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To share more about the details behind writing my book, "Love, Marriage, Divorce and Growth: A poem anthology", I recently did an interview with literary ambassador and reviewer Queenie Clem. I was very excited by the opportunity to share a bit about my journey as an indie author and to delve into the significance behind my poetry. Feel free to watch the full interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP5RDzLVRAk&t=3s
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So we are in the year 2021! So many things have changed and yet so many things still remain the same. The historical COVID-19 pandemic continues to boggle the minds of scientists and experts around the world. With the desperate hope of a vaccine on the horizon to try to combat the bewilderment this virus has wrought― Life as we knew it prior to the outbreak is a distant memory. Gone are the crowds and throngs. Gone are the festivals and large frivolous gatherings. The live spectator sporting events, crowded stadiums, concert halls and auditoriums are barren and silent. If anything, the past year has taught us that the monetary things of this world pale in comparison to the health and lives of ourselves and our loved ones. As elders often say, “You can’t take your money with you to the grave.” So as we embark on an uncertain year of 2021, let us savor the time we spend with family and at home. Let us cultivate brighter friendships and more positive connections. Walk into the new year with gratitude and humility. As my sister likes to say, “Cheers to new beginnings and the chance to keep growing and moving one step forward.” Happy New Year, everyone! © 2021 Shemique Blair  So my creative ideas have been flowing and as always, poetry and writing, are at the forefront. I have recently written a new poem entitled " A Goodbye Poem". It is inspired by the idea of saying the final goodbye. I hope the words can do such a task justice. Ending any relationship is a difficult task. Sometimes there is closure and sometimes there isn't. Either way, a final goodbye indicates the end of a thing and the beginning of a new journey. Feel free to share your own thoughts on this subject, and sign up to my YouTube channel to find more of my content. Enjoy! © 2020 Shemique Blair How exciting it is to receive a gift in the mail! Even more exciting is when you can see and hold the product of your hard work in your very own hands. Copies of my newly published poetry book, "Love, Marriage, Divorce & Growth: A poem anthology", have arrived and I am looking forward to hosting live readings and giveaways! The journey to this point has been incredible and so worthwhile. If you have something you want to pursue and you're having doubts, remember: "There is no courage without fear!" A quote taken from, (my fascination with the current Disney film), Mulan. In essence, fear is no excuse for not exploring your creativity. If you're a painter, or a writer, or an actor or an athlete...whatever your passion may be, I beseech you to be fearless in your pursuit. With a bit of hard work and initiative, anything can be achieved! © 2020 Shemique Blair  Check out my reaction video on my youtube channel below! This is the age of self publishing and indie authors! Any one can do a quick google search on 'self publishing' and be bombarded with options. I recently posted a youtube video sharing my own experience into self publishing and offer some tips and advice I took on my journey. Fear is a natural part of embarking on a new thing but fear can be overcome! If you have a deep interest or passion for writing, and if you want to be able to share your work with others--then watch my youtube video for some tips and approaches you can take. See you there! © 2020 Shemique Blair October is Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada. Discussions around mental health are becoming more and more accepted but those discussions can only happen in spaces of advocacy: where stigmas are broken down and stereotypes around mental health are challenged. As an educator I have these discussions often. I have penned a new poem to bring awareness around mental health. My new poem is titled "Six Months Ago". Enjoy! © 2020 Shemique Blair   I am extremely excited to have published my first poetry book this month of October in one of the world's most anxious and restrictive moments in human history: The global freeze of Covid-19. For some people the social distancing measures, forced self-isolation or quarantine has wreaked havoc on their personal lives, social lives and work lives. For others, this moment in history has tested the resilience of individual's capacity, creative thinking, resources, survival skills and more. Some people have started new businesses, others have taken time to rebuild relationships, others have lost relations and are battling growing anxiety and depression. Covid-19 pandemic measures continue to challenge how people view themselves, their relationship to others and the things they surround themselves with.
For myself, the isolation has encouraged a deeper introspection of what I deem important in my own life. It has forced me to take a critical view on what people and things I need in my life and what I can do without. Most importantly, throughout this pandemic I have found love, a renewed commitment to maintaining family communications, forgiveness, and new hopes and dreams I want to explore. Writing this book was definitely part of that process. I hope it inspires others to further explore their creative side and take risks. What new projects, relationships or commitments have you decided to explore or overcome despite being encumbered by the Covid-19 pandemic? © 2020 Shemique Blair  Have you ever put down something before even giving it a chance? All because of negative past experiences, perhaps? Well, that’s human nature. It’s a defense mechanism that we often use to protect ourselves from emotional or psychological hurt. Unfortunately, ascribing to such an ideology as a framework can often limit our opportunities to explore new experiences and cause us not to stretch our creative capacities. In other words, the doubt we impose upon ourselves can cause us to miss out on any personal growth needed to live more fulfilling lives. Just because, the possibility may or may not exist, is no excuse not to make an informed decision and try a new challenge or tackle a new project. The possibility of failure shouldn’t hinder our attempts to overcome but should instead encourage deeper introspection, further innovation and encourage more problem solving capabilities.
© 2020 Shemique Blair  What a powerful statement!I remember reading this statement in a book a long time ago and it has always stuck with me. I think I read it two to three times to let the words absorb and marinate on the meaning...
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