It’s been awhile since my last post. Thankfully, this afternoon I was gently reminded how cathartic it is to write…especially when times are challenging and the “beasts” can consume you. The words for this poem came easily to me and I purposely made it a point NOT to edit, spell/grammar check, or alter any details of it. It is what it is.
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| Photo art graciously provided by www.bonniealrifai.com
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OBSTACLES
As of late, I’m stumbling into ditches –
Potholes, sinkholes numerous, constant
Sludge filled blockades swallow me up
Re-route, destroy my path.
Though tiresome, I succeed to claw
To climb out of each ditch –
Wash off the filthy muck and mire
Physically weakened, yet mentally stronger.
That’s all I can do…what I’m supposed to do –
Never allow persistent, muddy obstacles
Opportunity to overcome, to win –
Alter the route, more cautiously – and continue.
MPP 2013
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Author: Mary
ABOUT MARY ~
Mary is a "late-blooming" writer from Texas who enjoys exploring a variety of different styles & genres, however her deep passion for creative writing (poetry, essay, narrative interview & non-fiction) remains unwavering & most purposeful.
Mary's personal & professional background is filled with an eclectic combination of business & art (e.g., music, performing arts, 15 years sales/marketing & special events planning in the private club industry). Mary is a 1990 graduate from The University of North Texas with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. In 2001, life as she knew it would be dramatically & forever altered by the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at age 35. Several years passed, searching for answers to unknown questions. This loss of reality, normalcy, & PURPOSE needed to be reinvented - renewed - rewritten. This disease is not a "one size firs all." MS affects everyone differently & can morph unpredictably, silently, relentlessly... day to day. It's not easy to figure out how to deal with disease & this vile invasion of an uninvited, unwanted "internal room-mate." Eventually, Mary also sought the help of a professional therapist which helped her learn important coping skills needed to tame/calm mood disorders & to encourage healthy ways in which to purge the noisy chaos inside the brain. And so the writing began... as did a newfound passion & purpose. This journey of reinvention became plausible via Mary's background & her desire to discover new creative outlets. As a student for life, Mary continues to explore & study the health benefits from turning off our "auto pilot switch" & instead focus on learning - consume new information & participate in new activities (Neuroplasticity). The gift of "resilience" is a glorious, powerful tool which stems from the endurance of life & it's many challenges. Resilience forces us to rise up & learn face issues (new & old) head on. Focus on the important things in life. Laugh & live selflessly with compassion, purose & passion.
Connect with Mary at:
🔸Twitter: @pettigrew66, @MSpals
🔸Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaryPettigrew48
🔸LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryppettigrew
🔸Instagram:
🔸http://www.mspals.org
Acknowledgments and Press ~
* Creator & Co-founder of MSpals: A Global Organization (2014 - present)
* Administrator & contributing author of content, posts, & interviews on the MSpals website:
http://www.mspals.org
~ The Summer of Sport: Forward Poetry 2012
~ Poetry Rivals Collection 2013
~ Something On Our Minds Vol.III
~ Something On Our Minds Vol IV.
Interviews: National Multiple Sclerosis Society's "Momentum Magazine"
~ 2013 = Art Therapy & MS
~ 2015 = Connecting Via Social Media
Other works also featured on a variety of blogs, websites, videos, as well as other multimedia platforms including:
www.pajamadaze.com
www.disabled-world.com
www.HealthCentral.com
www.MyCounterpane.com
www.MS&MeRadio/TBI Network
iConquerMS/The Accelerated Cure Project
WEGO Health
View all posts by Mary
Thank you! It means a lot!
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Thank you for your lovely comments! I'm glad my words gave special meaning to you.
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Love this! The words, the photo- everything!
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Every word you wrote could have been my thought while I created this photograph to help myself heal and cope with my miscarriage. I honestly can't even wrap my head fully around how perfect your words expressed my feelings. Clearly my picture was waiting for you. I'm so glad they found each other. -Bonnie
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