I show up for myself 100% committed. Period!
Tag: life
Midweek Boost: Greatness From Within
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge. Let’s get over the hump.
Soul’s Song ©Dawn Minott
Not every place you fit in is where you belong.
Shabbat Shalom: Who Writes Your Story? ©️Dawn Minott
As long as we are alive, God’s still writing our stories.
Billboard: Peace Please ©Dawn Minott
Peace Please!
it’s OKAY to NOT BE OKAY – World Mental Health Day | 10 October
When you're down, know this: it’s okay to not be okay.
Midweek Boost: Where Life Begins ©Dawn Minott
Live life fully.
Soul Seasons ©Dawn Minott
The essence of life is change. The essence of living life fully is to embrace change.
Midweek Boost: You’ve Got Everything ©Dawn Minott
You likely already have everything!
Words. Love. You. ©Dawn Minott |a Minimalist Poem
All I need is words, love, and you— a trinity of magic that makes life anew.
Life Mottos ©Dawn Minott |an Abecedarian, Mental Health Awareness
Accept you as you areBelieve in the good, do good Cultivate an attitude of gratitudeDo what you love, do you Embrace the flawsFind peace of mind Give with no expectationsHappiness is fleeting, create joy Invest in experiences, things are ephemeral Jump around in bed some times, find your inner child Kindness is life-changing, be a …
Continue reading Life Mottos ©Dawn Minott |an Abecedarian, Mental Health Awareness
Back to Africa: A Travelogue ©Dawn Minott
Three years ago I was in the throes of making plans to celebrate my birth over the full month of April, like I’ve traditionally done for birthdays past. However, on 11 March 2020 after the corona-19 virus infected people in 114 countries, WHO declared a global pandemic and soon thereafter countries were locked down. And …
I Wish You, Love©
I wish you—LOVE Love that never lays the blame Playing the I-love-you-more game Love that doesn’t mind being wrong Keeping vows made in tact and strong Love that always generates a smile Melting away, bridging the miles Love built firmly on faith and trust Willing to shift, make change, adjust I wish you—LOVE Love as …
Life Lived As Poetry©
From the source of spiritual cosmologyConceived in rhythmic movementsBirthed through pulsing pushingPunctuated by intermittent pain and joy LIFE Giving leaning into the ineffableObscured in allusionsDeveloped in plotsComposed in stanzas LIFE LIVED In fragmented syntax of challenges and victoriesLinguistic coding lyrics of uninhibited joy with unimaginable sorrowAlliteration of life’s idioms of transformationReciting poignant epigrams of wondrous …
Poem: Golden Love Breath of God©
… on the rare occasion I’m videotaped while reciting There she stoodRadiant in her beautyA shimmering, bright goddess of gold in human formTransfixedHe stares, then wills himself to speak the wordsAs if like copperConductor of electricity and heatHe draws her unto himselfAnd she surrenderedBone of his bone, flesh of his fleshWith the exchange of “I …
Mid-Week Boost: New Dawn Rising©
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge to get over the hump. Happy hump day!
Midweek Boost: Now Life©
Life. You’ve thrown the yin-and-yang Of tears and laughter Of sorrow and joy
BIRTHmonth: Day 30 Concluding Affirmation—I Affirm Today to Self-Love
Before-word: To celebrate my birthMONTH I declared an affirmation for each day. At the end of the month I conclude with the affirmation to self-love, because you must first love yourself in order to love anyone else. This emanates from the ultimate love—the love of and for God. This was the April I affirm to …
Continue reading BIRTHmonth: Day 30 Concluding Affirmation—I Affirm Today to Self-Love
BirthMONTH—Day 25: I Affirm Today to Exercise the Power of Choice
When based on my hopes and not my fears, my choices will create room for me. Room for exploration, growth, learning and overall self-development. Happy birthMONTH to me!
BirthMONTH—Day 21: I Affirm Today to Level Up
Happy birthMONTH to me!
BirthMONTH—Day 15: I Affirm Today to Live IN Purpose | a Senryu
Why do I celebrate my birthday or do something meaningful to mark the day? It’s for one reason only: my birthday is a reminder of the moment in time that God designated as “mine”.
BirthMONTH—Day 13: I Affirm Today to Trust My Journey
Life is a journey, and we each have our unique way to move through it. But, no matter how different our journeys will be, we all will end life in the same way. Different journeys, similar destination. The state you’ll be in when you arrive at the destination is based on the choices you make …
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Life All In© published on Spillwords
My poem “Life All In” is published on Spillwords.com. Head on over there and show me/my art some love.
Lost Between Forever & Always©
Love Meandering through the malaise of what could have been Dodging word-wars hurled in fiery exchanges Delicate foreskin of its fortitude penetrated Breaking down its defenses Love Wandering brokenly Unsure and afraid Not finding its way Lost somewhere between forever and always 2021 ©createdbyDEEsign. All rights reserved. Thank you for reading! First time to the …
Shabbat Shalom: What in God’s Name?! Jehovah Shammah (God Is There/Here) [with audio]
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Jehovah Shammah—the God who is there/the God who is here.
Mid-Week Boost: Self-Talk
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge. Let’s get over the hump with positive self talk.
Shabbat Shalom: What In God’s Name—Jehovah Nissi (Banner)
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Jehovah Nissi—the God who is our Banner.
Spark of Madness©
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge. Let’s get over the hump healthy not only in body but mind.
Life Lessons in One-Liners©
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge. Let’s get over the hump with snappy reminders of lessons from life.
Final Breath©
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge. Let’s get over the hump living like this could be “last breath”—love your life!
Shabbat Shalom: New Year—New Thing [with audio]
PLAY👆to listen as you read along Some times it feels unreal, but we’ve actually been hunkered down for almost two years. Can you believe it?! Just about every aspect of our lives have been constrained and in some instances crippled by an infectious agent that is so small it requires a microscope to visualize it. …
Continue reading Shabbat Shalom: New Year—New Thing [with audio]
I Wish You Enough© [with audio]
👆PLAY👆to listen as you read along I wish you enough hope when all around you feels like sinking sand I wish you enough love, given without compromise, received unconditionally I wish you enough good in life to anchor you through the bad times I wish you enough sunny days to help you appreciate the lessons …
Shabbat Shalom: Haunted Heart | with audio
Be at home in your own heart.
Scary Decor©
Along a busy NY thoroughfare As of out of nowhere they appear Scary decor of grotesque flare Beckoning visitors draw near if they dare A day celebrating death, isn’t quite my affair Nor boogeyman and ghosts evoking fear But for the Word of the Day Challenge I’ll gladly share A poem of words rhyming but …
The Power of Choice
When the Most High God created us, He gave us a most powerful and beautiful gift—choice! The power and beauty of choice is that it’s predicated on there being more than one option or possibility; and, the path taken will over time make you, you. In other words: you make choices, choices make you. We …
Don’t Let Go©
Don’t let goFlashing lights, billboards aglowWatching life beneath him flowPeople cluelessly dithering to and froWhat’s dangling above, they do not knowGrisly thoughts, they’re starting slowFeelings of trepidation, quickly growGotta turn it around, change it somehowBreathe—calm erratic heart, pulsing slowRegaining composure, decidedly avowMaintaining grip, even soDon’t let go 2021 ©createdbyDEEsignAll rights reserved This piece is in …
Who’s In Your Corner? [with audio]
👆PLAY👆 Listen and read along Life is a fight. A good fight. We go through the extremes—the ascent of ups and the declivity of downs. Though we don’t choose what we go through in life, we can choose how we go through it and who we go through it with. One thing fighters have is …
Snappy One Liners #7: Choices
Doing something a little different this week. No poetry. No prose. Instead I’ll be posting a series of snappy one-liners that are as good as a mouthful like: “You make choices; choices make you”. …in other words: “The choices you make, make you”. You may also like previous posts in the series: #1Change, #2Be YOUniquely …
Six Word Story: Secret
Star-crossed love, impenetrably-held secret.© Written for Six Word Story prompt hosted by Shweta, today’s word is secret. Thank you for reading! First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈 In creative solidarity, Dee
Snappy One Liners #6: Stand & Fight
Doing something a little different this week. No poetry. No prose. Instead I’ll be posting a series of snappy one-liners that are as good as a mouthful like: “If you run from something, you’ll run from everything”. You may also like previous posts in the series: #1Change, #2Be YOUniquely you, #3Know You, #4New Day New …
Snappy One Liners #4: New Day New Way
Doing something a little different this week. No poetry. No prose. Instead I’ll be posting a series of snappy one-liners that are as good as a mouthful like: Life’s too short not to live new day in a different way. You may also like previous posts in the series: #1Change, #2Be YOUniquely you, #3Know You …
Birthdays
I love my birthday for two reasons: The more I have, the longer I live 😹The celebration of life which always includes a scrumptious cake The last two birthday celebrations have been low-keyed but I still marked them with scrumptious and delectable delights!!! 👆play video and sing along 👆 2021 copyrightcreatedbyDEEsign.comAll Rights Reserved Written to …
Nostalgic©
As NY is under another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m nostalgic for the good ol’ days. You know, those days: When you sneezed in public and folks around sweetly whispered “bless you”, not shoot you a disparaging gaze that shouts: “how dare you!” When you stood in close proximity without terrifyingly pondering: “is he …
9/11 20 Years Ago
Where were you on this day 20 years ago? I had just walked into the hotel room in London. I was on my way back to Barbados (where I was stationed at the time), coming from a meeting in Torino, (Turin) Italy. The TV was already on when I entered the room, but muted. A …
Shabbat Shalom: Of Lives Lost & Longing
Before-word: for today’s Shabbat Shalom celebration, sharing a piece commissioned by my church as a tribute to our members who’ve passed on as part of our 50th anniversary celebration. I did not want a macabre presentation, but rather one filled with hopeful anticipation. Using the abecedarian poetry form, I chronicled our beginning; the joys of …
Dress to Express
What’s your T-shirt saying? T-shirts are arguable the most functional piece of clothing in our closets. More recently I’ve come across Tees used as signposts for thoughts/feelings/stance on a range of issues making them artistic creative statement apparels. Statements like: Unapologetically dopeI never lose, I either win or I learnPeriodt. [oh yeah, when the “t” …
In One Fell Swoop…
In a State where anyone has the freedom and the right to openly carry guns in public without a permit or training… In a State where everyone has the freedom and right not to wear masks, though there are well over three MILLION Covid cases and almost 58 THOUSAND deaths… In that same State, women …
FALLING©
Before-word: LOVE, a denizen of the heart, is a powerful emotion! In the early stages it’s like all rational thoughts are hijacked, isn’t it?! It’s no coincidence it’s referred to as falling—it’s euphoric. Euphoric ascension in love FALLING Eyes locked in indepth soul searching Conversations unending Hearts in unity flip-flopping Each passing moment lingering More …
i wanna love like THAT love© [with audio]
Before-word: It’s been described as “A Many Splendored Thing” in poems (William Waterway). It’s the themes of movies and the hook of songs. It’s described as euphoric. It’s said we fall into it and even fall out of it. For all it’s ups and downs (oxytocin and all), one thing is for certain—I’m totally in …
The Choice©
Naked you came into this world And naked you will be leaving When your time has expired Nothing can hold life, escaping Why not love with reckless abandon In the time while heart’s still beating 2021 ©createdbyDEEsign.comAll rights reserved Thank you for reading. First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for …
Mistake: Six Word Story
His greatest mistake, her greatest redemption. Written for Shweta Suresh’s Six Word Story Prompt. The word is “mistake”. Thank you for reading. First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈In creative solidarity, Dee
Sunday Photo Reflection #8: Beach Vibes
Today’s photo is a pause for reflection on the calm after the storm on a beach in Coney Island, NY. Tropical Storm Elsa dumped her flooding rains, howled her gusty winds, stirred up her tornadoes, dumped her icy hails, flashed her lightnings, and barreled her thundering sounds across the sky from the Caribbean isles to …
Deception Over Love: A Short Story
Delilah exhaled in exacerbation. Exhausted, and left with no more words of defense, she stomped out angrily into the court yard. Pacing aimlessly back and forth, muttering to herself: “How can they say these things about me?” “I did this for my people!” Caught up in ruminating, Delilah didn’t see the crowd growing about her …
Gone!©
Long before she left she was gone Her heart took its first step out When you couldn’t free up time for her, when all she needed was time with you When what was important to you had nothing to do with her And you made more excuses than doing what you said you’d do She …
Miracle: 6 Word Story
Brokenness is the MIRACLE of healing. You may like the piece on the Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery—KINTSUGI (also known as kintsukuroi)—literally translated to mean “golden repair”, is practiced from the philosophy of treating breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. 2021 ©createdbyDEEsign. All …
Gratitude with Empathy: Post-COVID
It’s almost 6 months to the day today, I was feeling the sickest I’ve ever felt and an ER doctor confirmed what I dreaded—I had contracted the novel corona virus. I shared that experience in “I Survived Covid-19: Gratefully Surrendered” I recall the days when I found it difficult to breathe, and the days I …
Some Days Other Days©
Some days I amaze myself Other days I’m searching for the phone While talking on it 😜🤪🙄 Then I remind myself Hang in there Written for Jim Adams’ Thursday Inspiration, today’s prompt is “hang.” Thanks you for reading! First time to the site? Start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈In creative solidarity, Dee
Fake It Till HE Makes It
It’s the wee hours of the morning and sleep has evaded me. My thoughts are somewhat lucid and I want to write. In search of motivation to direct my thoughts, I went to Fandango’s One Word Challenge and the word today is “lucid”. We’ve all heard and may practice the old adage “fake it till …
A Pastor’s Birthday Tribute©
When a piece is commissioned I usually consult with the client and/or friends or family to get the backstory to create a piece that is personal and reflective of the context the client wishes to convey. In this case, it was easy because this was for my beloved Pastor, Abraham Jules—writing it was pure joy. …
BirthMONTH—Day 10: I Affirm Today to Thrive
Life is for more than just surviving. The Bible says it this way—life can be lived not just abundantly, but “more abundantly”. That means not just surviving life, but thriving in life. A thriving life will look different for each of us. I’m aiming to show up to each day fierce and bold; and to …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 10: I Affirm Today to Thrive
i am POETRY©: A tribute to World Poetry Day
Before-word: Poetry has the unique ability to capture and reflect the creative nature of our souls; and, to evoke authentic expressions of one’s self, culture, norms or mores. In this tribute piece to World Poetry Day 2021, I personified poetry as the embodiment of my being. i am POETRY Embodiment of rhythms and rhymesMetaphorical language …
Continue reading i am POETRY©: A tribute to World Poetry Day
Poem: Laughter©
LaughterShe glides Among sunflowersRicochets Across fields of emotions Pleasure-Happiness-Joy She collides, intertwinesUproariously-Unabashedly-EscapesShe collides, intertwinesPleasure-Happiness-JoyAcross fields of emotionsRicochets Among sunflowers She glides Laughter Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Poem: In Love With Love©
he looked the epitome of love submit I must surrender I will transform I did evolved I am in love with love Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee 👈
Exploring Types of Poem Series: #1 Traditional Senryu
Before-word: trying my hand at a traditional Senryu sequence which means using 3 lines with 5 syllables in the 1st line, 7 in the 2nd and 5 in the last line (5/7/5); and written in the present tense without rhymes, metaphors or similes. A Senryu is written about love, a personal event, and should have …
Continue reading Exploring Types of Poem Series: #1 Traditional Senryu
Poem: It’s In The Way We Know©
It's in the way you know meChoose meListen to meConsole meDefend meStand by me, beside meSupport me It's in the way I know youRespect youTrust in youAdmire youDesire youConnect to you, with youSupport you Souls cleaveHearts believeDesires peakWords speakAffections growWe know Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
A Look Back at 2020: 5 Lessons
Let’s be real—2020 was a downside-up year and just about everyone couldn’t wait to get it behind us. 2020 was going to be my best year. Whereas in past years I celebrated the whole month of my birth, this year was going to be year-long celebrations. Needless to say, none of this happened nor did …
2020: Last Will and Testament© (a poem)
Before-word: 2020! What a year it’s been?! It started out as merry and promising as any other year. Sure, there were some rumblings about a “novel virus” but nothing to disrupt partying, merrymaking, living, working, schooling. Or so we thought. As the year is about to come to an end, as is often the case, …
The moment I realized … it’s OK to not be OK
The beauty in being brOKen lies in its revelation and unfolding of your authentic self. Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Poem: Mother’s Tribute©
Before-word: I wrote this piece for my mom a few years ago. There isn’t a gift I could give my mom that would be adequate or commensurate to the gifts she’s given me. So I live my life in tribute to her, all I am and all I accomplish are the gifts to this amazing …
Tribute: Remember Me© [final phase]
Before-word: I wrote this piece as a tribute to the life of a dear dear friend (may her soul Rest In Peace). There was so much to say about this beautiful life, sharing it here in phases, this is the final phase. Resting In Peace And now ...I am the breath held in trust by …
Tribute: Remember Me© [phase 4]
Before-word: I wrote this piece as a tribute to the life of a dear dear friend (may her soul Rest In Peace). There was so much to say about this beautiful life, sharing it here in phases, this is phase 4. Remember My Be-ing I am the memory residing in your hearts A devoted mother …
Tribute: Remember Me© [phase3]
Before-word: I wrote this piece as a tribute to the life of a dear dear friend (may her soul Rest In Peace). There was so much to say about this beautiful life, sharing it here in phases, this is phase 3. Remember Me In The Laughter I am the laugh That laughBubbling up from the …
Tribute: Remember Me© [phase 1]
Before-word: I wrote this piece as a tribute to the life of a dear dear friend (may her soul Rest In Peace). There was so much to say about this beautiful life, sharing it here in phases, this is phase 1. Remember Me As Mother I am the geneThe heredity transferred from me to youMy …
Tribute: Remember Me© [phase 2]
Before-word: I wrote this piece as a tribute to the life of a dear dear friend (may her soul Rest In Peace). There was so much to say about this beautiful life, sharing it here in phases, this is phase 2. Remember Me In Familial Affection I am the affectionThe arms which held my mamma …
Quote: Love and Life
“Love and life can be the most wonderful and awful all at the same time. Make the best of both.” Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
God Blesses the Child Who Hurts©
Before-word: Growing up without my father, the impact of paternal absence influenced very strongly my views of “father”. Even more debilitating for a child were the fears that this absence bred—the fear of being abandoned and of being rejected. This piece is written (and included in my book “Moments: A Poetic Heart Journey”) as part …
I Survived Covid-19: Gratefully Surrendered
Nothing in my experiences prepared me for what the last three weeks threw at me. Prior to going to the hospital I was unwell for about 9 days. I was self-medicating for the flu because all the symptoms felt like the flu except for the constant headache. Thankfully I’m working from home. During a zoom …
Continue reading I Survived Covid-19: Gratefully Surrendered
Finding Hope in A Broken World
Before-word: This piece was written in response to the following questions I've been asking myself in the wake of protests to social injustice across the globe: How many times can a people be stretched before their elasticity is extended beyond its capacity to bounce back and they snap instead? What do you do when as …
Words’ Power!
Before-word: This short essay is thanks to my reaction to a nature show on NatGeo. There I was immersed in the wonders of life in the deepest part of the ocean and I thought: “wow...all of this was spoken into existence”! [clearly, I’m a creationist]. Then I got to thinking about the power of the …
Poems & More 