The Tender-Hearted Heroes

When I think of who I am,

I think of others like me.

The Tender-Hearted Heroes

What bravery it takes to

Live in a World like this

The way we do…

 With hypersensitivity and keen intuitiveness

Our abilities are superhuman.

The time that it takes 

For us to realize 

And actualize our powers…

That is our kryptonite.

How do we get over ourselves without stumbling?

Our emotions always rumbling

Who else feels all of this all the time?

It’s gotta be a gift

Or a curse in the eyes of a novice…

What we carry is not only ours

But all of what those are holding around us.

Our way of protection can either save, 

Or suffocate ourselves…and others.

Self-sacrificing for the sake of someone else’s well-being.

Diving in and swimming wavy waters 

To save another soul

Often drowning ourselves along the way

Never to burden those that loves us. 

Many of us reach the other side 

and feel lonelier than before.

Abusing our vices

While sharing our talents.

Using them as a guise

To hide whats missing inside.

Having everything we want [ideally] and more 

Filling in cavities that ache at the taste 

of something that was just too sweet.

Forgetting that we are 

Pure unrefined sugar

And when mixed well,

In proper proportions,

We actually go well with everything.

Some of us never make it to the other side.

Finding that its better to stop where we’re at,

Rather than bring  everyone and everything 

Crumbling down with us. 

Some of us would rather leave our loved ones 

With the light they gave us

Than have them watch us slowly burn in out.

Master manipulators 

In how we distribute our Love.

Needing to control the narrative, 

so that others know whats deep in our hearts

Without them knowing we can no longer feel it. 

…The craving forever festers…

We Tender-Hearted Heroes

Are amongst a league of healers 

That will ultimately save this planet.

Imagine what this World would be without water

Without rain to cleanse

Without waves to guide us

We literally need water to LIVE.

We need US to live.

Take care of us as we take care of you.

Take care of us as we neglect to care for ourselves…

This Love I Have

…To have found love

in the midst of all the madness. 

A love that I’ve wanted.

A love that I’d manifested…

I met My Love before he met me

Our paths had crossed,

But never intertwined

Until…

I knew I was ready in that first embrace.

That warm hug

Was the safest I’d ever felt.

Our afternoon coffee date

Transitioned to a late evening out.

Parting ways never crossed my mind.

He fit so perfectly into my World, 

There was no question

…Or turning back…

I was in.

No anticipation could have prepared me

For what we would develop:

A common understanding of self,

A strong intentional love,

Rooted in trust

And handled with care.

We allow ourselves to just be…

In whatever state feels natural for us

Together.

We are our best selves for ourselves 

And each other.

Open-ended questions,

Unknown answers.

Are we ever truly ready?

…For anything?

In love,

Fear does not exist.

There is no risk 

When following the heart. 

I’ve been ready for this love.

This loves been ready for me. 

- C. M. Hamilton

He gets me in a Minnie Riperton kinda mood…

This was us a few weeks in…feels like forever ago now

Whole Self

Photography by : Taja Mitchem (@tajajanel @prasadastudio)

“I’m ‘bout being my whole self.

All day. Every day.

My beautiful, brown, sensitive, smart, artistic, articulate self.

All of that and more.

Every. Single Day.

Ya feel me?”

Making space for my whole self has been a conscious effort for me. There comes a point where we have to hold ourselves accountable for the relationships that we attract. The conditions of our external relationships are easily a reflection of our relationships with ourselves. It’s taken years of personal reflection for me to learn how to convert my experiences into important life lessons. I’ve had to fall out of patterns of victimizing myself and release the pressure that came with knowing that my relationships are my responsibility. I’ve had to do the work to make myself the most desirable companion for myself.

I knew how far I’d grown when my relationships became less of a job for me. They weren’t about holding back or prioritizing other people’s needs, but about allowing things to be and prioritizing myself and what I require in order to feel fulfilled. Gradually, people started falling off, deciding I was too much (or not enough) for them…but I stopped taking offense. We all need what we need, and I know now that I’m not for everyone. The more honest and transparent I am with myself, the happier I feel and the more I attract those that are on that same level. I can refer back to words I’d written in my journal years ago, carefully describing the ways I wanted to be loved and the kind of relationships I wanted to cultivate. Over time, I’ve seen these requests come to life and I know that it is all a reflection of me. That is something to be proud of.

When I see my friends, I see their beauty. I’m their biggest fan and cheerleader; their wide open arms whenever they need to be held. The most awesome thing about this is that they are just the same for me. It feels good to give and receive unconditional love. I have yet to match this romantically, but I feel that I will very soon. I am truly fulfilled with myself and my friendships. That is something I can confidently say now, because this whole mission of intention started with me. 

*A couple of my beautiful friends hosted a dinner party for several of our beautiful friends and it was such a refreshing space to share. Here are some beautiful photos of said beautiful friends…

I'm Still Here

Suit: Zara, Makeup: Artistry By Camille, Photography: Scott Simon (iHeartNola)

I’m still here

Despite how they want to regulate my body
Despite how they feel about my skin
I’m still here, even though they don’t want me to be
I’m still here, even though they can’t see me
I’m still here

Aside from the attempts to erase me
Aside from how that benefits you
I’m still here, even though I’m exhausted
I’m still here, even though I’m crying
I’m still here...