Embrace
your struggles poetically
Inviting readers into a world where pain transforms into beautiful prose.
Judy Williams Poetic Author
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Judy Williams Poetic Author *
At 65 discovering the girl I lost and left for dead at the age of 19. I’m learning to love her as I never have and realizing, I was never dead, just lost for a little while.
Poetry. Where It All Began.
Forced to return to school in 1990 at the age of 30 in order to keep a job I quickly discovered a talent and joy in writing. It allowed me to express myself and ideas in ways I never knew I had within me.
My first poem was Inside, Outside, Upside Down. It was to be the precursor or revelation to an impending mental health disorder I was unaware of. I wrote for years shoving my works aside, then in 2019 I began pouring over all of this and discovered it reflected the various moods and emotions I had been going through.
I feel very much anyone that has struggled with any mental health issue can relate to this poetry, but my desire is to ultimately bring an awareness to a world that doesn’t understand the depths or range of where these feelings can go. If one person can identify with one poem and gain an understanding to better support someone who struggles then I feel my job is done.
As a Christian, I have seen my share of the hurting people that have been accused of being “possessed” and this pains my heart deeply. Mental health issues is scary, I don’t deny that, but so much of it can be helped with medications and therapy. We do not deny a diabetic insulin or accuse them of possession, so why would we attack a chemical imbalance in the brain this way?
Awareness is the key to breaking stigmas. My desire and prayer is something connects with someone letting them know they are not alone, but with others to see a different perspective. Some poems will make no sense to anyone but me and maybe it’s meant to be that way. You will read about fear, sorrow, pain, darkness, and even silly quirky thoughts that make us laugh. Mental illness is not always doom and gloom.
Mental health issue’s are not the end of the world, and while it frightens many, I have learned to find strengths I would never have known without this disorder. Hope is out there and a diagnosis does not define us. Empowerment happens when we choose to embrace what is and accept the challenge of turning something fearful or negative into a positive.
Seeking to find beauty in everything that seems ugly and unacceptable, because Beauty is a matter of perspective.
Newest Release on Amazon
Stepping Up and into RECOVERY
Recovery isn’t exclusive to drugs or alcohol, it embraces any hurt, habit, or hangup that affects our lives in a negative manner.
“We can drown in six inches of water as easily as six feet” unknown.
The fact is, if ANYTHING burdens you or affects the lives around you to a point of breaking, it matters.
Life is hard either way challenges that don’t have to be faced alone and we are here to journey into a road of recovery with you. There is hope and freedom to be found when you decide to confront the needs.
Stepping up and into Recovery is more than just a read and set down book. It’s a daily devotional allowing you time to reflect upon each step of recovery. Each month represents one step and each day a scripture supporting the step with prompts and thoughts to encourage a safe healthy recovery.
Silent recovery
Someone shared with me that it’s not safe for me to disclose my recovery journey openly. She claimed it makes me look broken and fragile.
I am NOT ashamed of my journey, and stigmas cannot be mended if everyone remains silent about their plight for survival. I don’t care how others view me, their opinions of my recovery journey are based on their individual experiences and knowledge of what it’s all about. As a people, we often have limited views and understandings of things we’ve never experienced, so it’s easy to jump to conclusions needlessly and label what is not understood as toxic or beyond.
A few things Judy IS and is NOT:
* I am Not broken… I am BUILDING
* I am NOT my diagnosis… I am DESIGNED by Christ
* I am NOT rejected… I am REDIRECTED
* I am NOT a disaster…I am DRIVEN
* I am NOT condemned… I am CHOSEN
* I am NOT flawed… I am FORGIVEN
* I am NOT lowly… I am LOVED
Silence has never helped anyone recover and only propels abuses, shame, and lies to fester and grow where eyes, hearts, and ears deny a truth. But when spoken, truth screams out in volumes.
So no, while the WORLD wants to silence me so they can feel comfortably safe… Judy is NOT and will be silent… she SPEAKS
I can’t tell you how often I hear or see something and scratch my chin thinking…. hmm?
Mumbo Jumbo… and Pondering Thoughts is a book with no rhyme or reason. You can open it anywhere and read. It’s one-to-two-page short passages simply provoke thoughts to ponder and question.
they may or may not make any sense, but that’s half the fun of the read. Sometimes we just need a moment of random silliness to still our chaotic day.
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
T
I wanted my forever
I wanted to find my forever person.
I did actually
But his forever and mine did not match.
His forever met me at “death us do part” and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
He was the first love that spoke to my heart even though I didn’t understand at age 16.
32 years later that love was reunited and a bond of friendship, love, acceptance, and peace found way into our lives.
Years, and yet a flash it seems, until he closed his eyes to life.
I’d hoped I found my forever
And maybe he was,
maybe I was his.
But forever doesn’t always last the lifetime we hope for
So if you’ve found that someone special.
Make the moments count because a breath may be taken and eyes shut to close the end of a chapter we called
Forever.
This compilation of poetry is a heartfelt reflection of the nine years she had with her last husband. Hoping to share a lifetime beyond what they had, pain creeps in when she least expects. Writing helps keep his memory alive and yet assists in healing as well. Recognizing that grief will now forever be a part of her life she hopes to enlighten feelings of love and loss that you too may feel.
Book Review:
I received your book today. How enlightening. I can see your exact moods. Looks like you’ve had quite the struggle. I also see your blessings. One of them is ✍🏼 writing. You have an acute way of inviting the reader into your world. Not only are you raising awareness but you are an advocate for Christ. You will be rewarded.
Thank you ☺️
Allyson
Book Review
INSIDE, OUTSIDE, UPSIDE DOWN (06/03/24)
Where is your favorite place to go to relax, unwind, and center on life’s issues? Who do you turn to when you're down, discouraged, or wanting a hug? What is it that brings you joy, comfort, encouragement, and peace? As I read Judy's book, INSIDE, OUTSIDE, UPSIDE, DOWN, it felt as if I was entering a quiet place! The poetry felt like the arms of a caregiver, whose embrace can carry you through one more day! It stirred up memories of the “days gone by” when life felt a little bit easier to traverse and was NOT so harsh in what it was doling out!
As I mused over the poetry which Judy was sharing, I felt as if I was being transported to one of my favorite readings in the Bible, the Book of Psalms! There was King David, being chased by an army of foes, sometimes in the depths of despair, yet clinging tenaciously to his hope in God! King David was such a comforting writer! He could be down, discouraged, and running from an entire host of enemies! And yet continuously turn to God as his source of strength and comfort!
That is what I felt as I read Judy's book! She was being vulnerable, sharing from the depths of the “hard places” in her life! And yet, in that place of being vulnerable, there came a strength and courage shining through the “cracks” of her life! At times, I could almost feel the arms of one who had struggled and conquered! “Been ‘Der! Done ‘Dat!” can be such strong words of encouragement when you know that another one has faced the same trials and yet come out victorious on the other side!
And finally, Judy told us in her introduction that this was NOT a “religious” book! But God was ever present! Me thinks of the Book of Esther from the Bible! The NAME of GOD is NOT MENTIONED ONCE! AND YET THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OF GOD SHINES THROUGH THE ENTIRE BOOK! THAT is what I experienced as I read Judy's book! Well now, she does name the name of God, because HE is the ONE who brings sanity, to all of that which was insane in her life! But her sharing about God was gentle and quiet, like a friend who accompanies you on a long walk! A favorite radio host, that I enjoy listening to, opens her program with the words, “You are loved, with an everlasting LOVE! And underneath are the EVERLASTING ARMS!” Such is the encouragement which I gain from Judy's book! Whenever I need HIM to hold me up, and to carry me through, I can be assured that God will be there, present with me!
THE END
Daniel
Poetry from a Bipolar Mind is a collection of poetry depicting the various emotions I’ve experienced through the years. Some exhibit confusion, fear, or anger, and then some reflect the silliness sometimes felt. It shares trials as well as celebrations and self-discovery.
Inside Outside, upside Down Review:
Although I struggle with clinical depression and not bipolar disorder, I see remnants of myself in these poems, and I am beginning to see where the difference between depression and bipolar begin.” - Anonymous
“For what a disability is to you, is actually an ability to me. For the moods I have that scare you, actually help me better to see. Because my emotions swing so wide, I can better understand. And while my moods may frighten you, I know they are all part of God’s plan.” - Judy Williams
Judy’s Story
Judy has three children scattered all over the United States. She and their father raised them in Las Vegas where she grew up and lived most of her life. For a brief nine years she lived in Alabama with her last husband until his death in 2018 whereby she returned to Vegas.
Feeling an academic failure she feared higher education and longed to simply be a homemaker and full time mother. But as life took a few turns she felt forced into entering the workforce. Judy took a job with the Clark County School District working nights as a custodian to save money from paying for childcare.
When her youngest was ready she decided to enter the classroom as an assistant. Her first experience was working with what at the time was designated as Severely Emotionally Challenged Children. She found herself thriving as she learned how to interact with children having special needs. She found a connection with children and while feeling inadequate academically, she knew she had a gift of inspiration, understanding, and encouragement. Through the years she worked various positions and ended her tenure with the CCSD as an Advocate in the Indian Education Opportunities Program.
Upon reflection she now realizes it was because of her own emotional battles that equipped her to better relate to her students. She understood the importance of encouragement and how one connection can change the trajectory for students just knowing someone believes in them.
Her life is not one of perfection for she has fallen in ways that shame her, yet she chooses to use the ugliness to illuminate a path to help others through their inner healings.
Her writings are far from perfect, but in imperfection beauty can be found and hope inspired. And that is her wish for you as the reader, that you too, find a sense of hope and connection to see life through a different lens.