Lifeforstock via freepik

Photo courtesy of Lifeforstock via freepik

In the Beginning

Start Somewhere . . .

Some days are hard . . . life can be rough.
Adulting these days can be pretty tough.
We forget so easy to take care of us.
Nah, I’m good, don’t make a fuss.

I got this, no problem, we play to the game,
Holding a mask, avoid any shame.
We can’t admit we feel run down,
Don’t show this smile is really a frown.

But let’s say it out loud for once in our lives.
We are tired and want to do more than survive.
We can no longer ignore our need for self-care,
We have to bend or we’re gonna break out there.

We must stop, we must breathe, we must come up for air.
What if we did something fun? Laugh if we dare?
We could take moments to stop and survey,
The amazing things here that make up this day.

Beautiful sunsets and music and dance,
Friends and family and embracing romance,
Coloring and writing and painting and walks,
Faith and renewal and God and long talks,

Moments to read and learn and to rest.
Time to explore and be at our best.
To have fun just because, to play when we can.
Why is this such a difficult plan?

Today I start right where I stand.
Writing for fun for a writer I am.
A picture prompt to start up the soul,
Look out now, for I’m on a roll.

So please enjoy my words for fun,
At least for today, the battle is won!

Life for Stock via freepik

Just a Thought

The first of many writing challenges I engaged in, trying to hit 250 words exactly while expressing something brilliant. Here is what was brilliant about this one; I finally stopped fighting what I knew to be true. Better than that, I began to embrace the real me.

Just a girl who loves to tell a story that brings light to someone else. This is the beginning of now and start of something that had been growing for years. That’s right. I stopped playing by the rules and started telling the story.

My Favorite Heartbeats

Just for You

“She’s a writer not because she doesn’t have any fears and doubts, but because she writes anyway.” ~ Bryan Hutchinson

VP GRAVATAR TWO 500

Shannon Leach is a slice-of-life encouragement writer and the owner of A Repurposed Heart and ARH Inspirations. Her authentic stories and books about leadership, life, and loving people focus on encouraging others and reminding them they are not alone. Her work can also be found in Guideposts and multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and is the cofounder of the nonprofit The Fostered Gift.

Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Continue the Search

Looking for more stories and adventures? No matter which way you go, I pray the next set of words will be exactly what your heart was looking for.

Techie Tomfoolery

Some days technology cracks me up in more ways than one. For today, I will choose to find the humor even within the frustration.

Quick Fix

Sometimes in life you have to find the value in the things you would have not considered valuable. For me, that includes the quick fix.

Prayerfully Considered

Why is the one tool we should lead with first the one that most leaders forget to start with? It is a challenge many of us share.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

 

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Subscribe for More
ARH 2023 LOGO BLACK LETTERING