Poetry in Motion: love.loss.

i remember jubilee
where you loved me
unconditionally

i remember kisses
under the sycamore tree

i remember you
and me

please.please.

come back to me.

Smashing Patriarchy with Feminist Hulk

Peace Friends:

It has been a long while since I have written. But fear not I will be back soon. In the meantime I wanted to share someone who always keeps me inspired as we continue to trek this white supremacist patriarchal world. Feminist Hulk does what our fellow avengers, sheroes, feminists, warriors do: fight patriarchy and smash the isms each and every day.


with courage,
Rebel Poeta

self-love is a top priority if you want to heal

these posts are dedicated to my sister--lola! let's just say she's saved me more than she knows... although she is my younger sister and I always thought my job was to protect her..the roles have reversed. my sister is a therapist for teens. so our dialogue had to do with the importance of therapy. therapy as an act that truly allows you to be vulnerable (whether you like it or not) but helps you focus on yourself. something that her and I have had quite a bit of trouble doing...

"We must break the cycle of putting others first. And teach our kids (who are inheriting our baggage) that it's okay to put yourself first. It's important for us to keep a balance between our needs and the needs of others.In doing this we promote
self love."


(i have the most amazing conversations with my baby sis. if you ask me our email dialogue can be turned into book chapters. she totally inspires me literally each and every day. here is my response. our discussion: practicing a loving ethic).

since my therapist shared with me that (she was hesitant to diagnose me as that is not her approach, which i deeply respect) I exhibit patterns of someone who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also known as PTSD I began my own research and have been so deep in retrospection and self-reflection. Through this research, I learned that she was accurate. I cried because it made sense. I cried because I know NOW that I want to take better care of myself in every sense of the word: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

so its so important that you do the same. we are taught as women of color to put others first. to find pleasure in taking care of everyone else. i get caught up sometimes but then i remind myself that it is okay to please myself. take care of me.

its crazy how it is the minute you put a name to something that you see, understand, and accept that things can be DIFFERENT. You CAN change. I know NOW I can treat PTSD. it does get hard but i can BEAT this.

i also feel shame surrounding my mental health as well as being open about being sexually abused. its b/c i feel like it implicates my family. and unfortunately, it does. but no one is at fault. it happens to so many people. everyday. and i am tired of remaining silent. there is a lot of power in using your voice. speaking truthfully. your truth allows my truth allows their truths allows our truths to be celebrated, recognized, and powerful.

i heart audre lorde.
i heart lola.
i heart all courageous warriors who speak truth to power.

Coming OUT is Courageous

as a self-proclaimed Black Feminista, i thought i had it all figured out. until my baby sis came out to me more than four years ago. her coming out became my coming out. she allowed me to re define what it meant to be a feminista. she also allowed me to see and understand that sexuality is more fluid than we have been taught. her courage to come out to my Latino family...is not only a courageous act but one that she felt was necessary. in order to live fully we must be true to ourselves and those we love. this is not to say we all have to "come out." we have the right to live our lives fully in whatever way we choose.



thank you, baby sis! for inspiring me each and every day.

Fear Factor

"Fear is nothing more than a mental monster you have created, a negative stream of consciousness." -Robin Sharma
(retrieved from Power of Positivity iPhone app)


With courage,
RP

Let it Go

Happy Friday!!

I woke up this morning to intense emotions about what I have to do today. I got up from my bed flustered with worrying. I decided to return to my bed. Sitting down. I began to meditate. And the words flowed out of me: Let it Go.

Let it all GO!!

Like me, many of us spend our time worrying about everything and anything. We fret about the past, the present, and future situations that haven't happened. We worry because we fear. As someone, who suffers from anxiety disorder I know what it's like to deal with constant worry. I have to work really hard to reduce my anxiety, let go of worry, and just be in the present. I have to practice yoga at least 3 times a week, pray, meditate and do vigorous exercise. If I don't....you do not want to be around me! TRUST ME.ha ha! I know it is not easy......but we must LET IT GO. LET IT GO. LET IT GO.

We worry about the things beyond our control. Why not make a radical shift? Focus on what we have the power to control. Yes, we have more power than we give ourselves credit for.

Think about and answer: What is actually within your control?


We have the power to be happy. We are the architects of our destiny.
We choose how we feel on a daily basis.
We have the power to change our thoughts, actions, and behaviors.
We are NOT alone. Our creator is always with us. We are not given more than we can bear.

Today, whatever is bothering you, whatever you are worried about, whoever you are worried about....Just know that this too shall pass (Listen to India.Aire!!). Worry only leads to more worry. Worry will make you physically, emotionally, and mentally ill. It leads to stress, depression and an infinite cycle of anxiety that is good for NO ONE.

My Affirmations:
Today is a new day. The past is behind us.
I am strong, brave, and courageous.
I will do my best today.



How do you deal with worry? Any positive affirmations you would like to share? Please do send me your comments.



From my sister Migue's words: Choose to be a WARRIOR not a WORRIER!!!

with courage,
RP

poetry in motion: the other side of happy

we all have those days. where nothing seems right. the poem below is one of those days for me. i cringe before i click 'publish post' because this poem feels incomplete. like there is more to give but i don't. i cringe again. but its time i let go. sometimes things are not the way you like them to be but you try anyway. this is my way of trying and letting go. hope you enjoy.


the other side of happy

i do not feel fulfilled
i am on a path with no direction
loved ones surround me with their own
dreams and narrow roads
while i am winding, turning, hitting dead ends,
heading on curvy paths that lead me to unknown destinations
feeling incomplete

the glass is half empty

but i hold on to my cloaks of hope
and my main accessory that is love
i am destined for greatness
for things unheard of
for magical gifts unseen

the glass is half full


a little embarrassed but still tough,
RPoet