Beautiful! “Being a poet is not about claiming a mantle of achievement or excellence. It’s a commitment to the beautiful form of expression that is poetry.”
We get to tell the story of ourselves, choose our labels and what they mean to us… and perhaps change our mind as we keep becoming.
So many good little nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you for opening my eyes to all this and finding even more rabbit holes to dig. Only one I think I’m familiar with is S.E. Reid.
“a title is not a claim, it’s a commitment” - this got me thinking about the titles I’ve resisted while feeling their pull.
I always thought “who am I to claim this?” But perhaps the real underlying question was “am I ready to commit to this?”
My experience of committing to what we aspire to be - writer, teacher, poet - calls us forward to something beyond our identity-self. It’s a shift and a responsibility that’s beyond me. And when I’m moved to commit to it - the question of “who am I to claim?” dissolves.
Thank you for the prompt to this spontaneous self inquiry. Good stuff ✨
If I made a list of my titles I think I would be shocked at how many I've had. I might even take pen to paper myself and make a list. I have a feeling that even thought some of them might be a little cringe-worthy, they are all part of the fabric that makes up my life and who I am today.
Thank you for sharing this and this reminder. I’ve definitely had many titles in my life but writer would definitely be the one that i’ve been the most reluctant and scared to claim and maybe that fear is the feeling of finally finding what you’ve been all along.
I think titles are given and validated based solely on dedication and respect for what it represents. And looking through your content, it seems you meet the requirements. A poet indeed.
Beautifully written. Being Authenik is not always easy though, yet it is definitely worth it, especially when sometimes the definitions that we would want to use to describe us, mean nothing to another person. Then, the only thing that's left is a direct experience of the energy that we give to the world. And that's probably the quintessence of it all - who we are is being felt beyond any possible definition, if only a person is willing to receive it.
Your poetry, Jamal, cleaved from others and from within yourself, hits me in really powerful ways. Thank you for all you bring to this community. Your work truly feels like a gift to be savored!!
"I believe most self-selected titles are similar in this way. They measure neither our worth nor our accomplishments – only our willingness to bravely affirm a part of ourselves fear would have us hide."
This was a great read with a beautiful message. Thanks for this!
Yes! To define ourselves for US and not the world is beautiful and empowering. Loving these found notes, and the layered meaning of them that you give through your creative and perceptive eye. It is exactly what a poet does! Thank you for mentioning my work, too!! And introducing me to other writers as well 😊
Beautiful! “Being a poet is not about claiming a mantle of achievement or excellence. It’s a commitment to the beautiful form of expression that is poetry.”
We get to tell the story of ourselves, choose our labels and what they mean to us… and perhaps change our mind as we keep becoming.
So many good little nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you for opening my eyes to all this and finding even more rabbit holes to dig. Only one I think I’m familiar with is S.E. Reid.
“a title is not a claim, it’s a commitment” - this got me thinking about the titles I’ve resisted while feeling their pull.
I always thought “who am I to claim this?” But perhaps the real underlying question was “am I ready to commit to this?”
My experience of committing to what we aspire to be - writer, teacher, poet - calls us forward to something beyond our identity-self. It’s a shift and a responsibility that’s beyond me. And when I’m moved to commit to it - the question of “who am I to claim?” dissolves.
Thank you for the prompt to this spontaneous self inquiry. Good stuff ✨
If I made a list of my titles I think I would be shocked at how many I've had. I might even take pen to paper myself and make a list. I have a feeling that even thought some of them might be a little cringe-worthy, they are all part of the fabric that makes up my life and who I am today.
Writer included.
Beautiful! Better to cringe than not embrace a part of ourselves 😊
Thank you for sharing this and this reminder. I’ve definitely had many titles in my life but writer would definitely be the one that i’ve been the most reluctant and scared to claim and maybe that fear is the feeling of finally finding what you’ve been all along.
I think you're right.
We have the power to choose the titles we don. No one can take that right from us and we need not take it from ourselves.
I think titles are given and validated based solely on dedication and respect for what it represents. And looking through your content, it seems you meet the requirements. A poet indeed.
Thank you Bethel! Doing my best to honor it.
Beautifully written. Being Authenik is not always easy though, yet it is definitely worth it, especially when sometimes the definitions that we would want to use to describe us, mean nothing to another person. Then, the only thing that's left is a direct experience of the energy that we give to the world. And that's probably the quintessence of it all - who we are is being felt beyond any possible definition, if only a person is willing to receive it.
I appreciate it Elumened 🙏🏽
Your poetry, Jamal, cleaved from others and from within yourself, hits me in really powerful ways. Thank you for all you bring to this community. Your work truly feels like a gift to be savored!!
Thank you for these kind words Bree! 🥰
I'm thankful to be here and to honor the wonderful people like, yourself, that make this community so special.
Ripples, sir. I’m so with you.
This resonates so deeply with me today!
Aaaww, I'm glad Shondra! 🙏🏽
"I believe most self-selected titles are similar in this way. They measure neither our worth nor our accomplishments – only our willingness to bravely affirm a part of ourselves fear would have us hide."
This was a great read with a beautiful message. Thanks for this!
🙏🏽
The messages here are MAGIC 💫
Thank you!
I appreciate that Sarina! 🥹
I almost missed this sweet comment. I wish Substack notified us when people commented on our posts😭
Ahh!
I get them to my email, I think you can toggle certain settings
It’s time to toggle some settings! Lol
If you go to settings, then notifications, you can turn on the switch to get email notifications when someone comments. 🙂
Thanks Rita!
Yes! To define ourselves for US and not the world is beautiful and empowering. Loving these found notes, and the layered meaning of them that you give through your creative and perceptive eye. It is exactly what a poet does! Thank you for mentioning my work, too!! And introducing me to other writers as well 😊
You’re very welcome and thank you for the kind words 😊🙏🏽
Before I switched my IG bio to just simply say ‘Writer’ it read, “I’m not a poet I just wrote a lot.” These are words I needed. Thank you Jamal. 🙏🏾
I wasn’t sure if many, or any, would connect with the idea of being a poet so I appreciate you sharing ✊🏽
Definitely connected and in fact the timing is a bit eerie as this has been top of mind lately. And it’s Poetry Month.
Let’s go serendipity! I’d love to see a piece!
Thank you for the reminder! Came at the perfect time!
Glad to hear! It was a much needed one for me as well.