Unequally distributed, for some have more
Expected to run and jump, over and over
Unknown obstacles, difficult to prepare for
With plenty of hurdles placed before runners
Don’t add extra reasons to stumble, by adding more
Blocks that prevent you from moving forward
If you have just started running the adult race
Don’t place extra hurdles in your own way –
Hurdles labeled as insecure, or inexperienced
You know more than you think, and others may say
Find your lane – built for your gifts and strengths
Say no to second-hand shoes – worn and stretched
To go the distance, you will need a custom fit
Breathe in and prepare for the unknown trail ahead
Don’t be fooled by shortsighted views of easy jumps
For the start will never reveal a road’s many bumps
Runners stretched beyond your sight along each side
Causing you to gaze too long and lose your concentration
Don’t overextend your sideways stare and over compare
For those runners are not your greatest competition
Though each may start when the gun pops into the air
You are the one to own the lane, and race with or against
You are the one to celebrate or never meet at the tape
Trust, you must, as you land one foot, then another
As you step on your path and start running your race
Sometimes you will stretch with ease and soar across the bar
Sometimes you will feel exertion causing you to tangle and fall
Sometimes you will overextend, and the landing will be hard
Remember to listen, whether you are soaring or stumbling
Divine wisdom and inner guidance, you will always be given
Two important mentions in this post: First, the track photo was taken by Ginger Scott, an Amazon-bestselling, Goodreads Choice Award, and Rita award-nominated author of several young and new adult romances. I met Ginger through a mutual friend who suggested I should reach out to Ginger for a classroom visit. I did. Ginger visited my classroom multiple times to talk to my students about her books and the book writing process. Her presentations were energetic and memorable, and no doubt she sparked a writing interest in several students during those visits. I now consider Ginger a friend, and I am in awe of her creativity and writing discipline. I thought of Ginger when I was considering heading to the local high school, to take a track photo for this post. I remembered that she had a beautiful book cover taken at a high school south of Phoenix. The book, Waiting on the Sidelines, features two young people facing each other on a HS football field. I reached out to Ginger and she shared the photo of Centennial High School, located in Peoria, Arizona, taken during a gorgeous sunset. Check out Ginger’s author site and order your next summer read! www.authorgingerscott.com 📖 🌞
My second mention is my photo collage, which features several former students. I thought of my former students when I wrote this poem, and considered how challenging young adult life must be right now, given our global pandemic. I reached out to a handful of them and asked if they might be interested in being part of a photo collage, posted with a motivational poem for young adults. Being the incredible people they are, they were happy to oblige. It was so nice catching up with them. They are busy young adults making their way in this world. 😊 Thank you for stopping by, be well, and enjoy your weekend! 💗 😷 Michele
Being a Woman – Overcoming, Our Poetry Chapbook is available through Amazon~ reflective and witty poems and beautiful original drawings (my poems and my daughter’s illustrations). “Look inside” preview is available.💕
Picture 1: Centennial High School, Peoria, Arizona 🏃♀️ Picture 2: A bump in the road at Fool Hollow Arizona State Park (taken while on a bike ride this week during a mountain get-away) 🚵♀️ Picture 3: Photo collage of several amazing young adults, who I had the pleasure of teaching 😊
Copyright © 2020 Michele Lee Sefton. All Rights Reserved.
My Inspired Life 
This is a great post , Michele. Some wonderful words of wisdom that we all need to hear from time to time.
I enjoyed the pics too. Thank you.
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Thank you, yassy. I appreciate you. 😊 There is always hope and inspiring stories to be found, but with so much uncertainty and negativity swirling around, I am happy to contribute some positive vibes, and “wisdom,” as you say. Thanks for stopping by.
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Michele, thanks for sharing .
Sometimes we need a reminder of our own race!
Miss you friend;)
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Thank you VP. 😊 Life is competitive, but it seems the greatest competition is against our own self-doubts and our inner critic. Miss you too! Hope you are finding ways to relax this summer.
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An inspiring poem, Michele! Especially appreciated the strong truth at the conclusion: “Remember to listen, whether you are soaring or stumbling Divine wisdom and inner guidance, you will always be given.” The bottom line (no pun intended!) for a life of contentment and fulfillment is our willingness to listen and heed God’s voice of divine wisdom and follow his inner guidance. He made us; he knows and wants what’s best for us (Psalm 100).
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Thank you so much Nancy. That poem began as three sections, one for the young ones, those fully caught up in the adult race, and those ready to step away. The young section took over, so I obliged. Doing so gave me the inspiration to reach out to a few former students. What a gift that was! I think of them often and hope they are doing well. I have learned to listen and not disregard God’s guidance. I hope the poem is a reminder or message for others to do the same. Although not intended, I love your pun! Take care.
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