Month: January 2020

Feeling myself

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

B is for brilliant and that I am, so excuse my confidence please

there’s no other person dead or alive, that can write as great as me

With the stroke of a pen I can take one word, and turn it into the greatest story ever told

some call me arrogant, others a threat, but me, I just say I’m BOLD

I make no apologies for who I am, nor do I limit what I can do

I’ve learned there are many doubters in this world, but I continue to push right through

All the jealousy, heartache and pain, to show everyone what God has created

but the greatest reward will be the day I’m able to say, “Look ma, I finally made it”!

So I dismiss the discouragement, ignore the hate, as people speak negativity in my ear

but as long as God is in control, I’m not worried nor do I fear

Whatever obstacles that lie ahead, hoping to slow me down

but because of His grace and mercy, I will NOT be damaged, destroyed or bound

If you don’t believe in yourself, do you expect someone else to? You KNOW who you are, long before anyone else does! #beconfident #andhumbletoo 🙂

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Temporary Delight

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Many of you don’t know that I am a Poet, and poetry is and always will be my first love! I enjoy writing books, but nothing warms my heart more than a free verse or rhyme. In fact, I have three unpublished Poetry books that I someday hope to get out. Until then, over the next week, I’ll be sharing with you some of MY favorite pieces that I’ve written (I’m aware that my poetry is subjective). I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did writing them!

For twenty-six years my love sat on display

and I watched as each person passed me by

Suddenly things changed, when he looked through the windowpane

and purchased the love no one wanted to buy

Like two small kids we linked up hands

and chased the other til we grew tired from all the fun

Like magnets our eyes met and we kissed without any regrets

as we laid marinating out in the sun

As the sun glared down and kissed our skin, we searched for the nearest shade

Rather than rest under the old oak tree, he sought refugee within a dark cave

Like trees during the winter solstice, his leaves began to change

and the love that lit his fire for four months, was slowing losing its flame

Not satisfied with his purchase, he went to the store demanding something be done

but there wasn’t anything that they could do, because of the store’s strict policy on “no refunds”

No matter how good the love made him feel, or the need to have it in his life

He grew tired and it was no longer wanted, because it had satisfied his temporary delight

No matter how much you love someone, make sure they feel the same way about you. If not, you’ll find yourself crying over something you thought was to “last forever”, when it was meant to be enjoyed for a “little while”.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Bad influence

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

If you want to give up, great! However, don’t get in the way of someone who’s trying to finish. People will quit on themselves, give up their goals, forget their dreams, and expect you to do the same. Somehow, they feel their lack of ambition is supposed to take away the initiative you’ve chosen to take, to pursue your dreams. Continue to run the course and show them what would’ve happened, had they done the same. Don’t allow anyone to steal your zeal! When you are affronted with someone who tries to influence you to quit, because they “need the company”, then you need to walk away. Besides, misery doesn’t care who joins it, as long as it’s not alone!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Clinging for strength

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

*In the wake of the 9 individuals who lost their lives in a plane crash on January 26, 2020, this post is dedicated to those who are still living in the dark, are lost or have lost a loved one, and are struggling to come to terms with their death*

I know what it’s like to be helpless and despondent, sitting in despair, hoping and praying to be saved. I’ve lived in some dangerously low valleys, and there were times I thought I’d drown, because I didn’t have anything or anyone to grab hold to. It was a struggle to stay above water, when I was surrounded by a sea of hurt and pain. I, too, know how you feel. I was literally fighting for survival, while weakened from life’s many torrents. Things became so dark and dreary, that I lost sight of hope, and the light at the end of the tunnel. Although that is in the past, the hurt still lingers on. I’m in a much better place now, but it took me days, weeks, months, and years even, to get where I am.

There are many people going through a pretty rough storm, wondering if they’ll ever see the sun again. Their heart is broken, and the thing that they lost, is the only thing that can mend it again. They’re in agony and pain and too weak to pick themselves up. They need help getting through whatever it is they’re enduring, so don’t walk away, because they’re clinging to you for strength.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Distinct

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

It’s not about what you do. It never was and it never will. I would not make this about you, but I can’t, because it is. Honestly speaking, there are some things you need to know, and if no one is brave enough to tell you, then I will. I have no problem highlighting your flaws and faults, but no matter what I consider to be bad, people always find something good. I know your potential and I’ve tried to trip you up on so many occasions, but it amazes me how you’ve yet to fall. I don’t understand it. Why do you have to have it all? You’re smart, brilliant, funny and everyone seems to love you, except for me! In fact, there isn’t one thing about you that I find intriguing, yet so many others are in awe. All I ever hear is, “You’re this” and “You’re that”, when you’re nothing at all……at least to me you aren’t. In their eyes you can do no wrong, but in mine, you are just not right! I can’t stand the attention you get, but most importantly, I can’t stand the fact that I am not you!

Has anyone told you how incredibly unique you are? You possess something that so many people want, but don’t have. No matter how hard they try, they’ll never have what you do, because you’re distinct and they’re desperate!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’rue

Rough Draft

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

You are not finished! Right now, you’re in the stages of being complete, but you are far from over. I know you’d like to think you’re done, because of all the work you’ve put in, but there are still some things you need to amend. You may be content with what you have, however, if you want better, it’s going to require a little more time and effort. At this point, I’m sure you’re tired of going through the same things over and over again, but you need to pay attention to all the details, because they can determine your outcome. Besides, this not only helps you to catch your mistakes, but it gives you the chance to correct them. Stop rushing and pressuring yourself to hurry and get things done. Sometimes, it’s going to take you going through a rough draft, before you are finally complete! #trusttheprocess

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

The Breakdown

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Feeling overwhelmed? Can’t seem to make sense of your life, because you’ve got too much on your plate, and don’t know how you’re going to consume it all? Rather than try and take everything on at once, establish an outline that not only creates organization, but allows you to compartmentalize your life. That way, you won’t feel suffocated or disappointed when you don’t accomplish everything you want, either because you forgot to complete a task, you weren’t realistic enough or simply too ambitious. Then too, it leaves little room for error. However, should you make a few mistakes, don’t fret. We’ve all experienced a breakdown, a time or two. Remember, it’s okay to fall down sometimes, just don’t stay there!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Not as bad as it seems

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Are things really hard for you, or do you just give up to easily? At some point in our lives, we’ve all encountered some obstacles that we thought would surely “take us out”. While many chose to take those situations head on, a lot of people simply gave up. Trying was not an option and apparently neither was winning, so they did what any other timid person would do, quit! The most difficult thing to process, is that they somehow already determined the outcome, although they failed to start. This is the very reason why so many people haven’t been successful in life. Before they attempt to do anything, they quickly talk themselves out of it. “I can’t do this”. “That is too difficult to do”. “Man, that looks hard, so I’m not even going to try”. All of these overused excuses have to stop! We all have a lens in which we see through, so clean yours and you will see that things aren’t as bad as they seem, and if they are, it’s only because you made them out to be!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

What if God got tired?

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Jesus loves me this I know, regardless if I’ve been good or bad

But what if God was unforgiving and held me hostage to my past?

Unlike man, He gives us grace, favor and mercy, and is there when trouble calls

But what if God removed His hands from our backs and instead allowed us to fall?

He’s been our counselor, He’s been our doctor, protector, provider and friend

But what if God regretted the day He sacrificed His son’s life to pay for our sins?

He made a way when there wasn’t one, and brought us to and through life’s test

But what if God decided we wasn’t worthy of His blessings and gave us mediocre instead of the best?

He accepted us no matter if we were right or wrong, told the truth or were simply lying

But what if God refused to heal our bodies, even if we were sick or dying?

He’s performed miracles, raised the dead, and somehow made life worth living

But what if God adopted our selfish ways, and ultimately stopped giving?

Even in the eleventh hour, He’s right on time and never late

But what if God stood us up, and always made us wait?

Twenty-four seven He’s always on call, never sleeps or seem to rest

But what if God got tired of our problems, and left us to deal with our own mess?

Feels good to know my flaws are overlooked, but not me!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Evicted

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“You’re dumb, stupid and never going to amount to anything”. “Nobody likes you and if I were you, I wouldn’t like you either”. “It took you 20 years to get your degree? Wow, what a waste of time”. “You are a complete failure and regardless of what you try to do in life, you won’t ever succeed”. Have any of you heard these statements? Better yet, have they been said to you? These are comments some of my students have shared with me, that were stated to them. Rather than tuning people out, they allowed them and their disgusting words to get in their mind. For years, they’ve lived with the thoughts and ideas of “never amounting to anything”, “being unintelligent” and “failing”, because they were told that would be their life.

Imagine spending almost two years, trying to undo damage that someone caused, as a result of their own shortcomings and insecurities. Although it’s been quite challenging, attempting to replace negative connotations with positive affirmations, it has also been very rewarding to know that my hard work and efforts have paid off. I used to let negative thoughts reside in my head, and I whenever I was unsuccessful at something, I would play back all the hurtful comments, and they just seemed to validate what people were saying. Although I’m not quite where I need to be in terms of dealing with others opinions, I have come to the realization that a lot of times your aggressor is spewing negativity on you, because someone did it to them.

They want to hurt others, because they don’t want to be in pain by themselves. However, you can’t allow their lies to become your truth. You are not a “hate” magnet, so there’s no reason why you should attract any. Allow people to be themselves without you being affected. They can talk all they want, but let them know, neither them nor their negativity no longer lives within you, because they’ve been evicted!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue