Be True to You

    My biggest lesson of 2023 is being true to yourself. Easier said than done. Especially if you don't fully know yourself or aren't in practice of it. Though it is my most valuable lesson this year.

    Being true to yourself means following the promptings of your soul. Whether that means something as big as quitting a job that inhibits you. Draining joy and energy from your life. Or doing what you love. Something that fills you with joy each time you do it.

    It also means standing strong in yourself. That could be clearly communicating boundaries, allowing you and others to better interact. It could be having to step out of the norm because what is normal for others may not be what's best for you.

    Taking this lesson forward, we can better craft our experiences. Enriching our lives and leaving no regrets to dwell on later.

   Thank for reading, and have a happy new year!

The Shadow Self

    The reflection of yourself you don't want to see let alone admit exists. It could be your anger which leads you to be destructive. It could be something you feel ashamed by, as you think others will judge you for it. Though you cannot be whole denying a part of yourself. Going about life with only parts of yourself means you're not fully living.

    Though to incorporate your shadow, you must look at yourself. All of yourself. "The good, the bad, the ugly". (Though if it's authentic, there can be beauty in it.) You must acknowledge that it is there. That it is a part of you. Often times after acknowledging it, it seems to shrink. Becoming less of some monster and more a simple aspect. From there you can assign it however it suits your life.

Alliteration: A

    An alliteration series? Absolutely. Upon anamnesis of an awe-inspiring alliteration, I agreed to arranged my own. As amazing as I can accomplish. Afterall, alliteration is simply articulately arranging alphabet accordingly. So come along down this new avenue and allow me these amusing assemblies. Arrivederci.

Victory

    Upon the behemoth's defeat, all the demons dispersed, no longer having a master to serve. The party looked around their emptied surroundings. The dust settled and the wind winded down. The only sounds that permeated the space was the panting breaths of those left standing.

    "We... We did it?" the rogue voiced, confused and relieved. The party looked to each in disbelief. While they had fought for this very outcome, the journey to it was long and arduous. The hero left the side of the fallen behemoth and walked to his party. With the rising sun behind him and his head hanging low, his face was cast in shadow. They stood in silence, waiting for their friend's response. The moment almost stretched to an uncomfortable length. Though, the hero lifted his head with a comforting, innocent smile shining from his face.

    "Yes... We made it," he simply answered. The three then looked to each other, smiles gleaming on all their faces.

    "Yes!" the rogue shouted, literally jumping for joy. Though upon landing, he promptly collapsed, exhausted from the dragged out battle. The swordsman smirked as he leaned on his sword, equally exhausted.

    "Thank goodness," the mage commented, leaning on her staff. The air around seemed to become lighter and grow brighter with the sunrise.

    The hero then collapsed on the ground and for a split second the party worried for his health. Though upon looking at his face, their worries were cleared. For a smile adorned his face and restful breathing cascaded from him. The rest of the party shared laughter and gazed upon the rising sun.