do we feel this way? Is it because our heart/soul wants us to change? I’ve noticed when I feel confused is when my heart and my mind are at odds. “Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.” Roger Ebert. I feel I should go one way in a situation but my mind disagrees. “The most confused we ever get is when we’re trying to convince our heads of something our heart knows is a lie.” Karen Marie Moning. “Your eyes may mislead you sometimes. So don't be serious in observing, listen to your heart at times when you are confused.” Giridhar Alwar. (gi rid te)
Is it fear? Most likely what stops us from going forward is fear. Do we have the finances to change? Will I lose my home? Is my family okay if I decide to move on? Are you ruled by possessions? At times our financial burdens are because we give our power away to possessions. We have to have the latest electronics, fashions, cars, appliances, etc. It’s one thing if your employment requires equipment, it’s your livelihood, or if you have the cash to buy the items. Another is if you’re getting into debt for them. I have in the past, bought items because I thought I would be perceived as well to do. I wasn’t. I lived from paycheck to paycheck, many of us do. This isn’t how I want to live. It’s stressful not to have your rent, mortgage, money to pay bills and I have been guilty of using my credit cards to survive in times of unemployment. “No matter how confused or deluded we may be at the moment, the underlying and essential nature of our being is clear and pure.” Lama Yeshe. During the pandemic, many of us learned what’s important, and surprisingly I saw many who refuse to change and blamed the pandemic, politics, and companies for their problems. This is known as one aspect in psychology as psychological projection
Psychological projection is the process of misinterpreting what is "inside" as coming from "outside". It forms the basis of empathy by the projection of personal experiences to understand someone else's subjective world. In its malignant forms, it is a defense mechanism in which the ego defends itself against disowned and highly negative parts of the self by denying their existence in themselves and attributing them to others, breeding misunderstanding and causing untold interpersonal damage. A bully may project their own feelings of vulnerability onto the target, or a person who is confused may project feelings of confusion and inadequacy onto other people. Projection incorporates blame-shifting and can manifest as shame dumping. Projection has been described as an early phase of introjection. Wikipedia
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
– Stephen Covey.
The poem for this week is Same from Inspire Me: Raw
Contemplating
Day after day
Wonders of fate
Searching for work
Organizing
Wondering what I’ll do today
Decorating
Writing this
Not knowing the end
At this point in life
I thought I’d succeed
By this time -
A house, a car
Children, husband
None of these
Strange thing -
Content
I think?
So much, so little
Overwhelmed
Organize
Decorate
Write
Stability?
Day after day
I do the same
Many blessings.
If the feelings are overwhelming there are several organizations listed here that can help.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/warning-signs-risk-factors
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This week, we are honored to have Luis J. Rodriguez back on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. Luis reads his poem, Always Running. This poem describes the hardships of poverty, love loss, and how Luis dealt with his experiences. We discuss the difficulties of growing up in the hood, living in tenements full of roaches, rats, and despair.
Always Running
All night vigil.
My two-and-a-half-year-old boy
and his 10-month-old sister
lay on the same bed,
facing opposite ends;
their feet touching.
They looked soft, peaceful,
bundled there in strands of blankets.
I brushed away roaches that meandered
across their faces,
but not even that could wake them.
Outside, the dark cover of night tore
as daybreak bloomed like a rose
on a stem of thorns.
I sat down on the backsteps,
gazing across the yellowed yard.
A 1954 Chevy Bel-Air stared back.
It was my favorite possession.
I hated it just then.
It didn’t start when I tried to get it going
earlier that night. It had a bad solenoid.
I held a 12-gauge shotgun across my lap.
I expected trouble from the Paragons gang
of the west Lynwood barrio.
Somebody said I dove the car
that dudes from Colonia Watts used
to shoot up the Paragons’ neighborhood.
But I got more than trouble that night.
My wife had left around 10 p.m.
to take a friend of mine home.
She didn’t come back.
I wanted to kill somebody.
At moments, it had nothing to do
with the Paragons.
It had to do with a woman I loved.
But who to kill? Not her–
sweet allure wrapped in a black skirt.
I’d kill myself first.
Kill me first?
But she was the one who quit!
Kill her? No, think man! I was hurt, angry. . .
but to kill her? To kill a Paragon?
To kill anybody?
I went into the house
and put the gun away.
Later that morning, my wife came for her things:
some clothes, the babies. . . their toys.
A radio, broken TV, and some dishes remained.
I didn’t stop her.
There was nothing to say that my face
didn’t explain already.
Nothing to do. . . but run.
So I drove the long haul to Downey
and parked near an enclosed area
alongside the Los Angeles River.
I got out of the car,
climbed over the fence
and stumbled down the slopes.
A small line of water rippled in the middle.
On rainy days this place flooded and flowed,
but most of the time it was dry
with dumped garbage and dismembered furniture.
Since a child, the river and its veins of canals
were places for me to think. Places to heal.
Once on the river’s bed, I began to cleanse.
I ran.
I ran into the mist of morning,
carrying the heat of emotion
through the sun’s rays;
I ran past the factories
that lay smack in the middle
of somebody’s backyard.
I ran past alleys with overturned trashcans
and mounds of tires.
Debris lay underfoot. Overgrown weeds
scraped my legs as I streamed past;
recalling the song of bullets
that whirred in the wind.
I ran across bridges, beneath overhead passes,
and then back alongside the infested walls
of the concrete river;
splashing rainwater as I threaded,
my heels colliding against the pavement.
So much energy propelled my legs
and, just like the river,
it went on for miles.
When all was gone,
the concrete river
was always there
and me, always running.
Luis Rodriguez, “Always Running” from “The Concrete River,” 1991 Curbstone Books
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One evening, I had a visualization of a baker in the 1500s, working in a sweltering environment making bread. This imagery was so vivid, I wrote it down and decided to write the poem Birth of Dough. After much research into bakers of that period, I learned they were responsible for the main food source of the town. The Black Plague resurfaced around the 1530s in Europe and Nostradamus was a plague doctor then. Unfortunately, his wife and two children died during the plague.
Please see the links below for further information and reading on the subject.
The poem for this week is Birth of Dough from Follow: Akashic Dreaming Through Time.
https://www.thefinertimes.com/bakers-in-the-middle-ages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostradamus
Music: Dreaming In by the Unicorn Heads
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While cleaning and decluttering, I wondered why we give our mental power to possessions? Why is it so difficult to let go of items? Will we need it later? Was it a gift from a loved one? Did we have a moment of weakness and buy an expensive item that we don’t use? Is it because we have given it a soul/spirit? Wikipedia states, “Animism is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Potentially, animism perceives all things-animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather system, human handiwork, and perhaps even words-as animated and alive.” Can this be the reason it’s difficult to let go? I wonder. There’s so much we don’t understand beyond what we can see. Animism has had different meanings throughout the anthropologic field. These beliefs have existed in many indigenous religions and are currently adapted into some New Age beliefs. But I digress back to clutter. I feel I have given power to objects because of a memory of where I bought it, who I was with, or it warmed my heart even for a moment. There’s a vast industry in decluttering possessions, so I will not cover it here. Marie Kondo states “Tidying is the act of confronting yourself”. I have to agree. Once it goes into a donation box, trash or save. I don’t look at it again because I will start taking items out. Have I given away possessions that I needed later-yes, years later? In the meantime, I’ve used valuable real estate to store something I might use. Sometimes I forget what I have bought and buy it again. I had three tape measures. I only needed one. “Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination.” Christina Scalise. Yes, I agree with this as well. I’ve walked into a room and have been overwhelmed by the amount of sorting of items in boxes that need to be completed. I just closed the door and said I’ll deal with it another day. My home is quite stylish. I love decorating. It’s something I picked up when I studied interior design in college and then worked at interior design companies. I guess what I’m looking for is minimalism. Every time I give something away, I’m happy I have one less thing. In the past, I enjoyed having many items because I felt the stuff hugged me. Sad but true. Now I want it clear—empty. So, have I been practicing Animism? I don’t know, but if we give our possessions so much weight, then maybe we’re all practicing this. “The question of what you want to own is also the question of how you want to live your life”. Marie Kondo.
“The greatest freedom is to be free of our own mind.” — Osho
The poem for this week is Place from Inspire Me: Raw.
Home—I pride myself
Its warmth—inviting—peaceful
My tranquility
Living room—spacious
It’s calming and welcoming
Drawn to entertain
Bedroom—quiet space
Flourishing sanctuary
Trance captivation
Office—chaotic
Paper, file drawers overflow
Technology too
My mind—the office
Filled with useless memories
Obsolete systems
Yet I still cling
Time and fear. Recollections
Relinquishing thoughts
Inner voices guide
Mantra’s deafening echoes
Let go, let go—now!
Inspire Me: Raw - Available on Amazon
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For further reading on Animism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism
Music:
Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soul
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I watched an entire season of Ram Dass teachings and all the quotes this week are his.
The teachings had everything in it from his disliking of people, to his sexuality, to his questioning of Enlightenment. But what I noticed throughout the entire season it’s about being. He was just being.
How difficult it is for most of us to just be. Just sit still to quiet the mind and just be. So much of what we learn is to be a doer or a thinker or a seeker.
“The thinking mind is what is busy. You have to stay in your heart. You have to be in your heart. Be in your heart. The rest is up here in your head where you are doing, doing, doing.”
The idea of being is just being. We have the answers to our lives, but we don’t sit quietly to hear what they are saying. There is more to us than this three-dimensional physical plane. We see this in our dreams, meditations and sometimes we get that aha moment when we talk to somebody or watch a TV show or overhear someone speaking. It’s amazing to me when you get those little nudges and I don’t know where they come from. Is it intuition? Is it our higher self, our angels, spirit guides? In the past, when I have fought these nudges, I will fall flat on my face. So, follow that intuition, Spirit guides, higher self, etc. because it’s usually right. “Remember, we are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we’re so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is the supreme creative act.”
These nudges told me to write and publish my poetry. I was scared to do that because yes; I was exposing who I was. I was afraid I would not be accepted. The opposite happened. I was accepted. This same little nudge came to me constantly for two years to start up the Poetic Resurrection podcast. I didn’t know what the podcast should be about. I knew it would not be about acting. Then, during the pandemic, I saw people marching and helping at food banks and I thought, how wonderful would life be if we had self-love and self-acceptance? With these acceptances, it would be easy to accept and love others. There would be no fear of loss. Whichever direction these nudges are directing you, they need to be of a kind heart.
“Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It’s not ‘I love you’ for this or that reason, not ‘I love you if you love me.’ It’s love for no reason, love without an object.”
The poem for this week is Continuum from Inspire Me: Perception.
Continuum
Spring florets glimmer
In afternoon light
Scent of fresh tulips
Myths of existence—fables
Trembling in 90 degrees
Veneer of tears
Illusions of turmoil
Created by self
Head spins—Pandora’s Box
Seven sins tap across the stage of
A cardinal songbird
As the earthfall cleanses itself
Hope gathers irises
For a rainbow bridge
Oyá* conjures and flees storm
Yemaya*—mother disapproves
Amazon and Niger Rivers
Dominated
Femininity protected
Travel—Antipodes
Indian ocean with full moonlight
Glistens as the waves erupt
Hera’s* vengeful heart
Aches from illegitimate family
Crumbled mirror of water
Tears cascade past seven years,
Moisture blooms lilies of death
Phoenix’s ashes resurrected
In endless evolution
Get Ram Dass life-changing book Be Here Now at https://amzn.to/2ZQ6iuW
Check out his website: https://www.ramdass.org/
- Oyá uses tornados as her weapon and raises dead armies to use as her warriors.
- Yemaya is a powerful orisha who’s the mother of living things.
- Hera is Zeus’ wife, best known for her jealousy of Zeus’s other family.
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Yesterday, I was honored to once again interview Luis J. Rodriguez for an upcoming episode on Poetic Resurrection. We spoke for about two hours and we had an amazing conversation about many subjects, including sexual abuse. Being a survivor of this, I had written the poem The Little Girl featured in my first book, Inspire Me: Raw. I’m grateful to my parents for being there for me. It was an experience I thought I had overcome since I could talk about the situation. But, I hadn’t.
It wasn’t until I wrote the poem that I could release the shame and trauma I was holding onto. It served no purpose but to keep me down. Why would I want to hold on to that? The situation is that we sometimes don’t know we’re still holding onto the past. It has a way of showing up as a trigger and that’s when I knew I had to work on letting go. I don’t believe in “forgive and forget”. Yes, I can forgive, but you don’t forget. You learn to forgive them and yourself for holding onto so much pain throughout your life.
I’ve noticed many survivors talk about their experience and I wanted to do the same; I just wrote from the perspective of the child, because the child doesn’t understand.
And now the poem
The Little Girl from Inspire Me: Raw The little girl walks to school Tenements line gray streets She does well in school Her five-year-old stature Shows resistance & strength
Drawings of prismic colors Joy and glee adorn her face Hesitant to show teacher Waiting for praise—teacher questions She understood but couldn’t answer
Teacher screams at her Points—to disappear into The sea of moveable desk She gazes at her tattered shoes Her friend speaks English, she does not
Colorless teacher was unkind To the little girl Who only speaks Spanish Tears flow down her face She hides - the teasing kids
Goes home, keeps to herself Pretends to be an actress Living a world that wasn’t her own Only hearing voices of a different land Citizens we are, but not considered same
Pretending so young to be okay Her seven-year-old friend Said she wanted to play A store basement, dark and clammy Her friend gazes on while she screams “It hurts,". “Why did you do this?”
A teenage boy Took friend’s innocence and Now he’s taken the little girl’s Her soul and worth But she doesn’t understand
The store owner saves her, Atop soaring stairs Bold voice of disgust Vibrates the crypt Boy halts, he runs
She now rests at home A peeling grey wood porch Third-floor view—sits on step Sunless hallway Looking at the sky so blue
Doesn’t know how she got there Mind’s a haze of events Discolored panties, hand washed often Advertise the status of her little life
The bandages trying to hold The innocence lost. It’s too late Mom looks at her— Turns away and cries. Did she do something wrong? Sorry you’re hurting; doesn’t know what to do
I’m sorry mom Don’t mean to make you cry Don’t mean to make you cry Tears never came to me The little girl who didn’t understand
A speech I gave over the weekend prompted this week’s episode. Poetic Resurrection is in its third season and I realized I haven’t told you my story. How did I get started in poetry, writing, and acting?
I grew up in Chicago to loving parents who stated “follow your dreams”. My parents were the working poor, but during the holidays we had live music parties with family and friends. Therefore, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. My poetry became lyrics for songs I wrote in the 80s. Yes, I’m dating myself. I was a punk rocker. I even had a fanzine called LOZT and at the time, I was. I interviewed and photographed bands like the Clash, Echo & the Bunnymen, and The Cure to name a few. After this, I realized entertainment journalism wasn’t for me, even though it was fun for a while. After recording a demo, performing in a video, and a few shows. I realized that I just enjoyed singing and the music industry which I loved was not right for me. I had pursued music for so long that I felt I had to keep at it, but I didn’t.
An actor friend had a medical problem and had to stay home. He offered to give me free acting lessons, and I said yes because I thought that would help my music. I was hooked. I fell in love with acting. I started with theater and then musicals. Got an agent and started acting on TV and film. I’m still doing it.
Throughout all the different avenues in entertainment I’ve tried, my passion has been poetry. I wrote poetry, just to write it. I’d put it in a drawer and save it. It was my therapy. In 2016, I decided I wanted to publish my poetry. The poetry dealt with raw emotions. I contemplated using a pen name, but then I decided I needed to get over myself and use my given name. I hired an editor and researched publishers. I realized a manuscript takes six months to be read and then they’d tell you yes or no. I didn’t want to wait that long. Basically, because I was afraid I’d changed my mind about publishing. I went to Amazon Kindle because it was easy to publish a book. I was on the phone with the rep from Kindle and she kept telling me to press publish, which is the enter key and she had to tell me three times because I thought about how everyone would know how I felt. My traumas, my heartaches, and some humorous experiences. I pressed entered and ended up receiving great reviews and now I have three books and I’m currently working on my fourth, which is the third installation of the Inspire Me series entitled Inspire Me: In Time of Need.
The poem for this week is Sadness from Inspire Me: Raw.
Drizzle of a tear on a mountain
Chisels the gorge
Smoothing the surface—starting new
Flow of waves of full moon
Surrenders like a soldier near death
Nowhere yet peace
Mourning former actions
An abundant essence yearned
Live the now- dismiss the rest
Soul’s journey brings me home
Master task—Letting go
Rewind thoughts confirmed
Dissolve elusive dream
Purge past yet debris clings
Sun warmth coddles me
Time wasted. Was it?
Serene breeze expels fears
Life’s resurrection
Mesmerize by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Welcome to season 3 of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. This season we will touch upon the “Colors of Life”, an international perspective with an introspective edge. We have poets and writers of different backgrounds who will read and discuss their writings. This is a breakaway from the usual podcast which steers away from politics and religion. They will speak about what happens in their culture, belief systems, and challenges they face. As always, love and acceptance are our perspectives. Just the experiences and acceptance of self and others. Join us for this insightful look at international existence and the different cultures and beliefs that create our world.
The poem for this week is Citizen from Inspire Me: Raw. I wrote this poem several months before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. I was surprised to hear from many people that they didn’t know Puerto Ricans were American citizens. On a side note, people from Guam are also American citizens. Please join us in this new and exciting season and here’s the poem Citizen.
Citizen
Curly red hair
Freckled skin
Speaking Spanish
Not fitting in.
People’s bias
Perceptions
Ignorance
Citizen
Where are you from?
How did you get here?
Was it a struggle?
No—citizen.
No boats.
No tunnels.
No hiding.
Airplanes.
I belong here
Born here
Educated
Citizen.
Thanking all our guests and listening audience for joining us for Season Two of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast.
- Jaclyn Steele—Soul of Connection we discuss the Soul Connection and how our soul’s calling intertwines our lives, beliefs, and our connection with others.
- Alex Greenwood—Soul of Mystery We laugh, joke, and discuss the soul of writing mysteries.
- Trini Rodriquez—Soul of Healing We discuss Native American and Mexican American sweat-lodges and how this brings you closer to your soul.
- Che’Rae Adams—Soul of Writing We discuss what it takes to write a good story and how the story germinates from the soul. That inner voice drawing us to write our story.
- Ian Brooks—Soul of Intention We had a lively discussion on the process of intention. How the pandemic, perceptions, and beliefs affect our lives and how we can change the characters we created in our story.
- Jonathan Troen—Soul of Self-Love We have a lively conversation about the Self-Love Revolution.
- Martin Espada—Soul of my Father A reading of Letter to My Father and how it affected him. We discussed historical events and perceptions of Puerto Rico and its people in this heartfelt interview.
- Joachim Brackx—Soul of Self We discuss the self and how our perceptions play an important part in compassion, self-love, and acceptance.
- Rick White – Soul of Understanding We have a great discussion about grief, life, illness and acceptance of self, our value, and how life changes.
- Samuel Ashe II – Soul of Giving we discuss how our experiences teach us to help ourselves and others.
- Melissa Da Silva – Soul of a Relationship We discuss Her journey from a toxic relationship to self-acceptance, love and grieving of love lost.
- Charlie Sheldon – Soul of Storytelling We discuss his journey from Yale to being a fisherman to writing his books.
- Andrew Seaton – Soul of You We discuss spiritual awakening and how it’s simple.
- Louise Alexandra Erskine—Soul of Imperfection We discuss toxic relationships, parenting, and being a single mother raising boys and how her poetry and photography clarified and taught her acceptance of being imperfect.
In our final episode of season 2, we have an amazing discussion with the lovely Louise Alexandra Erskine. We discuss toxic relationships, parenting, and being a single mother raising boys and how her poetry and photography clarified and taught her acceptance of being imperfect. We are all a work in progress.
Louise Alexandra Erskine is a poet, photographer, and content creator learning through a lifetime of passion and heartbreak Louise writes about her relationships and experiences in life, love, loss, surviving domestic abuse, and falling in love the right way—with herself! Louise experienced success early in writing poetry on Pinterest and has returned to writing as part of a long journey of self-discovery after losing herself to a controlling, abusive marriage. Louise is now a single parent raising three children in the English countryside and using Instagram to express emotion through imagery and tell the stories of her life both through her poetry via https://beautifullydefected.com and as a family connecting with other women struggling through toxic relationships on @this_beautifully_defected_life.
Our guest this week is Andrew Seaton author of Spiritual Awakening Made Simple. We discuss spiritual awakening and how it's simple, grief, and other emotions affecting our perceptions. Check out this informative interview.
Andrew Seaton is a spiritual author, teacher, counselor, and mentor for spiritual awakening. For more than four decades, he delved deeply into educational philosophy and psychology; old wisdom and new science; reports of higher consciousness; and a wide range of personal development, holistic wellness, and spiritual awareness practices. As Andrew experienced all the personal ups and downs of his life, his working life was quite varied, but mostly in education. He had many different roles in that field, most of them relating to education of the whole person. His PhD thesis was titled "Investing in Intelligence: An Inquiry into Educational Paradigm Change." Andrew came to see that in our world we are generally making some deeply flawed assumptions about knowledge, human nature, and quality of life. In 2006, he resigned from a two-year stint as an education academic in order to focus on unlearning his education and other conditioning, and on awakening, the fuller functioning that he had come to see so clearly is possible and desirable.
Andrew has recently experienced major changes in his consciousness and way of being in the world. Throughout 2017 and 2018, he was very focused on living the insights and practices he describes in his book Spiritual Awakening Made Simple: How to See Through the Mist of the Mind to the Peace of the Here and Now (John Hunt Publishing, 2020). In September of 2018, Andrew's spiritual awakening began in earnest with a beautiful dream followed by energy flows through his body.
Through his writings, online courses, talks, and 1-on-1 counseling support and mentoring via online conferencing, Andrew now helps others to clear away the mist of the conditioned mind and awaken to their true nature as the peace-filled observing awareness beyond the mind. He teaches an online course on Udemy and Coursify titled “9 Steps to a Beautiful Life Through Spiritual Awakening”. He speaks to groups and podcast interviewers about how, contrary to popular belief and experience, spiritual awakening is both natural and achievable.
Awakening Made Simple (on Amazon)
Andrew’s website is at AwakeningMadeSimple.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewSeaton101
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCau8nH_QV9fGPnZopgzkDrg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewseaton101
Charlie Sheldon is based in Washington and is the author of Strong Heart, Adrift, and the third book in the series Totem (see links below).
Charlie went to Yale University and UMass, where he received a Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology/Resource Management.
He worked in the fishing industry for 15 years as a deckhand, mate, skipper, and consultant, then relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1990 to be near Olympic National Park.
He worked at seaports for nearly 30 years as a planner, project manager, and executive.
When he retired from seaports in 2012 he returned to sea as a merchant sailor for four years, working on various container and military vessels as Able Bodied Seaman and Bosun.
He retired in 2016 to work full time at his writing. Nowadays he hikes in the Olympic National Park whenever he can, cooks for his wife, pesters his grandchildren, and continues to scribble tales.
Available on Amazon
Strong Heart: https://amzn.to/3lsNZmm
Adrift: https://amzn.to/3C7gJrF
Totem: https://amzn.to/3hu346c
The Soul of a Relationship with Melissa Da Silva. We discuss her book Lose Me. Her journey from a toxic relationship to self-acceptance and love. We discuss grieving of love lost.
Melissa Da Silva is a Canadian writer who grew up in Toronto, ON. She went to Humber College for Business.
Melissa's been writing since she was 18. In 2020 she self-published her first book called Lose me. It's about a toxic relationship and the importance of loving yourself. Lose me debuted as a top seller on Amazon. Inspired by her own life events, she hopes people can relate to her relationship struggles and life.
https://www.mdswrites.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mds.writes/
Books available on Amazon by author:
Lose Me
Last Kiss
In this week's episode, we have Sammy Ashe II. He performs a reading of his song "Enemy" sung by Fanesha Fabre. We listen to her singing it and find out what prompted him to write the song, This is an entertaining conversation about everything from music, the Ashe Academy, and how our experiences teach us to help ourselves and others.
Samuel Jonathan Ashe II, better known as Sammy Ashe is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Ashe Academy, a nonprofit focused on addressing the access and opportunity gap for Students of Color pursuing the Arts & STEM fields through mentorship, annual scholarships, and parental engagement. He is also a Marketing Strategist with a passion for Filmmaking, Podcasting, and Songwriting.
In his music career, he has worked with artists like Fanesha Fabre, Stephen James, Cortex Accelera, Danielle Parente, and Mike Georgia to name a few on projects involving songwriting, composing, and producing.
The Ashe Academy
Website: www.theasheacademy.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theasheacademy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theasheacademy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theasheacademy
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/theasheacademy
Connect with Samuel J. Ashe II LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samueljasheii Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/itscousinsammy
This week we discuss why thoughts contradict affirmations. They contradict because we state them but our subconscious mind isn’t believing it. i.e., I am wealthy – my bank account states differently. This is because our negative self-talks are repeated over and over.
EX: Someone annoys you – there will be a thought & an emotion associated with it and we usually repeat something like "I can't believe they did that" and now you have created an affirmation.
We usually read off affirmations like a list with no emotion. I am wealthy, I am safe, I am prosperous, I am healthy, I am loved. No emotion just going through a list.
Affirmations can be difficult to state especially if it’s contradicting an emotional experience
With affirmations and if needed support, you can change your thoughts.
It’s okay to take your time with them.
Taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly helps.
Visualizing being a calm place – the beach, forest, meadow, or bed.
Think of someone or something you love: your family, your friends, a loved one, a pet, your home. Feel that emotion of love.
You’re using affirmations to help change long-standing patterns and beliefs. A good way to bring this change about is to act as if you’ve already succeeded.
Affirmations are effective if stated in the present.
Adding I feel to them – ex: I am wealthy – I feel wealthy, I am loved – I feel loved.
It’s easier to make a change when an emotion is associated with it. Emotions are energy – which helps us with a change.
We’re going to do a meditation with affirmations.
Get yourself into a comfortable position either sitting or laying down and close your eyes.
Breath in – hold – breath out (3x)
Visualize your calming place – waterfront, forest, meadow, backyard wherever you feel calm. Visualize yourself there.
Breath in and hold – breath out and repeat after me
I am loved – I feel loved
I am prosperous – I feel prosperous
I am joyful – I feel joyful
I am safe – I feel safe
I live with passion and purpose, I feel my passion & purpose
I have compassion – I feel compassionate
I am worthy – I feel worthy
I am free – I feel free
I am grateful – I feel grateful
I have abundance – I feel abundance
I am at peace – I feel peaceful
Take a deep breath and welcome back
Have a wonderful day and many blessings.
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
This week our guest is Rick White author of Before & Beyond Understanding. We have a great discussion about grief, life, illness and acceptance of self, our value, and how life changes. With his book, he hopes to have a positive impact on the reader’s life. From his being in the army to dealing with chronic illness, he put his heart into sharing the lessons that have helped him along his personal path.
Rick White - A simple guy with sometimes hard-won and sometimes spiritually provided wisdom - shares what he's learned in a way we can all understand.
From being murderously angry in his youth to talking people down from bad trips at concerts during the years surrounding Woodstock...
From working with friends to get through severe tragedy to profound interactions with those afflicted with homelessness...
The lessons contained in this book are not born of theory and concept… These ideas are from the depths of experience of a man whose search for meaning, humanity, and profundity never ends. Some he discovered on his own, some he received through mentoring, all changed his life.
His only hope is to be able to pay forward the insights and understandings he’s received to as many people as he possibly can.
Get your copy here of Before & Beyond Understanding
This week we have Joachim Brackx. We discuss the self and how our perceptions play an important part in compassion, self-love, and acceptance.
Joachim Brackx was born at the seaside in Belgium and had a successful career as a singer and composer before turning to entrepreneurship. As he healed himself from trauma, grew as a human being, and connected with others and himself more deeply, he decided to help others walk a similar path. This is how the podcast Relating to Self was born, based on the insight that the most important relationship we will ever have is the one we have with ourselves. Joachim also records meditations for Insight Timer, is a member of Sandbox, and leads Vectoria Designs, a crafting company. He is passionate about ethics, compassion, relating, and good food.
http://www.relatingtoself.com/
https://vectoriadesigns.com/
Poetic Resurrection is honored to present Pulitzer Prize finalist, Puerto Rican poet Martin Espada for an intimate and informative conversation. Martin reads his poem Letter to My Father from his book Floaters. We discuss the effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, the people, and especially the town of his father’s birth Utuado. We discussed historical events and perceptions of Puerto Rico and its people in this heartfelt interview.
This episode contains some controversial views.
Martín Espada has published more than twenty books as a poet, editor, essayist, and translator. His new book of poems from Norton is called Floaters. Other books of poems include Vivas to Those Who Have Failed (2016), The Trouble Ball (2011), The Republic of Poetry (2006), and Alabanza (2003). He is the editor of What Saves Us: Poems of Empathy and Outrage in the Age of Trump (2019). He has received the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize*, the Shelley Memorial Award, the Robert Creeley Award, an Academy of American Poets Fellowship, the PEN/Revson Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. The Republic of Poetry was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The title poem of his collection Alabanza, about 9/11, has been widely anthologized and performed. His book of essays and poems, Zapata’s Disciple (1998), was banned in Tucson as part of the Mexican-American Studies Program outlawed by the state of Arizona, and reissued by Northwestern. A former tenant lawyer in Greater Boston, Espada is a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
http://www.martinespada.net/
Frank Espada’s gallery of work: https://www.thefrankespadagalleries.com/
Floaters link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3C6R3fJ
Pulitzer Prize-nominated book Republic of Poetry: https://amzn.to/3fgIu88
*Ruth Lilly Award: Awarded annually, the $100,000 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize honors a living US poet whose lifetime accomplishments warrant extraordinary recognition.
This week on Poetic Resurrection we have Jonathan Troen. We have a lively conversation about the Self-Love Revolution. What it means to learn to love and accept ourselves so we can learn to love and accept others.
Jonathan Troen is a Life Mastery Coach and creator of the Self Love Revolution.
His mission: To help people find the joy inside of themselves.
Jonathan spent 20 years in the music and entertainment business, living the life of his dreams and interviewing the biggest stars in the world. But he still wasn't happy. He also found out, he wasn't alone. So he went on a mission to find out why.
Once he learned the secrets of true happiness and success, he had to share it with others. This was the beginning of the Self Love Revolution.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.SelfLoveRevolution.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathantroen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathantroen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCehyk1DzmlXj8f6VVok6I5w/
Clubhouse: @JonathanTroen
Our guest this week is Dr. Ian Brooks. We had a lively discussion on the process of intention. How the pandemic, perceptions, and beliefs affect our lives and how we can change the characters we created in our story.
His recently released book Intention—Building Capabilities that Transform Your Story is available wherever books are sold.
Dr. Ian Brooks is the chief executive and founder of Rhodes Smith Consulting leading transformations of people and organizations for over 24 years. Ian has extensive experience in executive and leadership development, change management, business performance consulting, and communication planning.
https://rhodessmith.com
https://amzn.to/3rfuroe - Direct book link to Amazon
This week our guest is the amazing Che'Rae Adams. We discuss what it takes to write a good story and how the story germinates from the soul. That inner voice drawing us to write our story. We discuss the concept sentence, the why of writing and even when we write a memoir or solo show there is a beginning, middle, and an end.
Che'Rae Adams is a teacher, director, producer, and dramaturg. She is passionate about writers and helping them to develop their work. In 2006 she started the LA Writers Center which is a membership company designed to germinate and foster new works by Los Angeles-based writers which involves not only the writer, but a team of artists: directors, dramaturges, and actors. Her goal was to provide writers with a safe and nurturing environment in which to read and workshop their work. She lives in Los Angeles with her dog Walter who is spoiled rotten and she would not have it any other way.
http://www.lawriterscenter.org
This visualization meditation is for letting go using nature’s four elements of Water, Fire, Earth, and Air.
Working on letting go of an idea, person, thought, or perception is challenging. By applying the four elements of earth, fire, air, and water in visualizing the obstacle is useful in cleansing it away. Use one subject you’d like to release and approach it. It is best to apply only one issue at a time. You can use this meditation to address other experiences in a different session.
Find a comfortable spot where you won’t be interrupted. You can sit or lay down whichever is best for you. Your comfort is key.
Close your eyes and quiet the mind, breath in… breath out.
Visualize walking barefoot on a welcoming forest path. The earth is cool and inviting as it hugs your feet with loving-kindness. You walk through the path where you smell your favorite flowers and the scent of the loving trees communicating your path to a meadow. The meadow has cushioned grass, and it feels like you’re walking on clouds. The temperature is just right as the gentle air embraces you.
At the meadow, you see a firepit. The fire is controlled and calming as you safely approach the mesmerizing hues with sways of saffron, cardinal, amber with hints of cobalt. Next to the firepit is a table with paper and a pen. You approach the table and write what you’d like to let go. Visualize yourself writing it. Each word, each phrase as you write from your heart. You can visualize writing several pages of the same statement. I will be silent while you take your time.
Once you’re finished, walk over to the firepit. If you created several pages, burn one page at a time. Take a deep breath and throw the page into the fire while reciting “I let you go with love and kindness”, “I let you go with love and kindness”, “I let you go with love and kindness”. State anything else you’d like to address, and express love as the page slowly burns in the fire. Visualize it slowly burning into ashes.
The fire pit is full of ashes as the fire gradually dissipates. Repeat: I let you go with love and kindness. As the ashes lay there, a light breeze drives the ashes away. A gentle rain begins. You feel the water cleansing your aches away. You embrace the rain as it feels peaceful and soothing. You take a moment to enjoy the rain, as it brings a smile to your face.
Forgiveness and letting go are freeing to the soul.
Take a deep breath and slowly breathe out.
Rest for a moment and when you are ready, open your eyes.
May your day be full of gratitude, joy, and blessings.
River Flute by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4713-river-flute
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
This week on Poetic Resurrection we have an informative talk with Trini Rodriguez discussing Native American and Mexican American sweat-lodges and how this brings you closer to your soul. We discuss healing and talking circles and how they facilitate the “self” in becoming “whole” and the Aztec (Sun) calendar and how it guides you to the essence of your character.
Trini Rodriguez (AKA Tlazohteotl) is co-founder and former Executive Director of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore (www.tiachucha.org), a cultural center/bookstore in L.A's San Fernando Valley that transforms community through ancestral knowledge, the arts, literacy, and creative engagement. A former bilingual educator, court interpreter, and newspaper editor, she writes, speaks, and strives for personal and collective healing and systemic social change. Trini facilitates women's healing sweat-lodge and healing circles in Native American and Native Mexican traditions. She and her husband Luis J Rodriguez produce “The Hummingbird Cricket Hour” podcast (http://hummingbirdcricket.libsyn.com/) to explore thoughts and move hearts on pressing matters of life, social change, and philosophy.
This week we have Alex Greenwood. Alex is the host and producer of The Mysterious Goings On podcast in which I had the privilege of being a guest. We had so much fun that I had to have Alex on this week's episode. Please give it a listen. We laugh, joke, and discuss the soul of mystery writing.
Alex Greenwood is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, podcaster, speaker, and former journalist. He is best known as the author of the John Pilate Mysteries and host/producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast and the PR After Hours podcast. Alex is a recognized expert in the fields of public relations, crisis communications, publishing, and writing. He's a radio talk show veteran and fun guest who enjoys a laid-back discussion.
Alex has recorded hundreds of hours of podcasts and made hundreds of appearances on TV, radio, podcasts webinars, and at conferences. Learn more at MGOPod.com.
Alex’s Amazon Author page:
https://amzn.to/2YNAohP
Pilate's Cross Book 1: https://amzn.to/2VF6zPx
Pilate's Key Book 2: https://amzn.to/3EgH20z
Pilate's Ghost Book 3: https://amzn.to/3zjAxXb
The Podcast Option Book: https://amzn.to/2Xfz86q
Mysterious Goings On: https://mgopod.com/
PR After Hours: https://prafterhours.com/
Sonia Lozada Interview: https://mgopod.com/f/the-poetry-of-time-and-acceptance-with-sonia-iris-lozada
Welcome to season two of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. In the first episode of season two, we discuss the Soul Connection with guest Jaclyn Steele and how our soul’s calling intertwines our lives, beliefs, and our connection with others.
Jaclyn Steele is a podcaster (Self Discovery with Jaclyn Steele), blogger (www.jaclynsteele.com), and Self-Discovery Coach. She helps her clients normalize the human experience, create alignment, step into their sense of self-worth, and walk a path of radical self-belief so that they can achieve what they want to in this life.
Podcast: https://jaclynsteele.com/selfdiscoverypod
Welcome to season two of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. This season’s theme is the Journey of the Soul, or as others might call it the higher self, the inner voice, universal knowledge, and inspiration. It’s that inner voice that teaches us our purpose and loves all no matter our differences. It inspires, it’s tolerant, it’s accepting and appreciative.
“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this season we’ll address the soul of love, connection, writing, leadership, acceptance, and the arts and how they influence our daily lives. As always, we will explore perceptions.
Author Om Malik states: Finding your soul begins by discovering our ability to listen! Alternatively, by sharing a smile, a laugh, and just by being human to everyone – from friends, colleagues, family, and especially strangers, including those who are not from the same station in life as you.
Please join Poetic Resurrection and our guests for an inspiring heartfelt journey. Many blessings and here’s a reading of the poem Free Me from Inspire Me: Raw available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nujE9H
Tree swirls in the wind
Releasing fruit
Freeing birds’ soul
Branches dance in light
Solace in paradise
Fancies a thriving life
Skylight warmth encases
Sheltered white chamber
A sparrow flies
Spreading wings, so inviting
Enticing and impressive
Lyrical messages soar
Engulfed in peace and comfort
Sprouting new light
Freeing tree of old souls
Liberating us
A rebirth exchange pact
Made from the beginning
Contract fulfilled
Immortal? No. Bliss awaits
Music: Bensound - Relaxing
This poetry book came into being from dreams and meditations. Below is an excerpt from the introduction and a reading of Sacred Land of Wishes and Dreams. Each stanza stands on its own and the last stanza in the book brings the entire poetry collection together.
FOLLOW: Akashic Dreaming Through Time captures the essence of life and its difficulties in continuing to pursue our beliefs even though they might no longer serve us throughout our lives.
Every stanza emulates the traveling soul. The individuals’ experiences from anger to forgiveness and acceptance which guides us home.
Sacred Land of Wishes & Dreams
Grinding of mortar and pestle matches the passing steam engine train’s sound. Healing herbs swish in frantic anticipation of healing the starburst wounds of paleface rifles. The humble love of Earth while land condenses under other’s domination. Sorrow for sacred land of wishes and dreams. Mix Trail of Tear's elixir into the unknown earth. I followed.
Amazon direct link to FOLLOW: Akashic Dreaming Through Time
Music Credit:
The River Song by Michael Longrider
Album: Water is Life – Mni Wiconi
Native American Music Awards
Lester Seven Star Greenwood & Michael Longrider
https://nativeamericanmusicawards.com/free-music
Thank you and welcome to season one recap. This has been a great and knowledgeable season. I started doing this podcast to help others ask self-reflecting questions and in interviewing the amazing guests, I’m the one that has acquired knowledge. I want to thank all my listeners for tuning in to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. It has been a blessing on the great response we’ve had. I’d like to thank the following podcast guests who have made the podcast informative and I appreciate their expertise.
Nancy Hinman
Martina Reisz Newberry
Barb Moses
Luis Javier Rodriquez
Dominey Drew
Corine LaFont
Isabella Lozada
Evelyn Lozada Eccard
Maryam Ghouth
And Lindani Njie
Please stay tuned for season 2 where we will discuss the soul and the passion associated with art, writing, spirituality, and life. In the meantime, please enjoy the weekly poetry readings.
Poetic Resurrection is honored to have leadership advocate and poet Lindani Njie. We had a great conversation about leadership and how with poetry life can be empowering. Lindani reads his powerful poem The Shadow Leads -is an attempt to expand on leadership outsides the narrow definitions that exclude women. He wanted to touch on transformational leadership, inclusive leadership, leadership as a software, and the leadership that matters. This creative piece is intended to recognize the role women play in society and recognize them as leaders, change-makers, and innovators.
On May 25, 2021, the Voices of Victory album will be released. Please check out the event at: https://www.iamlindani.com/events
This is a direct link to The Shadow Leads video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZilaDbNHZE
Lindani Njie is a youth and leadership advocate, writer, speaker, and creative. At the core of his work, he highlights the importance of leadership and purpose in life. He is a firm believer in using his voice and abilities as a catalyst that ignites action in others. Being a part of the UK’s Police Now organization allows him to play an influential role in the development of police officers and their purpose in various regions of the UK.
Lindani uses his voice, ability, and creative eye to uplift and bring awareness to issues affecting his culture and the African continent.
Connect with Lindani Njie at https://www.iamlindani.com
Instagram @iamlindani
Twitter @iamlindani
Tiktok @iamlindani
Clubhouse @iamlindani
Written by Lindani Njie
Produced by MDK Media
In this episode, we discuss the three-part poetry film Journey of Becoming. A reading of the poem Your Autonomy, (part I) of ‘The Journey of Becoming’, which is a series of philosophical poetry films about self-realization. The purpose behind this film is to describe the struggles we face when we step away from the trodden path to follow our own unique path.
Maryam Ghouth is of Persian, Saudi, Scottish heritage and leads a quiet life in Dubai where she spends most of her time reading, writing, recording, and creating poetry films.
She composes and narrates stories about different facets of the human experience in collaboration with musicians, artists, and filmmakers to create immersive audio tracks, poetry films, and experiential art.
The topics she covers range from existential crises to love and the fear of loss. She combines the tenets of psychology with the big questions of philosophy, challenges social narratives, ponders existential unknowns, and gives voice to the raw emotions undulating the human condition.''
https://www.maryamghouth.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7fngt9nIec (direct link to the poem film Your Autonomy.)
https://www.instagram.com/maryamghouth/?hl=en
Knowing yourself and how to address others in various facets of life is what this week’s episode explains. Evelyn Lozada Eccard discusses how to choose the correct job/position which works with your personality. We discuss various topics from employment, and how to prep yourself with knowledge and understanding to help you on your next job interview. An informative episode for job searchers or a better work environment in their current position.
Evelyn Lozada Eccard is the founder of Bravo Leadership International. She named the company after listening to a friend continually yelling out "Bravo, Bravo" at a tennis tournament. When the player won, she purposely looked for that solo voice yelling "Bravo" and rewarded him by tossing him a tennis ball. She appreciated him and his encouragement throughout the game. That's when Evelyn knew the name BRAVO was perfect for her business. Evelyn states "My intention is to up-level people's mindsets through training and coaching and helps them become a better version of themselves. I want to cheer them on. Bravo! Bravo!"
Evelyn is a certified John Maxwell Team member and has been a Trainer, Speaker, and Coach for over 20 years. She specializes in coaching, leadership, and communication training.
Bravo believes in maintaining a positive mindset, creating long-term partnerships with a purpose, developing all levels in an organization, and always striving for significant outcomes. When working with Bravo, you should expect a collaboration with transparency and consistency.
https://www.bli.life
As an actor and singer for many years there’s been a trend. I practice and memorize my lines to give a performance. I sometimes nail the audition and wonder what went wrong when I don’t book the job. Self-doubt and the array of questions. Am I too short, too overweight, too skinny, too tall, am I talented? I need the job to pay my bills/rent. As Matthieu Ricard writer and Buddhist Monk state: Anyone who enjoys inner peace is no more broken by failure than he is inflated by success.
We ask so many questions about an audition and yet, we have no control over the outcome. If we did our best and were true to ourselves and the character – this is where our commitment ends. We are enough. We’re empathic beings putting our heart and soul into our art. If we continue thinking, how could I have done the performance differently we dwell in the past. We can’t change the past. The pandemic caused many of us artists, to evaluate our decisions, our passions, and our worth. Know that you are enough. You have value and you are powerful. Keeping your power and relinquish the perception of what life should be. Life is smoother if you allow it to thrive. Quiet the mind and allow your soul to speak. What happens will happen – our will can only cover our own lives.
Two quotes From The Diary for Life
To be happy you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real and accept yourself as you are because you are already enough. Don’t lose your today while chasing your forever.
Make sure you’re in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Take a deep breath, hold for the count of four and release to the count of six. Repeat three times.
I am enough
I feel I am enough
I have value
I feel my value
I am powerful
I accept my power
I am passionate
I feel passionate
I feel the soul of the character
I am the soul of the character
I am Joyful
I feel joyful
I am happiness
I feel happy
I am compassionate
I feel compassion
I am a pure soul
I feel my soul is pure
If your mind starts to wander bring it back to the breath.
Repeat 2 more times
Much love and blessings.
Music by:
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In this episode, we interview my niece Isabella Lozada. I wanted to get the perspective of a teenager and their thoughts regarding the pandemic before and after.
Isabella Lozada is a sophomore in high school. She enjoys playing lacrosse and hanging out with her friends. Her interests are in advertising and acting, and she plans on further pursuing them.
In this episode, we discuss perceptions of the mind and how our thoughts create our behavior. We visit the soul and how our beliefs can block us. Some suggestions on exploring your perceptions. The poem Alone from Inspire Me: Perception is read.
Alone Sitting on a solid branch
There’s clarity and confusion, just staring out
No movement in the muddled-
Beauty of branches and options
Perceiving thoughts of entangled leaves
Do I proceed into the unknown?
Can there be escape, once entered?
What’s there?
The mind tangles the web of life for us
Clarity holds thin branches, which
Negates the weight of experiences
Therefore, I sit still—frozen
Loneliness, chirping for attention
No sounds, utters, or voices
Ignored
Then movement
A lonely soul approaches
Understanding the perched cry
Holding strong on the solid branch
I’m heard, companion approaches
Kind eyes of sympathy
Warm white glow of self
Listened to anger of
Discontent and fear
Flying away
Above the tree of misperceptions
Where it’s all clear
Where the heart breathes
Music by:
Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Corine LaFont’s experiences and how she overcame toxicity in her life with self-acceptance and self-compassion.
Corine La Font is a PR practitioner, Speaker, Podcaster, Author, and Business Coach. She's an island girl to the core and resides in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago after living in Jamaica for 21 years. She loves dancing, Latin, and Ballroom and believes in living life in its full glory!
You can listen to her podcast on Anchor and Spotify
https://anchor.fm/between-the-lines-network
https://open.spotify.com/show/6p3JZrz42hrRhUkVTzYl6J?si=_82tUyVFT8OsC4-bownzVQ
This week's guest is Dominey Drew. Listen to this fun and informative episode. We discuss experiences and expectations in relationships. We talk about various gender misconceptions and stories that might derail a relationship.
She has offered a free call to our listeners. Let her know you heard her on Poetic Resurrection. Contact her at DomineyDrew.com.
Dominey is the premiere in personal and relationship coaching. Her direct, intuitive approach is unlike anything else in the industry - she solves in mere minutes issues that people have struggled with for decades. She's been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and ThriveGlobal for her work, and loves nothing more than facilitating powerful transformation for her clients.
Over her 18 years of experience and research in this field, Dominey has discovered a powerful, proven process to eradicate negative patterns in a matter of weeks. By using it herself she has transformed more completely than even she ever thought possible. Everything from her mindset, negative self-talk (completely gone), happiness level (from a 3 to a 10), physical body shape (weight loss), self-confidence, and success of both relationships and business was wildly transformed.
Most people spend their lives struggling unnecessarily, never realizing that their struggle is self-created, or how to stop it. They are frustrated, lonely, unable to move past the glass ceiling that’s holding them back. When in reality, one simple inner shift can shatter it and launch them forward into effortless success. So after using this process herself to overcome the most profound insecurities and self-sabotaging habits, there is no problem Dominey isn’t equipped to solve.
Today, this is her passion and her life’s work. Welcome, to the next step of your evolution.
https://domineydrew.com/
The perception discussion for this week is love & acceptance.
Love
First, we’re going to discuss love. What does love mean to you? There are many types of love. Love for your parents, family, and children. Love for the extended family which includes friends.
Love is both a noun and a verb. It is being and is an action.
“It is true of our self-actualizing people that they now love and are loved… they have the power to love and the ability to be loved.”—Abraham Maslow
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse which differs from the love of food. Most commonly, love refers to a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment. Wikipedia.
“We cannot will love, but we can will to open ourselves to the chance, we can conceive of the possibility—which… sets the wheels in motion.” Rollo May.
To be and feel loved is one of the most precious emotions we can experience. The lost of love can leave us empty and incomplete. Feeling lost, unloved and critical of ourselves comes from a lack of self-acceptance. A study at Queens University in Canada found we have 6200 thoughts a day and the National Science Foundation states 80% are negative. Now we know why it’s difficult to change.
Many of us have love and felt our world was over or the rug pulled from under us when we lose someone we love. Be it a partner moving on or losing a loved one too soon. Either way, grief is felt. Allowing ourselves to grieve and understand and accept the grieving process is key to us being able to move on. Acceptance helps us.
Acceptance
What is acceptance? The Merriam-Webster definition: the act or state of accepting oneself: the act or state of understanding and recognizing one's own abilities and limitations.
Maya Angelou wrote: “I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself.”
Acceptance is forgiveness of self. It’s an act of excusing ourselves of a perceived mistake. What causes us to feel inadequate to the point we find self-forgiveness unacceptable. It could be:
Not feeling intelligent.
Feeling unlovable
Feeling unattractive
Feeling insecure
Feeling like you’re not good enough
As you notice the previous statement’s keyword, which is FEELING. Your perceptions make you feel this way. Doesn’t mean you are these feelings.
Wayne Dyer wrote: If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Acceptance is difficult if you have had many negative self-talk.
I felt I wasn’t good enough when it came to relationships, appearance, and sometimes talent. My plus was there were parts of me I was accepting of. I knew I was intelligent. Maybe not Einstein's intelligence, but I knew the world around me. I was aware of my environment. I just had an empathic sense for it. And I was blessed with loving parents. Having loving people in our lives makes challenges bearable. There is a sense of security when you feel loved. I took more chances.
Love doesn’t need to come from family. It can be friends and others.
Nathaniel Branden states: “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
This is so true; how can you be aware of a situation if you don’t see a perception exists?
I once had someone say well, you know how I am. What does that mean? So, you’re aware, but using your awareness as an excuse to keep acting out a behavior? Hum, doesn’t sound right, but I’m not here to change or judge.
Peter Lindbergh wrote: “I’m firmly convinced that true beauty only springs from the acceptance of oneself, from an awareness of who we really are.”
Asking questions before we judge ourselves or others.
Who am I? I guess that depends on the day. I’m a work in progress.
Why do we feel this way?
Sometimes, we just have to step back from a difficult situation and ask ourselves why. Let me tell you, those are difficult questions to ask when you’re emotional. Hope and asking self-reflecting questions can give you peace of mind.
The poem for this week is SELF from Inspire Me: Perception:
Perplexing stillness
Lost in cosmos of beliefs
Concepts—Old movies flash
Abstract intentions
The past is past—face it
Embark to unveil behavior
Evolving blossom
Efflorescing history
Conjuring spells of soul
Cubical cage of
Anxiety soars
Halts transformation
Conflicted thoughts
Tension of Id & Ego
No more, no more
Reticent shrieks
Guidepost confusions
Deceit impacts meditations
Metaphysics
Vanishing sage
Contemplation finale
Old beliefs release soul
Heart opens, engages
A benevolent self
River Flute by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4713-river-flute
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
This week we have the community activist and Los Angeles Poet Laureate 2014-2016 Luis J Rodriguez. We discuss his beautiful and moving poem entitled Make a Poem Cry. We're honored to have this special never published reading of the poem along with an in-depth conversation about the incarcerated, their beliefs, and culture. This interview sheds new light on not only their lives but our perceptions of them.
Luis Javier Rodriguez has 16 books in all genres, including eight in poetry. His latest poetry book is "Borrowed Bones" (2016 Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press). He has won a Lila Wallace-Readers' Digest Writers Award, a Passaic Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement, a Lannan Poetry Fellowship, and more. He garnered fellowships from Los Angeles, California, Illinois, Chicago, and North Carolina. He is the founding editor of Tia Chucha Press, which publishes poetry collections and anthologies, now for over 30 years. For forty years he's done poetry readings, talks, and healing circles as well as creative writing workshops in prisons, jails, and juvenile lockups. From 2014-2016, he served as Los Angeles' official Poet Laureate.
https://www.luisjrodriguez.com/
https://www.tiachucha.org/
https://hchpodcast.libsyn.com/
Discussion of possessions and our relationship with them and how it's difficult to let go of our beliefs and perceptions. A reading of the poem "Tomorrow" from Inspire Me: Perception.
I started meditating several years ago. I wanted to do it for many years but my mind keeps going to my to-do list. Thinking about the day or what could I have done or said differently. I realized that I just needed to replace those thoughts with a place that brings me joy. The forest, the ocean, somewhere in nature that calmed me. Finding that happy place to visualize. Growing up I have felt lack and I thought possessions were the answer even though whatever I purchased was exciting and made me happy for a very limited amount of time. Then I had to store it. Gratitude for what I have and realizing I had so much more than I thought...
Tomorrow If I was to die tomorrow Would I have organized my home Would I had left my paperwork in order Would I have made it easier for my family
If I was to die tomorrow Would I have followed and completed my dreams Would I have loved the way I wanted to love Would I have visited the world like I wanted to
If I was to die tomorrow Would I have told those that I loved that I love them Would I have seen the beauty in my own life Can I say that I lived my life to its fullest
If I was to die tomorrow Would I have lived today Would I have loved differently Would I have felt my life was complete
If I would die tomorrow A sadness would be there to Know I wasted so much time Afraid of the unknown
If I was to die tomorrow I would make the unknown—known I’d face the unknown I was so afraid of As I chose my life today with strength and joy
Music:
Dreaming In by Unicorn Heads
“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
How do we control anger when it isn't healthy to hold onto it? Letting go - can be easier said than done and holding onto anger, hurt, and disappointment doesn't help us. Finding ways that work with our being is important.
“Reality is ultimately a selective act of perception and interpretation. A shift in our perception and interpretation enables us to break old habits and awaken new possibilities for balance, healing, and transformation.” David Simon
The is the poem KNOW from my third book “Inspire Me: Perception”
Chasing anger and cornered it. A fearful, sad beast faces me as I approached and see terror in its eyes. I held their hand and anger’s calm. I’m sorry I enslaved you for so long. Holding you in my rigid heart. You were banging on the walls trying to escape but I blamed you. I’m sorry. I thought you were hurting me and yet you were just trying to escape. To let me be and I resisted. Lacking knowledge of your truths and now I know. Here you stand before me afraid as the child who created you. Choking the past without comfort. I hold your hand and liberate you. My sorrow is great as life’s whispers confess. I love you and let you go. Embracing you tight, releasing with love. Thank you, fear.
Many blessings.
For more in-depth information on anger, check out the links below.
- https://meditativemind.org/root-causes-anger-ego-fear-frustration/
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/strategies-controlling
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-lies-and-conflict/201711/your-body-is-the-root-your-rage
Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soul License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Merry Go Round from Inspire Me: Raw
The freedom of a carousel
Excited a horse ride at Riverview
Along ago pleasure - slips away
-merry go round
Just as my past, it’s now closed
Childhood memories longing to embrace
Protected behind steel gates and chains
-of a vivid lifetime
Don’t grow up to fast!
Parents advised
Run, play and laugh
Maturity interfered
-games changed
Hand-carved wooden horses
Painted red, blue, white, and gold
Others were of assorted colors
-those were the ones I chose
Safety in innocence
Fun to be carefree
Living life with joy
-at the Merry Go Round
Amazement by Freedom Trail Studio
Poetic Resurrection Episode 4 Perceptions of Joy with Barb Moses. An introspective view of how gratitude and self-acceptance affect Joy.
Barb Moses is the Founder and CEO of High5 Leadership, who created this business with one purpose in mind – inspiring others to change THEIR worlds, so together they will change THE world.
Barb is a businesswoman with the heart of a hippie. She is a trainer, speaker, writer, and coach who inspires individuals and business groups to escape mediocrity igniting real results for their lives and businesses. She teaches and writes about how to live a life on purpose and do work you are proud of! Together with High5’s corporate clients, Barb is creating a business culture of people who are courageous, self-confident, decisive, trusting, kind, compassionate and of course Joy!
When resting from all this awesomeness, Barb enjoys her home in San Diego with her kitty Willow, where she is a workout queen. And, not to sound like a singles ad, enjoys her walks on the beach.
https://www.high5leadership.com/
This meditation can be listened to at any time and has a bohemian feel. You can listen or repeat after each phrase
Breathing in – breathing out
The gratitude of my being, the love from my soul flourishes as I know I am enough.
I am love – I feel loved
I am grateful for who I am
I am grateful for the people in my life
I am loving and caring of myself
I am of pure soul and joy
I am enough
My life is a gift and I appreciate it
When I feel hurt or discouraged it’s my soul nudging me towards right path.
I am an ever-blooming flower whose stages of growth are beautiful
I am grateful for all that I have
My stance shows I am enough
I am confident and I stand tall
The gratitude of my being, the love from my soul flourishes as I know I am enough.
I am love – I feel loved
I am grateful for who I am
I am grateful for the people in my life
I am loving and caring of myself
I am of pure soul and joy
I am enough
My life is a gift and I appreciate it
When I feel hurt or discouraged it’s my soul nudging me towards right path.
I am an ever-blooming flower whose stages of growth are beautiful
I am grateful for all that I have
My stance shows I am enough
I am confident and I stand tall
Many blessings
Lotus by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5046-lotus
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
A reading of the poem “Subsequence” from Blues for French Roast with Chicory. We discuss the suffix “ess”, ageism and creativity and how it affects the perceptions of being. Cultural perceptions on age and value are explored.
Martina Reisz Newberry has been writing for 60 years. A passionate lover of Los Angeles, she currently lives there with her husband, Brian Newberry, a Media Creative.
Martina Reisz Newberry’s most recent book is BLUES FOR FRENCH ROAST WITH CHICORY, (Deerbrook Editions). She is also the author of NEVER COMPLETELY AWAKE, (May 2017, Deerbrook Editions). WHERE IT GOES (Deerbrook Editions). LEARNING BY ROTE (Deerbrook Editions) and RUNNING LIKE A WOMAN WITH HER HAIR ON FIRE: Collected Poems (Red Hen Press)
Newberry has been included in It Happened Under Cover, Ascent Aspirations’ first two hard-copy anthologies, also in the anthologies In The Company Of Women, Blessed Are These Hands and Veils,, The Charles Carter Anthology, and Halos & Shackles: International Poetry on the Oppression and Empowerment of Women. She has been widely published in literary magazines such as: The Amaranth Review, Assisi, Ascent Aspirations, Blue Nib, Arabesque Review, Bella, Burning Word, Connotation Press, Cape Rock, The Cenacle, Eunoia Review, Journal of Applied Poetics, Two Hawks Quarterly, Wilderness House Literary Review, Pennsylvania Literary Review, and others in the U.S. and abroad.
She has been awarded residencies at Yaddo Colony for the Arts, Djerassi Colony for the Arts, and at Anderson Center for Disciplinary Arts.
In this episode, we discuss perceptions of trauma and how our beliefs affect our behavior and emotional state. Alternative practices are addressed for helping oneself.
Nancy Hinman, Ph.D., LMFT is a doctor in Depth Psychology with an emphasis in Psychotherapy. She received her Ph.D. in Depth Psychology from Pacific Graduate Institute and received her MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Her research interest is in the importance of the body reaction in psychotherapy and in facilitating the opening to one’s personal depths; to unravel the defenses that have been unconsciously built to protect one’s essence from feeling. She encompasses various healing techniques to help unravel the unconscious knots that have tied up a client’s spirit.
https://www.nancyhinmantherapy.com/
A reading of the poem Silhouette from Inspire Me: Perception and a commentary of the true story behind the traumatic poem.
Silhouette A dark shadow appears–soul shakes, the body suspends. A story of an altered spirit who’ll manifest soon in the deepest of night. Shadow essence two-week visit encompasses my thoughts and sleep. If present, she’ll be safe. Who do you speak of spirit? A man’s silhouette in the early morning as the streetlights gleam upon glistening muscle tone. The sun peeks as my roommate dreams, unconscious of his gaze. In the darkness, a gun rises in his hand, aims at roommate’s head. Silence takes over as the smoke aura scars her fate. Dream propels my slumber and go to her room, “If I’m present, she’ll be safe”, repeats. Sunlight dances on my face as the night’s story whispers away. She awakens, “Had that dream again, didn’t you?” Yes. Three full moons calendar the sky. Gotham called for her home, she’s safe. Chitown childhood friends summer evening visit—Sunset Strip. Summer heat, sleep half nude as evening completes at midnight. Vocal and joyful friends jest of a man at the window where the drapes bellow. Amusement drains the night as the muscles gleaming silhouette appears. She runs into my bedroom, gun points at third eye—forced out of comfort into the lifeless living room. Essence extends my body as I guard the front door. “Think you’re going somewhere? He shouts. Gun points to sit by piano. The silent melody piano bench where I abide. “On the floor” he casts me as he bares my skin from sheet. Little sister weeps and window slams, fearing discovery of his carnal acts. Guilt survival mission defuses the present. Escaping—leap two steps—first landing. Leap again, gun at head. Blinding movie screen of my life flashes steals my sight. Land on corner of step and propelled onto the ground. “Not dying, not tonight!” Street or parking lot? A straight shot I will not be as I hide besides cars until I can jump concrete fence–divides the building. Footsteps dissipate. The blood curling screams echo in the distance. Climb many staircases and a man stands with two dogs. “Please call the police.” I beg. “I think my friend’s dead.” His girlfriend’s pink robe drapes a childhood fear. We hide. Police state, “stay inside”. Helicopters beaming lights, treble sirens and watchful dogs ease chaotic street. An hour and a half, a knock. Police state: “He escaped—assaults another woman and stole her car”. Friends approach in a cloud of disbelief sobbing. They heard my fall, calling–no answer and saw my death in his hands. Police, he’ll return. Neighbor held us safe, and we slept on her floor. My scarred friends left the next day. Never went back, he never paid. Warning of silhouette but I didn’t understand. Premonition and it’s real impact. Checking doors and windows for a year but I know I saved my friends because—I was there.
A String Of Hope by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7077-a-string-of-hope
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
This meditation can be done at any time
Trauma meditation
This affirmation meditation can be done at any time but is suggested to do it in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. If you find it too relaxing please do not listen while driving or handling heavy machinery. If your time and focus permits feel the love coming from your heart center. Think of someone or something that brings you love or joy, a person, a place, a pet and repeat the affirmations.
“Bad things do happen, how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.” – Walter Anderson
Talk a deep breath and breathe out slowly.
(repeat 3 times)
I am Safe, I feel safe
I have value – I see value in others
I accept who I am, I accept others
I am patient with my healing
I am not alone; my life is abundant
I am not my trauma – I am enough
I see beauty in myself and others
I am healing. I feel the healing.
When I fall down, I bounce back up again.
I am kind to myself. I am kind to others.
Much love and blessings.
A String Of Hope by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7077-a-string-of-hope
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
A 5-minute meditation on hope with affirmations coinciding with the podcast Perceptions of Hope.
What is being hopeful? Waiting for an event or situation to work out for us. To hope that we can have control over a situation outside of us, which is out of our control. Let's have hope help us. Help quiet the mind. Bring a smile. A warm feeling in this moment. Hope lightens a stressful time. It's a feeling of freedom from a current challenging event.
And as author Laini Taylor stated... “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.”
Make sure you're in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. Either sitting up with straight spine, hands-on lap, or lying down with palms facing up, in an open gesture for accepting.
Comfort is key. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through the nose expanding your belly for a count of 4 and hold for the count of 4 and slowly release to the count of 4.
Two more times.
Now focus on your natural breathing.
I am hope I feel hopeful
I love and accept myself
I love and accept others
I am safe I feel safe
I am strong I feel strong
I am compassion I feel compassion
If your mind starts wondering it’s okay just bring your focus back to the breath. (repeat affirmations 2 more times)
Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale take your time and open your eyes. May this beautiful day be filled with hope and compassion. Many blessings
Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Perceptions of Hope
Here we are in 2021. It's a new beginning, let's start this year right. What gives you hope? A change in belief systems? A change in self? Writing New Year resolutions that honestly most of us don’t keep.
“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” – Barbara Kingsolver
Music
After the Fall - Purple Planet
Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Hello and welcome to the Poetic Resurrection podcast I'm your host Sonia Iris Lozada.
In this podcast series, we will discuss various subjects about perceptions with little humor. It's our way of having fun as we learn to ask self-reflecting questions. No particular belief systems are going to be addressed, just experiences, information, and quotes about perceptions. Tune In to our episodes where will have some guests and concepts covering different perceptions in various genres and mediums. Be it books, philosophy, psychology, music, film, and then we’ll end with a poem. A separate meditation will be recorded in conjunction with several podcast presentation.
Butterflies and Zebras Written by Rick Sippel, Gina Amador, Teo Manzella, Rocky Quintana, Steve Lunn Performed by The Blue Cherries Courtesy of Silent Bay Entertainment