Maturity

 

 Written By Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Image by Ian Lindsay from Pixabay.

Maturity is…

• When one learns to take responsibility for all actions and not just some.

• Being present even when not expected.

• Taking action while others make excuses.
  
  

• Actively listening with genuine curiosity.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#maturity #responsibility #action #activelistening #inspiration #motivation #creativewriting #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

Never Stand Down

 Written By Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Whether the tide is low

or changes to high

as the waves 

come crashing down 

on you,

always choose

to fight back,

never stand down,

and defend yourself.

#NeverGiveUp

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#neverstanddown #defendyourself #inspiration #motivation #stressrelief #creativewriting #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

Wind Surfer

Written By Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Image by Public Domain Pictures from Pixabay.

As I was packing my car in the morning, I looked up to the sky. To my delight, a green maple tree leaf whisked to the short sifts of breeze as it glided downward. It made me wonder...

where did it come from?

 As the sudden 360 left me with a brief dizzying spell, all I could notice was the stillness of houses with little to no debris on the rooftops. Curious of its origin, I looked further. But the large fluffy puffs of mobilized objects travelling together at a higher elevation caught my eye. Couldn't help but gaze for a little longer settling in for a mini break in between my routine schedule. 

"Ahh," escapes from my dry chapped lips as my eyes close taking in the full moment.

My stress sails above the fallen leaf in a similar surfing motion to be absorbed and disappear into the clouds floating by. What a gift nature has to offer that people can take for granted. 

When was the last time you stopped for a minute and appreciated your surroundings?

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#windsurfer #mapleleaf #tree #sky #clouds #nature #inspiration #motivation #stressrelief #creativewriting #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

You Are My Halo

 

My number one believer

Throughout all of his time

Wears an everlasting halo

That weighs more than a dime.

He knows I’m a fighter

Never to be dumbed as a ho

But he’ll take matters into his own hands

Just to make sure that I can go.

I cover up any day of the week

Every time I step out of the house

But the bads keep showing up

Like playing a game of cat and mouse.

He knows who I am so he gets picked on

Also gets used as a blackmail model

For perverts who can’t stand rejection

As they try to trap me in a motel.

My real guardian angel

Who doesn’t need convincing

He’s stood through the test of time

While the rest did all the dissing.

Unshaken by any kind of threat

He has always been my defender

I’ll love him to no end forever

The first, right after me, my brother.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#halo #guardianangel #inspiration #motivation #protector #fighter #family #brother #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

Keep Your Chin Up

 

When times get hard, it's easiest to look down and hope the problem goes away by the time your focus on what's in front of you. While it is subjective to judge whether a problem is feasible or not, it never hurts to just make an attempt to get through it. You never know what will happen unless you do it. This does not mean to follow everyone else in what they're doing. It doesn't mean to ignore your surroundings and let things occur. It simply means to try and do something about it. And while you do that, keep your chin up to keep your eye on the target. 

When unsure of what exactly to do, still look to the clouds for inspiration. There's something about the forms made by these marshmallow-like puffs shifting into shapes like a moving portrait throughout the day. It can be the clouds itself or your imagination adding to the soft airy canvas. No matter what time of day it is, there's a sign to view from up above. A found shape can spark an idea to set forth on. The movement alone can be relaxing to watch and help reduce the stress. Being able to recognize something can overwhelm the body with a sudden dose of confidence. There's also the idea of wondering about Heaven and see if the clouds will reveal symbols of a lost loved one. It helps with the grieving process and that curiosity can motivate you to see what lays ahead.

Whichever reason you choose to look up, I hope that in some way it does help you to be proactive and move forward. Nature leaves signs everywhere. All you need is a moment. If you ever need a muse, just look up and see what ensues. It will lead to doing the right thing.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#chinup #clouds #inspiration #motivation #selfesteem #confidence #decisionmaking #lifelesson #problemsolving #advice #nature #grief #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

If You Want To

Yesterday, I had a great moment meeting up with some friends who I haven't seen since the beginning months of the Covid outbreak in the U.S. That's a long time away already. Time has flown by so fast. It's been almost a full couple of years now. News updates, laughs, and good stories were shared over some Mexican food. One of the things mentioned from a story had become stuck in mind that made me laugh the way it was told, but it's a very important message to learn a lesson from. 

It's about being stern in doing what you want to do regardless of what you're told where someone thinks they know better than you. It's about doing what you want to do instead of just thinking about it. Of course, this would not include something that is harmful to another person. What you'd like to do can be as simple as going to that restaurant you've been wanting to try out since you've first laid eyes onto it. Perhaps you've had a project in mind that you just cannot get to doing it yet because other things take priority. Maybe you want to take a vacation to a place you've been wanting to go to. 

Whatever it is that you've been thinking about...

Don't wait for tomorrow.

 Do it now because we're not promised tomorrow.

 And if for some reason you can't do it right now and have to wait,

 then do what you intend to do as soon as you can that will make you happy. 

Go ahead and treat yourself.

There are so many things telling us all of the reasons why we have to wait and that it is more responsible in choosing to do so. Doing something for yourself is part of self-care that is essential to keeping you grounded, happy, and enjoying life. There's no better time than now to take care of yourself. By doing this, you also won't have regrets. There won't be any should've, could've, would've.  

Why?

Because you've done it now.

It's simple...

If you want to ride a horse,

THEN RIDE ONE!

Seize the day!

May it be a pleasant one.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#want #inspiration #motivation #selfesteem #confidence #decisionmaking #lifelesson #advice #friend #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

Dare to Be You

 

There's something about keeping up with the Jones's that I never was interested in. Apparently, I must've missed the memo as there are a lot of people who are though. Having the newest bit of technology or brand-new item in fashion is way too materialistic for me. If there's a piece of clothing that looks good, has a nice color, and fits well, then it's a good buy. No need to scrape up the wallet to get some expensive top if there's a cheaper one available that is suitable. There are many crowds who try to jab out insults because they don't know my clothes, my hair, the way I look, and so on. You know what I say about those kinds of people? Who cares because I believe that I am enough. 

I believe that I am beautiful just the way that I am. So if others think botox is the way to go, I say nay. Natural looks better all of the time. There's something about plastic surgery of any sort that is a turn off...it's fake. There's not much that can be done with fake. It's superficial. Why be superficial when it's better to just be yourself?!

Dare to be you. Challenge the rumors and insults. Dust them off of your shoulder and keep on moving because the one person that can say anything about your looks that counts is you. Not anyone else.

Believe that you are enough and don't be ashamed of that. Keeping your natural looks doesn't break the rules and should be acceptable. It's how you were born. People who really appreciate you for who you are will stick around. If not, find someone else. Or be content being alone. Whatever works for you.

Hope you feel fabulous today.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#inspiration #motivation #selfesteem #confidence #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poet

Announcing Some Good News

 

After lots of my writing has gone lost, shredded, and stolen over the years, I'm finally at 40 articles on my website while maintaining the rest of my blog pages. Making the decision to write for me instead of waiting on others to publish my material produces better results. I've been able to check off more from my writing goals list and have more resource pages available now instead of just trying to track deadlines and figure out who is going to contact me back with an acceptance letter.

The cause I'm focusing on this month with my writing is Human Trafficking in order to help prevent it where I can and help others to do so. The other portion is showing others how to survive it as many of us are entrapped within the vast networks of Trafficking Rings. Even though most of my work is focusing on this monstrous topic, I get to sprinkle in my creative writing about other random things.

Click the link below to view my blog posts:

https://andrelynwriting.wixsite.com/website/blog

If you're looking to hold off on the sensitive material due to triggers, they are categorized as Sexual Violence. There are other categories for you to browse. Have fun reading! If you have any requests, feel free to message me.

Thanks for the support. :)

Photo by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#helpstophumantrafficking #inspiration #motivation #sexualviolence #awareness #resources #education #victim #survivor #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting #blogger #writer #poets #writerscommunity #readers

Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness

Yesterday was such a big day for me. I revisited a location that only had bad memories for me as I had been attacked the last times I had been there. I've lost count as to how many people wreaked havoc on me at this park, but some details cannot be forgotten. There were people stalking me, I was abandoned, and there was an attempted kidnapping in the early afternoon in broad daylight to say the least. At the time, I wasn't sure what to call it, but I did recognize it as a form of abuse. I had endured a lot and was not listened to when I complained and tried to report. Those who did "listen" to me, wrote down falsified information on documents or nothing at all. Some online reports have been scrapped with no trace of being able to locate them within a month or so. 

I felt so alone, yet I was so empowered to keep standing up for myself. So it was a good thing to have the opportunity to memorialize that. At an environment where my voice was getting silenced, my body being harmed, and my personality being mocked or misrepresented, I got to spread awareness of these unspoken occurrences through flyers. 

I created some posters displaying facts on Human Trafficking. Some of that information includes:

• Generic stats
• How human traffickers behave
• Trafficker preferences
• Encouragement
• Where to report

It was liberating for me with each poster I applied tape to or stapled onto a wooden pole. The walk was different than the last time my feet hit that pavement amongst the trees that cannot speak for me. 

To add to my excitement, a little squirrel approached me in curiosity. I had never had one get so close. While standing still, I had to grab my phone to take a snap at this wonderful creature. It just looked too cute to pass up. Look at those marking on its tail. There were many playing around in nearby trees. This one looked hungry.

A good walk that I got to complete even while being injured, facts about violence to help better protect me and other vulnerable people, and forest friends celebrating with me made this day turn out to be great. I'm so grateful to finally have the opportunity to do this. I just hope that people take the signs seriously, learn something, and help spread the word. Knowing that I did my part to help initiate that may help increase safety measures. We'll see how long they get to stay up.

*fingers crossed*

Another act taken in hopes to help increase protection for members of the community more susceptible to violence.

Try to #besafe.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Inspired by my true story.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#SlaveryandHumanTraffickingPreventionMonth #HTAM #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth #helpstophumantrafficking #geteducated #labortrafficking #drugtrafficking #sextrafficking #endsexualviolence #empowerment #sexualassault #EndRape #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #personal #blog #AndrelynWriting #writer #poet #UnseenFortitude

Sidewalk Blues

Image by Leroy Skalstad from Pixabay

This year, the homeless population in the United States is over half a million people.

Information sourced from WorldPopulationReview.com

My personal story of a recent experience:

Yesterday, I came across an older gentleman playing the violin in front of a store sitting down on the cold concrete. His instrument case was opened up barely filled with some dollar bills and a bit of coins. I cannot forget the look on his face when I asked him if he wanted something to eat and drink. His mouth cracked open immediately with a smile and it looked like light filled his eyes as they widened. I've been in this position many times already so I know how he feels. The only difference is that I didn't have many people provide me with offerings. Since I do not want him to have the same experience as I've had, I wanted to get him something he needed, but also gift him something that he wanted. 

"What would you like to eat," I had asked him. He was delighted to tell me that he wanted some jerky. He was in need of some protein and kindly asked to not give him anything with sugar in it. And he also asked for some water. The trunk of my car usually has water bottles in it along with another form of drink at times. I assured him that there was already a plan in place before approaching him to give him at least two water bottles. He thanked me and I told him, "I'll be right back."

While exiting the store, I gave him a small gift bag with a couple of choices of beef jerky, three different seasoned packets of tuna with crackers (these have their own little utensil to use inside for scooping the tuna that he can also use for something else later on), and a package of band aids. As I handed him his bag, I could see his jeans were already discolored and becoming more covered in dirt on the knees. 

Without making any assumptions, I offered him a little advice and told him why I gave him bandages as he didn't ask for them. Who knows how long he's already been on foot?! "You can use them for your feet when they get blisters and for anything else." It's common to get cut and scraped up while trying to sit along sidewalks or parking lot markers. Thinking back on my experience as I handed him two water bottles, it took less than a week for me to have both of my feet covered in huge blisters making it hard to walk and I couldn't afford anything to treat them. Now he's a little prepared for when he does need it.

Image by Kasun Chamara from Pixabay

A Related Issue

Homeless people are a major target by Human Traffickers. One of the strategies of these predators is to recruit for their networks by driving around on the streets to find homeless people. They can look for anyone: men, women, children, and whole families. Usually, they'll use bribery to cover their motives as a subtle technique or can go to the extremes of kidnapping with drive-by large vehicles. These methods are used for any of the many branches of human exploitation: labor trafficking, drug trafficking, and sex trafficking.

For more information or to read additional personal experiences on these topic, you can visit my website at:

https://andrelynwriting.wixsite.com/website/blog

People who are stuck outside on the streets need so much help. More often than not, they are out there involuntarily as consequences for someone else's actions instead of their own. As humans, it is our duty to look out for each other especially those who are less fortunate than us. It is the moral thing to do. It is for humanity. By supplying the homeless with a necessity, you can also save them from being recruited or forced into a Human Trafficking Ring. 

#helpstophumantrafficking

Image by Aamir Mohd Khan from Pixabay

The Power of Giving

Many people are unsure of what to give out to the needy they encounter on the streets due to several stereotypes. The most common one being that if you provide money to the homeless, they'll just use it for drugs instead of buying food or water. What many people do not realize who do not pay attention to price tags is that there is hardly any products out there that is easily accessible in stores that costs $1 or less. So if a person does not see any of the homeless rushing into the store immediately after receiving money is due to still not having enough to afford it. Another way to get over this stigma that people carry is to take matters into your own hands and just buy something for them instead. There is always something that you can do to help.

Even if the chances are that you do not have any food or beverage on hand or any cash, check your surroundings. In the car, you may have an extra bag. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a bag these days? Many places offer them with a price. They are no longer free. Try to see if you can find one with handles, which is even better. A nearby store may have a cup of ice. You can help them begin creating a first aid kit. Maybe you can check out the beauty section and provide a travel size beauty product or comb. How about a pair of socks? There are so many options. The list is endless!

Please do think twice before passing someone on the street. A helpful action can help save their lives especially gifting nourishment and hydration. Never underestimate the power of giving.

Bibliography:

1. World Population Review. Homeless Population By State  2023: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/homeless-population-by-state, 2023.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Inspired by my true story.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#sidewalkblues #homeless #people #lessfortunate #helptheneedy #stereotype #stigma #SlaveryandHumanTraffickingPreventionMonth #offering #powerofgiving #helpstophumantrafficking  #labortrafficking #drugtrafficking #sextrafficking #endsexualviolence #gifting #providing #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #personal #blog #AndrelynWriting #writer #poet #UnseenFortitude

Spread Kindness

 

The usual tradition ensues as we approach the New Year of setting resolutions for us to tackle throughout the year. Some of these new goals can be a feat and take a very long time to achieve. Don't forget the small, manageable goals though. Even the simplest one that people may forget to add in: Spread kindness wherever you go. Like wildflowers that grow with just a tiny sprinkle of raindrops without much effort, we can do small acts to make someone else's day.

Greet more people.

Share more smiles.

Give a compliment.

Show some love.

Pass on credit to where it's due. 

Shine a little light to cheer up someone.

These are just a few.

There's always a little something that you can do and it won't go unnoticed.

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#SpreadKindness #smile #compliment #love #smallacts #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting

She Speaks With Wisdom

Caution: this article may be triggering as it involved both religion and politics.

This is your opportunity to break away or if you're brave, feel free to read on. 😀

A reminder that this is written with good intentions for women and the purpose is to spread truthful information that is being misrepresented elsewhere around the internet.

 

In the Book of Proverbs Verse 31:26 from the Bible, it states, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." It is not mentioned often, but even the Bible says that we should be listening to women as we are filled with wisdom. And in today's modern world where we are still speaking about equality, this is truly relevant in our time. 

With much of the most controversial topics centering around women, it seems baffling that women's words are not taken too much into account. While scrolling through the news on abortions, I've seen women having to ask tough questions to men trying to preach about what God means for us to do when it comes to babies. The questions these female anchors ask to have to do with trying to find out what are the plans for the women (single or already with family) who are being forced to have children and how will they be supported during those life's challenges.

This image shows Oklahoma's statistics relevant to the position in question on the consequences of not having an abortion.

For accessibility purposes:

State of Economy for Oklahoma Families

21.3% of children live below poverty line.

71% of SNAP participants are in families with kids.

Oklahoma 42nd Overall in Well-Being.

I tweeted about this earlier particular example earlier. Here is the link to view the specific video clip:

https://twitter.com/andrelynwriting/status/1535399546599010304?s=20&t=2bEY9L8gc-7eSeC_98j85g

Yes, this is the realm of politics. No, it is not okay to mention the opposing side when asked the question about what the Governor's plan is in terms of executing additional support for women while holding a State's seat. You can't help, but think: 

What does this have to do with women by mentioning a political party or viewpoints on them?

So, where does it mention that babies help contribute to paying bills? Or make bills less expensive in any way?

Questions like these keep getting avoided by Republican politicians who are trying their darndest to ban abortion legislation in multiple ways or instill additional restrictions on accessing abortion procedures, including Roe v. Wade. God is being used as an example of why abortions should be illegal. But again, the Bible mentions listening to the wisdom of women. At this point, whose words do we follow then? The politician's viewpoint on what he interprets as God's words, or the scripture itself that was written through God's actions and intentions? If religion is the focus of the defense, then it should be represented truthfully, and the answer is obvious.

The takeaway from this is to hear what the women have to say about their own bodies in order to produce a solution to a problem like expanding our healthcare and access to resources in obtaining that healthcare rather than restricting or banning parts of it.

This also raises another question in this matter, how many women are being interviewed on this topic instead of the people trying to shut down our rights? More airtime on media is given priority to those who wish to ban women's rights and focuses on the male perspective of our bodies, household roles, and what they believe is our purpose in life when it comes to reproduction. Try it for yourself and see what pops up on google searches or even scrolling through social media. How many female points of view are you seeing being circulated around the internet on this most critical issue? Feel free to leave a comment below on what you have discovered. I'm genuinely curious if you're seeing the same things that I am because these have been the results that I've come across for the past couple of months since I've heard about Roe v. Wade being threatened. The majority of what I see is "don't kill babies" and "women should have babies from rapists". YIKES!!!!

What world do we live in again? Is this truly the land of the free? Increased questions keep approaching that stay unanswered for the sake of redirecting back to political rally trendy quotes opposing abortion. There has not been any feedback listed on what should be done to help the poverty crisis, which these abortion bans are contributing to. There are no plans for increasing resources for people who are being denied them. And racism is still being ignored by those saying that it still doesn't exist, while black women still have the highest birth mortality rates. Hispanic and Latin women are still being treated as if all have jumped over the border wall and "need to be sent home." In what area are women free?

I'd like to encourage you to exercise a bit of courage today and react to at least 5 social media posts today expressing support for women's rights from everywhere including the U.S. Write a post on any of your social media profiles stating that Women's Rights are Human Rights. It can be a hashtag, added to a graphic, a gif, a quote, only text, whatever you want! As much effort is being focused on restricting women's access to resources or heavily trying to bury women with sexist propaganda, try to put out at least one post, shared or created, on an important woman in your life or your opinion on where we can improve on providing more equality for women.

View my Twitter page for more inspiration:

https://twitter.com/andrelynwriting

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

Don’t forget! No matter what, you can always shine on.

#shespeaks #wisdom #religion #abortion #politics #RoevWade #SunshineHeadquarters #inspirational #blog #AndrelynWriting