Category: Poem

Today, Yes, This One

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Morning By The Window

I had planned to meet God on the balcony this morning. Instead, I met Him at the window.

That is how this Friday began for me here in Branson, Missouri. Most mornings on this trip, I have stepped out onto the condo balcony with a cup of Earl Grey tea, my Bible, and my journal, looking out over Table Rock Lake before turning to my writing. It has become a sweet little rhythm. It’s been quiet, steady, and good for the soul. The kind of beginning that helps a man gather his thoughts and offer them to the Lord before the day starts making its demands.

But this morning would not be that kind of morning.

A cold front had moved in overnight. Before daylight had fully broken, I could already tell the whole character of the day had changed. The wind was up. The trees were restless. The lake had lost its calm. What had felt welcoming on the past few mornings now felt raw and sharp. The wind chill had dropped into the mid 40s, and instead of stepping out into the dawn, I stayed inside and stood at the balcony window, warm cup in hand, looking out at a darker, colder, more unsettled world.

And maybe that is what caught my attention most. The day I thought I was getting was not the day that came.

The Weather Changed

The last several mornings had been mild and pleasant. Cool enough to feel fresh, but not so cold as to send a fellow scurrying back indoors. The air had that clean Ozarks touch to it. The lake had looked gentle. The hills had seemed half asleep. Those mornings invited lingering.

This one did not.

This morning was dark in a different way. Not soft-dark. Not still-dark. It was a restless dark. The wind worked over the surface of Table Rock Lake until the water looked troubled. The trees along the shore bent and shifted as if the whole landscape had been stirred from sleep too roughly.

It looked, I suppose, a little like life does sometimes.

There are days that arrive warm and welcoming, and there are days that come in with a hard edge to them. Days when the spirit feels stirred up before breakfast. Days when the heart is already carrying something heavy. Days when the weather outside seems to match the weather within.

I stood there looking through the glass and thought to myself: this was not the morning I had planned.

But of course, that is often the way life goes. We make our little arrangements. We set our expectations. We imagine what the day ought to feel like. And then the Lord allows a different sort of morning to arrive.

The Verse That Met Me

It was right there, with the wind moving over the water, that Psalm 118:24 came to me:

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

I have known that verse for a long, long time. It is familiar enough that a person can quote it without really stopping to hear it. But this morning it landed with fresh weight.

Because the verse does not say, “This is the easy day.”
It does not say, “This is the warm day.”
It does not say, “This is the bright and cheerful day when everything falls neatly into place.”

It says, “This is the day.”

This one.

The windy one.
The darker one.
The one that did not match my plans.
The one I might not have chosen for myself.

This day.

That is what makes the verse so strong and so tender at the same time. It reminds me that my peace is not to be anchored in the kind of day I wish I had received, but in the God who made the day I have been given.

Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving, but it is not shallow thanksgiving. It rises out of mercy, deliverance, and trouble overcome by the goodness of God. It has some backbone to it. It knows what it is to praise the Lord not only when the skies are clear, but when the heart has learned that God is faithful in every weather.

And that is what I needed this morning.

The Gift of This Day

Standing there at the window, I was reminded that before I had one thought about this Friday, God had already made it. Before I spoke my first prayer, He was already Lord over every hour of it. Before I wrote one line in my journal or one word for the page, the whole day was already resting in His hands.

That steadies a man.

The older I get, the more I think one of the great disciplines of the Christian life is learning to receive the day God sends instead of pining for a different one. That does not come naturally. We are forever looking backward with regret or forward with worry. We rehearse old sorrows. We borrow tomorrow’s burdens. All the while, the Lord keeps calling us back to the ground beneath our feet.

This is the day.

Not yesterday.
Not tomorrow.
This day.

The one in front of you.
The one in your hands.
The one under God’s rule and care.

And if that is true, then even a cold, windblown Friday morning can be received with gratitude.

Thank You, Lord, For One More Day

Let me say it plainly: rejoicing does not always look triumphant. Sometimes it is not a shout. Sometimes it is not a song. Sometimes it is simply opening your Bible when your heart feels tired. Sometimes it is taking hold of your coffee cup or tea mug, looking out at a day you did not expect, and whispering, “Thank You, Lord, for one more day.”

That too is rejoicing.

Maybe that is the mercy hidden in mornings like this. We do not have to find God only in the lovely moments. We do not have to wait for better weather, brighter light, or easier circumstances. He meets us in the day we have, not only in the day we would have chosen.

So this Friday morning, wherever you are and whatever sort of weather has found your soul, receive the day from His hand.

Not yesterday.
Not tomorrow.
Today.

And rejoice.

Love and Grace,
Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s non-fiction books at NONFICTION and his speculative fiction books written as Jim Kepler at FICTION.

The Beginning

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1.1 
The Beginning

Before the worlds, were spoken to be,
The Liberator stood, in eternity.
His voice, a melody, His love, to set all free,
And from nothingness, came land and sea.

The heavens stretched, with a vibrant glow,
The stars awakened, their light did flow.
Each planet spun, in a rhythmic show,
A symphony sung, where life would grow.

He called forth oceans, their depths profound,
Where waves would echo, their eternal sound.
The mountains rose, the valleys wound,
His hand in all, His love unbound.

The beasts emerged, the skies took flight,
The birds rejoiced, in their morning light.
The Liberator smiled, at the wondrous sight,
Each life a reflection, of His delight.

Then from the dust, His masterpiece came,
A human form, both wild and tame.
With breath divine, He sparked the flame,
Of a soul unbroken, pure in name.

A garden He planted, serene and wide,
With rivers that flowed, and paths to guide.
Where man and woman walked, side by side,
Their hearts unburdened, their trust implied.

Yet freedom bore, a sacred test,
A choice to follow, to trust what’s best.
One tree stood tall, its fruit possessed,
The knowledge of all, a gift suppressed.

The serpent came, with whispers sly,
A cunning voice, that questioned why.
Its lies enticed, their hearts did try,
And the bond of trust, began to die.

The fruit was taken, their eyes did see,
The weight of shame, the lost decree.
Yet mercy flowed, from eternity,
The Liberator’s love, their destiny.

He clothed their shame, though exile came,
His plan remained, forever the same.
Through sorrow and trials, through guilt and blame,
His covenant endured; His love proclaimed.

Through Adam and Eve, the journey would start,
A story of grace, a mending of hearts.
Through dust and stars, His promise imparts,
The Liberator’s plan, a sacred art.

From: The Liberator’s Song: An Allegorical Retelling
of The Torah and The Pentateuch”
Book 1
1.1 – The Beginning
Poetry and Prayer Press
Copyright 2025
A Poetic Narrative by Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Artwork: by Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Did you enjoy this article/poem?
You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s non-fiction books at
NONFICTION and his speculative fiction books written as Jim Kepler at FICTION.

Miss Benita and Psalm 31

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You ever stumble on a verse that just sticks to your soul?
For us, it was Psalm 31:24 – “Be strong, and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Now, I didn’t learn that from a preacher.
I learned it sittin’ beside my wife,
my sweet Miss Benita,
when the doctor looked us dead in the eyes
and said the word melanoma. 

Stage three, cancer, he said.
They’d done all they could,
but if it came back —
well, he didn’t have to finish that sentence.
We already knew.

And sure enough,
a few months later,
it came knockin’ again.
The oncologist told us to make her comfortable.
Said to focus on the quality of the time we had left.
That’s the kind of talk that empties a room of air.

We were scared.
We were broken.
But we did the only thing two folks who love Jesus could do,
we held hands and started prayin’.
We opened that old Bible,
and that Psalm became our heartbeat:
“Be strong, and take heart.”

We weren’t strong,
but somehow, God was.

Then came the people,
our friends from work,
our Prestonwood Baptist Church family,
the Bible fellowship crowd.
They came with casseroles,
and prayers that filled the silence
when words just wouldn’t come.
They sat with us through the storm,
and somehow, we weren’t alone anymore.

Now, Miss Benita…
she was somethin’ else.
Even when the cancer spread,
even when her body gave way,
her spirit never did.
She’d sit there in that hospital bed,
typing emails and writing cards
to folks on the church prayer list.
She’d tell them God loves you,
even when she was the one
starin’ at the valley ahead.

When the cancer reached her brain,
it took her words,
her reading, her writing,
but it never touched her faith.
She told me, plain as day,
“My hope’s not here, it’s in the Lord.”

And near the end…
there was this peace about her,
not the quiet kind,
but the deep kind,
the kind that hums under your ribs
like a steady song.

When she passed,
she did it with grace,
like she was just walkin’ home barefoot
through a field she already knew.

And I’ll tell you what,
she left more behind than sorrow.
She left faith that still burns.
She left love that still moves.
She left a verse that won’t let me go:

“Be strong, and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

It’s not just ink on paper anymore.
It’s a promise.
It’s her voice.
It’s my compass.

And I reckon that’s the legacy of Miss Benita —
not how long she lived,
but how she loved,
how she believed,
and how she taught the rest of us
to keep hopin’ in the dark.

Bible Verse:

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

Psalm 31:24 (KJV)

Who Wrote Psalm 31:24 — and When?

Most folks agree that King David wrote Psalm 31:24. David penned a lot of the Psalms we still hold dear today. Songs and prayers straight from a heart that had seen both mountaintops and valleys.

We don’t know the exact date he wrote it. The Psalms came together over a long stretch of time. Probably across a few centuries. But David’s words were so honest and full of life that generations kept them alive, and by the time the Second Temple stood (somewhere between 500 BC and 70 AD) they were gathered and cherished much like we read them now.

When you think about it, that’s something. A man’s prayer from thousands of years ago still reaching out across time to strengthen hearts today.

The Setting of Psalm 31:24

Psalm 31 is David crying out to God for help when the world seemed to be closing in.
Enemies on every side, fear in the air. Yet his trust never broke.

This verse, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord,” is how David closes his prayer. It’s like he’s saying, “I’ve been down in the pit, and I’ve seen the light of God’s faithfulness. Hang on, He’s still with you.”

The psalm starts with David begging for rescue and ends with him reminding himself and anyone who’ll listen to stand firm in faith. It’s that moment when you’ve been through the storm, and you can finally tell others, “God carried me through.”

The Meaning of Psalm 31:24

This verse is a call to courage in the middle of chaos.
David had his share of trouble. He faced betrayal, fear, loneliness. But even while running for his life, he could still look up and say, “The Lord is my strength.”

When he says “Be strong and take heart,” he’s not talking about gritting your teeth and muscling through. He’s talking about leaning into the kind of strength only God can give — the strength that shows up when your own runs out.

It’s David saying, “Keep trusting. Keep hoping. God hasn’t forgotten you.”

“Be of Good Courage” — What Does That Mean?

When David says, “Be of good courage,” he’s talking to people just like you and me. He talking to us folk who get tired, scared, or flat-out worn down.

He’s saying, “Don’t give up.” Not because you’ve got all the answers, but because you know Who holds them.

Courage, in David’s world, wasn’t about standing tall — it was about standing still and trusting God to move.

“He Shall Strengthen Your Heart” — What Does That Mean?

That’s David’s way of saying, “God’s gonna meet you right in the middle of your fear.”

When your heart’s heavy and your knees are weak, He’s the One who gives you what you need to keep going.

This isn’t physical strength. It’s heart strength. It’s that quiet confidence that says, “I can face what’s coming because I know Who’s beside me.”

“All You Who Hope in the Lord” — What Does That Mean?

This part reminds us we’re not walking alone.

There’s a whole family of believers out there. They’re all hoping, all hanging on to the same promise.

When you put your hope in God, you’re stepping into that community of faith. You’re part of something bigger. You’re part of a people through every generation who’ve trusted God to carry them through.

Different Bible Translations

Each translation gives this verse its own flavor, but the heart stays the same:

  • KJV: “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”
  • NIV: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
  • ESV: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”

No matter how you say it, the message holds, keep your courage, because God strengthens those who hope in Him.

How Psalm 31:24 Brings Encouragement

This verse has carried a lot of weary souls through long nights.

It’s a reminder that we don’t walk this road alone. It tells us that God’s strength is real and near.

When life gets hard, Psalm 31:24 whispers, “You’re not finished yet. God’s still working. Take heart.”

It doesn’t promise an easy road. It promises a faithful God.

How to Live Out Psalm 31:24

Here’s how I see it:

  • Find your strength in God. When life knocks you down, lean into Him. He’s got the strength you don’t.
  • Take heart. Keep your faith alive, even when you can’t see daylight yet.
  • Trust in the Lord. Believe that His plans are good, even when the path doesn’t make sense.
  • Encourage others. Share what you’ve learned. Tell somebody else, “You’re not alone. God’s not done yet.”

That’s how this verse becomes more than just words — it becomes a way to live.

A Psalm 31:24 Prayer

Dear Lord,

When my courage fades and my heart grows tired, remind me You are still my strength.

Help me face this day with faith and hope, knowing You walk with me through every step.

Strengthen my heart, Lord. Give me the courage to keep trusting, even when I don’t see the way ahead.

Let Your peace fill me, and let Your love flow through me to others who need it too.

Thank You for being my rock and my refuge, today and always.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Closing Thoughts

Psalm 31:24 is more than a verse. It’s a lifeline. It tells us to hold steady, to take courage, and to keep our hope anchored in the Lord.

Because no matter what comes our way, we’re never walking it alone.

And when our strength runs out — His never will.

Grace and Peace
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s non-fiction books at NONFICTION and his speculative fiction books written as Jim Kepler at FICTION.

Write It Down: Lessons for Writers from Exodus 24:4

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Write It Down: Lessons for Writers from Exodus 24:4
By: Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Exodus 24:4 – “Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.” 

I’ve always loved how Exodus 24:4 puts it so simply: 

“Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.”

It’s plain. Straightforward. Almost easy to miss. But stop and think about it a second. Moses didn’t just nod along, figuring he’d remember later. He didn’t say, “I’ll get around to it when the time feels right.” He didn’t even leave it to chance. No—he wrote it down. And because he did, we still hold those words in our hands today.

Now, I don’t know about you, but that gets to me. It makes me wonder—what would’ve been lost if Moses hadn’t put pen to parchment? How much wisdom, how much truth, how much of God’s guidance might have slipped through the cracks of human memory if he’d walked away and just assumed he’d recall it later?

Friend, there’s a sermon in that for all of us who write.

Moses and the Writer’s Call

Moses wasn’t setting out to become a bestselling author. He wasn’t looking to climb the literary charts or even leave a legacy. He was just being faithful. He was obedient to capture what God had spoken, no matter how ordinary or inconvenient the task might have seemed at the moment.

That’s the call for us as writers, poets, storytellers, and dreamers. Maybe you’re wrestling with words that won’t come out right. Maybe you’re staring at a blinking cursor that feels more like a dare than an invitation. Or maybe you’ve convinced yourself nobody needs your story anyway.

But here’s the truth—your words matter. Just like Moses’s did.

Writing as Preservation

Writing isn’t just self-expression; it’s preservation. Think about all the moments you’ve lived through—joys that lit up your heart, heartbreaks that nearly undid you, lessons you learned the hard way. If you don’t write them down, who will?

I think about my own journals, scratched out in coffee shops and quiet mornings before the world got noisy. I didn’t write them thinking anyone else would read them. But every once in a while, I’ll flip back through and find a note, a prayer, or a thought that feels like a lifeline thrown across time from my younger self.

That’s what happens when we write—we preserve what God is teaching us. We anchor fleeting thoughts before they drift off. And sometimes, we leave behind a trail someone else can follow when they get lost in the dark.

Somebody’s Waiting

You may never know who your words are meant for. Could be your grandchild reading them fifty years from now. Could be a stranger on the other side of the world stumbling across your book, blog, or poem. Could be a friend sitting in the same pew, needing a reminder that they’re not alone.

But make no mistake—somebody’s waiting for your story. Somebody’s waiting for your words.

Start Where You Are

You don’t need perfect grammar, a polished manuscript, or a book deal to begin. You just need to start. Moses didn’t wait until conditions were perfect—he wrote it down as it came. And look at the difference it made.

Maybe today it’s just a sentence scribbled in a notebook. Maybe it’s a half-finished poem on your phone. Maybe it’s an essay that will one day grow into a book. Whatever it looks like, start where you are. Write what God has laid on your heart.

Because words unwritten eventually vanish. Words written can live on and on.

So next time you find yourself hesitating, remember Exodus 24:4: “Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.”

That wasn’t just a historical detail. It was an invitation. An example. A reminder that what we write today might be the very words someone else needs tomorrow.

So go ahead. Grab that pen. Open that laptop. Write it down.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s non-fiction books at NONFICTION and his speculative fiction books written as Jim Kepler at FICTION.

I’m Just a Believer

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I’m Just a Believer

Gazing at the morning skies,
Bible open, truth before my eyes.
Seeking wisdom, ancient and true,
Faith in Christ to carry me through.

Your Spirit whispers, calm and near,
A gentle voice that casts out fear.
Your Word’s a lamp to light my way,
Guiding me through each new day.

I’m just a Believer,
Living for Christ.
Trusting His mercy,
And walking in light.

I’m just a Believer,
Struggling each day.
But Jesus, my Savior,
Has shown me the way.

I don’t understand all the hate,
Violence, anger, fear at the gate.
Why can’t we live in brotherhood?
Touch the world with Christ for good?

He calls us now to love, not fight,
To shine His truth, to share His light.
Break every chain, the walls come down,
Till peace and mercy spread around.

I’m just a Believer,
Living for Christ.
Trusting His mercy,
And walking in light.

I’m just a Believer,
Struggling each day.
But Jesus, my Savior,
Has shown me the way.

Help me share Your Word with love,
Spirit guide me from above.
Give me courage, make me strong,
Help me lift Your Name in song.

Teach me boldness when I’m weak,
Your truth is all I long to speak.
With open hands and heart of flame,
I’ll praise forever Jesus’ name.

I’m just a Believer,
Living for Christ.
Trusting His mercy,
And walking in light.

I’m just a Believer,
Struggling each day.
But Jesus, my Savior,
Has shown me the way.

Written by Jimmie Aaron Kepler
September 9 – 13, 2005
The week of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

 

Here is a Biblical basis for each line in the poem:
I’m Just a Believer – with Scripture References

 

Poem Line Bible Verse
Gazing at the morning skies, Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Bible open, truth before my eyes. John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Seeking wisdom, ancient and true, Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
Faith in Christ to carry me through. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Your Spirit whispers, calm and near, Romans 8:16 – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
A gentle voice that casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.
Your Word’s a lamp to light my way, Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Guiding me through each new day. Lamentations 3:22–23 – Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed… his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.
I’m just a Believer, Living for Christ. Philippians 1:21 – For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Trusting His mercy, And walking in light. 1 John 1:7 – If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all sin.
I’m just a Believer, Struggling each day. John 16:33 – In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
But Jesus, my Savior, Has shown me the way. John 14:6 – Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
I don’t understand all the hate, 1 John 3:15 – Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Violence, anger, fear at the gate. Colossians 3:8 – Put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Why can’t we live in brotherhood? Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Touch the world with Christ for good? Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
He calls us now to love, not fight, John 13:34 – A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
To shine His truth, to share His light. Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Break every chain, the walls come down, John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Till peace and mercy spread around. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Help me share Your Word with love, 2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.
Spirit guide me from above. John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.
Give me courage, make me strong, Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God goes with you.
Help me lift Your Name in song. Isaiah 12:5 – Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Teach me boldness when I’m weak, Ephesians 6:19 – Pray… that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Your truth is all I long to speak. Acts 4:20 – We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.
With open hands and heart of flame, 1 Timothy 2:8 – Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
I’ll praise forever Jesus’ name. Philippians 2:9 – Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

Written by Jimmie Aaron Kepler
September 9 – 13, 2005
The week of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Keep Creating, Keep Evolving!

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Your Unique Masterpiece

Remember: Every word you write, every brushstroke you make, every idea you nurture brings you one step closer to your unique masterpiece.
 

It’s Who You Become

I’ve learned that, “Creativity isn’t just about what you produce; it’s about who you become in the process.” 💡✨
 

Shape the Artist Within

So, lean into the journey, embrace the mess, and keep creating. You’re not just making art—you’re shaping the artist within. 
 
 

Creative Dreams

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W.S. Merwin on Creativity

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Blog, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Meet the Poets, Poem, Poet, Poet's Life, Poetry, Poets, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment
 
“I learned from my own work that the poem is a way of seeing and feeling both at once,” said W.S. Merwin, a poet whose influence resonates deeply.
 
Merwin’s poetry invites us to experience the world through a lens that merges vision and emotion, offering a profound connection to both the inner and outer landscapes.
 
As a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate, Merwin’s words transcend mere language. His work embodies a rare spiritual presence, much like Thoreau’s, capturing the essence of human experience and the natural world.
 
Embrace poetry as a means of seeing and feeling simultaneously. Through your own writing, discover the power to reveal truths that touch the soul and awaken the senses.
 

 

Bob Dylan on Creativity

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Blog, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Meet the Poets, Poem, Poems, Poet, Poet's Life, Poetry, Poets, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment

“Creativity is a funny thing. When we’re inventing something, we’re more vulnerable than we’ll ever be,” says Bob Dylan.
 
In these moments, eating and sleeping fade away, and we enter a state of “Splendid Isolation,” much like the solitude Warren Zevon sang about and Georgia O’Keeffe embraced in the desert.
 
To be truly creative, you often need to be unsociable and intensely focused. It’s not about being violent or ugly, but about being unfriendly and distracted, immersed in your own world. This self-sufficiency allows you to stay focused and channel your energy into your work.
 
Embrace this solitude and vulnerability. It’s in these moments of deep focus and isolation that true creativity blossoms, allowing you to create something unique and powerful.
 
 
Picture source:
Alberto Cabello from Vitoria Gasteiz, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
 

Leonard Cohen on Writing

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“I’ve always felt that the more personal you get, the more universal the application, rather than the other way around,” said Leonard Cohen.
 
When you delve deeply into your personal experiences, you create something profoundly relatable to others. By sharing your unique story, you touch on universal truths that resonate widely.
 
If you try to address the masses directly, you might achieve broad appeal, but true connection comes from authenticity.  The more accurately you capture your situation, the more others can see themselves in your work. This honesty and specificity make your creations accessible and meaningful.
 
Embrace the power of personal expression. Let your true self shine through in your art, writing, or any form of creativity. By doing so, you’ll forge genuine connections with others, creating work that speaks to the human experience.