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Oh, the perfect wave. Wouldn't that be nice? Every once in a while life gives us one of those, but just as often the wave takes us out.

It’s frustrating when you want to do something but you can’t, or when pain comes in to obliterate all else. The waves of thoughts and feelings that go along with life can get intense, but to me the crucial point to remember is that they are waves, cycles.

This too shall pass.

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When I let the energy flow, the wave goes through its cycle, and the next one forms. I might get crushed for a while, rolled beneath suffocating pressure and not know which way is up, but if I go with it I know I’ll resurface.

I find my proverbial surfboard, regroup, and try the next wave. Maybe I’m even a little wiser for the wipe out.

It seems a lot of us have been bashed against the rocks lately, so to speak. If you’re having a rough go of it, hang in there. You’re not alone.

My approach is to keep looking for the beauty in life. It’s there, and it’s in each of us.

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I wrote this poem in the healing aftermath of a meltdown that had me in a rather vulnerable place.

For the record, I used to despise the word vulnerable. I’m still a little uncomfortable with it. Makes me want to put on armour. Anyway, poetry helps, even if it shows glimpses of that all-too-real vulnerability.

POEM: I’m Not Broken

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This poem has been pulled from my Steem blog for use in publication. Thank you for your interest in my writing! Please visit me on Twitter for current content: https://twitter.com/KatrinaAriel

What if there’s nothing wrong with you?

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I enjoy watching TED Talks, and tend to fall down rabbit holes on YouTube that lead to interesting discoveries. Last night I found one by Susan Munich Henkels, author of What If There’s Nothing Wrong With You?

In her presentation, Susan invites us to consider the question, “What if there’s nothing wrong with me?” and try out a new perspective on ourselves. A gentler one, by far.

I also watched this one, called “The Art of Being Yourself,” by Caroline McHugh. Her lovely accent kept me listening, and her compassionate confidence drew me in.

It helped me, listening to this. I share it here in case it helps someone else, too.

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Self-Care Reminder:

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I haven’t posted in a handful of days, because life. Also, my body has needed some rest, and attention, and… well, I’ve been riding the waves.

But it feels good to take care of myself. It’s necessary. So I thought I’d include a gentle self-care reminder to take the time to take care of you.

Drink water, breathe fresh air, exercise, sleep (without a screen on somewhere nearby), interact with people face-to-face, and do the things that nourish YOU. It's important, and you're worth it.

Take care of yourself, you are a gift!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

^{Gifs via giphy.com.}

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steem.

Dragon art commissioned from Liiga Smilshkalne.

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