Some years ago I suddenly found myself penning a poem called ‘All the Stars We Cannot See’. My true writing is like this, it just appears in my mind and demands my attention until I sit down with a pen and translate that feeling onto paper.
A lot of writers work in this way. Many years ago the author Leslie Thomas, he of quite hilariously raucous fame, described his writing experience as somewhat mystical, even though that didn’t go with the lusty image of his brilliant work. I’ve never forgotten that. He had to wait until a book ‘appeared in my head’ before he could do something.
So, this is another poem in the ‘All’ series of which there are at least 10. If you struggle with writers’ block read ‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert…it will put your mind at rest and is brilliant life advice.
Start the journey
Hold on tight
(It’s going to be a tremendous fight)
Listen to others
You are who they say
(Even though you are withering away)
Walk on their path
Do what they did
(Even though they have never lived)
Conform to the rules
Don’t try to shine
Follow the leaders and you will be fine
Don’t speak
Don’t dream
Don’t hope
Don’t be
(Don’t seek the light that will set you free)
And don’t ask me why
I just know it’s a rule
Being unique isn’t helpful at all
But
Listen to me
Says a voice from inside
I am the power and I am the wise
I am the way and the truth and the light
I am the warrior in your fight
I am your hopes and your dreams and your words
I have a voice
I demand to be heard
Love is my angle
To dream is my right
Hope is my beacon
Into the light
Believe in yourself
And you’ll always be free
Just follow the light that you cannot see
Deb (Dancing Star) Hawken
August 2017
I'm a writer, public speaker, medium, and spiritual thinker. I suffered from acute anxiety from the age of 16 until I was well into my 50s, after fearlessly exploring many ideas, philosophies, and tools, I finally found methods that helped me return my mind to a better normal. One of the things I hated about anxiety was the way people treated me like a fool or a problem, I have two degrees and I'm a (much) retired black belt, my IQ is decent, but I constantly felt like a complete idiot, something that was exacerbated by never feeling like the real me. The girl who could laugh endlessly about the smallest things, and had a real excitement about what life had to offer her. I didn't need anyone else to tell me I wasn't 'right', I knew that better than anyone. My mission now is to support people suffering as I did with a message of support with what they're going through, tools and ideas that might help, and a strong message of hope for the future. At 63, which I am at the time of writing, many people I know are in a rut, yet having beaten anxiety I'm now doing more with my life than I ever did when I was struggling just to get up in the morning, let alone face the day. It's a wonderful feeling - so the main message is that it doesn't matter how long you've been struggling or what age you are, when you beat anxiety you will get an entirely new lease of life - and that's fantastic at any age. On a personal note I'm married to my soul mate, we have 5 cats, and I live in the middle of the UK. I follow a number of fantastic thinkers, as it's important to immerse yourself in healthy thinking as often as you can, I'm a Toastmaster and professional public speaker, and I keep life simple and encourage my clients to do the same, and my friends.
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Deb Hawken 