Steel weak

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Cast iron ain’t got nothing on me and wood breaks as soon as it’s hit

Concrete is solid and aluminum foils but I’m more powerful than all of it

People talk and when they do, I let them speak their mind

I would care about the things they say, but it doesn’t bother me this time

The insults they hurl and negativity they throw, barely touches the surface

Hate is strong, but it doesn’t affect me, so what exactly is its purpose?

The attacks keep coming and because I’m resilient, I keep on bouncing back

No matter the weapon they use against me, they’ll never be my match

They spread rumors, employ lies and drag me through the dirt

But because I’m not the least bit affected, none of the bulls*** hurt

I can take anything that comes my way, so shoot your best shot

If name calling is the best you have, then nothing is all you’ve got

Titanium is tough, but I’m tougher, and can withstand any level of heat

Although I’m made of stainless steel, sometimes I do get weak

Have you ever met someone who claimed that no matter what people said or did to them, didn’t hurt? Although I am strong and my exterior is “hard”, words still bother me! I’m finishing up a book on Understanding the power of words, and no matter how much we exclaim they have none, they do. However, you can choose to take it away! Don’t give the enemy your power, use it against them!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Finding my way back

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Many years ago, I began this quest of “getting back to me”. For a very long time, I felt lost, displaced and so far removed from my element, that I no longer knew where it is was, or how to get there. So, I set out on a trek to see if I could find me, and it’s been one hell of a journey. I knew who I was looking for, so I thought it shouldn’t take long for me to be found. However, it’s taking longer than I expected. While on my way, I began to write in hopes of it bringing me one step closer, but it wasn’t enough to get me there.

I sought the help of family and friends, but even they didn’t know who I was. Turns out I was distant from them, so they couldn’t really tell if it was me, even if I looked them in the face. Having no luck there, I decided I didn’t need anybody, and could figure it out on my own. For years, I went from straight to crooked, and didn’t know if I’d ever get back into shape. There were so many days I’d look myself in the mirror and although I knew it was me, I didn’t know who I was. I wanted to learn more about this person, so, I started therapy and continued searching for me…….and almost a year later, I still am!

Are you lost? Maybe you’ve lost yourself in a relationship, to drugs, sex or abuse and you just can’t seem to find your way back. Perhaps you didn’t think to look for yourself, because you feel you’re already gone. Despair sets in and you can’t help but wonder, if you’ll ever find your way. Please don’t give up, I promise you’re going to get there! Keep looking, keep searching and one day, you’re going to find what you’ve been looking for…..YOU!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Alone, but not deserted

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Within a year’s time, I lost three great (so I thought) friends. When I walked away from them, I didn’t realize how alone I’d be. The phone calls I looked forward to, the support I needed and the laughter I relied on, was no longer there. They were no longer there. I felt so alone, because the girl who was always in the crowd, was suddenly the only one left. This was very new to me, and rather than process the dissolution of those friendships, I thought it best to create new ones.

I needed some replacements, but what I really needed was to take advantage of the alone time. For once in my life, I was no longer the “crutch”, “garbage can” or “glue”. I didn’t feel the need to “keep things together”, so immediately, I fell apart at the “seams”. I was free to do what I wanted, without the strains of being what they “needed”. I felt good (damn good), but after awhile, I was back to being alone. Did I make the right decision? I began to wonder, because I had a sense of wanting to belong.

Maybe I needed them after all, so I wouldn’t feel so empty. There was a void, to say the least, but I eliminated the need to fill it. You know what? I was friendless and needed to BE…BY…MY….DAMN…SELF! Although they were not there and I was alone, not once did I consider myself deserted. Besides, I knew I had a friend, and no matter if people were around or not, He was always there.

You may not always be in the company of people, and that’s okay. You may not have a whole lot of friends, and that’s perfectly fine (trust me, it is). But, one thing you do have, is the comfort in knowing Jesus will never leave you nor desert you! You may experience a period of being desolate, but don’t become desperate to have someone in your life, especially when they aren’t supposed to be there.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

All Him, none of me

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I don’t want the credit, especially when it doesn’t belong to me! Since I started this platform, I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me to express their thanks and offer support, amongst other things. Although at times it’s hard for me to accept compliments, kudos and pats on the back, one thing I won’t do, and that’s steal God’s thunder (no pun intended).

I’m a writer, so I know firsthand what it’s like for someone to take credit for something you did, and they didn’t do. That’s why I refuse to cheat God of the glory and praise, when I know I didn’t do anything; it was all Him. Anything positive I do, it’s of God. I may be one’s source of inspiration or motivation, but it’s only because I’ve allowed God to use me.

My goal has always been to be a person who’s very genuine, loving and caring, that when people see me, they would see God (in me) and want Him for themselves. Besides, if it were not for Him, there’d be no me. Now do you see why the credit is His and none of mine? Sometimes, we go through things in life that we don’t necessarily like, but it’s not for us; it’s for Him and His glory. I don’t question why anymore, because years ago, He revealed to me the reason; you! It was all done to help YOU!

The next time you (or anyone for that matter) feel compelled to place me on a throne, remember, there’s already someone sitting there!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Doing less to do more

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I’m always “ripping and running”, and more times than plenty, I find myself headed towards “E”. I need to stop and refuel, but I continue to go, even when I don’t have the energy to. Nonetheless, I continue to drive. “I need to keep going”, is what I’m always telling myself, but in all honesty, I need to sit down! Majority of the time, I’m doing things for others, while deferring my own needs. I question the overextension I’ve given of myself to so many people, especially when they’re unwilling to lend me a hand.

Maybe I’m too caring or foolish, I suppose. Often times, I’m constantly speeding from one situation to the next, and I need to stop, but I don’t see a red light in sight. I waver between green and yellow, because I’m constantly on the go, but there are times I need to slow down………but, I don’t. Besides, I can’t take a day off. Because if I don’t do it, then nobody else will. However, I am doing entirely too much for them, and not enough for me! I’ve come to the realization that I need to do less, so I can do more.

I need to do less for others……and (so much) more for myself

I need to do less worrying……and (a lot) more praying

I need to do less of being the superhero…..and (be) more like Lois Lane

I need to do less of being “Johnny on the spot”……..and (disappear) more like “Whodini”

But, what I really need, is to brake, so I can take a “break”! I can just feel it…….I’m running dangerously low, and desperately need to refuel. Are you too running on fumes, and don’t know if you’ll have enough gas to keep going? Like me, you need to make a pit stop , because it’ll only be a matter of time, before we breakdown!

What do you need to do less/more of?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

I have decided…

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Today, I decided I was tired of pretending.

Pretending I didn’t care…..

Pretending I am strong…..

Pretending “it” didn’t bother me…..

Pretending “they” didn’t matter…..

Pretending that “words” don’t hurt me……

I was perfectly okay with living a lie, because it meant I didn’t have to face the truth…..or, the fact that it hurt! Majority of the posts I write are NOT for you, but me. I need the strength of my words to hold me up, when I can no longer do it myself. I tend to carry loads in excess of hurt, problems (most not my own) and pain, when I don’t have to. I’m (and you) very fortunate and blessed, to have someone graciously offer to carry my burdens for me, but I have to first be willing to give them up. Still thinking I’m made of steel, I continue to maintain my tough exterior and ability to withstand anything, when on the inside, I’m dying from everything. Will I survive? Where is the resilience I proudly boast of?

My cape is gone…..

My superpowers cease to exist…..

I am vulnerable, and it’s scary, because now I’m susceptible to EVERYTHING, when I told myself, I wasn’t. However, I have decided, that none of it matters…..because, I’m done pretending!

Be yourself….

Be truthful…..

Be the reason for someone else’s strength…sometimes, it takes them seeing you do it, so they know it can be done!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Buried

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Have you been caught in an avalanche, and didn’t know if you’d be rescued or recovered? Suddenly, you began to suffocate and become overwhelmed with anxiety and the uncertainty of “what next”. By now, you’re in full panic mode, because the light you once saw, is now overcome by darkness. At this point, you’re scared and beyond afraid, because you thought you were just stressed, but turns out, you’ve been buried. You start to claw at rock (problem) after rock (problem), but no sooner than you remove one, another comes.

I can hear my momma say, “I can’t win for losing”, but you haven’t lost if you are still here! Life will take you on an emotional roller coaster, but remember, once the ride is over, GET OFF! Don’t feel as though you have to have problems, just because you have them. I know some people won’t get that, but just because you are going through something, doesn’t mean you have to. You can elect to come out of your situation at anytime, but the question is, do you really want to?

You’re going to always experience problems, but until you reach the day you have a problem with your problems, you’ll continue to be buried. Don’t stay down, just because you feel as though you won’t ever come up! If the rocks become too heavy for you to remove, call for help! Although we’d like to try, we can’t always do everything on our own.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue