My life has been a crazy one. To describe it as a roller coaster would be an understatement. I have been thrown up, down, and around — every which way, without restraint. I have lost myself more than once. I have been through bouts of self-loathing, depression, and anxiety. I have welcomed people in whom I should have locked out.

Here is the thing though, I would not be who I am without those people coming into my life when they did. They made their marks, left their scars. I can say with confidence that I have grown from the experiences, a wildflower amidst sticks and stones. But I can say with the same confidence that I still hurt. Trauma is a real thing, an entity all on its own. It persists and pulls like the strongest winds.

I choose to take back my life. God gave me this life, and I will lead on with the force of the whirlwind. I will find solace in the breath of sunlight. I cannot undo the trauma, but I can live in spite of it. I am taking back the crown of my life, and give it to God. He made me, Trauma did not. Trauma deserves no authority over me because it did not make me. God created me, he is the greatest authority. All the energy and glory goes to him, not to something that caused me pain.

“No pain, no gain,” as they say. I have had pain, so now is the time for gain. I choose to not go back. I am killing the cycle of battling my past. There has to come a time where I only look forwards. I choose now. Now is the time. I am ready.

Honesty is vulnerability. This is why it is so terrifying. To be honest, though, I believe being honest is simple.

I know what you’re thinking — “It is not as simple as it sounds.”

I challenge you to this thought: what if it is?

Take a moment to picture what life would look like if we were all even just a little more honest with each other.

I find that being vulnerable is deeper than honesty, and therefore is inherently more difficult. If we habitually try to be more honest, vulnerability will come naturally.

Allow me to present a challenge to you: Find something in your life that you have not been honest about. Maybe you have been dishonest with yourself or someone else. Correct that dishonesty. And let it change your life.

Maybe this will make a difference, maybe it will not. But hey, is it not better to try than never know?

Go for it.

Laconic: (adj.) expressing much in few words

About 11 times out of 10, this word cannot be used to describe me. I love words. I have a Pinterest board dedicated entirely to the most beautiful and obscure words I encounter. I inherited this passion for words from my grandfather, Pop-Pop. I have countless memories of him telling me stories of the origins of different words, and those stories always fascinated me. Pop-Pop sometimes would apologize for talking to me about words, but I would tell him that I love it.

There is something so special about having something to share with someone else. Special memories, jokes, admirations, knowledge– all these things play a part in giving life its vibrant colors. Words create colors in unimaginable hues. They bring definition to expression and experience.

One of my visions for this blog is to dedicate singular entries to any specific word. In a way, I suppose this is inspired by my Pop-Pop. Education is so important in life, and I think that is one of the reasons I created this blog. I am by no means a person who knows it all. I have almost nothing figured out. But what I can do is share what little wisdom I have gleaned from my life thus far.

Fact: I have never written a blog

Fact: I have had the idea of starting a blog for several years

Fact: I have no clue what I am doing

I suppose it would be appropriate to introduce myself.

Hello. I am Katelyn, the wandering soul placing my thoughts into physical, visible words. I have a passion for music, poetry, life, people, and love. I try to express myself in every endeavor, whether it be big or small. If you do not have the courage to be true to yourself in the smallest of ways, how will you be prepared to be true to yourself when it matters most?

My hope is that as I create this space, this minute corner in a world of chaos, I may create an atmosphere in which all feel free to be who they want to be.

Thank you for stopping by.

Love,

Katelyn