Being You

Growth isn’t linear. It never has been. Yet sometimes it feels like others expect more of us than is reasonable to give. Sometimes it seems the height of “arriving” to your finish line is just elusive enough to make you feel crazy. I HATE that feeling. Of questioning whether the progress and growth you feel is real or imagined. Of knowing you’re improving but constantly being challenged and second-guessing yourself because of it. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve written any poetry, but I took to that medium tonight to empty my heart out. ❤️ I’m sharing to be brave. I shared my pain so freely, and I need to continue to share the growth journey equally so. Here it goes... 

What’s left to do when you’ve run out of “try”

When you’ve given until empty and can’t even cry 

When you’re broken, discouraged, and never enough

Out of hope and weary with things getting worse

Knocked off track when you thought you were fine

Devastated to learn you weren’t towing the line 

You’ve imagined your progress, no one else can see

Your loved ones are blinded from hard fought victories 

You’re the only one who knows the growth that you’ve made 

Your control that you’ve gained or the prayers that you’ve prayed 

You’re forever defined by mistakes of the past 

And broken reputations are the only ones that last

You can’t seem to overcome what’s long held you down

Angry words and criticisms endlessly abound

You want to break out of this prison inside

To make meaning to all of the tears that you’ve cried 

To know that your efforts have not been in vain

And that others can see you bloom from the pain

Your heart longs for comfort and meaningful praise,

Words of encouragement to brighten your days,

And the peace that could be, if only it were true 

That you were just fine, simply perfect being you.