Released Expressions

Unafraid

Across the water
The distant shore,
I sent out the call
And stand firm and tall.

For in this very moment
Whatever thoughts befall
I recognize there attempts
to distract, defer, destroy, or stall.

So, repositioned to be
I'm unafraid of what I see
Open to receive
For in YOU, I believe.

Stretching forth my hand
Embracing your master plan
For in YOU, I see
The strength I daily need.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

In humility
My spirit is quieted
As I surrender and submit
To Your glory
And in that posture
Place my hope in You.

Your words have value. Never deny them their purpose to bring life and give life. Speak responsibly and realize that your words can resonate beyond your vocal.

2023 is coming to a close. It has been a year not absent of its own challenges. Finding that peace and assurance can be found in this...

Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?

There is so much to be grateful for. Just 3 years ago, we were not able to meet, greet, and connect with others in a way that we normally would. Today, life has changed significantly for many. Some for the better and others, well, let's say with every challenge, there is an opportunity.

On Thanksgiving Day, I choose to be thankful.

Today I stopped for a moment to feel my breath
And seen the scenes of life at rest
Awaken the senses as the lifetime fill the space
And experience a joy that only You can give.

I am thankful.

How solid is your foundation? What are you building on?

Some things do not need an explanation. Rather, just an act. One step forward. An act of renewing the mind.

Write something on what you see.

“One focused on being right, misses out on what is being said.”

“Every word spoken is not isolated of itself. If in doubt, ask for clarification rather than making a statement that likely is not said.”

"Every interaction that presents itself is an opportunity to master yourself. "

How straight a line
Drawn across the waves
Glistening gliter giving grace
For in the calm of a new day
My life renewed His way
And in humility pray
I am thankful for another day.

(Excerpt from In the Waiting Room)

A snap shoot of the pass prints a picture of the present and pushes you to pass the points of pain to postion into purpose.

Self care is absolutely necessary. Also, knowing that someone cares is double the efforts. Take care of yourself today. It gives room for
more care to be offered.

Today's feature photo comes to you courtesy of

Check them out and share.

Welcome to the warm weather.

Have you ever wondered why things happen the way they do? On the flip side, do you ponder what you can do as you go through?

My heart aches
In the light of this day
Thinking through the things we do
For every moment, I wonder the same
Is it true that love gives room.

All I ask is to hear Your voice
To see your smile
And touch your heart
For there is none other
That brings me joy
And satisfy my words with song.

When you can find good company, you will find exponential growth.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have met some amazing individuals over the years.

Here's the amazing thing. Some I have never met in person but one day look forward to that. Some I only get to talk with once or twice a year. And some I Engage with on a reasonable regular basis.

The key is recognizing the contribution each individual makes and appreciating the opportunity to be part of their lives.

On April 21st, I went on a 10-day journey I called "This Time". I had the journey mapped out but while I did, I wasn't sure where it would take me. However, I remain purposed to complete the journey.

Here are the takeaways:
Step out in faith
Map out the Journey
Document the journey
Stay the course
Listen attentively to the GPS (God's PurpoSe)
Rejoice Always. Pray Continually. Give Thanks in Everything.

Now while the 10-day journey might have been completed in the sense of what I had originally set out to do, there is a greater purpose that has taken shape.

Here's the final takeaway. I like to call it the bonus:
One step of faith leads to another. Keep growing in the knowledge and strength of the Lord.

Hi. My name is O Stephen and I get to help aspiring writers write with passion while finding their voice.
My vision is to Inspire Change, Sharing Stories, and Connecting Perspectives. Join me on releasedexpressions.com while we go Beyond Journeys.
from ideation to creation, we are creative experts in connecting the ...

Bonus: In Everything Give Thanks...

We have stepped into another month and mid-way into the 2nd quarter of the year. You might be wondering where is the time going. I am wondering what next am I doing?

Now "May" be, just "May" be there is something that is taking place that you are not aware of. As I map the course of my life, I recognize that something new is happening. Usually, when things seem the toughest, I know God is opening doors. However, there is a caveat to that. If He is opening a door, then you need to walk through it. Don't just stand there steering at the door.

You might have been that person, just steering at the door. Well, Its Time. This Time you will walk through the door. This time you will realize that burning you have been feeling inside and step into the place that God needs you to be.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be at this juncture in my life and I am thankful for you as you in faith make that next move. I am so excited about what is about to happen and looking forward to hearing those stories.

Day 10

It's Time
It's time to arise
It's time to be counted
It's time to realize
the deep potential inside
to no longer hide
to no longer resist
or reject but recognize
that it is time
to open up your heart
and find that deep inside
is a gem to be reached beyond
the outward and see more on the inside.
It's time.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

About this Poem
They say all good things must come to an end. I say NO! All Good Things have no end. It is time to realize, recognize and respond to the call on your life. This time I am.

It's Time was birth out of a series of relational lessons. Those lessons have been awakened and revealed to me the point of pain and the need for healing. It is in recognizing that what has been revealed can be healed.

Then there is the procrastination piece. A couple of months ago I completed the first draft of my In the Waiting Room manuscript. It has been on the shelf waiting for me to take it up and run the second draft. Then there is the saying that good things come to those who wait. Well, this time it is time. Irrespective of what stage you are in, know that It's Time is not a delay but preparation. It is time to make that mind shift and to start walking into your purpose, your mission. Lifting with your knees, rejoicing, and being glad. Recognize the fact that with this shift, fear no longer has a place to rob you of your purpose. With that posture, you can face it, and begin to rise and soar. A renewed mind does not think of yesterday but uses it to realize its tomorrow. So this time it is time to stand in the midst and be counted.

Day 09

On a Mission

Life is all about bearing fruit
growth comes through reproduction
taking what you have
and adding to it all
requires being present and standing tall.

Seeing yourself as a contributing force
making a difference in your determined course
finding the joy that it brings
and realizing your purpose as in life it springs.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

Day 08

The Power in my Knees
The burden is too heavy
The term too long
The weight beyond a feather
Everything seems to be going wrong.
Finding an answer
Seeking the way to find
Obedient to the call
For its all lifted on the cross.
Daily in faith I seek thee
Bended on my knees I bow
Lifting it all up to Jesus
For this is the way of the call
He hears our needs and sees our cry
Even before we ask
He prepares the way through it all.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

About this Poem
Have you ever tried to lift a heavy weight without bending your knees? Don't try it for you are prone to hurting your back. The power of a bended knee has in it the ability to lift weights beyond your own weight.

Face It
I've been running for a long time
And the run has been an enduring crime
Recognizing why this pace
Is now calling for me to run a brand new race.
Where renewed strength I will see
And press into the reason of my belief
For running away has no gain
Only sadness, fear and pain.
So here I am awaken a new
To a journey with the future renew
Perfectly purposed to achieve
The true meaning of You and me
No longer bound by the thoughts to run
By finding patience, strength and love
For this time I know it's true
It is Your strength that sees me through.
So face it, you are no longer bound
By the trauma of your past, surround
For it truly cannot last
As in Christ, He is removing the mask.
So here I gladly rejoice
And give thanks to the Father of choice
For today it is Him that I choose
And plant my feet to now produce.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

Beyond the cold, a sight to behold
The rays of light fill my soul
For in a day my joy is filled
When in You I rest and be still.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

Here we are. The end of another month and a quarter into 2023. At this moment, I am thankful for a number of things. However, one stands out, and one I often fail to acknowledge. The ability to think and function on my own. To have a Sunday mind and fully functional being is a blessing in itself. The question then is... go ahead and ask it.

Right now, I am thankful. Simply thankful beyond measure. So thankful I don't have words to express.

So, for the next 7 days, here's a challenge. Write at least one thing you are thankful for and share it with someone else. Then, ask them what they are thankful for?

Don't miss it or mess it up. If you scroll through life, be sure that your words have meaning and those meanings give life.

Day after me. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Poetry has been the language spoken for generations. It tells stories with a rhythm and creates a relatable passage. To all my fellow poets.

It's been a while since I wrote a piece. As I sit by the lake and look at the stars, one of my favorite things to do, I was inspired to write this poem. It's title is Under the Stars.

Under the stars I sit and wait
if it is too late
The lessons learnt I gathered a lot
Amidst the twist and turn
My silence fought to be unlocked.
Questions there are
but answers not
Seeking to find is this my lot
It's favour I seek from the Lord
So here I am waiting for the call.
The time spent I never questioned
But to understand and find new lessons
Yet my words seem to break the tie
When I now question was it a lie.

O. Stephen Peart. 2023 ©️ All rights reserved

Happy birthday

So sorry to those who like to post pictures of the food in their plate. It's time someone post a picture of the end result.

A friend shared this thought that got me thinking. Imagine this. You are on a boat. All around you are crashing waves, yet you are comfortably taking a nap and at peace. Everyone else is frantic and in fear but you are at peace and asleep without a worry in the boat. Thought I was going to say world huh ;) . That's another story.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV

There is so much in close proximity that can disturb our peace of mind. However the realization that each struggle we face is geared to enrich, encourage and help us endure. Take time to pause so that you can discover the truth that is present in the moment. (Excerpt from In the Waiting Room)

I started writing at a pivotal point in my life when words meant more than than those spoken. Writing goes beyond the spoken words and captures a deeper sense of who you are and where you are at any given point.

To write can be considered a gift. That gift when given must be received. And when received applied.

Let's write.

Capturing the scene
Covered with green?
O how I would imagine
When will it be gone.
Yesterday we thought
The fall would thaw
But tomorrow will bring
A new day with a song.




Random moments come with random

In our team meeting this morning we focused on life. On the surface a plant might seem like it is dead. However beneath the surface there is life. All it needs is ...

To see the shoreline is to see the sacrifice of nature.

Your writing journey is an opportunity to create and master inner thoughts.

When your story unfolds and the words come together, it is the journey of yesterday that no one sees. So if you are living by your doubts and fears, know that they are gone and you are here, give yourself to what is before and rest assure that God is near.

There is no other time as now, and a blessing is instored for you to live out. Give in faith and allow the seed to grow for faith finds peace and rest for more.

Choices
Life is a construct of choices. Typical there are two choices to be made. Some may say that it is not so black or white or it is not binary. Well, you have a choice to accept what it is or you don't.

There is either truth or ... no not lies but deceptions. I've come to realize that we refuse to accept the truth we seek to justify what is not true.

You have a choice to make today. What will that choice be?

Hi. My name is O Stephen and I get to help aspiring writers write with passion while finding their voice . My vision is to Inspire Change, Sharing Stories, and Connecting Perspectives. Join me on releasedexpressions.com while we go Beyond Journeys.
from ideation to creation, we are creative experts in connecting the ...

I am thankful.

When it doesn't feel like it, there is always something to be grateful for.

There is a story in every experience and every experience comes with a lesson.

Do you have a story to share?

It's been an amazing year of writing and exploring words beyond the journey. Having a sense of passion and purpose brings a joy to the craft.

Do you want to write? If you want to write gear up as the team opens up new opportunities for you in 2023. Send them a DM

There is a lot of talk about mental health, su***de and the such. As I share a piece of my journal with you I pray that this thought will touch your body, soul and spirit. Please feel free to share with someone. Let's recognize that while the world can be a harsh place, it is people that will make the difference and you can be the change in someone else's life. Stay blessed.

Hi.  My name is O Stephen and I get to help aspiring writers write with passion while finding their voice . My vision is to Inspire Change, Sharing Stories, and Connecting Perspectives. Join me on releasedexpressions.com while we go Beyond Journeys.

from ideation to creation, we are creative experts in connecting the ...