Courage
INNER STRENGTH
Inner strength lives inside each of us. So many times we feel we are without any inner strength,that our confidence doesn’t lift us high enough. Confidence comes from within. If we believe in ourselves we will become more and more confident.
Our confidence was “shot down” when we were children, living in a world of abuse. They stole our confidence, stole our self-esteem. We were vulnerable, believed all the hurtful things said to us. We lived with this right up into our adult life, always believing we weren’t good enough, we were failures. Believing it was our fault that these things happened to us.
How wrong we were. Many of us who have healed for the most part know that this is a fallacy. It was never our fault. We were innocent. As adults many of us can see that. We know we were stuck in a place we had no control of. But now, we are i control, we can begin to build ourselves up. Be confident in our abilities. Able now to find our inner strength, believing in ourselves. Free to be in control, mot let the abuser be in control any longer.
Reach deep inside, find that inner strength, it’s there waiting for you to grab hold and believe in yourself, believe that you are worthy of so much!!
IT’S YOUR CHOICE
The way you look at life, determines how you will live it. As you journey through your healing, there will often be times when you feel you can’t go on, where you let the negatives take over and stamp out all the positives that ever helped you along the way. Having an attitude of being positive helps in so many ways, the way you feel inside, the way you look to others etc. If you choose to take the detour and live in a negative mindset, your healing journey will be forever long. You will feel down more than up, you will wear a frown and a sad face, even though on the outside you may appear to others as happy, you yourself know that on the inside you are feeling poorly. Find that positive, one small positive feeling will lead to a “snowball effect.” Your world will become more in tune if you can look at the world with a positive attitude. Fight the negatives, see the blueness in the sky, listen to the birds chirp, feel the warmth of the sun on your face, these are all positives, let it turn you around little by little, and your healing journey will feel like you are on the road to a better place, to a better you. You are worth it. Be positive, be happy!!! 
DEFINE YOURSELF
With Michal Madison
Both Michal and I believe in this so much. What or who you are on the outside, is not important. What is important is who you are on the inside. No one should discriminate because of how a person looks, the gender, race, etc. Our looks define us!! We are all unique individuals. That’s what makes the “world go round.” My prose I think says it all!!!
DEFINE YOURSELF
Define yourself
Go against the grain.
Embrace your inner passion for life.
Don’t succumb to others expectations.
Find your own way.
Become a unique individual.
Let your dreams unfold.
Express yourself with confidence.
Shatter the glass ceiling.
Be bold.
Be a risk taker!!
Others will follow.
Aspiring to your own dreams
will pave the way.
Be the change for our future.
Break through judgements of others
showing who you truly are.
Most importantly, be true to yourself!!
Believe in who you are.
Your talents are important.
Your cultural uniqueness is
a gift from Creator.
All races are equal in the eyes of God.
No matter your ethnic background
Black, White, Asian, etc.
be a part in ending discrimination!!
Be inclusive.
Embrace everyone.
Taking away ethnicity breaks one’s spirit.
Diversity is powerful. Fulfilling.
Set a precedent for all cultures.
End stereotyping.
Go beyond what others see.
Discover your own biases that distort truth,
blinding you to who you truly are
and who others are.
Be a part of tearing down the walls separating us by race, religion,
gender, sexual orientation.
Never confine yourself, or anyone else to a defined class.
We can all broaden our horizons.
Looks on the outside should
never mask what is on the inside.
Your true value is who you are INSIDE!!
Never let condescending attitudes
break you.
Never let others defeat you.
Strive to meet challenges with dignity, grace & integrity.
Allow conflict to make you stronger.
Push forward with determination.
Be courageous.
Be different.
Be yourself!!
Prose by Mary Graziano©2016
Fabulous Watercolour painting
by my wonderful friend
Michal Madison
copyright 2016
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
INNER CHILD
Deep down inside you, lives your inner child. We all have an inner child inside, some are waiting to come forward, some are afraid, afraid because the past made them silent, with no voice. Call out to your inner child, tell her/him that they are safe. Speak softly to them, they peer out but withdraw quickly. Sit, play, sing, dance, let them see you are happy, free, able to move forward on your journey to healing. All our inner child wants is to become one with us. Let them know they are loved deeply. Slowly your inner child will learn from you, will know they don’t need to fear any longer. The past can no longer hurt them or you…..mg © 2016
BLUE
Blue
The beauty in her sapphire blue eyes
tinged red from emotional tears.
Today, just one of those days!!
She feels the need to release what lurks inside.
Letting go of all the negative feelings,
the dark emotions that hold her back.
Like a volcano, ready to erupt.
Releasing all that is pend up inside!!
Some days we just need to let go.
Our inner self, once silent, now waking.
To cry, is not a weakness, but a cleansing
of our soul. To be renewed.
Telling ourselves, “All will be okay.”
Tears. Flush away the demons that hide inside.
Calling them out, finally being rid of them!!
Tears, help to wipe your inner emotions clean.
Unexpressed emotions. Held back like a dam.
Now, set free. Spewing away bad thoughts.
Making room for positives. Bringing peace
to your heart, your soul.
Her sapphire blue eyes speak. Telling us.
“It’s okay if you’re feeling
blue!!”
Prose by Mary Graziano©Nov. 2015
Revised October 23, 2016
Beautiful watercolour painting
& title “blue” by my fabulous friend
Michal Madison
Copyright 2014
How often do we feel this way? Feeling blue. We often hold it all in, afraid to release the pain, the emotions that go along with it. Let the tears fall, let it release all the hurt, anger, sadness that builds up inside. Let your emotions erupt, calmness will begin to overcome you. Soon, all that is pent up will subside, you will begin to feel peace inside. The tears will stop, the hurt will dissipate. All that was held deep inside, is now released, bringing an air of confidence, relief. Never keep your emotions locked up. Sometimes when we feel blue, that’s okay. It brings along the tears, to wash away emotional baggage.
EMBRACE THE JOURNEY
EMBRACE THE JOURNEY
In nature animals trudge on,
never giving up. Meeting many adversities
in their lives, but, no matter what the cost
they continue on, with determination
to see the rising sun of new dawn,
knowing their courage helped them
reach their final destination.
Be amazed at the beauty
surrounding you.
Time to be positive, a time to renew.
Life, is an arduous journey.
One we must all travel.
You can live it to the fullest,
with a positive attitude or,
face it with negativity
which makes life gruelling!!
Meet it with determination,
have the potential to see it through.
To reach your goals, your dreams,
they CAN come alive!!
Seek joy, embrace living.
There is no room
for negative thoughts!!
We must trudge onward,
like the animals in nature.
Their journey is on survival,
hoping they live to see tomorrow.
Your dreams, your journey
is whatever you want out of life.
Giving up is too easy,
face each day with tenacity!!
Follow your heart, your soul.
Above all, your dreams.
Move forward, each step,
helping to bring you closer to
Embrace the Journey.
Prose by Mary Graziano ©
Revised June 10, 2016
Beautiful watercolour painting & title
Embrace the Journey
By my fabulous, wonderful friend & artist
Michal Madison
copyrighted
http://www.MichalMadisonArt.com
REACHING OUR DREAMS
How often do we strive to reach our dreams or goals in life? Too often the negatives take over and weigh us down. So…we tell ourselves, we can’t do it, or someone else says “those goals are not achievable, why even bother? Changing our mindset, can help us grow, can help us attain those goals. Never let a negative mindset discourage you in your pursuit to achieving your dreams.Whatever your dream is, it comes from inside you, deep within your soul. In order for it to happen, you need to make it come true. You have thought about it over and over, then, you have the inherent ability to accomplish this wonderful aspiration!!
Courage can help us change within ourselves. Help us to break away from the fear that grips us. Often afraid to move forward, one step at a time. If you believe in your journey in reaching your dreams, striving for goals that you never thought you could attain, it can happen. But it begins with YOU!! To believe in yourself. To change your mindset. Those dreams are out there, all you have to do is be confident in yourself. All things are possible if you believe!!!!! Mary Graziano ~ copyrighted….May/2016
COLOR INSIDE THE LINES
COLOR INSIDE THE LINES
To color inside the lines.
Safe. Within your own.
Personal perimeter.
Actions. Often dictated by others!!
Always living by rules.
Something.
You have invariably known.
Content to stay where you are!!
Have faith in yourself.
Believe you can.
Strive to be you. Your own self.
Not what others.
Think you should be.
Be willing to take risks!!
Genuine insight.
Often met with resistance.
Making progress.
Meets with more contention!!
To color inside the lines.
Your sanctuary.
To move outside those lines.
Takes courage. Strength.
Mediacrity. Your comfort zone.
Never be afraid.
To make that change.
To discover what lays beyond.
Achieving your dreams.
Takes risks.
Learning to.
Color outside the lines.
Gives you hope!!
Hope. Gives you courage.
Deep inside each of us.
Courage waits.
Believe in yourself.
Grab hold of it.
Courage. Leaves fear behind.
Knowing you can succeed.
Surpassing your boundaries.
At a time. When you thought.
There was. No hope!!
A time when you had to always.
Color inside the lines!!!
Prose by Mary Graziano©
May 1, 2016
Beautiful watercolour painting &
Title “Color Inside the Lines &
by my wonderful friend
Michal Madison
11”x14” ©2015 Michal Madison
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
Michal Madison Art
“To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury;
& refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable;
to be wealthy, not rich;
to listen to stars & birds,
babes & sages,
with an open heart;
to study hard; think quietly,
act frankly, talk gently,
await occasions, hurry never;
in a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden & unconscious,
grow up through the common
~this is my symphony.”
words by William Henry Channing
“Elegance the only Beauty that never fades.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
“Color Inside the Lines”
watercolor painting by Michal Madison
11″x14″ ©2015 Michal Madison
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
CHILD INSIDE
CHILD INSIDE
I have a tiny child inside.
Who so badly.
Wants to come out.
When she feels a trickle.
Of courage. She retreats.
Just too afraid.
I need to try. Convince her.
The numbness. Fear she bears.
Can no longer. Keep her prisoner.
It’s now her chance. To finally let go!!
“The past. It’s gone. Move forward.”
As I whispered. Called her name.
“Come. Play with me.
Let’s have some fun.
Laugh. Sing. Let’s dance!!
Just like a small child should.
All happiness. It was stolen.
Leaving you. So unfulfilled!!”
Slowly. The door. From the inside.
Creaks open. She takes a peek.
Unsure. If she can trust me.
She sighs. With a sense of relief.
Her emerald green eyes. Brighten!!
To see. Her adult self. Safe.
Warmly. I said “I love you.”
A smile slowly. Creased her lips.
I returned her smile. Fervently.
Embracing. Love.
That fills the air.
Tears well up. Inside my eyes.
Happiness prevails.
Gently. I embrace her tenderly.
I can feel love. That was amiss.
She’s blooming. Just like a flower.
Free.
Eyes now. Twinkle bright.
Proudly. Now able.
To take a stand.
Like each petal. On the flower.
Happily. Displaying.
Their own true self.
Endearingly.
We have come together.
As one. Never again.
Will we.
Ever part!!
Prose by Mary Graziano©
Revised March 3, 2016
Beautiful watercolour painting &
Title “Child Inside”
By my wonderful friend.
Michal Madison
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
Michal Madison
“No matter
what happened
in the past, I now
begin to allow the tiny
child inside to blossom
and to know that it is
deeply loved.”
Affirmation from Louise L. Hay
“Child Inside”
watercolor by Michal Madison
copyright 2014
visit www.MichalMadisonArt.net
to purchase art. 10% of every sale
is donated to ending child abuse.
AN ORDINARY HERO
Mary E Graziano shared Michal Madison Art‘s photo.
AN ORDINARY HERO
She wasn’t anyone special.
She lived an ordinary life. But.
Endured so much chaos. Never gave up on hope.
Knowing in her heart. Better times would come. She pushed forward. With dreams. Passion.
Realizing. Whatever obstacles. Thrown her way.
Her spirit would sustain her.
Nothing would break her down.
She showed it.
By the way she held her head. Her demeanor.
Eyes that spoke. To others. Without words.
They tried to understand. Wishing they too. Could find hope!!
By helping them. Pursue their own dreams. Aspirations. They looked to her. For guidance.
Clenching their hearts. When she told them.
“Whatever God sent my way. It was a test.
A test of my resilience. Telling me. To keep pushing forward.
NEVER give up!!”
Her belief in the Creator.
Kept her grounded. Able to face any circumstances. That befell her.
Others. Began to understand.
Realizing. It was possible. To follow one’s dream. To believe in hope. To see. One day their own future.
Would also flourish. All. Thanks. To an ordinary hero.
Prose by Mary Graziano ©
Revised February 1, 2016
Beautiful watercolour painting,
Title “AN ORDINARY HERO”
By my wonderful friend Michal Madison©
www.MichalMadisonArt.net/galleries.html
Michal Madison Art
Michal Madison Art
This month we celebrate the many incredible African-Americans who have made history, changed the world, become famous for what they have achieved. But there are others, no less important. Their names won’t be recorded in a history book, their faces won’t be seen on TV, but the lives they live are just as remarkable. They are our mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, people who have become our family though no blood relates us, our neighbors, friends, strangers. Unnoticed ordinary heroes, changing the world one person at a time. Every day, without spotlights, they create history worth remembering.
Thank one of these heroes today, without them the world wouldn’t be the same. ~mm
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeves
“Ordinary Heroes”
Watercolor by Michal Madison
Copyright 2014
www.MichalMadisonArt.net/galleries.html
Michal Madison Art
Abuse Comes in Many Forms but Courage Keeps Her Going
Mary Elizabeth Bullock, has been bullied, harassed, and abused by the EEOC for over 10 years now.
Read the article here that was published in the Wall Street Journal back in July 30, 2012.
My dear friend Judge Mary Elizabeth Bullock, began her fight with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) because of her disability. this has been going on for 10 years now. Mary Elizabeth was told they would keep appealing this because they are waiting for her to die. How appalling is this? A government agency, who discriminates because someone who was a high profile judge can’t do her job to their standards. Mary Elizabeth suffers from MS and Systemic Lupus, and is legally blind, but I for one know what she is capable of. She is highly intelligent and is quite capable of doing her job!!!! Now she fights for others with disabilities. The EEOC is corrupt and Mary Elizabeth, will not give up her fight, even though they have done everything to mess up her life. I applaud her for the gallantry and effort she has taken to fight the corruption of the government in San Diego Ca.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/mary-bullock-lawsuit-eeoc_n_1725610.html
ONE SMALL CHILD
Mary’s Abuse Survivors And Victims United sharedMichal Madison Art‘s photo.
Published by Mary E Graziano · ·
ONE SMALL CHILD
Important I am.
In this sweet child’s life.
Watching her grow.
Moving forward.
Absorbing positives.
Flowing her way.
Encouraging words.
Helping to mold her life.
To expand horizons.
Build confidence.
Unleashing potential.
To help growth.
Letting her know.
Her life has meaning.
Purpose. To follow.
Every dream imaginable.
Able am I.
To share such joy.
When that one day.
Truly comes.
A child thrives.
By profound influences.
Given them.
No put downs.
No judgement.
Only kindness.
Encouragement.
Helping to wipe a tear.
To be assuring.
Loving. Caring. Proud.
My heart warms.
Seeing her
Eyes of emerald green.
Emanate with Love.
Trust. Faith.
My actions.
My words.
Important.
In the eyes.
Of one.
Small child.
Prose by Mary Graziano©2015
Revised November 20, 2015
Beautiful watercolour painting
Title “One Small Child”
By my wonderful, artistic friend
Michal Madison©2015
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
Michal Madison Art
· Edited ·
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Forest E. Witcraft
“One Small Child”
watercolor by Michal Madison ©2015
www.MichalMadisonArt.com
Thank you for sharing!~mm
Together We Can Heal 