Kern Carter's Blog, page 111
August 26, 2021
Improve Your Moment: How DBT Spurs Mindfulness & Creativity
DBT teaches me to enjoy each moment as it comes while also inspiring my creativity
Trying not to be Part of the Noise
On my year anniversary as a freelance writer on Upwork, I am struggling with the platform and myself.
August 25, 2021
Call for Poetry Submissions—Your Blessing Has Arrived. Now What?
Photo by Jon Tyson on UnsplashI’ve been in love with the song, ‘Benediction’ by August Alsina since I was about 15 years old. In his astounding and almost magical singing voice, he tells the story of losing his brother to violence and moving from a dark place of doing anything to survive to find higher ground, a place he always dreamed of.
The line I love most is:
“We were down from the beginning when the world wasn’t listening. Now that I got your attention, let us end with a benediction.”
Benediction is basically asking for Divine help — from whomever you believe in — speaking that blessing over yourself, and considering your blessing received.
All of us who have struggled hold a firm picture of what our benediction would look like.
It’s a blessing that could change our lives.
Heal our souls.
And help us become our best selves.
So, what would your benediction look like?
What would it do for your life?
And more importantly—what’s happens after you receive it?
A few new rules:Keep your submission to ~ 350 words max.Format the poem as it is meant to be readMake sure to put the “poetry” tag on your storyFocus on clarity — make sure your piece has a clear premise and takeawayThe same rules still apply:You can submit to this or ANY of our past writing prompts. Just scroll through our previous newsletters. They’ll be marked “Call for Submissions.”If you’re already a writer for CRY, go ahead and submit.If you’re not a writer for CRY but would like to submit to this or any other prompt, let us know and we’ll add you ASAP. Include your profile handle in your message or comment.Be as creative as you want in your submissions. As long as you stick to the topic, we’ll consider it.Just because you submit doesn’t mean we’ll post. If you haven’t heard back from us in three days, consider that a pass.Please reach out if you have any questions at all. If you are new to Medium, here’s how you submit a draft to a publication.
Call for Poetry Submissions—Your Blessing Has Arrived. Now What? was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
August 24, 2021
To Mind My Own Business.
Listen, if you never want to go unemployed.
Photo by Zane Lee on UnsplashI have been a good employee. I have my start-up. I started working at the early age of 15. My business idea developed when I observed myself thinking about others. In 10th grade, while I was writing a slambook, I was asked to name one quality I do not like about myself. I wrote Being Judgemental. I decided to change that, and that was the moment I found my first job.
When my best friend got into a relationship, I thought we were too young at that time. She wanted my opinion about the guy she dated. I craved to judge her. I wished she concentrated on her studies instead of guys. But then I reminded myself I was at work. I thought I had to understand her. So I did what a good employee does; I obeyed what was right. I did not judge her when they dated and when they broke up.
I lived in a joint family for 20 years of my life. It is common in my culture. We were 11 people living under one roof, I was happy. One day my mom and dad decided to move out due to some issues they had. I was shocked as I did not see that coming. I was under the assumption that everyone was happy together. Maybe I was wrong. We moved out. I was shattered and angry. It was difficult for me not to miss my grandparents, uncle, aunt, and cousins. They all were my friends and guardians. I judged my parents. I concluded them to be greedy and bad decision-makers. I had failed in my job this time, I judged my parents too soon here.
I think exercise is a must. And healthy food choices are smart choices. For years I judged people for not being like me. I thought people who ignore physical health are lazy and dumb. Then something happened which made me realize that life gives different experiences to everyone.
My mental health deteriorated. I was unable to do most things I loved before. I had put on weight due to a bad routine. This experience taught me something important; I am no one to judge anyone who is unhealthy, healthy, or whatever they are. They are going on their path, feeling something inside them no one can know, experiencing things no one can understand other than themselves. It is their choice, and only their choice. So my second job was, To mind my own business. This time I had failed again only to understand what I was doing wrong. I had no empathy towards them.
I had two jobs now. One- not to judge others and two- to be empathic. As I grew, I realized how important it was to be empathetic towards everyone.
“ Empathy begins with understanding life from another person’s perspective. Nobody has an objective experience of reality. It’s all through our own individual prisms”, Sterling K. Brown
There are people in my close circle struggling with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease. My work at my start-up has helped me understand them better. Awareness is necessary to practice empathy. We can manage mental disorders only when we are aware of them and allow people to express themselves.
Different societies have different standards of beauty. We often listen to comparisons based on those beauty standards. Even life choices are a matter of discussion for many. People talk if a woman is a single mother, divorced, or if she remarries. They gossip about her choice of never wanting to get married or never having a kid. People talk if a man expresses himself, cries when he feels hurt, or wants to put on some make-up. When I make these observations now, I know my lifelong job. I will not judge people for their life choices. I will try to understand their feelings and talk about their experiences.
My work is to make it easier for everyone to live in this world, to believe in the power of self-expression. My task is to support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, to let people fight for their rights or their beliefs, help the disadvantaged. My work is to be a person who does not hinder any community’s growth. My duty is to protect my environment.
I will fail a few times, lose hope sometimes. But I know my work is crucial. It is the right thing to do. Hence, I will continue to improve at my work and help others to do it too. Would you like to be an employee in my start-up? Your job description will be- To mind your own business.
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To Mind My Own Business. was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
August 23, 2021
Call For Submissions — Your Responsibility As A Writer
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Medium, websites, publications; every day, writers are sharing stories on multiple platforms to eager audiences. These audiences are trusting (for the most part) that you will either entertain them or lead them to some sort of truth, or at least open their mind to possibilities and perspectives they haven’t considered.
This is true for all artists, but there’s something about the written word that gives it an air of authority more intricate than other forms of art. We believe something we read more intensely and with less friction than something we listen to or must interpret visually.
That kind of trust comes with a huge responsibility, or does it? As a writer, do you feel responsible to your audience? Do you write to please yourself or do you feel the pressure of having to deliver something that your readers will appreciate and connect with? Do you ever fear that one of your opinions or creative expressions may deviate from what your audience approves of? Or the opposite; do you feel like you’re constantly writing about the same topic and worry that if you write about something else, no one will listen or care?
What do you believe is your responsibility as a writer? You can take this in any direction you want. Go off!
Same rules still apply:You can submit to this or ANY of our past writing prompts. Just scroll through our previous newsletters. They’ll be marked “Call for Submissions.”If you’re already a writer for CRY, go ahead and submit.If you’re not a writer for CRY but would like to submit to this or any other prompt, let us know and we’ll add you ASAP. Include your profile handle in your message or comment.Be as creative as you want in your submissions. As long as you stick to the topic, we’ll consider it.Just because you submit doesn’t mean we’ll post. If you haven’t heard back from us in three days, consider that a pass.Please reach out if you have any questions at all. If you are new to Medium, here’s how you submit a draft to a publication.
Call For Submissions — Your Responsibility As A Writer was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
August 22, 2021
Universe Are You Listening?
Universe are you listening?
I wish I didn’t feel so scared
Help me get rid of these anxious feelings
So that I can better be prepared
Universe are you listening?
I’m tired of what people say
That I’m too quiet and too weird
It’s hard to even get through my day
Universe are you listening?
I wish that others could see
That it’s okay to be different
And that there are others like me
Universe are you listening?
Thank you for creating me
Despite my flaws and awkwardness
I’m genuinely happy to feel free
Universe Are You Listening? was originally published in CRY Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
