I am at a loss of words. This community has showed me so much love and respect its brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Graham for this opportunity! All of you are beautiful, thoughtful and strong humans. Going through the comments I cant help but notice how everyone uplifts each other and supports each other! isn't that what life is all about!? What ever you are going through today, is what will make you stronger tomorrow. This community gives me hope for humanity, this community gives me hope for love. You people are what keeps me going everyday. knowing that we can all work together to overcome anything. I will leave you guys here with the shortest poem ever written, by the late Muhammad Ali. "Me, WE"
Joshua, as you know because of your friendship with Graham, that he has a way of bringing out the best in folks. He leads by example. He's not preachy. He speaks from his heart and he genuinely loves people and wants the best for them. He is a rare human and we have come together in this love. So for you to be featured on his page is huge. We sit up and listen to people Graham admires because he's picky about that. So thank you for sharing your work. You are a diverse person and that is so inspiring. I wish you continued success in all your work. Thanks for your kind words about this community. We love it too...
Barbara .. thanks for the beautiful spoken words to JOSHUA .. you spoke for all of us .. yes Joshua .. you are a very special person for GRAHAM to bring you here with us.. we appreciate your work and admire you .. There is something very special . GOD is in your work for sure.. when you have him you will always have the best work thanks again for sharing your work with us.....
We all need support in one form or another & I love how this community is so understanding & embraces everyone.
When feeling lost & alone, thinking no one understands, this community is here for all.
This community has given me hope & I have found common ground with others. It has helped take away the stigma of suffering from mental illness. It has helped me not to feel alone, odd, or like there is something wrong with me. That I'm not weird, stupid or a freak. Names I have been called most of my life.
I am so grateful to Graham & to all the people I have met through him & this community.
It was fun to have you here! It is a pretty uplifting place. Maybe you should start your own Substack community to share your writing and thoughts. I have your books in my Amazon cart and am excited to read them, but I'm sure you have lots of poems we would all love to read and hear about. Just an idea. Thanks again, Joshua, for sharing a piece of yourself with us.
It was great to have you here Joshua as a guest!! I’m so looking forward to reading your book!! Welcome to our beautiful little community that Graham has created here at Substack !! 🙏💜
Hi Joshua thank you again for letting us read your poem. It was inspiring, our little community that we have is such a blessing. Knowing that every week we get to learn not only about Graham but ourselves as well. Now we can add you to our wonderful community. So please keep sending us your poems I would definitely love to here more. God bless both Graham and you. Take care
Joshua, thank you for your comments. I love the Muhammad Ali poem. “Me, WE”. Graham surrounds himself with friends who are very inspiring like yourself, and that transcends to each and every one of us each week. We were treated this week by your wonderful and inspiring poem, and I am so grateful to Graham for doing this. Graham shares his heart and inspires each of us to look within ourselves to be who we are meant to be. Blessings to you Joshua!
It is our pleasure ... In Hebrew we have a phrase "Tell me who your friend is and I'll tell you who you are" so Graham and us are all fortunate to have you as a friend ♥️
I loved your poem, Joshua. It is do true. I've certainly experienced it first hand recently. The way the 'devil' comes at you just when you think you're getting somewhere. You're right about this community. It is amazing. Mainly, in fact, because Graham is amazing ! He has inspired this community to love and acceptance and it clearly has had a huge impact. When you are so full of Light, you just can't help it overflowing to everyone around you. I pray that we can all develop this ability, our world surely needs it 🙏
Thank you Graham for sharing Joshua with us today. Thank you Joshua for sharing your lovely poem with us. Something to think about!!!! I have been on this earth a long time. I Thank God I have always had the ability to choose my friends wisely. If any 0f my friends or others have ever felt negative about me no one has ever confronted me about it. I am grateful for that but I most certainly know that I am not perfect. I will admit that in my younger days I experienced feelings of jealousy toward some others but again I thank God and my parents for teaching me to make the right choice and avoid confrontation. In my life today I have so many great friends that I cherish. In this past year having to be part of Graham's great community here I have been introduced to so many great kind people. I have never personally met only through chat and I feel I can call them my friends. I have been blessed 🙏🙏❤❤
That’s me, did feel jealous in my younger days, and a few times in my career until I realized I am worthy and felt good about myself. This community is awesome, thanks to Graham for bringing it together.
Thank you Lucy. I dont really know you but yet I do. I know you story from all that you have shared in this community and also the great Podcast you did with Laurie. You are and inspiration to all of us. God Bless!!!
Kathleen thank you for sharing your story we all feel the same I’m sure. I to feel very blessed to know all of you. We do all support each other and I feel one day we will all see each other in person.
Hey, Joshua, thanks for sharing your poem with us today. I’ll look forward to checking out your book as I’m a bit of a poet myself and I love reading others’ work. I’m not great at confrontation. When it comes to fight or flight, I’m more likely to turn tail and run. When I get mad enough about an injustice or attack is when my fighter comes out – probably not the best place to defend myself from. I always try to remember that “hurt people hurt people” and that there’s something in their own life that’s lacking or causing them to respond in the way they are. Takes a bit of the sting out of it. Thanks, Graham, for a little something different today. Hope the move is going well.
Thanks for having Joshua on! It was a fun change up! 👏🏻 I really like this poem, that’s actually something I was recently discussing with a fellow GFF. You know you are on the right path when the devil hits you the hardest. And the harder he hits you, the more important it becomes to not give up!
When have I called upon my warrior to stand up for myself?
In the past it was pretty often. I am a laid back, very chill sort of person. I have a well buried fiery temper though. A certain person got a sense of distempered glee from being able to rouse my temper…And I know now that I let him.
These days it takes an act of congress Lol to stir my temper. I’ve learned to take a step back and let things simmer a bit before reaction. The times that it is the hardest to do that are when haters are going after someone I care about. Even then, my response often comes out in a muted passive aggressive tone.
I learned to funnel and mold my anger, to put it through the kiln, and turn it into passion.
If someone else struggled to find their inner fighter(or fire), I would encourage them to look at the situation through the eyes of their best friend. How would this situation look to their best friend? Would their best friend want to kick someone’s butt for treating them that way? Or would they want to kick someone’s butt for treating their best friend that way? It’s all about perspective.
I tend to avoid negative people and situations if at all possible since I realized their motivations were always out of jealousy, hatred of themselves, psychiatric issues but nothing that can be rationalized in any way. Avoidance would be a fair solution because confrontation only results in hurt for both parties either physically or mentally
I notice you said, "if at all possible". I'm with you there, but sometimes it's not possible, like with family, and you have to be willing to work through the conflict. And sometimes the motivation isn't jealousy or hatred or psychiatric issues, but a response to something they don't know how to deal with. Like you, I step away from people who are just negative as a pattern of life, but you can't avoid them all in every situation.
Agree Cathey family is always a delicate matter. You have to know what they are dealing with in their own life to understand why they feel the way they do; however, it’s a two way street and if resolution becomes improbable, there are many rights, lefts and fork in the roads to deal with to prevent family taking sides and imploding. One or two bad apples as they say can ruin the bunch. In this case, maybe a more sympathetic person the the family or their friend can reason more easily with them and help relieve the conflict.
That’s what I also do, I don’t like confrontation and like you said the motivations behind creating the situations. Plus I’ve never felt good about end results either way.
That works to a degree when it's possible. But in certain careers our haters cannot be avoided and they can turn people against us. How would you deal with that?
Excellent question Marsha! Recuperating or rehabilitating a reputation is a very salient and sincere form of hatred. Obviously whatever this other party does or says if they are believed then you first have to assess what their intent and their agenda really is. Jealousy? Job advancement, monetary gain, social advancement (ladder climbing)?? Probably could list a dozen more! Then you have to assess why these people are being believed by these third parties?!?
Is there something actually factual either in fact or partially true or is it pure fabrication? If there is any iota of truth then some soul searching and inner thought must come first. Clean up your own house! If there is no truth, going back to original offending party is direct confrontation which is a no win situation. If this person is slanderous, confabulating, malicious or ignorant or any combination, they will most likely listen to reason. They have to be either called out in a general situation among all your peers and state your case to all of them at once or take legal recourse to have them silenced. You must rehabilitate your reputation as best you can publicly or one on one to those who will listen and are not prejudiced to the point of being unreasonable. It never pays to allow yourself to lower to their level as my mother always said because you’ll either get hurt physically or mentally or you’ll have to shower after being with them!
Missed a few nits up top! Should read very salient form of DEALING with hatred! FURTHER DOWN if they are ... malicious or ignorant they will most likely NOT listen to reason. Sorry for the typos and omissions it obviously changes what I was saying!
I just want to tell all of you .. this sure was a good lesson this week thanks to JOSHUA also thanks to Graham for sharing him with us .. I really have appreciated everyones comments .. Joshua said when someone tries to hurt you ..Thank them for the reminder of all the beauty in you ... I think this shows GOD is in our hearts ..
Thanking them is in your heart. If you perceive it is safe to thank them to their face, all the better. Sometimes confrontation may be plain disagreeing.
To all the fabulous GIMs. You know who you are. You are all so special and are using your inner warriors to become your best selves. physically and mentally. You are ridding yourselves of the bad habits and replacing them one step at a time with healthier ones. Kudos to each of you for stomping out that devil. I lift up my water bottle to each of you walking down the new path of a healthier lifestyle. There are better days ahead for all of us now. You've encouraged and inspired me to keep going where there was a time I didn't think I could. Blessings to you all.
"Our greatest glory is not never failing, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius
Thank you Joshua for sharing your poem. You have to be someone pretty special if Graham gives you the thumbs up. I wish you the best in all you do.
Barbara, I’m right there with you and continuing to be that warrior. Cheers to you and everyone else on this journey as I also raise my water bottle to cheer one another on! I know we can do it!
You can do it Anne. Baby steps each day! Small wins add up. No grand gestures needed. We want a new lifestyle not a quick fix. That's our goal. And we have others who are with us cheering alongside us. Not in front or behind but next to us. That's how we will walk this together. ❤🙏
I really believe I can. and we all can. That's exactly what I do, one day at a time. We're all in this together, and I'm excited about the new platform Graham is setting up especially the healthy living room. Take care my friend!
Yes he has already designated a health and wellness room for us. So exciting to have a place to share and encourage each other. And since Graham's setting it up, we can count on it being amazing!
We came together a few weeks ago from right here. We needed each other and well, we are making progress through our mutual desire to be the best version of ourselves!
yes Barbara well spoken ... I agree THANKS Joshua for sharing your poem .. and I believe you are a special person .. Graham only picks the best ... GOD BLESS YOU ALL...
All I can say is WOW !! What a treat thanks so much Graham for introducing us to Joshua Cameron and his latest poetry book. The poem was very powerful and a great reminder. I need to work a bit on my fighter mentality, I’m doing baby steps but getting there slowly! I challenge myself to control the way I respond to what’s happening as that’s where your power is. Looking forward to join you at the upcoming zoom meeting!!🙏
I tried to avoid negative humans, and thank you Joshua for this great reminder. We are not alone , we are however worthy, beautiful enough ,strong, and capable. Remember as you stand there fighting the Devils lies that God stands beside you, brimming with pride in the beauty and talent He sees in you. He is standing there with open arms give him your to do list and ask him to remove barriers, remove things that are not in his plan for you and to help you or others through his grace. Many times , there is a voice that sneaks into after exhausting days, perhaps trying to trick into thinking my efforts. A sneaking sound inside your mind pointing out your pointing your flaws as your look in the mirror at the dawn of the day . You try to feel confident,excited,full of joy and content with the person reflecting before you but you struggle.I have caught myself so many times living through the flesh and forgetting that God wants us to learn on Him everyday. We weren’t made just survive,we were made to thrive when going thru tough times we are not alone , we will find growth, strength, and that we can rise up.Cheers🙏
Such great insight Lucy! I was thinking of a response to this poem, but you nailed it. The only thing I would add is I thought of my spiritual warrior. "We don't fight against flesh and blood, but against princes and principalities..." of the spirit world. People can be used by the devil to try and stop us. They fight the most against bearers of the light and the more light you shine on this dark world the more resistance you get.
I appreciate your comment about spiritual warfare. It is so real and of course, it's in the Bible for a reason. We can't battle it alone, but need each other.
Spiritual warfare is real. You are so right we cannot fight this alone. We have to be in constant prayer with Jesus Christ and surround ourselves with like minded believers. This is where the church comes into play. We were not created to be alone but in community.
Thank you Joshua for this poem and the reminder that we are in control of our own destiny but first we have to believe in ourselves and stop playing the victim. For myself, I didn't really start this until recently, but once you look within yourself and look for that guidance, amazing things can and will happen. Blessings to all!
Thanks Joshua for sharing your work. On my life’s journey I have tried to treat others as I would like to be treated, “ Do unto others as you would have them do to you”. As much as possible I have tried to avoid negative/ confrontational situations, as I never felt good about the end results whether “ I won or lost”. If I don’t feel good about myself in the end, was it worth the battle? Walking away from certain situations often takes more strength than staying. At those times you can say to yourself “ thank you for making me stronger”.
Thanks Graham for having Joshua share his work within this community. Blessings to you both!
Walking away can be hard. I always feel the need to depend myself, to explain myself. At times I feel this just makes the situation worse. I need to have more faith in myself & not worry what others think. As long as I am true to myself & treat others with respect etc, then I need to be satisfied
That is all true I get it I myself do the same thing. I had a moment the other night. I was standing at my window in the kitchen and tears just started coming. I thought to myself why am I crying.I stood there realizing I have no reason to cry. I’m strong confident saying to myself again Graham and God have taught me all of this to be true to myself. My tears stopped and I went on doing what ever it was I was doing. Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward. That worked for me.
There are times when one does need to defend/ explain themselves but sometimes no matter how much explaining you do, the situation doesn’t get better. That’s when one needs to walk away, it’s not easy. That is when you stand in your power, trust you are true to yourself.
Loved the poem Joshua! Thanks Graham for sharing his work with us.
After a 30 year successive career in sales, I had a boss that had it out for me. A real uncomfortable mess occurred. I trusted in God and basically let him defend me. The way this trial ended was she left the company, then tried to come back. My company wouldn’t hire her back. I was promoted to handle Key Accounts and ultimately retired with my reputation in tack. Sometimes it is hard to trust God, but he never fails me. Praying for inner strength for all of us. I tell my son, “Know the difference between right and wrong, and choose to do what is right”.
Dear Graham, Joshua and special friends in this community:
A dear friend just told me that I must always be true to myself. This comment is just that and will not be one of the usual responses I would write to one of the weekly posted poems on Substack. I am compelled to write this here and now and ask for your patience and understanding…
As I first read your poem Joshua I thought back on so many instances in my life when others, made mostly well-meaning statements, though having the effect of demeaning my projected path, journey, dreams and plans. Anyone who knows me knows without doubt that I have never even as a child permitted that type of personal attack or questioning to dissuade me from my goals. So considering the poem you recited I knew what I would write about.
Any then… Yesterday Happened. The horrific massacre of young blossoming innocent children and their teachers in Texas resounded around the globe with horror.
This is what I need to talk about. I don’t believe that there are any caring human beings who don’t feel a sense of the enormity of this catastrophe. In this close-knit GFF community, on Graham’s Substack we hold each other and Graham in high esteem. We love, we feel gratitude and such enormous appreciation for and with each other. We pray for all those people affected, family, friends and the broader circle in this small town of only 16,000 people. We hurt for them. We share their intense grief deeply. We do not distantly use platitudes. These people in GFF I love and embrace through Graham’s introduction and his established safe haven. They are the meaning of truth and love.
I personally could not write about another subject. But as I reread the poem before writing this comment I considered the perspective of the victims of this tragedy. I hear so many trying to discern what the solution is for such horrifying actions. I can’t fathom that one glove fits all situations but I do believe that our universe requires a reset. The 18 year old who brought the devil in himself into that small school of little children was a broader victim as well. I surmise from what I’ve read that there was nothing for him but sadness, meanness and dysfunction. There was no solution oriented attention to his anger. An explosion could have been predicted. How can we contribute to gifts of love and teaching that we must act for the benefit of the greater
good? In his world there was an empty table it seems, nothing but a void. Darkness became his world.
There was a time when at least one parent was very involved in providing the bonding, the emotional support, infusing values and promoting the child’s self-worth. Now this world has largely lost its way in my opinion. Priorities are largely pecuniary coupled with self-aggrandizement. Flashy cars, large homes, adult toys … none of which matter in the end of days. The children, tomorrow’s adults, are bringing themselves or each other up on video games and social media. Where is their childhood full of warm memories, development of self-worth, learning to associate with others who are humans? They are not possessions. We as adults have a responsibility to them and to the world to raise contributing and well adjusted adults.
I know this all sounds rather bleak. We need to “be” the change we want to see. We have heard that so often but the action not the repetition is what is required.
We need to provide the emotional medicine which was a priority in decades past. No perfection is ever 100% available. We all know that. Each person must thank the devils you talk of in your poem Joshua for the strength and courage to plow forward contributing to a free more loving universe.
In closing, yesterday I and many I spoke with both in this community and others I love and cherish, felt a very deep dark form of SAD. This three letter word packs a significant punch in this context. We wanted so badly to reach those we so respect for comfort and a sense of togetherness. I myself posted as much in our chat twice. There was a palpable need. Of course, in the end we each reached within and found peace in each other and ourselves but pieces were missing. Nothing is perfection. 🙏🏻💜
Bless you Sherry I agree with everything you have said here I’m crying for everyone but I know no one is crying for the person that committed the crime but I am because no one sets out in this life to harm people what he must have went thru in his short 18 yrs on this earth to bring him to this end ... that said I agree again we all needed that sense of togetherness and comfort there was a palpable need and in the end we found what we could with each other but there was a piece missing and it was felt I guess when all is said and done human kindness comes from the heart and takes time and responsibility and effort it’s not something we just talk about or write a poem about it’s something we actually feel and do ❤️
Thank you Halina. Thank you for being that support, that love that I craved in GFF. You voiced the echoes of my sentiments exactly! I completely ache for the people in So Texas. MORE I am still so very sad that our canoe was missing its oar.
Thank you Sherry for your words. My heart goes out to all the victims, families of this elusive act. I have been a primary school teacher for 35 years. I have seen many needs of children who have to grow up without love... I think there is agreat work and need of awareness there. More than the ban on weapons, society should focus on a loving environment for every child... I want to commit myself to this. Love is the only answer💕🙏
Bie.... when I had I I call my epiphany this truth was one I saw so clearly it stung my eyes~ it’s not about regulating, it’s about commitment to love of innocents. I grabbed this revelation with all I had. I am translating my clarity into dreams of caring for littles and already rewards of including children into the dynamic is seeing reality. I am so spiritually attuned to the possibilities! We can turn horror into contribution~ if we use our energy and action. 🙏🏻💜
Amen Sherry, As we say in my faith. I have a lot more to say on this subject. It involves the spiritual warrior in all of us. The Love that Graham keeps talking about. And the fact that so many have traded material things or problems or whatever to keep them from accepting and giving this Love. Next week my poem will be a story of faith in action and the changes true love brings.
Thank you Marsha. We say Amen in my faith as well. I did mention the pecuniary mis-focus and it accounts for a significant portion of what needs repair. When I was practicing law all my peers were driving the flashy expensive vehicles, going on expensive vacations, buying yachts and other water vehicles etc. When I retired they asked how I could manage that. They had the answer but their egos could not see. There needs to be a reset of priorities. Our children should we chose to have them just be number one IMHO while they are developing into independent value driven adults. 🙏🏻💜
At one time I told my brother that I thought people should be required to take training and pass tests and get a license to have children. And I still wonder if ppl bring children into this world that they don't love and are not prepared to take care of, they should pay a huge fine. He was horrified.
Marsha there is always a problem getting the government involved in any mandated activities. But I concur generally that parenting classes should be a value encouraged. Too many have no idea what they are going to encounter bring a parent at different stages of their development. More must be done regarding mental health!
Sherry, I feel your pain thru your words. You phrased this so eloquently. The family unit/bond seems to have changed so much from my generation. I shared meals with my parents and sometimes there was silence, but at least we took the time to be with one another. That communication between parent and child is missing right now. Although I don’t have children, I do feel for the families who have experienced such a tragic loss. Like you said, we each need to look within ourselves and find that peace. For me, that is thru prayer and guidance from God himself. Blessings to you my dear friend! 🙏❤️
Anne, thank you for your words. There are many memories I shuffle though of my childhood. What stands out is that I always knew intuitively that my parents were my most ardent cheer leaders. That confidence fed into my belief in myself and has been alive in me ever since. The horrific events this week remind me of those gifts I received and that there are many children who do not have that in their lives. The lack of meaningful adult relationships who guide us can cause these catastrophic events. I had to write about my related thoughts this week. Hugs dear friend! 🙏🏻💜
Sherry I agree with you on all counts. Though I to believe that families are not families anymore. They don’t sit around the table like in the past. Most kids don’t even have chores. Like you said, it’s not like it was in the past. Children are not made to go outside to play. If disciplined they shout abuse or they will call DCFS on their parents. We as adults are supposed to be Parents not friends of their children. it’s our job to raise them to the best of our ability to make sure they become decent human beings. I’m not saying kids won’t get into trouble from time to time. It the parents job to make sure their kids are on the right path. Now do I think mental health comes into play at times yes. Though at times they like to play the mental health card all the time, that’s not right either. You have to be able to teach your children right from wrong
Yes Shari! 100% we are in the same page. I’ve seen it from the inside out. My children were brought up pretty much as I was. We had meals together every night. There were rules that had to be followed and increasing responsibility as they grew. I could go on but the point is that the present generation, as you said, lacks so much. It’s sad and it’s unhealthy. They need boundaries while parents need to take responsibility. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry my heart is so broken for all of that school .. the blessed parents that could not take their babies back home with them . the husband that could not handle losing his beautiful wife and had a heart attack and passed away also .. also the other teacher that didnt make it and all the familys that were involved close neighbors and friends ..praying for all of them .. GOD PLEASE COMFORT AND HOLD THEM CLOSE IN YOUR LOVING ARMS..
Patty. So sad and so senseless. All I can think about regarding this catastrophe is the pain of the survivors and the young innocent lives taken. There is no one close who isn’t forever injured by what happened in Southern Texas. Our hearts are a jumble of of raw emotions. I pray not for answers, because there are none, but for solutions to avoid these horrific events in the future. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Sadly David yes. I am still feeling shaky to the core. Today I was forced to tell my little Lola enough for her to understand before she heard it from a scary source. How devastating to give some of this information to a 7 year old. It made me physically ill. I am still wanting of that comfort and support we are referring to. 💜🙏🏻
Sounds simple, but it isn't. Right now dealing with so much pain, not sure where it is coming from In October my youngest daughter died. Tomorrow I am on my way to Louisville Ky to be with my oldest daughter who is on hospice care. My inner warrior comes from God. I firmly believe that God has a plan I don't know what it is, and may never find out. Catholics know that we must pick up our crosses to follow Him. Josh's poem reminded me of that.
I know the pain of losing a child and I'm so sorry that you are having to experience that loss twice over. As parents we never expect to outlive our children and the grief is so intense some days you feel you can't bear it. But yes, God does carry us through. I've always said that at first there are bad days, then there are bad days with good moments, then there are good days with bad moments, and then there are good days. May you know the "peace that passes understanding". You are in my prayers, Susan.
Cathy, I have seen you in the community and read some of your work, but I did not know you lost a child. So sorry!! I can't even imagine a pain bigger than losing a child. I am sorry for you also that you had to bear that kind of pain. You will be also in my prayers. Thanks for sharing.
It was many years ago, Kathleen, but the truth of grief is that it never fully goes away, you just learn to live with it. I have a beautiful, full life, and a small hole in my heart. Thank you for your kindness.
You just learn to live with grief is so true and so important. There's nothing worse than someone saying something like "She should be over it by now."
Susan, je suis très touchée par votre témoignage, en lisant ce poème j'ai pensé à vous. Je me permets de vous l'envoyer. Mes prières vous accompagnent.
Exactement, très difficile, je ne vois hélas qu'une solution: confier sa douleur à Dieu, lui faire confiance, lui demander de l'aide, du soutien et s'abandonner à Lui
Susan so much for one Mom to bear. I could not even begin to imagine the pain you are dealing with. So sorry that you are in this place. I am also Catholic, and we have to believe things happen for a reason and our God will show us the way. I will be praying for you. Stay strong!! This is a great community to be part of lean on us and we will support you.
Susan I cannot put in words how sorry I am for you ..losing your children.. thats breath taking .. Always know you have alot of prayers going up for you .. I am from Kentucky just wished I could be with you for support... God is there .. he is your inner warrior. lean on him he wants you to know he is taking care of you .. may GOD hold you in his arms and will not let go .. we are his children he is in control and he will never leave or forsake us ....SENDING PRAYERS AND SO MUCH LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ...
My prayers and thoughts are with you Susan as you travel this heartbreaking journey. May your strength and courage continue to hold on. Know that you are in God’s shadows while traveling to Louisville. May your daughter find peace and comfort during your stay with her. God Speed. ♥️
My heart goes out to you. Losing children is an unspeakable grief. Know that we all care about you. I pray you have others around you who will lift you up. Don't hide your grief from them. Talk about your daughters. Talk about good times. Picture your youngest watching over you from a happy place where she knows no pain. We love you!
The devil comes in many ugly forms! After I turned in a fellow teacher for molesting some of our male students & he was fired, he came after me with a vengeance. Thanks, Joshua, for the reminder that it was worth being a fighter. I would tell others to post Mother Teresa's quote that ends "...You see, in the final analysis it is between you & God. It was never between you & them anyway" on their wall. And to look at it often -- especially when they need their inner warriors.
@Jan Stoneburner thank you for opening up your heart. You gave me hope today. I turned in my principal at school for taking a lot of money and now I pay the price I am being bullied by her. Your quote affirms my choice for standing in my integrity. I'll stay true to my inner warrior and keep the faith that God will open new doors.
Annaretha ~ I got chills when I read your reply. I know exactly how you feel. It may get uglier before it gets better, but It Will Be Ok!!! If you know you stand in Truth, don't back down from the bullies -- just keep bringing more firepower to the fight. Hang in there, Warrior. Here's my email address if you ever need emotional backup: stoneburnerjan@gmail.com
You and Annaretha were both right in turning in those that were doing wrong you both stood your ground and applaud you both in doing so. Be strong and know that God is with both of you every step of the way. Just so you both know we are behind you all the way to. God bless both of you for being warriors.
Graham…a nice switch having Joshua this week. His poem is so simple and to me, it provides a different perspective about the rationale of being attacked by those who may dislike you…rationale for the attack being that there is something special within a person…something beautiful within a person…I have never looked at such a situation in this way. I like the advice that Joshua gives someone who is the subject of such attacks from “haters” and that this to be positive and in control of your reaction to someone who may criticize you or attack your character. This advice would have benefited me greatly in the past in my high profile public positions. So often I would react with agitation and sometimes in a less than professional way…not something I am proud of. But that is behind me now that I’m retired. But I do have situations today that this advice will provide me a better understanding of why such an attack and will provide me a better opportunity to react more positively when someone is on the attack.
So I will add this “After You” advice from Joshua to what I call “Graham’s total / holistic library of ‘life tools’ “. And speaking of which (and hopefully appropriate to share in this comment), I have been through a rehabilitation/revitalization/recycling process this week and have revisited many of Graham’s life tools through his poems, from his comment to them and conveyed through some of his podcasts. I did this because I found myself maybe drifting somewhat back to old habits…and I wanted to be additionally inspired by Graham’s creative and gifted messages from within his heart. This exercise really helped me to stay true to myself and stay on track with my commitment to my life changing journey … a journey that I think about everyday. One poem that I sought out because I have slipped back was “Watch Your Weapons.” As Graham stated “your weapons expose your own wounds…belittles others…and harms you.” One of my weapons is being judgmental and ever since this poem Graham, I have thought about how you might respond or how you would want me to respond or react to any given situation or how I should think about the situation within my mind. I have got to take steps to conceal this weapon within me in a way that eliminates such judgmental responses or thoughts. I’ll keep working at it! It’s hard work sometimes.
Graham in just 4 short months that I have been living within this community and listening to your poems and messages and listening to your podcasts, I feel a cleansing within my body unlike any other time in my life…and I know more cleansing is coming in the future… and I feel so very blessed. Also, I feel like I have established a lot of friends within this community whose comments I read and whose comments we share with each other. Graham, I think you are achieving the goal you set out on your this journey…you should be pleased with yourself. Thanks so much for being so passionate about your work and, for being so caring and compassionate and for showing your love for this community. Blessings.🙏
Danny -- please, read Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's book Whole Brain Living. (or watch her on YouTube) Graham interviewed her on one of his Podcasts. She explains how judgment comes naturally from our brain's left hemisphere. It's what helps us navigate/survived the external world. But then, It's how we choose to react to it. Do we choose to stay in our left hemisphere & attack or do we move over to our more loving right hemisphere (Character 4) and respond in a loving way? She says the more we move to the right, we build neurological pathways & become more loving, less critical. She gives wonderful examples. It's helped me so much! We have the power within us to choose... Blessings!
Jan…thanks so much for this information…I will definitely listen to the interview with Graham. This is why I like this community…support from members. I really appreciate you letting me know about her. Have a great weekend. 🙏
Hi Irene -- I look at it about every day or check out some of her more recent interviews. (They announce them on my FB page.) It's helping me accept some of the parts of me I haven't liked that much. (especially Character 2) Remember how she says all of the four characters deserve respect. They just have to learn to work together -- the B.R.A.I.N. huddles. Did you name your characters yet?
Yes Jan ,I did name my characters after listening to the podcast with Graham and Dr Jill Bolte Taylor but I can't tell anyone the names as they are too funny , I had lots of fun choosing the names though I must say :)
Irene -- Although you're young, I hope you will subscribe to my sub stack blog about aging. I bet you could add some funny stories in the comment sections. Thanks!
I want to start by thanking Graham for introducing us to Joshua Cameron!
Thank you Joshua for this inspiring poem!
I was manipulated for a long time by one person, it was destroying me inside, all my positive energies were running out, I suffered terribly!
One day the fighter inside me was awakened,
I discovered that I didn't need to live like this anymore. I had to pay a high price to free myself from what was choking me. I had to get away from that person!
(I loved her so much)
I don't hate her, but I walked away completely!
So, sometimes I'm very misunderstood by people because I don't submit to what they want; I now have my own decisions and choices. "I am myself!" That to me is something very precious. I had to learn from a lot of suffering and bitter experiences. Sometimes I get attacked and hurt for being like this.
"The enemy wouldn't be attacking you if you didn't have something very good inside you."
"No one throws stones at a dry tree that does not bear fruit"
"Instead of being sad and feeling like a victim of the world and circumstances, be happy...yes, that's right, be happy!"
I couldn't convey it the way I wanted to. Sorry Graham!
I am at a loss of words. This community has showed me so much love and respect its brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Graham for this opportunity! All of you are beautiful, thoughtful and strong humans. Going through the comments I cant help but notice how everyone uplifts each other and supports each other! isn't that what life is all about!? What ever you are going through today, is what will make you stronger tomorrow. This community gives me hope for humanity, this community gives me hope for love. You people are what keeps me going everyday. knowing that we can all work together to overcome anything. I will leave you guys here with the shortest poem ever written, by the late Muhammad Ali. "Me, WE"
With Love
Joshua
Joshua, as you know because of your friendship with Graham, that he has a way of bringing out the best in folks. He leads by example. He's not preachy. He speaks from his heart and he genuinely loves people and wants the best for them. He is a rare human and we have come together in this love. So for you to be featured on his page is huge. We sit up and listen to people Graham admires because he's picky about that. So thank you for sharing your work. You are a diverse person and that is so inspiring. I wish you continued success in all your work. Thanks for your kind words about this community. We love it too...
Barbara .. thanks for the beautiful spoken words to JOSHUA .. you spoke for all of us .. yes Joshua .. you are a very special person for GRAHAM to bring you here with us.. we appreciate your work and admire you .. There is something very special . GOD is in your work for sure.. when you have him you will always have the best work thanks again for sharing your work with us.....
Beautifully said, Barbara.
Could not have said it better. I am so grateful for Graham and the sharing he does with us- Joshua, and so many more.
We all need support in one form or another & I love how this community is so understanding & embraces everyone.
When feeling lost & alone, thinking no one understands, this community is here for all.
This community has given me hope & I have found common ground with others. It has helped take away the stigma of suffering from mental illness. It has helped me not to feel alone, odd, or like there is something wrong with me. That I'm not weird, stupid or a freak. Names I have been called most of my life.
I am so grateful to Graham & to all the people I have met through him & this community.
It was fun to have you here! It is a pretty uplifting place. Maybe you should start your own Substack community to share your writing and thoughts. I have your books in my Amazon cart and am excited to read them, but I'm sure you have lots of poems we would all love to read and hear about. Just an idea. Thanks again, Joshua, for sharing a piece of yourself with us.
It was great to have you here Joshua as a guest!! I’m so looking forward to reading your book!! Welcome to our beautiful little community that Graham has created here at Substack !! 🙏💜
Hi Joshua thank you again for letting us read your poem. It was inspiring, our little community that we have is such a blessing. Knowing that every week we get to learn not only about Graham but ourselves as well. Now we can add you to our wonderful community. So please keep sending us your poems I would definitely love to here more. God bless both Graham and you. Take care
Thanks Joshua, this week we had some difficulties with the family, my husband and I sat down to read your poem which made us have more strength.
You are a real inspiration, Joshua. Your poem has encouraged me to keep fighting and hold my head high, no matter what! God bless and peace!
Joshua, thank you for your comments. I love the Muhammad Ali poem. “Me, WE”. Graham surrounds himself with friends who are very inspiring like yourself, and that transcends to each and every one of us each week. We were treated this week by your wonderful and inspiring poem, and I am so grateful to Graham for doing this. Graham shares his heart and inspires each of us to look within ourselves to be who we are meant to be. Blessings to you Joshua!
It is our pleasure ... In Hebrew we have a phrase "Tell me who your friend is and I'll tell you who you are" so Graham and us are all fortunate to have you as a friend ♥️
Thank you Joshua! It's people like you that encourage us to be better people! Your poem touched my heart deeply! God bless you! 🙏🏼💜
I loved your poem, Joshua. It is do true. I've certainly experienced it first hand recently. The way the 'devil' comes at you just when you think you're getting somewhere. You're right about this community. It is amazing. Mainly, in fact, because Graham is amazing ! He has inspired this community to love and acceptance and it clearly has had a huge impact. When you are so full of Light, you just can't help it overflowing to everyone around you. I pray that we can all develop this ability, our world surely needs it 🙏
Thank you Graham for sharing Joshua with us today. Thank you Joshua for sharing your lovely poem with us. Something to think about!!!! I have been on this earth a long time. I Thank God I have always had the ability to choose my friends wisely. If any 0f my friends or others have ever felt negative about me no one has ever confronted me about it. I am grateful for that but I most certainly know that I am not perfect. I will admit that in my younger days I experienced feelings of jealousy toward some others but again I thank God and my parents for teaching me to make the right choice and avoid confrontation. In my life today I have so many great friends that I cherish. In this past year having to be part of Graham's great community here I have been introduced to so many great kind people. I have never personally met only through chat and I feel I can call them my friends. I have been blessed 🙏🙏❤❤
I feel also blessed with this great community. So many kind people!🙏✨
Me, too.
Totally agree🙏
That’s me, did feel jealous in my younger days, and a few times in my career until I realized I am worthy and felt good about myself. This community is awesome, thanks to Graham for bringing it together.
I agreed with you amazing humans 🙏❤️
Worthy is such an important term. I rejoice that you have cleared such a crucial "hump."
Great input Kathleen! I hope we can all meet each usher when Graham has some “Meet & Greets”.
Thank you!!!! It would be nice to meet up someday.
I am so blessed to have meet you thru Graham community!❤️🙏
Thank you Lucy. I dont really know you but yet I do. I know you story from all that you have shared in this community and also the great Podcast you did with Laurie. You are and inspiration to all of us. God Bless!!!
Thank you🙏❤️
We are blessed to have "met" you too, Kathleen!
Thank you so much Barb. Maybe some day we can meet in person. I a rooting for the Hurricanes !!!!!!
Go Canes!
Kathleen thank you for sharing your story we all feel the same I’m sure. I to feel very blessed to know all of you. We do all support each other and I feel one day we will all see each other in person.
Thank you, Shari. Yes it would be nice if some day we can meet in person!!!
Hey, Joshua, thanks for sharing your poem with us today. I’ll look forward to checking out your book as I’m a bit of a poet myself and I love reading others’ work. I’m not great at confrontation. When it comes to fight or flight, I’m more likely to turn tail and run. When I get mad enough about an injustice or attack is when my fighter comes out – probably not the best place to defend myself from. I always try to remember that “hurt people hurt people” and that there’s something in their own life that’s lacking or causing them to respond in the way they are. Takes a bit of the sting out of it. Thanks, Graham, for a little something different today. Hope the move is going well.
Cathey -- Is Graham moving out of his rental on Vancouver Island this week?
Yep!
Thanks for having Joshua on! It was a fun change up! 👏🏻 I really like this poem, that’s actually something I was recently discussing with a fellow GFF. You know you are on the right path when the devil hits you the hardest. And the harder he hits you, the more important it becomes to not give up!
When have I called upon my warrior to stand up for myself?
In the past it was pretty often. I am a laid back, very chill sort of person. I have a well buried fiery temper though. A certain person got a sense of distempered glee from being able to rouse my temper…And I know now that I let him.
These days it takes an act of congress Lol to stir my temper. I’ve learned to take a step back and let things simmer a bit before reaction. The times that it is the hardest to do that are when haters are going after someone I care about. Even then, my response often comes out in a muted passive aggressive tone.
I learned to funnel and mold my anger, to put it through the kiln, and turn it into passion.
If someone else struggled to find their inner fighter(or fire), I would encourage them to look at the situation through the eyes of their best friend. How would this situation look to their best friend? Would their best friend want to kick someone’s butt for treating them that way? Or would they want to kick someone’s butt for treating their best friend that way? It’s all about perspective.
Great thoughts Aimee!
I tend to avoid negative people and situations if at all possible since I realized their motivations were always out of jealousy, hatred of themselves, psychiatric issues but nothing that can be rationalized in any way. Avoidance would be a fair solution because confrontation only results in hurt for both parties either physically or mentally
I notice you said, "if at all possible". I'm with you there, but sometimes it's not possible, like with family, and you have to be willing to work through the conflict. And sometimes the motivation isn't jealousy or hatred or psychiatric issues, but a response to something they don't know how to deal with. Like you, I step away from people who are just negative as a pattern of life, but you can't avoid them all in every situation.
Agree Cathey family is always a delicate matter. You have to know what they are dealing with in their own life to understand why they feel the way they do; however, it’s a two way street and if resolution becomes improbable, there are many rights, lefts and fork in the roads to deal with to prevent family taking sides and imploding. One or two bad apples as they say can ruin the bunch. In this case, maybe a more sympathetic person the the family or their friend can reason more easily with them and help relieve the conflict.
I agree. That is what I also do💕
That’s what I also do, I don’t like confrontation and like you said the motivations behind creating the situations. Plus I’ve never felt good about end results either way.
That works to a degree when it's possible. But in certain careers our haters cannot be avoided and they can turn people against us. How would you deal with that?
Excellent question Marsha! Recuperating or rehabilitating a reputation is a very salient and sincere form of hatred. Obviously whatever this other party does or says if they are believed then you first have to assess what their intent and their agenda really is. Jealousy? Job advancement, monetary gain, social advancement (ladder climbing)?? Probably could list a dozen more! Then you have to assess why these people are being believed by these third parties?!?
Is there something actually factual either in fact or partially true or is it pure fabrication? If there is any iota of truth then some soul searching and inner thought must come first. Clean up your own house! If there is no truth, going back to original offending party is direct confrontation which is a no win situation. If this person is slanderous, confabulating, malicious or ignorant or any combination, they will most likely listen to reason. They have to be either called out in a general situation among all your peers and state your case to all of them at once or take legal recourse to have them silenced. You must rehabilitate your reputation as best you can publicly or one on one to those who will listen and are not prejudiced to the point of being unreasonable. It never pays to allow yourself to lower to their level as my mother always said because you’ll either get hurt physically or mentally or you’ll have to shower after being with them!
Missed a few nits up top! Should read very salient form of DEALING with hatred! FURTHER DOWN if they are ... malicious or ignorant they will most likely NOT listen to reason. Sorry for the typos and omissions it obviously changes what I was saying!
amen....
I just want to tell all of you .. this sure was a good lesson this week thanks to JOSHUA also thanks to Graham for sharing him with us .. I really have appreciated everyones comments .. Joshua said when someone tries to hurt you ..Thank them for the reminder of all the beauty in you ... I think this shows GOD is in our hearts ..
Thanking them is in your heart. If you perceive it is safe to thank them to their face, all the better. Sometimes confrontation may be plain disagreeing.
To all the fabulous GIMs. You know who you are. You are all so special and are using your inner warriors to become your best selves. physically and mentally. You are ridding yourselves of the bad habits and replacing them one step at a time with healthier ones. Kudos to each of you for stomping out that devil. I lift up my water bottle to each of you walking down the new path of a healthier lifestyle. There are better days ahead for all of us now. You've encouraged and inspired me to keep going where there was a time I didn't think I could. Blessings to you all.
"Our greatest glory is not never failing, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius
Thank you Joshua for sharing your poem. You have to be someone pretty special if Graham gives you the thumbs up. I wish you the best in all you do.
Barbara, I’m right there with you and continuing to be that warrior. Cheers to you and everyone else on this journey as I also raise my water bottle to cheer one another on! I know we can do it!
You can do it Anne. Baby steps each day! Small wins add up. No grand gestures needed. We want a new lifestyle not a quick fix. That's our goal. And we have others who are with us cheering alongside us. Not in front or behind but next to us. That's how we will walk this together. ❤🙏
I really believe I can. and we all can. That's exactly what I do, one day at a time. We're all in this together, and I'm excited about the new platform Graham is setting up especially the healthy living room. Take care my friend!
Yes he has already designated a health and wellness room for us. So exciting to have a place to share and encourage each other. And since Graham's setting it up, we can count on it being amazing!
And thanks to you Barbara for getting the GIMs together!
We came together a few weeks ago from right here. We needed each other and well, we are making progress through our mutual desire to be the best version of ourselves!
Step by step...
I love the quote from Confucius! So true! Thank you🙏💕
Isn't it a great quote? I can really relate.
yes Barbara well spoken ... I agree THANKS Joshua for sharing your poem .. and I believe you are a special person .. Graham only picks the best ... GOD BLESS YOU ALL...
I agree Patty, Graham chooses wisely with much contemplation.
Love that quote - rising every time we fall! Amen!
Look how far we've come in just a few short weeks Jody!
I couldn't have said it better Jody. Thanks Barbara.
All I can say is WOW !! What a treat thanks so much Graham for introducing us to Joshua Cameron and his latest poetry book. The poem was very powerful and a great reminder. I need to work a bit on my fighter mentality, I’m doing baby steps but getting there slowly! I challenge myself to control the way I respond to what’s happening as that’s where your power is. Looking forward to join you at the upcoming zoom meeting!!🙏
I tried to avoid negative humans, and thank you Joshua for this great reminder. We are not alone , we are however worthy, beautiful enough ,strong, and capable. Remember as you stand there fighting the Devils lies that God stands beside you, brimming with pride in the beauty and talent He sees in you. He is standing there with open arms give him your to do list and ask him to remove barriers, remove things that are not in his plan for you and to help you or others through his grace. Many times , there is a voice that sneaks into after exhausting days, perhaps trying to trick into thinking my efforts. A sneaking sound inside your mind pointing out your pointing your flaws as your look in the mirror at the dawn of the day . You try to feel confident,excited,full of joy and content with the person reflecting before you but you struggle.I have caught myself so many times living through the flesh and forgetting that God wants us to learn on Him everyday. We weren’t made just survive,we were made to thrive when going thru tough times we are not alone , we will find growth, strength, and that we can rise up.Cheers🙏
Such great insight Lucy! I was thinking of a response to this poem, but you nailed it. The only thing I would add is I thought of my spiritual warrior. "We don't fight against flesh and blood, but against princes and principalities..." of the spirit world. People can be used by the devil to try and stop us. They fight the most against bearers of the light and the more light you shine on this dark world the more resistance you get.
I appreciate your comment about spiritual warfare. It is so real and of course, it's in the Bible for a reason. We can't battle it alone, but need each other.
Spiritual warfare is real. You are so right we cannot fight this alone. We have to be in constant prayer with Jesus Christ and surround ourselves with like minded believers. This is where the church comes into play. We were not created to be alone but in community.
Constant prayer plus other believers! Sounds like a great formula for success in the spiritual warfare battle.
I can go on and in but my ride came and now we just finished eating at Panekoken before meeting to raise money for Hope Lodge.
Thanks Lucy for sharing. I need to be more like you. 🙏💖
Beautiful said!✨
Well said!
amen..great with words..
Thank you Joshua for this poem and the reminder that we are in control of our own destiny but first we have to believe in ourselves and stop playing the victim. For myself, I didn't really start this until recently, but once you look within yourself and look for that guidance, amazing things can and will happen. Blessings to all!
well said Anne
Thanks Joshua for sharing your work. On my life’s journey I have tried to treat others as I would like to be treated, “ Do unto others as you would have them do to you”. As much as possible I have tried to avoid negative/ confrontational situations, as I never felt good about the end results whether “ I won or lost”. If I don’t feel good about myself in the end, was it worth the battle? Walking away from certain situations often takes more strength than staying. At those times you can say to yourself “ thank you for making me stronger”.
Thanks Graham for having Joshua share his work within this community. Blessings to you both!
Walking away can be hard. I always feel the need to depend myself, to explain myself. At times I feel this just makes the situation worse. I need to have more faith in myself & not worry what others think. As long as I am true to myself & treat others with respect etc, then I need to be satisfied
🙏
That is all true I get it I myself do the same thing. I had a moment the other night. I was standing at my window in the kitchen and tears just started coming. I thought to myself why am I crying.I stood there realizing I have no reason to cry. I’m strong confident saying to myself again Graham and God have taught me all of this to be true to myself. My tears stopped and I went on doing what ever it was I was doing. Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward. That worked for me.
There are times when one does need to defend/ explain themselves but sometimes no matter how much explaining you do, the situation doesn’t get better. That’s when one needs to walk away, it’s not easy. That is when you stand in your power, trust you are true to yourself.
Linda I'm the same. Golden Rule...is golden for a reason!
You are so right Linda :)
I agree with you, Linda! Thanks.🙏✨
Loved the poem Joshua! Thanks Graham for sharing his work with us.
After a 30 year successive career in sales, I had a boss that had it out for me. A real uncomfortable mess occurred. I trusted in God and basically let him defend me. The way this trial ended was she left the company, then tried to come back. My company wouldn’t hire her back. I was promoted to handle Key Accounts and ultimately retired with my reputation in tack. Sometimes it is hard to trust God, but he never fails me. Praying for inner strength for all of us. I tell my son, “Know the difference between right and wrong, and choose to do what is right”.
Dear Graham, Joshua and special friends in this community:
A dear friend just told me that I must always be true to myself. This comment is just that and will not be one of the usual responses I would write to one of the weekly posted poems on Substack. I am compelled to write this here and now and ask for your patience and understanding…
As I first read your poem Joshua I thought back on so many instances in my life when others, made mostly well-meaning statements, though having the effect of demeaning my projected path, journey, dreams and plans. Anyone who knows me knows without doubt that I have never even as a child permitted that type of personal attack or questioning to dissuade me from my goals. So considering the poem you recited I knew what I would write about.
Any then… Yesterday Happened. The horrific massacre of young blossoming innocent children and their teachers in Texas resounded around the globe with horror.
This is what I need to talk about. I don’t believe that there are any caring human beings who don’t feel a sense of the enormity of this catastrophe. In this close-knit GFF community, on Graham’s Substack we hold each other and Graham in high esteem. We love, we feel gratitude and such enormous appreciation for and with each other. We pray for all those people affected, family, friends and the broader circle in this small town of only 16,000 people. We hurt for them. We share their intense grief deeply. We do not distantly use platitudes. These people in GFF I love and embrace through Graham’s introduction and his established safe haven. They are the meaning of truth and love.
I personally could not write about another subject. But as I reread the poem before writing this comment I considered the perspective of the victims of this tragedy. I hear so many trying to discern what the solution is for such horrifying actions. I can’t fathom that one glove fits all situations but I do believe that our universe requires a reset. The 18 year old who brought the devil in himself into that small school of little children was a broader victim as well. I surmise from what I’ve read that there was nothing for him but sadness, meanness and dysfunction. There was no solution oriented attention to his anger. An explosion could have been predicted. How can we contribute to gifts of love and teaching that we must act for the benefit of the greater
good? In his world there was an empty table it seems, nothing but a void. Darkness became his world.
There was a time when at least one parent was very involved in providing the bonding, the emotional support, infusing values and promoting the child’s self-worth. Now this world has largely lost its way in my opinion. Priorities are largely pecuniary coupled with self-aggrandizement. Flashy cars, large homes, adult toys … none of which matter in the end of days. The children, tomorrow’s adults, are bringing themselves or each other up on video games and social media. Where is their childhood full of warm memories, development of self-worth, learning to associate with others who are humans? They are not possessions. We as adults have a responsibility to them and to the world to raise contributing and well adjusted adults.
I know this all sounds rather bleak. We need to “be” the change we want to see. We have heard that so often but the action not the repetition is what is required.
We need to provide the emotional medicine which was a priority in decades past. No perfection is ever 100% available. We all know that. Each person must thank the devils you talk of in your poem Joshua for the strength and courage to plow forward contributing to a free more loving universe.
In closing, yesterday I and many I spoke with both in this community and others I love and cherish, felt a very deep dark form of SAD. This three letter word packs a significant punch in this context. We wanted so badly to reach those we so respect for comfort and a sense of togetherness. I myself posted as much in our chat twice. There was a palpable need. Of course, in the end we each reached within and found peace in each other and ourselves but pieces were missing. Nothing is perfection. 🙏🏻💜
Bless you Sherry I agree with everything you have said here I’m crying for everyone but I know no one is crying for the person that committed the crime but I am because no one sets out in this life to harm people what he must have went thru in his short 18 yrs on this earth to bring him to this end ... that said I agree again we all needed that sense of togetherness and comfort there was a palpable need and in the end we found what we could with each other but there was a piece missing and it was felt I guess when all is said and done human kindness comes from the heart and takes time and responsibility and effort it’s not something we just talk about or write a poem about it’s something we actually feel and do ❤️
Thank you Halina. Thank you for being that support, that love that I craved in GFF. You voiced the echoes of my sentiments exactly! I completely ache for the people in So Texas. MORE I am still so very sad that our canoe was missing its oar.
Thank you Sherry for your words. My heart goes out to all the victims, families of this elusive act. I have been a primary school teacher for 35 years. I have seen many needs of children who have to grow up without love... I think there is agreat work and need of awareness there. More than the ban on weapons, society should focus on a loving environment for every child... I want to commit myself to this. Love is the only answer💕🙏
Bie.... when I had I I call my epiphany this truth was one I saw so clearly it stung my eyes~ it’s not about regulating, it’s about commitment to love of innocents. I grabbed this revelation with all I had. I am translating my clarity into dreams of caring for littles and already rewards of including children into the dynamic is seeing reality. I am so spiritually attuned to the possibilities! We can turn horror into contribution~ if we use our energy and action. 🙏🏻💜
Amen Sherry, As we say in my faith. I have a lot more to say on this subject. It involves the spiritual warrior in all of us. The Love that Graham keeps talking about. And the fact that so many have traded material things or problems or whatever to keep them from accepting and giving this Love. Next week my poem will be a story of faith in action and the changes true love brings.
Thank you Marsha. We say Amen in my faith as well. I did mention the pecuniary mis-focus and it accounts for a significant portion of what needs repair. When I was practicing law all my peers were driving the flashy expensive vehicles, going on expensive vacations, buying yachts and other water vehicles etc. When I retired they asked how I could manage that. They had the answer but their egos could not see. There needs to be a reset of priorities. Our children should we chose to have them just be number one IMHO while they are developing into independent value driven adults. 🙏🏻💜
At one time I told my brother that I thought people should be required to take training and pass tests and get a license to have children. And I still wonder if ppl bring children into this world that they don't love and are not prepared to take care of, they should pay a huge fine. He was horrified.
But I was kind of serious!
Marsha there is always a problem getting the government involved in any mandated activities. But I concur generally that parenting classes should be a value encouraged. Too many have no idea what they are going to encounter bring a parent at different stages of their development. More must be done regarding mental health!
And education!!! But it's difficult. You can bring a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.
Sherry, I feel your pain thru your words. You phrased this so eloquently. The family unit/bond seems to have changed so much from my generation. I shared meals with my parents and sometimes there was silence, but at least we took the time to be with one another. That communication between parent and child is missing right now. Although I don’t have children, I do feel for the families who have experienced such a tragic loss. Like you said, we each need to look within ourselves and find that peace. For me, that is thru prayer and guidance from God himself. Blessings to you my dear friend! 🙏❤️
Anne, thank you for your words. There are many memories I shuffle though of my childhood. What stands out is that I always knew intuitively that my parents were my most ardent cheer leaders. That confidence fed into my belief in myself and has been alive in me ever since. The horrific events this week remind me of those gifts I received and that there are many children who do not have that in their lives. The lack of meaningful adult relationships who guide us can cause these catastrophic events. I had to write about my related thoughts this week. Hugs dear friend! 🙏🏻💜
Sherry I agree with you on all counts. Though I to believe that families are not families anymore. They don’t sit around the table like in the past. Most kids don’t even have chores. Like you said, it’s not like it was in the past. Children are not made to go outside to play. If disciplined they shout abuse or they will call DCFS on their parents. We as adults are supposed to be Parents not friends of their children. it’s our job to raise them to the best of our ability to make sure they become decent human beings. I’m not saying kids won’t get into trouble from time to time. It the parents job to make sure their kids are on the right path. Now do I think mental health comes into play at times yes. Though at times they like to play the mental health card all the time, that’s not right either. You have to be able to teach your children right from wrong
Yes Shari! 100% we are in the same page. I’ve seen it from the inside out. My children were brought up pretty much as I was. We had meals together every night. There were rules that had to be followed and increasing responsibility as they grew. I could go on but the point is that the present generation, as you said, lacks so much. It’s sad and it’s unhealthy. They need boundaries while parents need to take responsibility. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry my heart is so broken for all of that school .. the blessed parents that could not take their babies back home with them . the husband that could not handle losing his beautiful wife and had a heart attack and passed away also .. also the other teacher that didnt make it and all the familys that were involved close neighbors and friends ..praying for all of them .. GOD PLEASE COMFORT AND HOLD THEM CLOSE IN YOUR LOVING ARMS..
Patty. So sad and so senseless. All I can think about regarding this catastrophe is the pain of the survivors and the young innocent lives taken. There is no one close who isn’t forever injured by what happened in Southern Texas. Our hearts are a jumble of of raw emotions. I pray not for answers, because there are none, but for solutions to avoid these horrific events in the future. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Sadly David yes. I am still feeling shaky to the core. Today I was forced to tell my little Lola enough for her to understand before she heard it from a scary source. How devastating to give some of this information to a 7 year old. It made me physically ill. I am still wanting of that comfort and support we are referring to. 💜🙏🏻
Sounds simple, but it isn't. Right now dealing with so much pain, not sure where it is coming from In October my youngest daughter died. Tomorrow I am on my way to Louisville Ky to be with my oldest daughter who is on hospice care. My inner warrior comes from God. I firmly believe that God has a plan I don't know what it is, and may never find out. Catholics know that we must pick up our crosses to follow Him. Josh's poem reminded me of that.
I know the pain of losing a child and I'm so sorry that you are having to experience that loss twice over. As parents we never expect to outlive our children and the grief is so intense some days you feel you can't bear it. But yes, God does carry us through. I've always said that at first there are bad days, then there are bad days with good moments, then there are good days with bad moments, and then there are good days. May you know the "peace that passes understanding". You are in my prayers, Susan.
Cathy, I have seen you in the community and read some of your work, but I did not know you lost a child. So sorry!! I can't even imagine a pain bigger than losing a child. I am sorry for you also that you had to bear that kind of pain. You will be also in my prayers. Thanks for sharing.
It was many years ago, Kathleen, but the truth of grief is that it never fully goes away, you just learn to live with it. I have a beautiful, full life, and a small hole in my heart. Thank you for your kindness.
You just learn to live with grief is so true and so important. There's nothing worse than someone saying something like "She should be over it by now."
Oh those "should" comments. And also the "at least" comments. But I give grace for people who want to help but just don't get it.
Giving GRACE is a kindness beyond definition. You caused me to sit up and say, "whoa." Thank you, Cathy!
Susan, Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
Susan, so sorry you are having to travel this road again. Praying for special moments with your daughter. 🙏🏼
May you see glimpses of His Glory in this awful time. Standing with you. Praying for you. Hugs.
Susan, je suis très touchée par votre témoignage, en lisant ce poème j'ai pensé à vous. Je me permets de vous l'envoyer. Mes prières vous accompagnent.
"To leave,
Leave your habits,
To let go of one's references,
Abandon your certainties,
To launch oneself without fear of doubt
And the rough patches:
This is the adventure of the believer!
To leave,
Raise your eyes,
To go further and further,
To live in hope
And move forward in the land of the future:
This is the adventure of the believer!
Leave
To leave one's limits
To flee from the shortcomings,
Stretch your gaze upwards
And respond to a call that goes beyond
This is the adventure of the believer! "
Beautiful poem. That is the difficult part isn't it "to live in hope And move forward in the land of the future"
Exactement, très difficile, je ne vois hélas qu'une solution: confier sa douleur à Dieu, lui faire confiance, lui demander de l'aide, du soutien et s'abandonner à Lui
Susan so much for one Mom to bear. I could not even begin to imagine the pain you are dealing with. So sorry that you are in this place. I am also Catholic, and we have to believe things happen for a reason and our God will show us the way. I will be praying for you. Stay strong!! This is a great community to be part of lean on us and we will support you.
Thank you so much. I always read the chats and want to be a part of it, but stuff just keeps happening. Will keep reading for now!
My thoughts are with you, Susan. I wish you strength and love💕✨
Susan, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Susan I cannot put in words how sorry I am for you ..losing your children.. thats breath taking .. Always know you have alot of prayers going up for you .. I am from Kentucky just wished I could be with you for support... God is there .. he is your inner warrior. lean on him he wants you to know he is taking care of you .. may GOD hold you in his arms and will not let go .. we are his children he is in control and he will never leave or forsake us ....SENDING PRAYERS AND SO MUCH LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ...
So so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your oldest daughter.
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her Oh Lord & Let Perpetual Help Shine Upon your daughter Susan. 🙏🕊
My prayers and thoughts are with you Susan as you travel this heartbreaking journey. May your strength and courage continue to hold on. Know that you are in God’s shadows while traveling to Louisville. May your daughter find peace and comfort during your stay with her. God Speed. ♥️
Sending you my prayers and love Susan 🙏♥️
My heart goes out to you. Losing children is an unspeakable grief. Know that we all care about you. I pray you have others around you who will lift you up. Don't hide your grief from them. Talk about your daughters. Talk about good times. Picture your youngest watching over you from a happy place where she knows no pain. We love you!
Thank you all so much. I have 2 sons that live near by and 3 grandchildren and live in an apartment with much support
Susan, I can't imagine your pain... My thoughts are with you 💕
My thoughts and prayers are with you Susan. May God give you the strength you need to get through this. 🙏❤️
I'm so sorry to hear all that you have been & going through. It's extremely difficult to constantly pick yourself up. My prayers are with you. 🙏💖
The devil comes in many ugly forms! After I turned in a fellow teacher for molesting some of our male students & he was fired, he came after me with a vengeance. Thanks, Joshua, for the reminder that it was worth being a fighter. I would tell others to post Mother Teresa's quote that ends "...You see, in the final analysis it is between you & God. It was never between you & them anyway" on their wall. And to look at it often -- especially when they need their inner warriors.
@Jan Stoneburner thank you for opening up your heart. You gave me hope today. I turned in my principal at school for taking a lot of money and now I pay the price I am being bullied by her. Your quote affirms my choice for standing in my integrity. I'll stay true to my inner warrior and keep the faith that God will open new doors.
Annaretha ~ I got chills when I read your reply. I know exactly how you feel. It may get uglier before it gets better, but It Will Be Ok!!! If you know you stand in Truth, don't back down from the bullies -- just keep bringing more firepower to the fight. Hang in there, Warrior. Here's my email address if you ever need emotional backup: stoneburnerjan@gmail.com
You and Annaretha were both right in turning in those that were doing wrong you both stood your ground and applaud you both in doing so. Be strong and know that God is with both of you every step of the way. Just so you both know we are behind you all the way to. God bless both of you for being warriors.
I love that quote!
I liked the quote and will keep it in my mind
Graham…a nice switch having Joshua this week. His poem is so simple and to me, it provides a different perspective about the rationale of being attacked by those who may dislike you…rationale for the attack being that there is something special within a person…something beautiful within a person…I have never looked at such a situation in this way. I like the advice that Joshua gives someone who is the subject of such attacks from “haters” and that this to be positive and in control of your reaction to someone who may criticize you or attack your character. This advice would have benefited me greatly in the past in my high profile public positions. So often I would react with agitation and sometimes in a less than professional way…not something I am proud of. But that is behind me now that I’m retired. But I do have situations today that this advice will provide me a better understanding of why such an attack and will provide me a better opportunity to react more positively when someone is on the attack.
So I will add this “After You” advice from Joshua to what I call “Graham’s total / holistic library of ‘life tools’ “. And speaking of which (and hopefully appropriate to share in this comment), I have been through a rehabilitation/revitalization/recycling process this week and have revisited many of Graham’s life tools through his poems, from his comment to them and conveyed through some of his podcasts. I did this because I found myself maybe drifting somewhat back to old habits…and I wanted to be additionally inspired by Graham’s creative and gifted messages from within his heart. This exercise really helped me to stay true to myself and stay on track with my commitment to my life changing journey … a journey that I think about everyday. One poem that I sought out because I have slipped back was “Watch Your Weapons.” As Graham stated “your weapons expose your own wounds…belittles others…and harms you.” One of my weapons is being judgmental and ever since this poem Graham, I have thought about how you might respond or how you would want me to respond or react to any given situation or how I should think about the situation within my mind. I have got to take steps to conceal this weapon within me in a way that eliminates such judgmental responses or thoughts. I’ll keep working at it! It’s hard work sometimes.
Graham in just 4 short months that I have been living within this community and listening to your poems and messages and listening to your podcasts, I feel a cleansing within my body unlike any other time in my life…and I know more cleansing is coming in the future… and I feel so very blessed. Also, I feel like I have established a lot of friends within this community whose comments I read and whose comments we share with each other. Graham, I think you are achieving the goal you set out on your this journey…you should be pleased with yourself. Thanks so much for being so passionate about your work and, for being so caring and compassionate and for showing your love for this community. Blessings.🙏
Thanks Shirlei🙏
Danny -- please, read Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's book Whole Brain Living. (or watch her on YouTube) Graham interviewed her on one of his Podcasts. She explains how judgment comes naturally from our brain's left hemisphere. It's what helps us navigate/survived the external world. But then, It's how we choose to react to it. Do we choose to stay in our left hemisphere & attack or do we move over to our more loving right hemisphere (Character 4) and respond in a loving way? She says the more we move to the right, we build neurological pathways & become more loving, less critical. She gives wonderful examples. It's helped me so much! We have the power within us to choose... Blessings!
Jan…thanks so much for this information…I will definitely listen to the interview with Graham. This is why I like this community…support from members. I really appreciate you letting me know about her. Have a great weekend. 🙏
Good point Jan , I think I need to read the book again !!!
Hi Irene -- I look at it about every day or check out some of her more recent interviews. (They announce them on my FB page.) It's helping me accept some of the parts of me I haven't liked that much. (especially Character 2) Remember how she says all of the four characters deserve respect. They just have to learn to work together -- the B.R.A.I.N. huddles. Did you name your characters yet?
Yes Jan ,I did name my characters after listening to the podcast with Graham and Dr Jill Bolte Taylor but I can't tell anyone the names as they are too funny , I had lots of fun choosing the names though I must say :)
Irene -- Although you're young, I hope you will subscribe to my sub stack blog about aging. I bet you could add some funny stories in the comment sections. Thanks!
Done ✅ I have subscribed Jan ,I’m not that young I turn 50 next month! I think my mum will enjoy the stories as well 🙏❤️
Mine are secret too! Ha Ha!
I agree Danny!!
Amen Danny. I agree 100%!🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks Lori🙏
Thanks Valdelice 🙏
Thanks Laura 🙏
Thanks Shari🙏
I want to start by thanking Graham for introducing us to Joshua Cameron!
Thank you Joshua for this inspiring poem!
I was manipulated for a long time by one person, it was destroying me inside, all my positive energies were running out, I suffered terribly!
One day the fighter inside me was awakened,
I discovered that I didn't need to live like this anymore. I had to pay a high price to free myself from what was choking me. I had to get away from that person!
(I loved her so much)
I don't hate her, but I walked away completely!
So, sometimes I'm very misunderstood by people because I don't submit to what they want; I now have my own decisions and choices. "I am myself!" That to me is something very precious. I had to learn from a lot of suffering and bitter experiences. Sometimes I get attacked and hurt for being like this.
"The enemy wouldn't be attacking you if you didn't have something very good inside you."
"No one throws stones at a dry tree that does not bear fruit"
"Instead of being sad and feeling like a victim of the world and circumstances, be happy...yes, that's right, be happy!"
I couldn't convey it the way I wanted to. Sorry Graham!
God bless you! 🙏🏼💜