Embrace Uncertainty to Fuel Your Career
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
Uncertainty dominates our behavior more than many of us allow it to. It can be daunting and overwhelming writing for an audience more so than keeping your words close to your heart.
When building a career as a poet or writer one of the questions you will come across is:
How do we approach challenging situations that have a little uncertainty?
Truthfully, the answer will differ for each person. So, I reached out to poet Melissa Anderson to share her most recent piece “dear younger me” because the words completely align with what I believe to be true.
Here it is:
“Dear Younger Me” by Melissa Anderson
i sat across from my younger self the other day
she was more than a little surprised to see me
her eyes were so wide as she searched mine
i told her some of what would come
she didn't believe me, but she listened all the same
i held her hands in mine and told her how i loved her
how she was so much more valuable than she realized
she rolled her eyes and looked away, then came back to meet mine
had no one ever told her how she is enough
that her quiet, gentle way, and her different outlook
were lovable and perfectly okay
of course, they had, but perhaps this would be the day she would believe
i felt a tear come to the corner of my eye as i thought of all she would endure
i spared that part, not wanting to break her heart
i finally settled on what to say
trust yourself and trust your heart
your softness is a gift, not the curse you believe it to be
even if you accomplished nothing more than you have today
you are worthy and exceptional in your way
be kind to yourself
don't let your mistakes define you
make room for fun and joy
even in the midst of pain
freedom will find you one day soon
be sure to take hold of it
rest in it
and while there will be days you will believe
you won't make it through
you are so much stronger than you know
The message for me is clear when facing uncertainty, trust yourself, your heart, and believe in your strength. You're exceptionally unique in your way.
Thank you Melissa for the poem. Find her on instagram here. Read from her blog here.
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