THE FLIGHT PATH 

Upon gazing out my window, what did I see?

But caged birds fluttering, trying to break free.

Their wings beating against the bars, longing for the sky,

A reflection of my own struggles, asking "Why?"

Trapped in the confines of our own making,

We yearn for freedom, our spirits aching.

Bound by expectations, responsibilities, and fear,

Like those caged birds, we long to disappear.

But just as they find solace in their songs,

We too must find strength to right our wrongs.

For life's constraints may be tough to bear,

But with perseverance, we can find hope in the air.

So, let us embrace the challenge, spread our wings wide,  

And soar above the obstacles with unwavering pride.  

For like the caged birds, we can rise above the fray,  

And find our own path to a brighter day.  

With courage as our guide, we'll break free from the chains,  

And dance in the sunlight, where freedom reigns.  

No longer bound by doubt or despair,  

We'll find our true selves in the open air.  

So let us take flight, with hearts unafraid,  

And live our lives fully, no longer dismayed.

SILENT THOUGHTS

Who's going to hear me?  I wish I could scream and shout and release the feeling of frustration that holds me so tightly I might as well be drowning. When do I get my release? We live in a world where things are so uncertain - today it could be a virus, tomorrow it could be war. 

     Why is it that we rely so heavily on the emotional connections that tie us to where we came from that we can no longer see how those same connections hurt or offend in ways that they think is acceptable, and leave scars that are unseen? 

     The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes – I have no place beyond the space that I've created for myself. My will to survive and push myself forward on a daily basis is what keeps me going. 

     The light at the end of the tunnel is dim, but I see it. I know I can get to that place just beyond the darkness. I know I can push just a little further - I know I can! 

     After all, I've been doing it for ages – pushing myself to be better, to do better, to become something so much more than I ever thought I was able to. It's not to be an inspiration to anyone, but rather to keep from completely losing myself. 

     Everyone has something that they wish to accomplish - a place they wish to be, but in getting there they see things in the shadow that they might not have paid attention to before. The boogeyman, if you will. The person who ends it all. The person who holds you back, the person who hurts you consistently with their words because their words hold power. This is the power that you've given them and now it's time for you to take your power back. 

     It is yours. 

     It's never been anyone else's. 

     Fight! Breathe! Scream! 

     Do what you will to make yourself stronger and tougher... Grow beyond your wildest dreams and find the person that you always were on the inside. The person who couldn't show themselves because deep down they knew that they would never be accepted as they were. 

     Defeat may sound like a negative concept, but in this, it is positive – now is the time to defeat the person who holds you back more than any other person ever could – yourself!

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