Check on Your Strong Friends

In our lives, there may be one or two people that you can always confide in, but they may not always do the same when it comes to you. Their problems may just be their problems, and in some cases, they feel like they don't want to be a burden on you or others. Those people we call our "strong" friends. Yeah, y'all know just which friends I'm talking about now. They are there when no one else can be, and they always keep it real no matter what. That may be one of the big things you love about them. 

This week and more often than not I want you to check in on them. Give them a call or a shoot them a text, but however, you choose to reach out let them know that you are there for them as well. They may not come right out there and say it, but this gesture means the world to them.

A little love goes a long way, so don't forget to check on your strong friends. Let them know that they don't always have to be strong and that it is okay to be vulnerable.  

Now if you are that strong friend it's time for you to open that big heart of yours, but this time I want you to talk more than you listen. It's never good to bottle everything up, and by talking it out with a good friend you are releasing it into the atmosphere to allow healing of whatever situation you are going through. 

T. Neal | Cambridge, MD

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Disclaimer: Fenix Youth Project Inc. supports young writers and their voices and providing them with a platform to submit think pieces, poetry, short stories, and also reflect on experiences and program events. All blog posts are reviewed by the Executive Director, Amber Green. Blog posts are the opinions and reflections of writers and do not represent the organization as a whole. Questions and comments can be emailed to ambergreen@fenixyouthproject.org.

Check on Yourself

Your mental health and the energy around you should always be a priority in your life. Sometimes the things going on around us get to be too much, and we feel like we can't control them. If you're getting to that point or you are at that point, I want you to pause, and try out a couple of these tips to realign yourself.

Take a deep breath. It seems so simple, but it also can be extremely effective. The breath allows you to bring in positive energy while expelling some of the negative energy that seems to be holding you back.  

Take some time off of social media. I know it keeps you connected, but there is a lot of negative energy that can throw you off of balance if you allow it. I'm not saying cut it off cold turkey, but whether it be for an hour or a couple of days a break can do you some justice. 

This next tip I learned from my aunt, she's just a ball of positive energy and I've always questioned how. It turns out that every morning she gets up and she deposits a certain amount of positive energy into herself that is simply reserved for those who need it. As the day goes on, she gives off that positive energy until it's empty, and when she feels that she is drained she steps back to regroup. All of the positive energy that she has reserved for others may be gone, but she still has enough to keep her going even though she had to regroup so that she didn't let anyone else's energy affect her own.

Finally, if you are at the point of no return or you know that you are getting to that point don't be afraid to ask for help. As we all know a little help can go a long way, even if it is just a conversation that may last a few minutes.  

Remember if you're not checking on your mental health, no one else will. So, if you need some time away from others to regroup you take that time because everything that you plan to do starts with you. 

Stand For What You Believe

In a time of uncertainty sometimes it is difficult to put things into perspective. The world around us is in an uproar, but don't let that stop you from creating. Don't let that put a stop to what you want to do. I know that it's hard to keep moving, I have been going through a period where I felt I couldn't create anything worth keeping. 

So, in light of everything going on around us let's start the week off right with a prompt. Now it's not a writing prompt, because not everyone is a writer. Some of you are musicians and artists, but whatever you are use that medium to create something. To better emerge yourself into this prompt I want you to think about one of my favorite quotes, "If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything."

I find it true, so I always try to figure out what I stand for. Consider what everyone is fighting for and consider what you are fighting for. Whichever outlet you choose create something strongly based on whatever it is that you stand for, no matter what it may be, as long as you stand for it. Stand tall by your beliefs, and let it be known as you complete this prompt.  

Best of luck in your creation, and always remember to stand for something.