Update: I forgot to say Happy National Poetry Month. In celebration I uploaded a newer poem to my blog: http://www.attributemagazine.com/index/editorsbrain/?p=217 Enjoy! Now onto the LFE...

Not to sound cliché, but spring has sprung up from the roots and is rearing its head above the sun-kissed soil. Personally, I have been feeling new life emerging from within and have made changes in both my appearance and in my life, to reflect and respect it.

There are seasons of our life that we do not always understand.  These can be times of introspection or times of complete extroversion; each has its own reason for taking hold of our spirits and doing whatever needs to be done, from the inside out or the outside in.

It is our job to just let it be, not question it, not fight it...just embrace whatever the plan may be and relish the outcome.

I have been doing a lot of introspection; I have taken a long look to see what I needed to take responsibility for and accept what changes I needed to make in order to be more content and freer. I was being held for ransom and it was time to pay my ransomer in order to be released. I had changed my appearance a bit in order to reflect my introspection; I guess I was feeling a bit dark therefore my appearance was darker. That and I had forgotten what my natural hair color was and thought, after thirteen years, I should get back in touch with my roots.

Two things I discovered (and rediscovered) is how much I really like who I am and that I had let the junk of others infiltrate me and bring me down.   In the past, I had successfully thwarted this from happening, but somehow my ability to deflect as well as my resolve, was weakened by being subjected to a constant flow of negative and unhealthy behavior.

I was in close proximity to losing my loving, nurturing, happy nature after being rejected in certain ways and being subjected to this as closely and as often as it was taking place, was not good for me: I felt I was fighting for my soul, my spirit and at times, my life. But being a fighter, I was determined to resolve the issues and regain my strength and return to the person He intends me to be.

By nature, I am a very content and peaceful person. I possess enough self-confidence (and favor from God) to get me through anything: Resilience should (actually) be my middle name. I know this is a blessing and I am grateful, every single day.

I am reading, The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear by Joyce Meyer.  I have not been able to put it down for I am reading about a woman I know really well: Myself. It’s exciting to read what defines being truly confident (without ego) and that God created you (all women) to be such. I wish I could give EVERY woman a copy of this book; it really is a great read and she makes many, very valid points about society and women. (FYI: I checked it my from my local library.)

Speaking of great women: It seems as though all the staff writers are in sync these days. For the past few months they have unwittingly submitted articles on similar topics. It’s great—they are doing my job for me.   This month they all seem to want to be happy and are focusing on things that enable it in their lives, and the lives of others. What a blessing.

Make happiness a choice—you won’t regret it!

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I wish you all a wonderful month of April and look forward to reaching out to you again, in May.

Warmly,

Stacey “Resilience” Louiso

Founding Editor+ Executive/Creative Dir.