Poetic Resurrection

Perceptions of Toxic Relationships with Corine LaFont

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Corine LaFont’s experiences and how she overcame toxicity in her life with self-acceptance and self-compassion.
Corine La Font is a PR practitioner, Speaker, Podcaster, Author, and Business Coach. She's an island girl to the core and resides in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago after living in Jamaica for 21 years. She loves dancing, Latin, and Ballroom and believes in living life in its full glory!
You can listen to her podcast on Anchor and Spotify
https://anchor.fm/between-the-lines-network
https://open.spotify.com/show/6p3JZrz42hrRhUkVTzYl6J?si=_82tUyVFT8OsC4-bownzVQ
 
 
 

Perceptions of Expectations in Relationships with Dominey Drew

This week's guest is Dominey Drew. Listen to this fun and informative episode.  We discuss experiences and expectations in relationships. We talk about various gender misconceptions and stories that might derail a relationship.
She has offered a free call to our listeners. Let her know you heard her on Poetic Resurrection.  Contact her at DomineyDrew.com.
Dominey is the premiere in personal and relationship coaching.  Her direct, intuitive approach is unlike anything else in the industry - she solves in mere minutes issues that people have struggled with for decades. She's been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and ThriveGlobal for her work, and loves nothing more than facilitating powerful transformation for her clients. 
Over her 18 years of experience and research in this field, Dominey has discovered a powerful, proven process to eradicate negative patterns in a matter of weeks. By using it herself she has transformed more completely than even she ever thought possible. Everything from her mindset, negative self-talk (completely gone), happiness level (from a 3 to a 10), physical body shape (weight loss), self-confidence, and success of both relationships and business was wildly transformed. 
Most people spend their lives struggling unnecessarily, never realizing that their struggle is self-created, or how to stop it.  They are frustrated, lonely, unable to move past the glass ceiling that’s holding them back. When in reality, one simple inner shift can shatter it and launch them forward into effortless success. So after using this process herself to overcome the most profound insecurities and self-sabotaging habits, there is no problem Dominey isn’t equipped to solve. 
Today, this is her passion and her life’s work. Welcome, to the next step of your evolution. 
https://domineydrew.com/

Perceptions of Love and Acceptance

The perception discussion for this week is love & acceptance.
Love
First, we’re going to discuss love. What does love mean to you? There are many types of love. Love for your parents, family, and children. Love for the extended family which includes friends.
Love is both a noun and a verb. It is being and is an action.
“It is true of our self-actualizing people that they now love and are loved… they have the power to love and the ability to be loved.”—Abraham Maslow
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse which differs from the love of food. Most commonly, love refers to a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment. Wikipedia.
“We cannot will love, but we can will to open ourselves to the chance, we can conceive of the possibility—which… sets the wheels in motion.” Rollo May.
To be and feel loved is one of the most precious emotions we can experience. The lost of love can leave us empty and incomplete. Feeling lost, unloved and critical of ourselves comes from a lack of self-acceptance. A study at Queens University in Canada found we have 6200 thoughts a day and the National Science Foundation states 80% are negative. Now we know why it’s difficult to change.
Many of us have love and felt our world was over or the rug pulled from under us when we lose someone we love. Be it a partner moving on or losing a loved one too soon. Either way, grief is felt. Allowing ourselves to grieve and understand and accept the grieving process is key to us being able to move on. Acceptance helps us.
Acceptance
What is acceptance? The Merriam-Webster definition: the act or state of accepting oneself: the act or state of understanding and recognizing one's own abilities and limitations.
Maya Angelou wrote: “I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself.”
Acceptance is forgiveness of self. It’s an act of excusing ourselves of a perceived mistake. What causes us to feel inadequate to the point we find self-forgiveness unacceptable. It could be:
Not feeling intelligent.
Feeling unlovable
Feeling unattractive
Feeling insecure
Feeling like you’re not good enough
As you notice the previous statement’s keyword, which is FEELING. Your perceptions make you feel this way. Doesn’t mean you are these feelings.
Wayne Dyer wrote: If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Acceptance is difficult if you have had many negative self-talk.
I felt I wasn’t good enough when it came to relationships, appearance, and sometimes talent. My plus was there were parts of me I was accepting of. I knew I was intelligent. Maybe not Einstein's intelligence, but I knew the world around me. I was aware of my environment. I just had an empathic sense for it. And I was blessed with loving parents. Having loving people in our lives makes challenges bearable. There is a sense of security when you feel loved. I took more chances.
Love doesn’t need to come from family. It can be friends and others.
Nathaniel Branden states: “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
This is so true; how can you be aware of a situation if you don’t see a perception exists?
I once had someone say well, you know how I am. What does that mean? So, you’re aware, but using your awareness as an excuse to keep acting out a behavior? Hum, doesn’t sound right, but I’m not here to change or judge.
Peter Lindbergh wrote: “I’m firmly convinced that true beauty only springs from the acceptance of oneself, from an awareness of who we really are.”
Asking questions before we judge ourselves or others.
Who am I? I guess that depends on the day. I’m a work in progress.
Why do we feel this way?
Sometimes, we just have to step back from a difficult situation and ask ourselves why. Let me tell you, those are difficult questions to ask when you’re emotional. Hope and asking self-reflecting questions can give you peace of mind.
The poem for this week is SELF from Inspire Me: Perception:
Perplexing stillness
Lost in cosmos of beliefs
Concepts—Old movies flash
 
Abstract intentions
The past is past—face it
Embark to unveil behavior
 
Evolving blossom
Efflorescing history
Conjuring spells of soul
 
Cubical cage of
Anxiety soars
Halts transformation
 
Conflicted thoughts
Tension of Id & Ego
No more, no more
 
Reticent shrieks
Guidepost confusions
Deceit impacts meditations
 
Metaphysics
Vanishing sage
Contemplation finale
 
Old beliefs release soul
Heart opens, engages
A benevolent self
 
River Flute by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4713-river-flute
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Perceptions of the Incarcerated with Luis Javier Rodriguez

This week we have the community activist and Los Angeles Poet Laureate 2014-2016 Luis J Rodriguez. We discuss his beautiful and moving poem entitled Make a Poem Cry.  We're honored to have this special never published reading of the poem along with an in-depth conversation about the incarcerated, their beliefs, and culture. This interview sheds new light on not only their lives but our perceptions of them.
Luis Javier Rodriguez has 16 books in all genres, including eight in poetry. His latest poetry book is "Borrowed Bones" (2016 Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press). He has won a Lila Wallace-Readers' Digest Writers Award, a Passaic Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement, a Lannan Poetry Fellowship, and more. He garnered fellowships from Los Angeles, California, Illinois, Chicago, and North Carolina. He is the founding editor of Tia Chucha Press, which publishes poetry collections and anthologies, now for over 30 years. For forty years he's done poetry readings, talks, and healing circles as well as creative writing workshops in prisons, jails, and juvenile lockups. From 2014-2016, he served as Los Angeles' official Poet Laureate.
https://www.luisjrodriguez.com/
https://www.tiachucha.org/
https://hchpodcast.libsyn.com/

Perceptions of Possessions

Discussion of possessions and our relationship with them and how it's difficult to let go of our beliefs and perceptions. A reading of the poem "Tomorrow" from Inspire Me: Perception.
I started meditating several years ago. I wanted to do it for many years but my mind keeps going to my to-do list. Thinking about the day or what could I have done or said differently. I realized that I just needed to replace those thoughts with a place that brings me joy. The forest, the ocean, somewhere in nature that calmed me. Finding that happy place to visualize. Growing up I have felt lack and I thought possessions were the answer even though whatever I purchased was exciting and made me happy for a very limited amount of time. Then I had to store it. Gratitude for what I have and realizing I had so much more than I thought...
Tomorrow
If I was to die tomorrowWould I have organized my homeWould I had left my paperwork in orderWould I have made it easier for my familyIf I was to die tomorrowWould I have followed and completed my dreamsWould I have loved the way I wanted to loveWould I have visited the world like I wanted toIf I was to die tomorrow Would I have told those that I loved that I love them Would I have seen the beauty in my own life Can I say that I lived my life to its fullest
If I was to die tomorrowWould I have lived today Would I have loved differently Would I have felt my life was complete If I would die tomorrow A sadness would be there toKnow I wasted so much time Afraid of the unknownIf I was to die tomorrow I would make the unknown—knownI’d face the unknown I was so afraid of As I chose my life today with strength and joy
 
Music:
Dreaming In by Unicorn Heads

Perceptions of Anger

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
How do we control anger when it isn't healthy to hold onto it? Letting go - can be easier said than done and holding onto anger, hurt, and disappointment doesn't help us. Finding ways that work with our being is important.
“Reality is ultimately a selective act of perception and interpretation. A shift in our perception and interpretation enables us to break old habits and awaken new possibilities for balance, healing, and transformation.”  David Simon
The is the poem KNOW from my third book “Inspire Me: Perception”
Chasing anger and cornered it. A fearful, sad beast faces me as I approached and see terror in its eyes.  I held their hand and anger’s calm.   I’m sorry I enslaved you for so long.  Holding you in my rigid heart.  You were banging on the walls trying to escape but I blamed you.  I’m sorry.  I thought you were hurting me and yet you were just trying to escape.  To let me be and I resisted.  Lacking knowledge of your truths and now I know.  Here you stand before me afraid as the child who created you.  Choking the past without comfort.  I hold your hand and liberate you.  My sorrow is great as life’s whispers confess.  I love you and let you go.  Embracing you tight, releasing with love.  Thank you, fear.
Many blessings.
For more in-depth information on anger, check out the links below.
https://meditativemind.org/root-causes-anger-ego-fear-frustration/
https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control
https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/strategies-controlling
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-lies-and-conflict/201711/your-body-is-the-root-your-rage
Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soulLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Merry-Go-Round Poem

Merry Go Round from Inspire Me: Raw
 
The freedom of a carousel
Excited a horse ride at Riverview
Along ago pleasure - slips away
                -merry go round
Just as my past, it’s now closed
Childhood memories longing to embrace
Protected behind steel gates and chains
                -of a vivid lifetime
Don’t grow up to fast!
Parents advised
Run, play and laugh
Maturity interfered
                -games changed
Hand-carved wooden horses
Painted red, blue, white, and gold
Others were of assorted colors
                -those were the ones I chose
Safety in innocence
Fun to be carefree
Living life with joy
                -at the Merry Go Round
 
Amazement by Freedom Trail Studio

Perceptions of Joy with Barb Moses

Poetic Resurrection Episode 4 Perceptions of Joy with Barb Moses. An introspective view of how gratitude and self-acceptance affect Joy.
Barb Moses is the Founder and CEO of High5 Leadership, who created this business with one purpose in mind – inspiring others to change THEIR worlds, so together they will change THE world.
Barb is a businesswoman with the heart of a hippie. She is a trainer, speaker, writer, and coach who inspires individuals and business groups to escape mediocrity igniting real results for their lives and businesses. She teaches and writes about how to live a life on purpose and do work you are proud of! Together with High5’s corporate clients, Barb is creating a business culture of people who are courageous, self-confident, decisive, trusting, kind, compassionate and of course Joy!
When resting from all this awesomeness, Barb enjoys her home in San Diego with her kitty Willow, where she is a workout queen. And, not to sound like a singles ad, enjoys her walks on the beach.
https://www.high5leadership.com/

Affirmations of Being Enough

This meditation can be listened to at any time and has a bohemian feel.  You can listen or repeat after each phrase
Breathing in – breathing out
The gratitude of my being, the love from my soul flourishes as I know I am enough.
I am love – I feel loved
I am grateful for who I am
I am grateful for the people in my life
I am loving and caring of myself
I am of pure soul and joy
I am enough
My life is a gift and I appreciate it
When I feel hurt or discouraged it’s my soul nudging me towards right path.
I am an ever-blooming flower whose stages of growth are beautiful
I am grateful for all that I have
My stance shows I am enough
I am confident and I stand tall
The gratitude of my being, the love from my soul flourishes as I know I am enough.
I am love – I feel loved
I am grateful for who I am
I am grateful for the people in my life
I am loving and caring of myself
I am of pure soul and joy
I am enough
My life is a gift and I appreciate it
When I feel hurt or discouraged it’s my soul nudging me towards right path.
I am an ever-blooming flower whose stages of growth are beautiful
I am grateful for all that I have
My stance shows I am enough
I am confident and I stand tall
Many blessings
 
Lotus by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5046-lotus
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Perceptions of Being with Martina Reisz Newberry

A reading of the poem “Subsequence” from Blues for French Roast with Chicory. We discuss the suffix “ess”, ageism and creativity and how it affects the perceptions of being. Cultural perceptions on age and value are explored.
Martina Reisz Newberry has been writing for 60 years. A passionate lover of Los Angeles, she currently lives there with her husband, Brian Newberry, a Media Creative.
Martina Reisz Newberry’s most recent book is BLUES FOR FRENCH ROAST WITH CHICORY, (Deerbrook Editions). She is also the author of NEVER COMPLETELY AWAKE, (May 2017, Deerbrook Editions). WHERE IT GOES (Deerbrook Editions). LEARNING BY ROTE (Deerbrook Editions) and RUNNING LIKE A WOMAN WITH HER HAIR ON FIRE: Collected Poems (Red Hen Press) 
Newberry has been included in It Happened Under Cover, Ascent Aspirations’ first two hard-copy anthologies, also in the anthologies In The Company Of Women, Blessed Are These Hands and Veils,, The Charles Carter Anthology, and Halos & Shackles: International Poetry on the Oppression and Empowerment of Women. She has been widely published in literary magazines such as:  The Amaranth Review, Assisi, Ascent Aspirations, Blue Nib, Arabesque Review, Bella, Burning Word, Connotation Press, Cape Rock, The Cenacle, Eunoia Review, Journal of Applied Poetics, Two Hawks Quarterly, Wilderness House Literary Review, Pennsylvania Literary Review, and others in the U.S. and abroad. 
 
She has been awarded residencies at Yaddo Colony for the Arts, Djerassi Colony for the Arts, and at Anderson Center for Disciplinary Arts.