Tag: broken

Poetry Today

True Friendship vs False Labels

Paragonwords

The word friend gets tossed around too easily these days. Many use it loosely without grasping the weight of what friendship really means.

Friendship is not about feeding someone’s ego.
It is not about soothing insecurities or proving your loyalty over and over again.
It is not about accusations, jealousy, or keeping score.

True friendship is presence.
It’s holding space for each other.
It’s knowing you can sit in someone’s company without masks, without judgment, without fear of betrayal.

But too often, we lower our guard and invite people in who only come to take. They drain energy, stir drama, and leave you exhausted, vampires feeding on your time and spirit under the guise of “friendship.” If the relationship constantly feels like you’re pulling someone back from the edge, reminding them what friendship should be, then they were never really your friend.

A real friend brings peace, not chaos. They add value, not weight. They are steady hands, not clenched fists.

So here’s the truth:
If the word friend carries more baggage than joy, more drama than trust, let it go. Protect your space. Guard your energy. Real friendship will never demand you sacrifice your peace.

What Friendship Is vs. What It’s Not

Friendship isn’t feeding egos.
It isn’t jealousy, accusations, or keeping score.
It isn’t chaos disguised as care.

True friendship is presence.
It’s peace.
It’s someone who adds, not drains.

If the word friend carries more baggage than joy
let it go. Protect your energy.
The right ones will never ask you to sacrifice your peace.

Take care of your heart

Nikki

@paragonwords

Poetry Today

The Grief Keeper

Paragonwords

“Grief is the echo of love, a reminder that our bonds are eternal”


Welcome to The Grief Keeper Journal, a sanctuary for your emotions, and a companion through the journey of loss. This journal is more than a collection of pages; it’s a haven designed to hold your grief, your thoughts, and your healing process.

The Grief Keeper is uniquely yours. Every tear-stained page, every colored illustration, and every written word is a step towards understanding and accepting your grief. Use this journal as a trusted friend, a silent witness to your pain, and a gentle guide towards healing.
Remember, this journey is not yours alone, this grief journal is here to accompany you every step of the way. Allow it to be a safe space where you can confront, explore, and ultimately, give your grief the tenderness it deserves.

Blessings!
Nikki Sterling @paragonwords
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and BookBub 💗

Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bcF97BT

#thegriefkeeper #untilwemeetagain #paragonwords

Poetry Today

Smiling Through the Dark Days

Paragonwords

There are times in life when everything seems to be falling apart, and it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. In those moments, finding a reason to smile can seem impossible. But it’s precisely in these times that a small glimmer of hope can make all the difference. Even when the odds are stacked against you, a smile can be a quiet rebellion, a way of telling the world that you refuse to be defeated.

Holding onto hope when darkness looms close isn’t about blind optimism; it’s about resilience. It’s about acknowledging the struggles and pain, yet still believing that better days are coming. Hope is the thread that connects us to our future selves, reminding us that no matter how tough things get, we have the strength to endure and the promise of brighter days ahead. Keep smiling, not because it’s easy, but because it’s a testament to your inner strength and unwavering spirit.

Keep Smiling Through the Dark Days!

::::Paragonwords

Poetry Today

I really wanted to write a pretty “Welcome April” feel good post, but……….

Paragonwords

I really wanted to write a pretty “welcome April” feel good post, and I know so many of us are pushing ahead with laser focus and doing our very best to make or through each day! But I decided to keep It real!
So, let me talk to those that are being left behind in their struggles, in their relationships, in their mind, in their ability to see a way out…….

Change will only come when you’ve decided that you’ve had enough, when you draw a line in the sand and say, “No more.” That will be the point when you reclaim your power and take ownership of your circumstances.

Yes, I know It’s not easy,
It requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace discomfort. For it’s in that discomfort that growth flourishes. It’s in that decision that transformation begins.

So, if nothing has gone as planned so far this year, and you’re feeling stuck, unhappy, or unfulfilled, ask yourself, have I had enough? Am I ready to take a stand and create the change I seek? remember the power to transform your life lies within you. It starts with a single decision, the decision to no longer settle for anything less than you deserve.

Embrace your power. Seize every opportunity and gather the courage to move forward. One step at a time, one tear at a time, one heartbreak at a time, one self-revelation at a time, one truth at a time. Take the step and watch as change unfolds, leading you toward a brighter, more astonishing future.

~#paragonwords

Blessings/ Nikki Sterling

Uncategorized

Forgive Them

Paragonwords

There’s a light in your heart when you know within yourself that you hold no grievance in your soul for anyone.

When you forgive, know that you are healing and building a future free from the baggage and torment of your past.

Know that forgiveness is accepting that, yes, what you did hurt me, but I will no longer allow hatred and unforgiveness to live in my heart.

I forgive, so freedom can sing in my bones.

I forgive, so I can be the best version of myself.

I forgive, so I can give myself a future.

I forgive, so my heart is free to bless others.

I forgive, so I can teach my kids about the power of forgiveness.

I forgive, so God can use me.

I forgive, so I can pray without hinderance.

Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It unshackles your mind and body and help you to see the bigger picture.

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With Gratitude

Nikki Sterling

~Paragonwords

Poetry Today

Don’t Let Rejection Move you

Paragonwords

Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

Rejection is a part of life, sometimes it’s unfair, and sometimes it’s because we are not prepared to step into that present situation. Most times, it’s because we are trying to fit into a space that’s not meant for us.

Always trust that sometimes rejection is pushing you towards something greater. Do not allow rejection to move you. Do not allow it to stop you from reaching higher. Do not allow it to harden your heart.

Continue to move with purpose, continue to reach into the depth and announce your presence. You will know where you are meant to be, you will feel the warmth and the peace that comes with being accepted.

Never push or stay where you know you don’t belong. Recognize rejection when it comes and learn to walk away. In doing so, you will save yourself years of being stuck in the wrong place.

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Thanks for reading

Have a safe and bless week.

With Gratitude

Nikki

Poetry Today

You Are More Than the Lies You Allowed Yourself to Believe

Paragonwords

Sometimes it gets into your soul, and you can’t shake the low dark cloud that’s hanging over your head. The chatter, the lies, the bitter words, all the things you allowed yourself to believe, all the things you are still holding on to. They are not true; they don’t define you.

Here are 5 steps to help you accept how wonderful and bless you are:

1. Let it go and set your soul free.

2. You are enough even on the rough days

3. You don’t need validation; your authenticity is your truth.

4. Embrace your uniqueness and your strengths.

5. Let the world see your light, you’ve hidden it long enough.

Bonus 6. Forgive yourself and others, this is the only way to move forward.

The days are full of trouble, but the days are also full of hope and beauty. Every morning you get an opportunity to wake up and choose life.

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Thanks for sharing this space with me

You can pick you a copy of Sackcloth & Silk on Amazon.

With Gratitude

Nikki

Poetry Today

Gut Feelings

Paragonwords

Some called it intuition, sixth sense, a hunch, a feeling, my grandmother calls it gut feelings, but no matter the name, I always listen to it and pays attention. That feeling that’s crawling between your soul and your bones, it’s always trying to warn you, to tell you something is not right. Often times we ignore it and ended up paying the consequences.

This poem speaks of the truth of not listening to your gut feelings.

Broken Link

These walls no longer

Hold me

This house without

Your warm smile

No longer feels like home

A broken link

A body without hands

And hearts

You were the epicenter

Of my world

A beautiful disaster

I saw coming

But couldn’t turn

Away from

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This poem along with many more can be found in my book Sackcloth & Silk.

Available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

@paragonwords

Do you listen to your intuition or your gut feelings?

I would love to hear from you- leave me a comment

Until next time

Nikki

Poetry Today

You are defined by the grace you give

Paragonwords

You were born into it, the hardship, the pain, the abused, the sickness, the worry, the neglect, the endless tears……. you’ve seen and experience more than you should. You’ve tried and failed more times than you should. You’ve questioned your worth. You’ve stayed silent even when you have so much to say.

But today I want to tell you something you probably already know.

You are precious and your life is worth far more than you could ever image.

Give yourself and your situation some grace today.

You carry so much light in you, but you need to let the darkness go, so you can shine for the world to see.

I want you to remember that no matter how bad your circumstances are; you are not defined by them.

Your worth is not defined by your overflowing to do list

Your beauty is not defined by your weight

Your goals are not defined by your failures

Your truth is not defined by what others think of you

Your future is not defined by your past mistakes

Your hope is not defined by your lost

You are defined by the life you live

By the grace you give

By the freedom of your smile

And by the virtue of your hands

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I hope you find this post meaningful

Leave me a note and let me know!

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With Gratitude

Nikki

Poetry Today

Hope Coming Back Home

Paragonwords
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
― Maya Angelou

All of us in our own way are dealing with something we rather not speak about. We are imperfect, we are tired, we stumble through our days trying to hold on to the promises we made to ourselves, but on the hard days, I remind myself that I am still here, I am alive and bless even in the midst of my circumstances. No matter how dark the days are, I can still choose to let the light in.

This is your reminder, the light is always with us, in us and around us, choose to let it in today. Whatever you are going through I pray you find the courage to overcome and find peace again.

I love this quote by Earnest Hemingway, “We are all a little broken, that’s how the light gets in”

I think it’s fitting for the day and time that we are living in. Normal as we know it no longer exist and we are learning how to pivot and adjust. There are some deep darkness and even some hopelessness in the lives of those we love, and it’s up to us to show them that they are stronger than their circumstances. There’s light along the broken path, Show them the beauty in accepting the truth that change is inevitable and they can rise stronger than before.

HOPE, COMING BACK HOME

You are worthy

Of the music in your soul

The air upon your skin

The light

That has finally return

To your eyes

You told me of the darkness

How you fought and won

And I could feel hope

Bending the edges

Letting the light in

I could see joy

Coming back home

To the soft places

()()()

If you read this post and find some comfort, let me know in the comment.

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With gratitude

Nikki

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ps..you can follow me @paragonwords on all social media platform.