I Was Trouble

I was trouble, a gremlin with dirt in my grin,

Pocketed candy, lies slick on my chin.

Sticky fingers, stolen things,

But no one asked why I needed wings.

I laughed like a fuse with a spark in my teeth,

Ran from the guilt and the cops on the street.

Said I was “bad,” said I was “wild,”

But I was just smoke from a burning child.

Took falls from bikes, cracked open my head,

Saw stars and silence, thought maybe I was dead.

Once my heart stopped—quiet as sleep—

They said I came back. I didn’t come cheap.

You call it a phase, a brat being loud,

But I was a scream no one heard in the crowd.

They punished the thief, they scolded the liar—

But never once wondered who lit the fire.

Now I sit with the ashes, older, half-whole,

A little less thief, but a long way from soul.

And still, in the mirror, that kid sometimes grins,

With dirt on their face—

And blood on their sins.

Quiet Like Stone.

What you do, I can do too,
Not with noise, but quiet truth.
If I don’t know, I’ll learn the way
Not for the show, not for display.

I watch, I wait, I read the room,
A shadow passing through the gloom.
They speak too loud, they boast, they burn,
While I stay still, but always learn.

I say “I can’t,” though it’s not true,
Just to see what words will do.
It’s not surrender, not defeat
It’s silence standing on its feet.

They step, they push, they walk right through,
As if I’m made of nothing new.
But let them think I’m soft and small,
I’ll rise, and they won’t see at all.

For I am quiet, but not weak,
My silence louder than they speak.
I choose my battles, choose my pace
There’s strength in stillness, not a race.

~chat 

just being alive.

The meaning of life?
It's just being alive
not chasing stars in crystal balls,
not drawing fate from shuffled decks.

No whispered truth from distant planes,
no prophecy to shape your name.
Just breath and skin and open eyes,
the quiet art of being wise.

Not wise with maps or guiding hands,
but wise enough to make no plans.
To feel the sun, to touch the rain,
to sit with joy, to sit with pain.

No need for omens, signs, or lore
the moment’s knocking at your door.
You live it not by knowing how,
but showing up, and starting now.

Go figure life.
Go take the fall.
Go walk the edge,
go climb the wall.
Go laugh, go fail, go dream, go cry
the point’s not where.
It’s that you try.

empowering?

"To Empower Others, You Need to Empower Yourself First"

Empowerment is often discussed in the context of leadership, mentorship, and community development. We are taught the value of uplifting others, of enabling those around us to reach their potential. However, there is a foundational truth that is sometimes overlooked: you cannot truly empower others until you have empowered yourself. Just as a lighthouse must be securely anchored and fueled to guide ships safely to shore, individuals must develop their own inner strength and clarity before they can effectively support and elevate others.

Empowering oneself begins with self-awareness. Understanding your values, your purpose, and your limitations creates a solid foundation for personal growth. This self-awareness fosters empathy, a key ingredient in empowering others. When you know what it means to struggle, to fail, to rise again, you gain the compassion necessary to guide someone else through their journey. Without this internal grounding, attempts to empower others may lack authenticity and depth.

Moreover, confidence is contagious. People are naturally drawn to those who radiate self-assurance not arrogance, but a quiet, steady belief in themselves. Empowered individuals become role models, not because they are perfect, but because they show what is possible through perseverance and self-belief. Their example gives others permission to step into their own power. However, this confidence must come from genuine self-empowerment, not from a desire to control or impress.

Resilience is another critical aspect of self-empowerment. Life inevitably brings challenges, and the way we respond to adversity sets a powerful example. Those who have developed resilience are not only better equipped to help others weather their own storms, they also become living proof that it is possible to overcome obstacles. By facing our own fears and failures with courage, we gain the credibility and strength to walk alongside others in their darkest moments.

Lastly, empowerment is deeply tied to knowledge and skill. You cannot teach what you have not learned, nor can you share wisdom you haven’t internalized. A teacher must first be a student. A mentor must have walked the path before guiding someone else down it. By investing in our own learning, growth, and development, we increase our capacity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of others.

In a world that often urges self-sacrifice and puts others first, it’s important to remember that true service begins with self-development. Empowering yourself is not selfish, it is a necessary step toward becoming someone who can lead, support, and inspire. Only when your own light is burning bright can you help others find their way.

Not by accident.

what we often call a mistake might actually be a deliberate decision.

They say I stumbled, took a wrong turn, 

A flame too close, and watched it burn.

But truth, like ash, clings to the skin:
I knew the cost before the sin.

They call it error, blind and brief,
A lapse of heart, a thief of grief.
Yet I recall the quiet thrill,
The hush before the blood went still.

No trembling hand, no fogged intent,
Each step I took was heaven-sent,
Not from the skies, but from below,
Where whispered wants begin to grow.

A smile curled behind my face,
A shadow danced in guiltless grace.
And when the world began to break,
I never claimed it was mistake.

So let them speak of wrongs and rights,
Of twisted days and haunted nights.
But in the dark, I hold my voice.
Some things we do
are done by choice.

"some mistake is not a mistake but a choice."