Poems and Promises: Setting Intentions for 2024

When I first started this blog site, I had no blueprint, no central focus or direction I had in mind to follow, all I knew is that I wanted a space where I could have a collection of my works to share with whoever may care to read them. Since it’s launch, I’ve written a variety of pieces, from my strong suit—a journalistic, editorial style on an array of topics to stream of consciousness pieces, sharing my expansive thoughts in a conversational tone.

From the beginning, I’ve dabbled in creative writing, narratives, as well as sharing the poetry that I wrote as part of assignments when I was in high school. I’ve never considered poetry a strength of mine, until I started challenging myself to write more of it this past year.

This year, of the nine months that I shared a blog, six were poems. Before, I used to believe I could never write something as complex as poetry, but now, I absolutely love it. Give another read to any of my poetry or prose pieces here: https://faith-it-til-you-make-it.com/category/poetry-prose/

I always had the impression that you had to have an abundance of life experience in order to ever write poetry, but I’ve learned that’s not true whatsoever. Many of my poems aren’t based on my own personal life at all, rather just on a concept or ideal that I used the power of creativity to turn into a poem that perhaps someone reading could relate to.

In every one of my New Year’s blogs, I like to reflect on all I’ve accomplished as an ever-improving writer, as well as set intentions for the new year—promises to myself, so to speak. I feel that if we think of our goals as intentions, something we actively intend to pursue rather than mere wishful thinking, we will be more inclined to put the utmost effort into holding ourselves accountable until we accomplish them.

So, in 2024 I promise to keep writing more poetry. When before I would shy away from the things that intimidate me, I will not let self-limiting behaviors and fear of the unknown hold me back from accomplishing all that I could ever dream of. I will shoot for the stars and approach every day knowing that, whats meant for me, will happen in time.

I promise to give myself necessary breaks and not feel guilty about it, because even when I’m not creating, I will still always be a creator. I am a writer. I will not allow myself to fall into creative burnout and exhaust my passion just because I feel like I have to keep creating and keep producing works on a consistent basis.

post credit: @inspiredtowrite, Amy McNee, on Instagram

I promise to write for me, and nobody else. I will not let views and likes affect my motivation to keep working towards everything I’ve ever wanted.

I promise to open my eyes to and more meticulously observe every overlooked detail in the world around me, to drive my creativity and inspire my writings.

In the new year, I want to work towards bigger and better things, the things I know I can accomplish. I want to have my works in print someday, so to myself, I promise to hold myself to higher standards and put in the effort necessary for me to reach my full potential, no matter how long it may take me. I will go out of my comfort zone and rely less on this blog site as the sole vessel for my art.

post credit: @inspiredtowrite, Amy McNee, on Instagram

While I will never let recognition define the validity of my success, I will seek opportunities to share my works on a bigger scale—whatever that may look like for me. So if you see less of me on here, not to worry, that just means I’m fulfilling the promises I’ve made to myself and creating more than I ever have before.

While I’m still an avid advocate of manifestation, I’ve newly started to shift my mindset to treating the things we would like to see for ourselves, our intentions, as promises because if you were promised something, would you like for it to ever be broken? I’ve set no time table for myself, and choose to take on life with patience, one day at a time, because success has no deadline.

While 2023 brought on growth and newfound self-assurance, here’s to poems and promises in 2024!

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You can revisit all my creative writing pieces to date, including poems and narratives, here: https://faith-it-til-you-make-it.com/category/creative-writing/

Happy New Year!🥳

Marked With an “S” 

From the day that I was born I’ve been marked with an “S”,
it’s stuck to me like a stamp that has permanently stained my skin. 

Spina bifidascoliosis—the scary diagnoses meant to define me,
but that’s only where my story begins. 

Became a statistic before I could even breathe on my own, 
with a slim chance of survival, yet look how much I’ve since grown. 

Learned to ignore curious stares since I was a child, 
to understand that they were just kids too, and just respond with a smile. 

Sit up with a straight spine, stand tall in my sneakers—some of the things I’ve never done.
Is that, to you, what makes me such a “special” one? 

I’m no superhuman, I don’t see what you do. 
I may wear some stitches and scars, still I don’t need anything from you. 

Despite several surgeries and sicknesses I’ve made it out,
because that’s not what my life is all about. 

Though it may seem, I do not suffer from what I have,
so save your sympathy for someone else, and let me speak on my own behalf.

I’ve got no sensation in my legs, 
but I’m not half of a human, so don’t treat me that way.

Surmounted every stereotype and stunned the world, 
but I am that I am—I’m just a girl.

So call me strong for everything I’ve been through, 
but in your next sentence, make sure to say that I’m a sweet friend, a sports fan, a big sister, and a storyteller too.

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Though I was born with a disability, I’ve never let it affect my entire life or mentality. I’m fortunate to have the best family and friends that treat me as they would any other, therefore I used to think it was silly to take a day to “celebrate” me, because there’s so much more to me than my disability. I always thought, “Why should I be celebrated for simply being me?” I’ve only recently realized that it’s okay to take pride in the things that make us unique from the rest, mine just happens to be my disability. Furthermore, by having a designated day or month for such, I can embrace those within my community and find comfort and familiarity within our shared life experiences. So, Happy World Spina Bifida Day to myself, and to all born just like me!