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Heidi White's avatar

Rachel, your poetry, your reflections landed today. The word audacity is not one I use or think about often. Today I am. Audacity doesn’t need to be jumping out of a plane, it can be taking the first step to love yourself after decades of neglect, to walk the path less traveled, to speak the words that have lingered on the tip of your tongue festering until the bitterness is no longer tolerable. Thank you for being audacious and to allow me to recognize that I am too.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

Hi Heidi, I’ve been thinking a lot about audacity lately. Like you said it doesn’t have to be big, it’s simply acting in a way that shows we believe we are deserving. I’m glad this landed. Everyday is a good day to take a step in a new direction.

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brittany frizzelle's avatar

Both the reflection and poetry spoke to me. Our heartwood being our mind was profound and the last line of the poetry truly hit. I have an interesting relationship with audacity but right now I'm leaning in to the audacity to prioritize my own wellness over all else. Centering self love as an act of resistance to all the worldly things trying to break me. Excited to read more of your work! Good luck on the new job and children's book!

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

I dig you prioritizing wellness, thanks so important. It sounds like we’re both being audacious with challenging routine thoughts. Audacity feels like standing up to the wind sometimes, doesn’t it? Invisible but full of force. I hope you enjoy the archive, if this resonated you might enjoy, I Can Stand the Rain. Thank you for your well wishes too.

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tobi's avatar

“What’s at your center?”

I’ve realized that when I’m not creating in some form—whatever form that may be—I feel completely out of alignment. I feel off-center.

at the core of who I am is someone who loves to create. And through that act of creating, I find clarity. I don’t always have things figured out before I start—creation is how I figure things out.

whether I’m trying to understand a platform, make sense of a person, or even process myself, creation is my way in. It’s my channel, my tool, my method for making sense of the world around me.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

I love that. Writing is my way of making sense of the world around me so I totally get it. I red somewhere that the same way exercise keeps the physical body functioning, creativity keeps our spiritual body functioning. Both are vital.

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tobi's avatar

very vital!

i thank God i create because i might have lost my mind if i wasn’t.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Trees are never not amazing to me and I always feel like there is more to learn. I will definitely be thinking of heartwood today. And thanks for the Ryan Coogler link.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

I’d be embarrassed by how much I’m amazed by trees if they weren’t so freaking helpful. You’re welcome!

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Tabitha Blair's avatar

I literally just tried to write a comment twice and both of them got erased. 🤭

So imma just say I liked your piece and it prompted me to write something on audacity (I’ll tag you if I choose to post it).

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

I hate when that happens! But im happy it resonated. I often feel like we’re walking up different sides of the same mountain, we’re rude gyal writers ✍🏾

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Tabitha Blair's avatar

Yes I feel your echoooooo and the vibrations will move mountains 🫶🏼❤️‍🔥

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