Tuesday Drew's Day

Hello, everyone! Tuesday is Drew's Day! This, of course, means that you will have the lovely opportunity to hear my musings... or poetry... or grocery lists each and every wonderful tuesday that you happen to visit this wonderful blog. So, as an old videogame character would say, "Stay awhile and listen."

Sunday was Mothers' day. Not only that, it was also the day on which I was ambushed (okay, that's not the right word, but that's the first one that comes to mind) by my wonderful coach, Itsrealight (if you want to learn more about this wonderful person, check out her blog post here). While out to a dinner and a "Workshop", I was told to get up and recite a poem. And, so I did. Need proof?

I still haven't brought myself to watch the video. I feel that... ugh... about it. However, I did learn a few things from that night. And I'd like to share a few of the better ones with you all. Check it:

1. Don't let other people control your words. At one point in the video, you'll notice a guy cough loudly and obviously. I felt bad for interrupting this guy's space, but he did begin to act the part of an ass. There will always be someone trying to silence you; speak the truth regardless.
2. Be confident with what you say. Whether it's a statement or opinion, believe and be confident in what you say.
3. No one, at the end of the day, really cares. This is not to sound depressing, but it's true. If you hinge the worth of your words on other peoples opinions, then your words will be a roller coaster. At some moments they'll be exhilarating. At others they'll leave you queasy. Also, people are willing to forgive a distraction if it ends up giving them a good story to tell.
4. If you don't believe your message, no one else will have a reason to. This goes for poetry and everyday life: if you don't believe what you say, no one else will. So...
5. Speak with authority. Because what worked for Jesus can work for you. You may not be bringing salvation to someone, but you may be bringing something that they need to hear. Your words could be that advance on hope they've been holding out for; especially when every other place has turned down their loans.
6. Ignore the shaking in your limbs like branches; it's just proof you have an invisible force moving them. Your words are the wind; your limbs will ask you to leave and will shake; this experience will make you grow so say no when your limbs whisper defeat. Take root and stay planted. You will, like a tree, change someone's breath out into a gasp and give them energy to go on.
7. Dry mouth is akin to the signs of a tsunami. When the tide goes out, this only indicates that there is a force ready to breach far into the dry land. Be ready. Your words will come like a wave, so don't use excuses like sandbags because eventually everything will get washed away; at least you now get to choose how.
8. Your words are a gift, so give them without letting other know the price you're paying to make them. Life is a gift. Speech is a gift. Your name is a gift. Every time you give someone the time of your life, make sure they know you're giving it freely with nothing expected in return. Remember your life is your own, but you can never own time. This is okay – make the best with what you've got.

Finally, the fortune cookie that I got right before I stood up to speak said "Fear drives you and makes you better." There's poetry somewhere in that, I think.