More Than a Poem «Today» ?

Once upon a time, I wrote a poem as a teenager and was humiliated by my teacher in journalism class. He accused me of not being the author.

This poem had morphed years later and is now, fast forward, an actual song. It was supposed to remain as a passion project which I found extremely spiritually rewarding. I had shared it with my Pilates class participants and my massage therapy and mentoring clients (since almost twenty years ago). It was often given in the shape of a tiny scroll, printed black and white, with a red ribbon tied as a bow. It happened at the end of my classes on special holidays, or in person one-to-one. Much like a mimic of a graduation scroll one would receive crossing a stage, is what was intended. It eventually became a plasticized bookmark, which then became translated professionally to French as requested by a lovely, elderly client who only spoke French.

After much back and forth mentally and spiritually, I became reconnected to an online resource where a singer songwriter, wrote and performed the song professionally. I had felt torn about allowing myself to have this done and frankly, I found this singer/songwriter compelling, authentic, and so talented. Her voice sounded like a soulful conversation that would take your heart on a journey of contemplation as she sings, for whatever she’d be singing about. I took the plunge in 2020 and stepped into the contract, as a gift to feel inner-peace and fulfillment.

«Then, I broke.»

It was during the time over the year following when the whole world was shut down in the pandemic and survival mode for most was the forefront. Yes, I was strongly self-contained in caring for others, as well as being a primary caregiver to my father with Alzheimer’s at his facility or attending to training and education zoom classes during this time. Yet nothing could prepare me for the devastation of hearing of the increased number of children, teens and adults taking their own lives.

It shattered me and rendered me feeling powerless. I felt like I was well in my self-authority and managing, doing the best I could as a human being. And then as there was so much loss and transformation going on, this one aspect rocked me to my core.

As over-simplified as it may come across as, my freeze and unwillingness to expose the poem as the lyrics to a self-mentoring, inspirational song, began to redirect itself.

«While I’m not a medical doctor, nor psychologist, this poem has had great significance for me and what the judgements of others and towards ourselves can do, that can seriously impact lives while sometimes causing irreversible damage.»

Please check out the song, «TODAY». If you know a teenager, or have a classroom full of them, or know an adult who would benefit from this inspirational, folk song.

Are you curious about how the full story of feeling ridiculed flipped into a silver lining that has been paying forward ever since?

If so, you’re invited to read the article that explains it all! Perhaps you have a back story as well.

Check out: What is Your Back Story «Today» originally written May 2021.