Tag: poet

My Testimony

 

close up colors landscape picture“The Lord is my Shepard – I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me besides the still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me to paths of righteousness.”

He makes me. He leads me. He restores me.

There was no other way. Every day and especially come night, I had a relationship with God – he came in to protect me. When I think of my childhood I think of my Mother. She had an energy about her that gave me safety. Even when her environment was unsafe, my Mother didn’t allow fear to cross her. Gods protection reminded me of my Mom, but I knew with Gods protection that it wasn’t just me that was kept safe, it was both her and I, my sister, my Father, everyone surrounding me – which made my relationship with God a priority. It’s as if he came to me and I surrendered. I knew that all would be okay as long as I followed this feeling and trusted a higher form of care. As a kid our relationship felt like the greatest, private tale of all time, yet it was real. It was existing, sometimes a gut feeling – I didn’t know precisely what this love was, but I knew I would never move in the opposite direction. And it carried me all the way to the next chapters of my life. When I think of my life and the testimony that belongs to me, there is not a certain moment that was a defining moment. My testimony has lived within me since I came to understand the safety that followed after I allowed God to take care of my family and I. Prayer would blossom out of me. I wasn’t taken to church religiously, but my mind understood the beautiful, miraculous wonders that something much larger had to of been the Creator. I wasn’t religious in terms of following a set of rules but I had an undeniable, personal relationship that I embrace to this day. Spirituality is my movement. Everyone around me knew that my experiences were outside the ordinary for a child my age, I grew up fast. I had no other choice, the same way God came in and took care of my life. Our safety. He made me lay down, rest, and realize he was the only one who could restore all of the hurt, fight and confusion.

My mom received a phone call, I heard the detective on the other line tell her to turn around, they found him. “Where is he?” My Mother asked. The detective responded and told her he would speak to her in person. I pushed my head into the seat and prayed the hardest I’ve ever prayed in my life. In that moment I felt the presence of God surround my being. It was clarification, understanding and knowing that the feeling I’ve been feeling, came over my body in full. I was no longer having just a taste of what my relationship was, I became fulfilled. I prayed so hard I could barely breathe. It was my initial reaction, to speak to God. To let him know that I am here. I am with him. He let me know he was with me.

“Please. Let him be okay.” I whispered. I would soon find out that he was. He was no longer in pain. No longer addicted. No longer fighting control. As I prayed, I felt as if my Dad was taking my hair, tucking it behind my ear, rocking me back and forth, telling me, “I am okay. And you will be too. Your mom. Your sister. The days to come. The man who will fill in. I am not far, I am here with you. I hear you, not in the way I used to. But you are all knowing and you will never go a day without my attention.”

The rest of the night is a blur. It could have been the tears covering my eyes or the sound of the scream I heard from my Mom when the detective told her they found my father dead. I stayed in the car when she went in to have the conversation. Looking at my sister in her car seat I wondered how this could be. Tears fell from my face, my sister in my arms. This was now my battlefield. His hurt is gone and ours will worsen for some time. But because God is with me, I will never fail, the pain will not last, understanding will come over my heart, it will take years but it will come. I will never lose sight of the proof that we have a protective God. My fathers death was a grudge that I held for awhile. Sadness turned into anger and anger turned into anxiety.

I fought to forgive my Father for all he has missed and all he will miss out on, for the love I poured from my small being, feeling as if I could have done better… Wishing I would have done more… I forgave him. For making my Mother a warrior, not because she wanted to be but because she had to be, she was a survivor while sometimes feeling like she was losing. I forgave him for leaving. He left me with the most powerful lesson. He didn’t leave me empty handed and I often wonder if he as well, had a relation with God that offered pure peace. It took me a long time to realize this. He introduced the purest, most powerful love. And this is where my strength comes from, the relationship I had with God as a young age. It wasn’t because of the experiences I went through but because of the faith my small being had. Sometimes we go through ultimate darkness so we are made to kneel down, to have one choice but to give ourselves to the one who holds reason and I made the choice to do so. Even when it didn’t make sense, it does now. And I understand that I have been encountering God in special ways ever since.

With arms wide open and a broken heart, anger in my soul, misunderstanding when happiness was present, unknowingly defending all pain, carefully taking myself out of joyful situations because it felt too good to be true, I remembered that this is not what God would want for me. And most certainly not my Father, who wished with his entire being – to give me the very best. I not only forgave my Dad. I forgave myself and let the weights drift from my shoulders. I let go and let God in, again, again and again. And each time I would find that same feeling of guidance, fulfillment, a sense that I was being waited for. Restoration occurred and I am now the woman I am today because of the witness I grew up to be. There is no other way, there is no other choice, God is the center of my life, and the reason as to why the gospel I take in is so moving.

I pray that those who have their own testimony share their voice with others. I pray that those receiving, dance to the gospel.

I pray that those who have not had the opportunity to experience such a relationship, open their hearts and realize the rest will follow.

Trust in this.

The rest will follow.

-Sadianne Joyce

“It takes courage to give voice to what we experience, the way a coyote howls: not just out of hunger, but out of visceral joy at being a part of the infinite secret revealed. In this way, we’re angels wrapped in skin and fur, racing through thicket after thicket because we sense what can’t be seen all around us.” -M. Nepo

Building Tables Instead of Walls

If someone doesn’t relate to the amount of emotion I feel, I will not discredit them. My spirit will remain touched. My source of passion comes from a place of love, and I’ve always said my love is my strongest quality. I will always inform from a place of sincerity and I will always speak when it is beneficial to the quiet that lingers.

I often have to ease into my thoughts before becoming overwhelmed. Empathy, as wonderful as it is to have, no one warns you that it hurts. I once felt that my level of empathy was a problem, especially when I was feeling for scenarios and people that didn’t relate to me personally. I am realizing that this is not a personal problem, it’s a worldly problem and I’m feeling with reason. I feel because I am reacting and I am reacting to something very real. If I could, I’d take away my emotion by taking away the problems – But until the problems are gone, I will continue to feel. I wont be afraid to express and show why my body hurts for others or why my voice speaks for those who are too tired. I will listen although I may not understand. I’ve once been asked how I stay so positive, and it’s not that I never have bad days, or that I never feel down, because I do. Instead I do my best to focus on love over the hate. And sometimes love is taking the time to unravel why something escalates and explodes. Sometimes feeling hurts, but to feel is to heal.

I once read something written by Dr.Powell that comforted me and made me feel validation and connection to others that may relate. “When your body responds to it being cold by the hair standing up, or if you get that gut feeling that something isn’t quite right, your body does a very good job of telling you when something isn’t right. The feeling of anger, frustration, and rage that accompanies moments like this – it’s when we don’t feel it, when we’ve become so numb, habituated, or normalized to it, that’s when we know that there is a problem.”

I won’t build walls, I will build tables – and then I will ask all people, of all backgrounds, religion, genders and races to join me over existence in true communion. I wish to continue my walk into life as a safe place, a support system, a home for comfort and compassion.

Lord I pray, that throughout our living earth we see each other and feel each other as one. Ignite our hearts in places of expression, emotion and change. Let us come together in peace, but in strength. Let us understand that one wrong man doesn’t mirror every man. Let us speak for those who no longer can, let us change the world together and for the better by believing that we can. Let us exchange love and pass each other in love. Let us be reminded that through all things, you Lord, created us to be capable.

Amen.

When we factor the lives of each other, embrace our differences and our conditions of existence, we can stand as one.

We don’t have to fight each other.

We can fight together.

-Sadianne Joyce

Diving Deeper

My mind wandered across the beach, my thoughts upon the waves, washing clean and back to shore. My feet were cool, resting past the surface level of sand. My body being warmed by the sun, and even more so from the love I felt from the man sitting next to me.

I’ve always dreamed about living a life I wouldn’t need to vacation from. I thought to myself, when I can say this, I’ll know I’ve made it. But something about this moment shifted something for me. I watched the birds dive deep into the ocean and with determination to gather, they would come up – fulfilled. This made sense to me.

The palm trees swaying and children laughing. Birds can always be observed if we look up once in awhile. A page from my book dancing in the wind, reminding me of my attention drifting elsewhere. A couple near by, mirroring what others see when they look at me and Jason. Admiring each other, but perfectly relaxed.

Fulfillment is attainable at any moment, we only need to dive deeper.

On a vacation we take the essentials. Packing lighter gives us room to experience what isn’t materialistic. When we are away, we look at each day as a gift. An experience waiting to happen. Regardless of the season, in a land that isn’t familiar, we make the most of it. We stay hopeful and make the moments count. We make effort to capture memories we surely wont forget. We’ll bring it up years to come and share it over laughter and maybe even tears. These are thoughts I spend present time looking forward to, without realizing I already have it. Here and now. Tomorrow and the next day. Our days outside of vacation are just as numbered.

I looked at Jason and told him, “I love this life.” Knowing I meant I love more than just this vacation. I love the life outside of it. The life we’re going home to. The family and friends. Our daily routines, what we do for a living but even more, our passions. What has passed and what’s in store. I love that everyday can be treated as luxurious as a vacation if we remind ourselves how precious our moments are. I vow promises to myself, in the silence between pages turning and passerby’s – I promise never to rely on time away to feel the admiration I have for this life.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s normal and healthy to enjoy time away from normal responsibility. I’m guilty for indulging in pauses, taking a step back, breaking free. I admire time dedicated to re-centering and becoming re-inspired. This is how we become polished. But what if, in the time away we realized we could be this enlightened on any ordinary day?

We watched the sun glide from one side of us to the other, setting. Slipping us into the night. Another day coming to an end, but not just any day.

I will look forward to this life. Not one day, but everyday.

-Sadianne Joyce

Available Sanctuary

 

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be yourself.” -Herman Hesse

How peaceful it is to know we always have a place to go. The most important and vital elements of our beings are within. How sacred and intimate this is when we realize that everything that requires most care, cannot be seen by a surface level glance. We are a house to our soul, our mental state and all of our emotions. We carry a home within us. Whether it comes to physical health or emotional health – I choose and continue to focus on the comfort and love I put into my own sanctuary. Finding home within is essential, it’s ours and it’s time to own it.

We are our own place of safety, comfort and light. We allow what affects the energy weaving in and releasing. We are walking with a haven beneath our form. Are we making it a safe place to be? A place we would wish to visit? A comfort we crave? Does it feel like a trusting and lasting relationship? Rest and acceptance? Love?

What words of encouragement do you have hanging on the walls of your mind? Which words do you speak that sound like prayer? What do you feed your mind before falling asleep and the second you wake? Is your reflection smiling back at you saying “You are beautiful. You are capable. You are strong. You will figure it out.” How is your body being nourished? Are you giving your eyes enough sights that make your body, even if – just for a moment feel one with the scenery? Do you hush your mind and rock your soul to rest when feeling anxious? Do you become better after a challenge instead of bitter? Do you wake thanking God for another day instead of dreading what needs work? Are you easy on yourself when repairs need to be done? Are you wise enough to call for help when the job may be too big to handle yourself? Are you your own best friend, telling yourself “You deserve good things.” just as you would to someone that means the world to you? Are you forgiving when you can’t always be the best version of yourself? Do you wish to be light in darkness or join as a shadow? When you judge others do you acknowledge the feeling of grit it gives your body? When you see the beauty in others do you acknowledge the warmth that runs through your veins? Do you treat others the way you would like to be treated? Do you treat yourself the way you desire others to treat you?

I’ve heard people wanting to get out of their mind, wanting to move on from everything they are feeling, wishing they were somewhere else other than their current state – but all of this cannot be tackled without tackling it. There are fights we need to fight in order to make room for these questions and answers that will shape us into all we are capable of becoming. We must ask the hard questions and most importantly we must answer honestly. Once we become honest with who we are deep down we can then begin to shape our house into a home. Our physical, mental and emotional state will feel safe and heard. There is no need to hide emotions, to pretend that everything is okay when it is not – this is a false environment, one where we wont be free. We can recreate, revisit, revamp, reconstruct at any given moment – we are a miraculous creation that will adjust. Beautiful adjustments take time so it’s important to keep our spirits up and continue to fight when we don’t see or feel results. Something is in store, something restored.

Sink into your sanctuary.

Walk in fearlessly, get comfortable and honest. And then ask your refreshed, revitalized self, “Will you stay awhile?”

-Sadianne Joyce

Sweeter.

Through years, healing, light and dark – a resting place within me has developed. A house, a feeling of comfort. A reflection of the peace I seek only to find within. Even on an unknown road, if I focus on the ease and love flowing beneath my skin and the depth through any structure – I am still. Safe. Satisfied. In all conditions, an environment will be adaptable by choosing my response.

A drive with a view can be tasteful, but a drive with a view can be sweeter, by doing one simple gesture… Pulling over to indulge in the sight. Allowing time to feel paused. There is no thought or worry focused on the movement of tires, because time is now.

There is a view, a life, a home deep within that craves a visit. If we do not take the time to stop and pave the way to this resting place, we will be unable to grasp the only thing we have – now. We will see it in the rear view, without carrying on with genuine intention of what’s next.

There cannot be a next if there is not a now.

When I find myself unfocused on my current state, with a floating mind or a distanced heart – I know I must recenter. What I cannot control does not define me but how I perceive my environment does. I pray to continue being the woman who restores my being. Who brings a hushing comfort to dark thoughts. Who dismisses confusion that invites itself in and anxiousness that overstays an unwelcomed visit. I pray to continue admiring the view. To remember a pause is not a pause at all, but a blessing of allowing something greater to be in control. The presence in the present. I pray to see the illusion in presented perfection. The illusion in pressure. The illusion in second guessing what I stand for. I pray to continue hand crafting – adding touch by bringing my most authentic self, allowing my creation to flee. Devouring the sight given. The sunrise and sunset does not ask us to drive into the race, but to get out and sit on it’s sidelines. To trust. In gleaming enchantment the rays whisper “Rest upon me. Next to me. Breathe. Relax. Become in awe of all that I am. All that you are. Don’t accelerate into darkness by choice. Reach out. Touch me. Become me. A breathtaking balance of stillness and movement. A miraculous beauty.”

When discovery takes place everything around us exhales as our beings inhale light, as our hearts beat in warmth. As our spirit rests in cheer. As the road says “I’ll be here when the time comes.”

-Sadianne Joyce

And Maybe Even Stay…

“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

We all go through phases where our heart wants to stay in. We want to shy away from real emotion because it’s easier. Less effort means less work, zero expectations means zero disappointment. I’m working on this – I’m working on sharing my heart in every day that I have. In personal experience, I’ve gone through hurt – heartbreak – pain. Darkness is not a focus for me, so I tend to focus on all the blooming I’ve done after finding the light. I have not always been positive, in love with life, or forgiving. But after finding my way, which we all do differently – I have become one with the pain that I’ve experienced in my path. I have become one with the loss and the aches that have brought me to who I am today. It doesn’t happen over night and that was a struggle for me as well. But I found faith, I found myself through being vulnerable, by opening my heart in understanding I don’t need to have it all figured out. Time heals, and that it did.

I’ve realized that hurt can only come from a place of hiding, making myself smaller, picking and choosing what I wish to define me. I’ve come to the conclusion that I cannot pick and choose what happens to me, this is the beauty of life – but I can choose how it shapes me. I believe that if we all showed up in the armor that has brought us through the battles we’ve gotten through – or maybe still going through, we wouldn’t be so afraid. We would understand in mutual sympathy. We could tolerate and respect each other for the reason behind our challenges. We could support and cheer with those in need.

Strength has nothing to do with the tears kept in, with the straight face given when emotions run through the bloodstream. Strength is allowing yourself to be who you are and being unafraid to show up in truth.

I’ve always fought my battles silently, feeling ashamed if my life wasn’t what I wanted it to look like – but all of that changed.

I’ve no longer felt afraid to express myself, I’ve no longer felt the need to shy away from being loud in my truth, being able to ask the difficult questions, to connect with others because I am brave enough to show that life is not always pretty, nor is it meant to be. This has allowed me to become one with everything that has happened to me and more than ever, ready for what is to come. My heart has grown, real intentions by real people have brought me to safe places of love. If I receive true intentions and gentle care after I show not only my good side, but all the others, I know that I have found the ones. The people, places, homes that are meant to walk in and maybe even stay, within my open heart.

-Sadianne Joyce

Joining Forces

Within all change is great character. We are always on our way. As I trust the process always, I break into this new season of bloom walking with the same heart that will never stop loving, the same soul that will never stop expressing. Except older, bigger, stronger.

I’ve been content with my present giving the time ahead a feeling of home. An understanding that vulnerability can be one of the most beautiful strengths. A knowing that my love is enough and more. A worth that continues to walk through all wrong intentions. A guidance from people who know my heart.

“I was meant to be experienced differently. I am not a friend you have had before, I am not a lover you have loved before, I am me.” 

When you experience me you will be experiencing my full truth. I am here for it all. This time better than ever. Even when I don’t feel ready, I will be. Even when I am not fearless, I will be brave. Even when I do not understand, I will listen.

To those in my life, I wish to reflect the good that I see in you. The unique craft that I admire, I wish to enhance by speaking upon and complimenting all you have to offer. I wish to be the balance on a warm day, offering shade and a breeze to keep you cool.

I want those I love to feel big, free and open in their truth as I have grown to express mine. Take up space, I want you here. Even when I am content and quiet, you are made of great company. The experiences that have shaped you are valid and even when it seems hard, let’s join forces to make it easier.

My heart feels freely and beats not only for myself but for those around me. How I exchange my emotions, realness and energy with others, will result in life. My life is beautiful because I choose to see the breathtaking view. I hear the song because I listen to the music. I dance without care because I know what’s worth worry. I am surrounded by love because of the people that mirror what I give.

Gratitude within me overflows, blossoms and becomes an energy surrounding me.

Thank what you have – it’s meant to be yours.
Thank what is not reciprocated – there is purpose.
Thank what has passed – you are growing.
Thank what’s to come – trust in the process.

The beauty of this all is so perpetual. 

-Sadianne Joyce

Watch me as I go

Take a moment to remember where you come from. What you have seen. The experiences you’ve gone through alone and with others. After remembering, I like to let go. I can’t let go completely – the miles I have traveled brought me to the person I am today. Some moments are so monumental that I can never forget. But the miles I have traveled are not meant to keep me consumed. They are meant to take me places. Places that have been waiting for me. And I, traveling to them.

The sky pink. I wanted to reach out and wear it. Knowing the tone would compliment my cheeks that blush so easily. The crescent moon soon, so shyly and innocently will let my silver jewelry catch light to shine. Etta James on the radio escaping out of the windows I prefer down in words of “A Sunday Kind of Love”
My hands grasping the steering wheel, lightly. The soft atmosphere accompanied my long drive. The length of time my tires were on the road wasn’t discriminated and I was at ease.
My movement spoke in the way of a child on a summer day “Catch me if you can.” and like the woman deserving of love and love only, on this day “Watch me as I go.”

To beautiful heights and freedom brushing my hair. If I am alone please don’t mistake me as lonely. A life given of breathtaking wonder, I stand tall and in charge of my worth. Paving a path where no trail has ever been. I walk in understanding validation cannot come from outside sources. I find it from within, the fulfillment that I seek. There is nurturing that I must complete and acceptance I must give. There is beauty to be seen and admiration to be felt. I have this power to extend my heart because I am whole, I am one and I have everything I need.

Dig if you must, get your hands dirty to refine and define. Be your own muse and your own greatest company. Celebrate those who have bravery in their souls to allow space in being exactly what their heart desires. Become inspired by the personal style and story others carry. Let it be your pleasure by giving yourself the same amount of freedom. Self acceptance is self love. Never hide all that you discover. Let it float to surface and embrace it in confidence.

Love yourself until your heart is overflowing. There is no capacity. Your heart will overflow and I wish that you let it. Allow yourself to overflow in worthiness, you will be felt by those around you. They will be able to indulge in what you have to offer without making you any less of who you are.

Be consumed for who you are. Step out and know that the path is yours. You decide what is on the sidelines, you decide your pace, you decide how beautiful you perceive the sight to be. Any door you enter will be presented with purpose and authenticity. Stand in love. Sway with the wind. Be wild with your truth and never apologize for the freedom you speak.

Let me admire. Let me inspire. I will do so anyway. My distinctive aura and my exclusive love invites you in. The true you. The real you. The unedited and one of a kind you.

-Sadianne Joyce

Blooming Heart

To compare faith I imagine it as a sunrise. A calming, in awe moment that I choose each morning when I wake. There is no work that needs to be done when experiencing something that our heart and soul indulges in, this is what I love most. The ease and acceptance in watching something unfold in elegance. I step out and choose to believe in what rises and I accept the truth in what does not.

I’ve experienced people around me in despair because of impatience, lack of result, doubt, anxiety and the simple fact of not knowing how to walk in faith.

Patience is a virtue. Virtue is defined by nobleness of spirit, honesty and purity. Patience is one of the hardest struggles we face, we want and we want now. Imagine that we live a life while creation is happening behind the scenes, something so intangible we have yet to understand. This is how I imagine patience. A process happening and the stillness before the action of soon aligning.

“When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up everyday to see if they have sprouted yet. You simply water them and clear away the weeds – you know that the seeds will grow in time. Similarly, just do your daily practice and cultivate a kind heart. Abandon impatience and instead be content creating the causes for goodness; the results will come when they’re ready.” Bhikshuni Chodron

Results are not always immediate. Often times we become frustrated because all of our physical work and determined actions still have us at a distance of what we’re working towards. All the sweat and tears… yet we’re still waiting. Why is this happening? The reasons could be endless. Whether we are working towards something that does not yet have purpose or what we’re working towards isn’t ready for us… We often become comfortable with pain and unsatisfying results that we forget to be vulnerable. There is divine purpose that I believe in that causes people to stress when it could be transformed to overall peace. Trust in this.

Transformation is not always a jaw dropping experience, a surprise or gasp for air. Sometimes transformation happens slowly and sometimes it happens right before our eyes. We can be working on something for so long we forget our reason. We can be taken for a whirlwind and think that everything we thought we wanted is exactly opposite of what we’re presented with. Maybe it will be greater than what we imagined.

There does not need to be doubt in something we have little control over. It is inevitable that we make choices, this is how we survive – but understand that faith alone is promising you overall guidance, growth and destination. Doubting this will make you feel alone, but you are not and you will never be.

Regardless of the time it takes, you will get where you are meant to travel. You will be who you are called to be. As long as you focus on the small transformations and God given joys you will be at peace. There will come a time that you will find you are no longer tense, worried or distraught.

Always have the courage to keep going and when it seems harder than usual, communicate. You will ask God to come into your life. You will live in faith and through trust. You will realize that all the hard work isn’t hard at all. You will not be the one working – Trust in this process. Allow time by understanding you are dealing with a craftsman. There are fine details that need focus and attention – but understand you can relax because God is good. God is working. God is here.

Opening my heart has been one of the most beautiful processes I’ve ever gone through. I am softer than I’ve ever been. I move like wind, becoming light and approachable. I am a river flowing around obstacles, continuing on my way in grace. Not one thing can stop me. I have been planted and I will grow. In the unknowing and the unseen I will trust that I am on my way to blooming. There is no need for worry. Today is the day.

The sunset reminds me of trust. That although the day has come to an end, another beginning is near by. We lay our head and close our eyes knowing that the promise of another day is one sleep away. The next morning the sunrise deserves to be trusted. The day has arrived and so will you. Again and again, dear God I am with you.

-Sadianne Joyce

Nourishment in Imperfection

“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and serenity and your heart will never unclench. Care about peoples approval and you will be their prisoner.” Lao Tzu

Trying to reach perfection can steal time in admiring what already is. Acceptance isn’t an easy task and can often be hard to understand. Acceptance comes from a place deep within our hearts. It is respecting the fact that situations rarely go the way we imagine. There are aspects of ourselves that we wish were different. There are traits in others we would change if we could. Acceptance is finding flaws to pamper with love by whispering “It’s okay.”

Personally, imperfection inspires me. I love the truth behind being nervous before saying something I truly mean. The absence of practice before performing a task. Feeling creative and free enough to design without a template. Dancing without hearing any music. Feeling without regret. This is what makes life beautiful, all the risk and freedom we give ourselves when we allow ourselves to be. Being inspired by all I cannot change brings me closer to my relationship with God – I have a sense of belonging when I walk in authenticity. I find beauty in the unknown when I step forward in faith. If we were meant to be perfect, we would be. Be confident in all your perks – rare emotions – stories that bring others closer to laughter than seriousness – the feel-good days AND the days you wish to stay in – feeling deeply on a topic when others glance over – stay unapologetic and never feel the need to shrink yourself smaller to fit into the comfort of someone else. Believe that you are enough even when others put expectation and weight on being more than what you can give.

When I was away at school there was a moment of admiration when I learned about Kintsukuroi. Kintsukuroi stayed with me throughout the years as a reminder that flaws are an art form. In Japan they began filling broken pottery with gold. When a piece was broken they didn’t see it as an outcome of failure, they saw it as an opportunity to create something even more beautiful than it was before the hardship.

Movement of making something more beautiful and accepted after being flawed is a way of life. Never feel that you have fallen short after being your true self. You are capable of wide greatness in all that you are. Everything you need is within you and it is extraordinary. Developing and practicing this mindset allows you to admire the truth, love with kindness and understand that even when a situation doesn’t end in the way we thought it would, there is rooted purpose into higher creation. Imperfection does not ruin – it interests, enhances and speaks life into who we are and what we stand for.

Nourish the parts that shy away because they do not appear to be perfected. Like talents, our imperfections set us apart with the blessing in what defines our individual purpose.

-Sadianne Joyce

Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow -Vincent van Gogh