Living on the Edge of Madness

There's a war in my mind and my pen is a pistol-a I like to color outside the lines, cause there are no fucking rules to this life Living on the edge of madness with no safety net to catch my fall, I'm jumping off Free falling towards my dreams being all I can be You're welcome to use my toothbrush if you feel the same

[rachashley]

The Meadow

Imagine a meadow full of flowers. Flowers in every colour and of every type. All standing tall next to one another in a meadow dusted in soft sunlight. Each flower strong and in full bloom, with each pedal representing life, love, friendship, family and dreams.  Then one day a storm brew in winds that became deadly to some and damaging to others. Leaving a constant shadow with a cold breeze upon this meadow, which brought feelings of loneliness, disappointments, failures and heartbreak.  Many pedals got damaged, some lost forever. No flower remained in full bloom. Friends were separated, dreams were lost, and life had stopped and re-built, many grieved, plenty cried.  The damage was real, tangible and visible.  We are in the midst of this meadow; we are the flowerets loosing our pedals. The winds that blew in are still blowing strong around us in pandemic force. We may feel like we’re winning, sometimes loosing, plenty times surviving. 

But the reality is that we’re all losing something.  We’re loosing lives, love, dreams, stability, friends, sentimental memories.  Most of all we’ve lost our old entity. With a second one given. In a world that has become black and white become a beam of pure sunshine. Our new world needs it now more than ever. 

[rachashley]

Are you awake or are you sleepwalking?

Discontentment comes in many forms but it doesn’t necessary mean that it’s because we’re never satisfied or want more. Perhaps what we truly want is less. Less of what the world is forcing us to become. Consider that maybe discontentment revolves around us because we’re actually awake in this life and we are feeling everything around us. Realizing what’s good for us and what’s not. Because we actually give a shit about living our best life rather than sleepwalking through it or marching in parades along with the status quo. It may seem that perhaps being like the status quo looks much easier and content. But is it real? And if we’re awake does it mean that we a have life of discontentment ahead of us?  Perhaps it’s just a matter of making a place for us in this world that is our true belonging and being awake will start to feel more alive than it ever did.

[rachashley]

DRIFTING INTO TRANSITION

We drift, floating between mist over water between rocks and cliffs. The water is temperamental not too kind for the most part. We feel lost, always cold and lonely, partly alive and partly existing. Now the cliffs stand behind us, and the water resembling silk cradles us gently as the mist fades away and sun beams in light guiding the way. We are now ready to test the water and dive in, not knowing what’s beneath the surface.  

We’re in transition, in a state between who we were and who we’re becoming.

[rachashley]

Contemplate

When you dream about a better life for yourself what changes are you making to your current life? Think about that for a while. Contemplate on why what you have today is not with you in a better version of your life. Ponder about the changes you can make, and when you’re ready make the move. There’s no guarantee that the reality will match up to the better life in your head.  But don’t we owe it to ourselves to find out? For better or worse. If we don’t find out, doesn’t it mean we’re living half a life?

[rachashley]

Validation

In a world that can many times feel very fucked up we seek comfort in the need to know that we somehow are doing this right. Everyone is looking for some kind of validation. The problem is that most of us are looking for it in the wrong place, and remain orbiting around the need for acceptance. There is only one validation that counts, and that’s starts within you. None of the rest really matters. So ask yourself, what kind of affirmation are you looking for?

[rachashley]

hold hands with strangers

We are all on a journey with different paths. We walk alone next to each other’s paths from the outside looking in, and from time to time we reach out our hands and grasp the palms of strangers.  Creating unique moments that become memories, building human connections that influence our lives. Paths meet when we reach out; we grow when we let people in. We let go or hold on; either way we’ve impacted each other’s lives for a moment or the rest of our lives.

[rachashley]

the calling

Time has come when the water feels like it’s kissing your feet as you hang at the edge of the surf. When the pull of the ocean feels inviting, like little fires burning underneath your skin. When every thought inside your head is ready to evacuate and become something. It’s time to give in and fully submerge yourself to your true calling.  Whatever that might be.

[rachashley]

LEARNING HOW TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS

When the cage door opens for the first time without any restrictions, it takes a moment for one to program the thought of infinity within reach. Unused wings will feel like broken ones. It takes time to adapt and confidence to be built to befriend freedom. It’s ok to go slow; at least you’re on your way.

[rachashley]

Secret Smiles

True belonging and authentic connections are imprints that create paths that lead to secret smiles. Smirks that come from a place of honesty and beam light into the darkness. A twinkle unnoticed by most of us.  A feeling that those of us who share it know it well, use it wisely and keep it a secret.

[rachashley]

the fear of being fearless

We are paralyzed in the present because we fear that the future will be worse. We know what we have today but not what will become of tomorrow. But what if the future is better then now? Should we condemn ourselves for being fearless by standing still or should we take the chance and hope for the best?  Because we shouldn’t be thinking about what MAY BE but instead of what CAN BE. And what ever be we end with, we grow into something more. It’s overcoming the fear of being fearless. 

[rachashley]

It’s Walking Bare

It’s a feeling of freedom within that surrounds those who have no fear of roaming the streets in their bare feet, anytime and anywhere. It’s a notion of letting go and just being whoever you want to be. It’s about not caring how it should be but only how you want it to be. It’s the touch of skin to earth that remind us that we’re alive. It’s a way of life we’ve turned our backs on. It’s a desire to join those who walk bare and just don’t care.

[rachashley]

The climb always starts from the bottom

Pace yourself, walking back and forth to the edge of that cliff. Playing carelessly at times hoping to fall instead of jump, only to protect oneself from pointed fingers in case it all fails. Sitting on that edge breathing in the air like it’s all you’ve got. Looking down in search for light that you will never find until you get there. If the view at the summit doesn’t fulfill you anymore it’s time to change Mountains. Either jump off or climb down, the real test lies in both.  It all comes down to how much you’re willing to sacrifice with the fall or how much time you’re willing to give by climbing down. Either way you owe it to yourself to seek what you long for.

[rachashley]

to Climb or to hold

We act like a ladder for most of our working careers, helping others achieve their goals and climb higher towards THEIR dreams. But after so many, stepping on and breaking our toes it becomes evident that working this hard for someone else’s success makes NO sense whatsoever. When all this effort and energy can be put towards OUR dreams and WE can become the ones who are climbing the ladder towards OUR success instead.   I don’t know about you, but i’d rather get tired climing the ladder rather than holding it. 

[rachashley]

How do we

go back to the noise when the silence has taught us how to create our own music? 

[rachashley]

Do you hear the chirping?

When was the last time you really listened to birds chirp? I mean really listen. I now remember how I seem to have forgotten how to take notice of such sounds surrounding me? Which makes me now realize how loud life was playing inside my head. What is that feeling chirping fills your insides with? I like to think it’s the sound of peacefulness and nostalgic awakening of longing to when life was simpler and we were younger. To try and live our life in this same state of mind all we have to do is stop, listen and absorb it all in.  Even if its just for a moment or two. It’s moments like these that re-charge our body and mind.

[rachashley]

AS THE STREAM FLOWS

A stream of uncertainty and fear flows within our reach.   Some days the stream is deeper and rougher, other times it’s not. However instead of choosing to drown in shallow or deep waters choose to fish in it. Catch some good that can feed your soul.

[rachashley]

From darkness to light

As if the world was forced to hide underneath a blackout blanket to protect itself from its enemy. Went under the covers with no clear view on the future. Underneath my cover I made a fort under which I feel safe and I have managed to create light. Not just any light but a god damn spotlight. It’s time to reflect and make up for everything you feel you’ve neglected to give yourself in the past.