Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Define

onestoppoetry

How do we define ourselves?
by our mistakes or
by overcoming them.
How do we define ourselves?
by our silence
or by the voice rising within.
How do we define ourselves by our hopes
or the dreams we have for others.
The crows feet
don't define me.
My external beauty
doesn't define me.
The scars of my journey define me.
Rising for my beliefs defines me.
My soul  tied to my boys defines me.
My actions define me.
My heart defines me.
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34 comments:

  1. LeslieApril 12, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    "The scars of my journey define me.
    Rising for my beliefs defines me.
    My soul tied to my boys defines me.
    My actions define me.
    My heart defines me."

    you write such good stuff.

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  2. KristiApril 12, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    I'm so glad I read this tonight ayala! I've been weary....going back to work full time & being a "single" mom since my husband has been traveling most weeks/weekends.


    The crows feet
    don't define me.
    My external beauty
    doesn't define me


    It seems as when I'm overwhelmed those crows feet and extra pounds stand out more. I know that those things don't define me but it helps to be reminded in such a beautiful way.
    Thank you.
    Be blessed~

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  3. HopeApril 12, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    awesome message beautifully expressed!

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  4. Brian MillerApril 12, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    i think it is our beliefs and values that define us...out thoughts, actions, attitudes will flow from that...but we let oh so much more define us...

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  5. StaciaApril 13, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    This is lovely. I like to think the scars of my journey define me, too. And the smiles and stops along the way.

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  6. UnknownApril 13, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    it is often too easy to let the wrong things define us. thanks for a thought-provoking read.

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  7. signed...bkmApril 13, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    defining ourselves is both comforting and ever changing...defining ourselves is so freeing...thank you...bkm

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  8. TessaApril 13, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    for the record, I adore crows feet. They are proof that your eyes have smiled for many years.
    Yes, our hearts define us, now let's try to look into each other's hearts as a way to know them.
    Lovely post, as usual.

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  9. AsobimeApril 13, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    A lovely, true and resonant poem.

    I need to read this repeatedly. We can get so lost in life.

    Lady Nyo

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  10. TALONApril 13, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I wish more people knew this to be the truth. So often the exterior gets all the attention.

    Beautiful and thoughtful, ayala.

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  11. BelindaApril 13, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    It's fascinating how we box ourselves in when there's so much joy in loosening these ever-evolving benchmarks of self-definition.

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  12. gautami tripathyApril 13, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    So true. Our heart defines us...

    finding dreams for you

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  13. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Thank you, Leslie.

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  14. Luke PraterApril 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    strong truth here. It feels like an adamant expression

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  15. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Thank you, Kristi. So nice to know this moved you!

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  16. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Thank you, Hope.

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  17. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Brian, yes so much defines us ...;)

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  18. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Stacia, the smiles are a great part of the journey :)

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  19. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Thank you, Lori.

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  20. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Thank you, Barbara.

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  21. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Thank you, Tessa :)

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  22. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Lady Nyo, it's good to remember the things that got us this far....

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  23. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Thank you, Talon.

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  24. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Belinda, there is joy in not boxing ourselves...it's also good to know that our heart is what leads us.

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  25. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Thank you, Gautami.

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  26. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Thank you, Luke.

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  27. Rhymetime(aka Pat)April 13, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Yep defintely what we value that will define
    What is believed at least in that head of mine
    Probably goes to the rest too
    From what we have learned and what comes new
    A nice read is was
    And yes I rhyme just because..lol

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  28. ayalaApril 13, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Thank you, Pat . The rhyme is cool :)

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  29. RiverApril 14, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Important, strong message :) Actually, I feel bad for the people that believe and focus on the exterior as the important proof of beauty.

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  30. ayalaApril 14, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Thank you, River.

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  31. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    That was a perfect way to define 'me'. Beautiful Ayala :)

    The scars of my journey define me.
    Rising for my beliefs defines me.

    These are powerful lines. We often tend to forget that during struggles. Thanks for reminding ! :)

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  32. ayalaApril 14, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Thank you, Sitara. :)

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  33. Molly @ Postcards from a Peaceful DivorceApril 15, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    I love this, Ayala. Identity is something I think about a lot and I really appreciate your take on it. Very inspiring.

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  34. ayalaApril 15, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Thank you, Molly.

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