Author: heatherpound

If it wasn’t for you I would not have taken

the time and effort to sift through my

thoughts and beliefs, examining them well

and intentionally putting aside the ones

not measuring up to the light of truth,

and I would not have lived years of my life

both healing and free. I could have

endlessly lived one step ahead of myself,

worried, instead of present in the now,

and I would not have practiced the balance

that brings me intentionality and creativity

and peace

~~~~

And while everyone’s stories are entirely

their own, I would not be able to understand

what it is like to live with you and what it takes

to manage and get rid of you, and be able

to walk beside others now doing the same

So, surprisingly while you have been

most unwelcome and utterly cruel,

I thank you for the ways that you have

made my life both fuller and free, and how,

in the end, you have enriched and produced

depth and have opened the door to lasting

joy

~~~~

—An open letter to anxiety and depression. I am surprised to find, with perspective, that you may actually be one of my longest and truest friends.

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

If today your heart requires you to

breathe deep and rail at the Heavens,

then this you can most certainly do

God, who is inextricably linked to

your every single breath is not worried

about this emotional release

In fact, he already knows

just how you feel

~~~~

The worst thing that you can do

is to hold it all in for days and years

Letting it out to start a healing

conversation is what the psalmist

did–and this is how he found

resolution and peace

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

©Heather Pound 2022

backgound by Canva

The blackbird chirping outside knows that his

song, while fine, will never be the nightingale,

but still he lifts his song to dusk and daybreak

full-voiced, impassioned and free

Humans, however, tend to compare  

and wither in the doing

~~~~

Why don’t we, like the blackbird,

gaze upon the dawn instead

–and remember

there is enough beauty for us all

and our own unique presentation

is exquisite and worthy and fine

~~~~

Unless we learn to embrace ourselves,

competition, while sometimes inspiring,

is the killer of connection, authenticity,

creativity and many other things

that the human heart craves

participation in

~~~~

So, I wish you well in all that you create,

and do, and are. I will focus on my very own

flavor of things to be the best ‘me’ that I can

become, and together we will make the world

an even more beautiful place to be

through appreciation

rather than comparison  

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

I went outside into nature to ponder and found I was sitting on empty,

scooped out like watermelon rind, flesh devoured on a hot summer day

and discarded in the sun

~~~~

The next moment fear began to whisper tight and cruel that I would not have

what it takes for the very next wave that life might bring,

or even the very next day

~~~~

Fear mushroomed, sucked out my breath and wailed, “Meaningless, empty,

fruitless and useless.” Words like these are quicksand to the human heart

if any attention is given

~~~~

But then I remembered, that a vessel that is empty can always catch the rain,

simply by embracing its shape

–of hollow

~~~~

And instead of a prison, ‘empty’ became a container to be filled,

and I looked beyond myself and saw all the wondrous things about

waiting to be chosen

~~~~~

—-’empty’ is not a final destination, it is the beginning of being filled with something new.

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

Safely sitting in nature, quietly observing, 

requires nothing of us. She just lets us be.

She reaches out, envelops us in her embrace

and says, “Look! Notice my intricate splendor.

You are part of something miraculous,

much greater than yourself.”

~~~~

Savor creation and admire her shifting beauty,

for even when fierce, she is magnificent

She reminds us that we are part of something fine,

and noble, and brave, a valued portion of the whole

and connected to Divine

~~~~

Then returning to the process of our lives,

we remember that moments such as these

are not frivolous, but a vital use of time

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

©Heather Pound 2022

Image: Canva

In that vulnerable hour before sleep,

despair and loneliness and things like

these may come to call, but do not

allow them to wail too loud or cause

a mighty roar. They may simply be linked

to ‘tired.’ So, notice them, yes. Say, “I see

you there–welcome,” but then let them be

what they are and not envelop your heart

entire. If they visit again, then you may

listen. Not to depress, but as useful

information of what your heart might be

trying to speak, but your brain hasn’t

listened. Your heart may do the feeling,

but your mind can adjust and bring

change. These feelings are not fatal,

but clues to instruct, things that you

need to know to intentionally bring

balance and wellness to your soul

~~~~

—-notice the feeling, but remember that you are in charge

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022

image: Danëlle Moolman

I don’t know about you

but my brain tries to resist

sadness and doesn’t want

to listen to it’s quiet,

insistent roar

~~~~

It’s as if the mind is convinced

that if it pretends that sadness

doesn’t exist—

that it will ‘poof’ it away

Let me tell you now, however,

that that little fox of a thought

will consume the whole henhouse

if allowed to run free

~~~~

Grief is not something that

will dissipate unattended

It is a wound that requires

tending and gentle care

for healing to softly come

And will fester increasingly

without acknowledgement

—letting sadness out to breathe is uncomfortable but necessary

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022