I went through an escalating bundle of emotions like climbing a tattered ladder on Sunday. I felt concerned for the state of the world, fear for the future, sadness for the injustices, elation at the prospect of change, joy in the small victories, and happiness in the moments of peace. But amidst this tumultuous journey, I rediscovered a feeling that had been dormant in my heart for some time . . . hope. Â
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I felt as if I had ascended past the dark clouds into the blue sky, where soft, fluffy, comfortable clouds met me and allowed me to breathe and dream again.
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I found hope for a better tomorrow, a future for my son, this planet, and humanity. This hope was ignited by a concerned, caring, intelligent, older man and a brave, strong, wise woman from the Bay Area. Their actions and commitment have inspired me deeply. I feel connected to the woman for many reasons—she's a Virgo, born in Oakland, my age, and has fought to put away the bad guys.
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She and the action taken remind me of this quote:
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"A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everybody else." – Unknown.
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These events have prompted me to reflect on my life's journey. Through my poetry chapbook, you'll see that I've always been a champion for others, but it's taken me time to stand up for myself. I'm still learning, and I'm grateful for the women of today who are teaching me.
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Women of my son's generation are not afraid to speak their truths or stand-alone, and it's incredible to see. I wish I were like them in my twenties, but since I can't go back, I'll hug myself for finding my voice now and not continuing to give it away to those who harmed me.
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These women inspire me, but what truly fuels my spirit is love. It's the most potent force in the world, and I've poured it into my poetry.
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The poetry collection Pieces of Me, soon to be in print, has poems from now and long ago that reflect the romantic in me. I love . . . love!
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I devour love stories, my own, and sometimes, ones I see in a film, like The Notebook, read in a book, like The Secret Life of Bees, or hear from others and it can move me to write about the characters and people's feelings.
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Over the years, I've learned that I can take on others' emotions and despair and feel people's energy before they speak because I'm an empath. This unique ability can be both a blessing and a curse. It can be exhausting and challenging when overwhelmed with too much negative input, especially in crowds.
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But it also allows me to put myself in another's shoes, to truly understand their pain and joy. And I try to reflect this empathy in the words on the page.
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If this speaks to you in any way,  you may enjoy this collection, which is still on pre-sale until August 30th, and I will soon get another batch of bookmarkers, so please let me know if you've made a purchase so I can mail you some swag!
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Thank you so much for all your support! May all of you use your voice because it matters. Your voice is a powerful tool, and I encourage you to use it to express your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. And if you haven't found it yet, I'm keeping good thoughts for you that it will soon emerge because you can inspire another. <3
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Love,
Monique
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