"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do."
-Georgia O'Keeffe
This quote has always stood out to me. For years, I thought it didn't apply to the person I was, and then, one day, I spoke on the phone to an old friend. He was someone I knew in my early twenties who impacted my life in many ways. He was a free-spirited Gemini who was like the fast moving wind.
There were times he could sit still in one place, but those times were short-lived because he had places to go and memories to create—not only with me but the world. I can guarantee everyone whose life he blew into might have a similar mark tattooed in their hearts because he has a way of making you feel alive.
While we were catching up over a long phone call that was thirty years in the making, he said something so profound to me that I will never forget it. He said, "One of the things I admired and loved about you the most, Mo, is that if you wanted something, you went after it. No matter what it was, you'd let nothing stop you, and you always made it happen."
His words were priceless and worth the three-decade wait because they had to come when I was ready to take them in . . . embrace them, hear them, and, most importantly, believe them.
With his help, I can embody Georgia's words now. I see he was right. If I want something, I manifest it and make it my reality, not only for me but also for my loved ones. It doesn't work with everything, but I've had success with it a lot of the time.
For instance, my two favorite bands of the '90s, whom I idolized at some level, became within my reach. Not only did I meet the guys, but I also helped with their charity, advertised their albums and shows, went backstage, gave passes out to lucky winners, and was on their albums…the list goes on. The lead singer of Train even took a phone call from me on the stage during a show! Pat Monahan made everyone laugh by saying, "Um, Monique. I can't talk right now. I'm kinda in the middle of something."
I still pull out pictures of these memories for visual proof that it isn't a made up story!
This has happened in countless ways, primarily as an artist and writer, because those passions to chase after are incredibly scary. You leave yourself vulnerable whenever you send in a poetry or short story submission, share a photo in a gallery, or even on the internet. Art is so subjective that you will always find someone telling you they don't like what you do. Yikes! That's where that thick-skin phrase comes into play.
But, when it's your every thought, you must remember who you do it for and why. And remember you have the support of your family and friends to help you get up off the floor and try again, and again, and again. Pink's song "Try" just went through my head. "You've gotta get up and try, try, try."
So, whatever you want to create in your life for yourself, you must want it with everything you've got and believe it is already so. Most importantly of all, you have to put in the work. I've heard whatever you focus your thoughts and attention on grows. So, grow like a big Oak tree, tall, sturdy, and strong. Because you are! And I bet you're hiding so much beauty under your canopy of leaves that you forgot it existed there. But I know it's there, and I know you have the power to succeed <3
 As always, I cherish our connection and the opportunity to share my journey with you. Today, I have some exciting news to bring to our conversation.
I'm thrilled to share that my photo, One with Nature, has won a California Writer's Club contest and is now part of their new book release, Vision & Verse. This ekphrastic collection, where poets found inspiration in the art and wrote poetry about the images, is a true celebration of art and literature. I can't wait to get a copy and read it! If you'd like one, they are being sold at a discounted price for a short time at Amazon.
I'm also grateful for your support in my poetry journey. As a token of my appreciation, I have a couple of bookmarkers left to give to those who have purchased a pre-sale copy of my poetry collection, Pieces of Me, published by Finishing Line Press. If you bought a copy, please let me know as soon as possible so I can mail one out before they are all gone.
Lastly, I'm thrilled to announce that I've launched a store on my website. With a quick click of a button, you can purchase photographs taken by me, literary mugs, stickers, embroidered patches, and more. Most items come with free shipping.
Times are a bit (more than) troubled now, and I like to focus on hope., so I'll leave you with some recommendations for people with strong voices and consoling words.
If you have not heard of the poet Cleo Wade and need a big hug to feel safe during this chaotic time in our spinning world, pick up her book, Â Heart Talk; Poetic Wisdom For AÂ Better Life. It's a simple read with so much love and encouragement. She requests that you write and draw it, and I've got hearts drawn all over it with several underlines and exclamation points. It's a great little book to place on your nightstand for a peaceful night's sleep.
Another engaging writer, who writes anonymously under the name of Atticus, writes poetry, epigrams, and aphorisms that incorporate love ( such a sucker for the love stuff), relationships, and adventure themes. You might enjoy his work if you prefer short but sweet and thoughtful.
If you have any thoughts or questions or want to say hello, please let me know. It's always lovely to hear from you. Please subscribe to stay connected and to get notifications on upcoming news and information.
Oh, and how about some freebies? On July 23rd, my memoir When Then Became Now and Despina The Anti-Cupid will be free on Barnes and Noble and Amazon! Links are below :)
Thanks,
Monique <3
The poetry collection, Pieces of Me, takes its readers on a journey of courage and self-discovery. It explores the challenges of feeling whole when born half Mexican and growing up with one parent. With vivid poems about first kisses, love, and hope and loss, we are encouraged to find beauty in life—even during the darkest moments, even in the face of adversity.
"Pieces of Me by Monique Rardin Richardson Reading Pieces of Me, snippets of memories, of loves, of hopes, of losses, and of dreams, we see a thread of kindness that strings them together like beads. There is healing in these poems such as all art must have, and reading them, a feeling of privilege like being made privy to a sensitive diary."
Â
Rafael Jesús González, Poet Laureate, Berkeley, California
In the recording studio in San Francisco with the band Train.
Some of my most cherished times were at arenas and all over the place with
The Goo Goo Dolls.
Go to romancebooklovers.com to get free ebooks of When Then Became Now , Despina the Anti-Cupid and so many more!
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