Tag: lost

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

How do you set yourself up for success?

Paragonwords
Photo by Nina Uhlikova on Pexels.com



These five daily habits will empower you to navigate challenges with confidence and lead with purpose.

1. Set Clear Intentions: Start each day with clear goals and intentions. Knowing what you want to achieve keeps you focused and motivated.

2. Continuous Learning: Dedicate time to learning and improving your skills. Stay updated with industry trends and seek opportunities for growth.

3. Positive Mindset: Cultivate a positive mindset to overcome challenges. Practice gratitude and affirmations to stay resilient and focused on solutions.

4. Effective Communication: Prioritize clear and effective communication. Whether networking or collaborating, strong communication builds relationships and drives results.

5. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care to maintain mental and physical well-being. Taking care of yourself ensures you can perform at your best and make a meaningful impact.

Stay focus, stay empowered, stay confident and lead with purpose.

#paagonwords #motivated

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.

.

With Gratitude

Nikki Sterling

~Paragonwords

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

{}

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!

//

With Gratitude

Nikki

Poetry Today

I Am Learning To Trust Myself Again

Paragonwords

We are all imperfect, and no matter how hard we try, sometimes life will bring us to our knees. So the choice is ours, to get back up and keep living, keep dreaming and fulfilling our destiny.

Trust the journey, have faith in the little things. What you tell yourself matters, the affirmations and love that you give away to others are great; but remember to give some back to yourself as well.

Think about where you are going.

Where do you want to end up?

What is your purpose?

Choose the path that represent your heart.

Embrace your uniqueness and your strength.

This poem is about learning to trust yourself again. I hope you some comfort and insight in these words.

I am learning

How to trust myself

How to let go

Of the things I can’t control

I am growing

I am capable

I deserve all the love

In this world

I will not settle

I will no longer beg

For what is rightfully mine

I will open my heart

To feel deeply

To nourish the space where

Discontentment lives

I will fill my soul with

Goodness

I belong here

In the breath and longing

Of this glorious life

.

==

With Gratitude!

@paragonwords

Nikki

Leave your thoughts and comments for me; i would love to hear form you.

Poetry Today

Sackcloth & Silk

Paragonwords

A Poetic Journey From Darkness To Light- Nikki Sterling

This book is very dear to me; it holds the precious words that I’ve kept hidden for years.

There’s truth, hope, healing, bravery, separation, heartbreak and love here Transformation is not pretty, healing is not attractive, its begging the tears not to spill in the school car line, it’s putting on your lipstick and smiling on the conference calls, it’s the prayingand the constant breaking every day that snatches the breath out of you.

On the good days you embrace the beauty of renewal, you remind yourself that you are stronger than the things that are trying to consume you. The first half of this book (Sackcloth) is a brutal journey through Sacrifice, Severed and Silence, and the second half of this book (Silk) is a celebration of Bravery, Love and Blessings.

Welcome to this space, rest a little, open these pages and let the power of words embrace you. This book is a conduit for every emotion that you try to drown in the dark pool of uncertainty. Know that your feelings are valid and it’s ok to open the door and welcome them in. Walk through your darkness unafraid, let your pain bear witness that you did not give up, that you did not nourish the space where discouragement live, that you welcome the light and set yourself on a path to healing, bound and embodied with the truth that you are not broken, you can self-generate the love you need to heal the deepest wounds.

It’s ok to cry

A little

It’s ok to break apart

Sometimes

It’s ok

To not be ok

Let your soul rest

Lay down the burdens

At your feet

The pain is temporary

Your sorrows will not last

Find your joy

Take it back

Make it a permanent

Symbol of hope

The breaking will come

The hitting rock bottom

Is almost a certainty

But the ash falling at your feet

Will be washed away

And the rising up of your soul

Will be forever glorious

You can now pick up a copy of my book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFM8H3V

If you can relate to this post leave a comment for me.

Poetry Today

I’ll Hold This Space For You

Paragonwords

As long as there’s light

In my bones

I’ll hold this space for you

I’ll hang my heart

In the firmament

Of heaven

And pray for peace

To find you

And bring you

Safely home

Nikki Sterling @paragonwords

Poetry Today

Sometimes Love is Eternal

Paragonwords

I’ve had enough

I’ve wiped my hands clean

The breaking is evident

I’ve loved and lost

I’ll clean up the mess

You’ve made of me

My bones are weeping

Begging me to look inward

To step in from the cold

To let you go

If only my bones know

That I’ve been loving you

Since the dawn of time

And sometimes love

Is eternal

Nikki Sterling 2021 @paragonwords

Poetry Today

Are You Listening

Paragonwords
Photo by mauro savoca on Pexels.com

I am still hopeful

Deep down in the silence

Beneath the darkness

A flame still burns

I’ve seen too much

I’ve endured too much

I’ve prayed too much

To give in now

I’m painting a rainbow

Over my scars

I’m washing the ugliness

From my tongue

I am speaking to the mountains

And the walls and the empty spaces

Receptive souls will hear

The broken heart will hear

Grieving families will hear

The children will hear

The confused and disillusion will hear

They will come

They will listen

For in our bellies

Rooted deep we have an innate

Desire to see change

To feel hopeful

So today

Come as you are

Hear my voice

Let change begin with you

One voice

One word

Softly spoken

Are you listening

@NIkki Sterling @paragonwords 2020