Baby steps for the guarded soul
[Class in session]
When one appears estranged from their ability to feel, do not apply pressure
***
we all know the type...
strong-willed, focused, stern... secretly unsettled.
the ones who find difficulties projecting emotions,
like a persistent allergy who's only known
symptom is... avoidance. i aim to guide that
person through a more refined way. to allow
potential to surface without causing a
noticeable shadow.
*
Smile more—
even if your hardened ego protests against muscles controlling expressions, smile— it compliments character.
Laugh a little—
laughing in front of others is recommended when you find something humorous (versus pretending you weren't listening). shared laughter holds its own therapy.
Remember birthdays—
choosing to send a card rather than calling is satisfactory. a card can say things your mind is built to abstain from. if you don't believe mushy words represent you, choose a blank card. simply write, Happy Birthday inside—you will quickly gather the meaning behind the phrase: it's the thought that counts
Offer assistance—
you've probably missed a flurry of opportunities to help other's because it requires...well, helping—something that clashes with your personal mottos of non-interference. interacting in this way creates a clear indication of caring.
quit avoiding--
shunning reciprocal pathways morphs into silence, ends in misunderstanding and ultimately regresses efforts to maintain healthy bonds.
Learn the importance of feeling sorry—
the word -sorry- is a tricky slope. i cannot recommend the correct context in which it's needed. apologizing takes strength, not weakness. use it with purpose. mean it.
take advantage of the initiative—
you are a thinker. which means, you have the ability to know when the moment opens. missing the opportunity may forfeit the desired outcome, leaving you regretting the act of inaction.
Learn to say it—
on occasion, you become faced with that one word (love) sitting idle on the tongue. whether it’s a daughter, an uncle or a loyal friend, saying it causes a gratifying reaction—you made them feel.
*
assembling words to lift the moment won’t
always align. the tongue may get held in
heavy traffic with zero navigation. but with effort,
you can say things without ever moving your lips,
allowing actions, on occasions, do the lifting the
heart finds trouble naming.
*
Class dismissed...
About the Creator
Lamar Wiggins
Creative writer in the Northeast US who loves the paranormal, mystery, true crime, horror, humor, fantasy and poetry.
"Life is Love Experienced" -LW
LDubs
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More stories from Lamar Wiggins and writers in Poets and other communities.
The 2nd Coming. Runner-Up in Public Announcement Challenge.
**ATTENTION: Misguided wanderers of the World Moving forward, you shall relinquish your name and place all grievances aside. I reclaim absolute authority and choose not to recognize individual purpose or tired pursuits of grandeur. Until further notice, every living soul will now be referred to as 'Occupant'.
By Lamar Wiggins28 days ago in Poets
Echoes
I stepped carefully around the corner, the familiar sights and sounds hitting me like a brick to the face. My eyes watered. I could practically see us, all of us, back then, clustered around the outdoor tables in front of the pizza shop, the bar, the coffee shop. I could smell the various stalls from the events we’d been to on this street. I could taste the churros and nachos.
By Phoenixica244 days ago in Fiction
Comments (34)
Beautiful instructions! Congrats on your win. 💜
Thoughtful and poignant messages Lamar! I feel you could write a book around this poem’s messages. Congratulations on your win!! 👏
Congratulations on your win! 🎉💖
Congratulations on your Win!!!
Back to say I am so pleased that your poem got a taste of the recognition it deserves! The poem helps align to an ideal that is worth trying to make attainable
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Amazing! Congratulations!
Very clever approach and such a gracefully written piece. Congratulations on the win!
Absolutely beautiful work, Lamar - I feel I need to reread this every day to unlearn the detachment. A huge congrats on the well-earned win!!
One of my favorite quotes attributed to Francis of Assisi is something along the lines of “preach always, when necessary use words.” I dig what you’re saying here, glad to see you land the win, not only for the quality poetry but also for the legitimate and necessary message here. It’s ironic for writers to say but I tend to agree that you can say you love someone without ever moving your lips, definitely. I’d love isn’t a verb it’s kind of just mush. But I also think it’s important to say what you feel, and to show it on your face. I tend to be too stoic me often wish I could be freer with a laugh and smile. Congrats Lamar, I’m gonna try and remember and incorporate the advice you’re sharing here.
Congrats, Lamar! Deserved!
We have been schooled! Congratulations on a very deserved win, Lamar!
Congratulations, Lamar! 🍾🥂💖
Lamar!!!! Congrats on your win!! 👏👏👏
Congratulations, Lamar!
I love how this gives permission for different styles of showing care.
This is a fantastic perspective on how one can start living a more fulfilling life.
Nicely written and such wonderful advice. I particularly loved the sections on laughing and feeling sorry. One I have great skill in the other I struggle to master. I usually employ the first to soften my ego enough to use the second.
Lamar, I love this : "assembling words to lift the moment won’t always align. the tongue may get held in heavy traffic with zero navigation. but with effort, you can say things without ever moving your lips" Congratulations on your top story❣👏👏😊
It feels so strange when the values and morals you grew up on are optional or non-aaplicable except for an assessment sometimes as part of a workplace training program. Maybe we should plaster poems and stories everywhere, Lamar. Perhaps that way some people won't feel offended, or less than, for even bringing up the subject. Really and truly grateful for writers. Congratulations for this top story ✨🏵️✨
Congratulations on your top story!! 💯🎉🎉🎉
Congratulations 🎊 for your Top Story❤️❤️❤️
congratulations on your Top Story
I KNEW this would make Top story!! Congrats, my friend!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊