Steve Clarkson

“my hope for you
is that you greet your reflection with kind eyes.
that you never look to someone else for your belonging.
always moving from a space of worthiness,
longing for nothing of addition or subtraction”
― Danielle Doby, I Am Her Tribe

“this is why art,
my creative process,
is so important for me + my growth.

it asks of me to be willing.
am I willing to sit with
the hurt.
the healed.
the loud.
the quiet.
the yet to be spoken.
and let their stories rise up
out of me
for others to see
and read
and digest.
and form an experience of?

it is such a push + pull feeling
owning a heart
that wants to break open
and close off simultaneously.

the goosebumps.
the tingling.
the ache to run.
only confirm
what a holy act of courage it is
when we birth our art into the world.

when we risk comfort
we open up the doorway
to invite really good things
into our lives.

we begin by being willing.”
― Danielle Doby, I Am Her Tribe

“i know what it means
to have a heart
that would drown itself
for others
before the need
to surface for air”
― Danielle Doby, I Am Her Tribe

“two feet in
this year
i choose to burn my good candles
on a Tuesday at noon
just because
i choose to use the expensive lotion
the one i keep tucked safe up on the counter
not ration any of my most cherished belongings
because i am worth investing in ---right now

this year I choose to wear that thing
you know
the one I told myself I would slip on
when I looked a certain way?
I choose to love my body
this vessel I have been given
and her seasons as they shift

this year
I give myself permission to change
and keep changing
for I understand
there is an underlying truth when it comes
to becoming- it doesn't have to mirror anyone else

this year
I choose to let go
really let go
of the heavy
of the half-hearted
no more forcing connection
where it no longer lives
I choose to nourish
what's willing to grow

this year
I choose to be grateful
for the teachings of my yesterday
I honor my wholeness
when I honor my whole self- even the shaky parts

this year
I choose to step forward

clear eyes
heart open
two feet grounded

palms wide
to the all-is-possible
unknown
and new”
― Danielle Doby, I Am Her Tribe