poem ~ Life's Choices

It's another week
with choices upon me,
How I live in the moment
and let decisions define it.

To live in the space of fear, 
shame, guilt and regret, 
Or to find peace and love
in forgiveness and letting go of it.

To believe that I can
choose exactly what I want,
Knowing this life that I live
is ultimately mine to dream and create. 

To stay stuck in the past
or afraid of the future,
Doesn't give me the energy 
to live with a purpose.

To have the ultimate 
of everything here,
Requires that I approach 
all things with vulnerability near.

To stay focused on courage 
and the connection it brings,
When I'm living and thriving 
in the simplicity of the strength it brings.

The choice to be better
or stay in the box, 
Of living in freedom
or all the should and should not's.

The option to choose
faith, hope and love,
Requires me to be patient
and continually move.

The foundation of all
must begin in the spot,
Of looking through the lens
with gratitude a lot.

Just do the next best thing
in what is before you,
Believing with your heart
that this is the purpose for you.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #LifesChoices #ThePowerOfChoice #CreateTheLifeYouWant 

poems ~ questions

Some days you question
everything that doesn't have answers. 

Some days you wonder 
how to search for the answers. 

Some days the answers 
find themselves. 

Some days the answers 
stay hidden on the shelves.

Some days your focus
is on just asking the questions. 

Some days your motive
is to eliminate the questions. 

Some days you ask
what's the benefit in questions. 

Some days you ponder
what would happen if there weren't any questions. 

Some days the questions 
make life easier. 

Some days the questions 
make life harder.

Some days you don't know 
which of the above is true.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #Questions

poem ~ why do you

Why do you cling,
to the things that break you the most?

Why do you hold a grudge,
when you've been given the freedom note?

Why do you run,
from the chance of having hope?

Why do you think pain,
is something you can avoid like a ghost?

Why do you hold back love,
from the person who wants it the most?

Why do you believe,
things won't get better?

Why do you stay,
in the negative mindset gutter?

Why do you live,
as if you have no choice?

Why do you stay in fear,
when regret is all you hear?

Why do you go on,
doing things that you hate?

Why do you feel,
that you cannot heal?

Why do you make promises,
that you have no intentions to keep?

Why do you live in chains,
when no benefit remains?

Why do you keep the padlock,
when you hold the key?

Why do you walk by,
even though there is a gate?

Why don't you leave it all,
at Jesus feet?


© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #WhyDoYou #Reflections #CreateTheLifeYouWant

poem ~ open your heart

Open your heart 
and make it new,
For deep inside
is a beautiful you!

Open your heart
and be vulnerable too,
For this is when
connection is true.

Open your heart 
and break the walls down, 
For in this is where
true freedom is found.

Open your heart
and show what's inside,
For the beauty that's hidden
is the you that resides.

Open your heart
and feel everything there, 
For this is where 
understanding and connection flare.

Open your heart
and believe it is true, 
For I want to know 
more about the real you.

© Misty W Gilbert

Photo By: @mistywgilbert at The Bluffs in Pismo Beach, California in April 2017

#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #OpenYourHeart #HeartOfLove #HeartPioneers #ThePowerOfChoice #CreateTheLifeYouWant

poem ~ let me

When my heart is hurting
and I don't know what to do,
Let me dig deeper
into you.

When the pain is so great 
and I don't know how much more I can take,
Let me open up my soul
for you provide healing in the hole.

When it seems I've been abandoned
even in the moment,
Let me believe
that there is much more then I can see.

When I'm struggling
to figure out the path, 
Let me be brave 
in my pursuit of happiness. 

When I am anxious
and ultimately want the best,
Let me have more faith 
and just trust you in it.

When I don't know what to do
to get out of my mess,
Let me remember that there is more obtained
in acceptance than resistance. 

When I'm lost
and can't find the answers,
Let me continue to walk on anyways
for you know which way I should go.

When I am confused
and nothing adds up,
Let me take a deep breath 
and simply look up.

When I've been left in the dust
by every wanna be Friend or soul Friend,
Let me not become bitter or resentful 
but love more and continue on to be fruitful.

© Misty W Gilbert and PHOTO By: @mistywgilbert 
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #LetMe #ThePowerOfChoice #BeBrave #BeCouragous #BeGenerous #BeLoving

poem ~ why do you

What are you fighting
down deep in your heart?
When all that you want
is a fresh new start. 

Why do you think 
running from pain will cure you?
When the key to the pain
is to let it work through you.

Why do you feel
you're not gonna make it?
When all that you've been asked
is to just not fake it.

Why don't you believe
that it will all work out?
When if you looked back on your life
you wouldn't have any doubts.

Why do you pretend
that you don't even care? 
When if you looked deeper
there still is love there.

Why do you do
the very things you despise?
When if you had a little more grace
it all might be easier to take.

What will it take
to get you to see?
For to have faith means
you believe in a vision yet to be.



© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #WhyDoYou #ThePowerOfChoice #Reflections

poem ~ today

Today, 
I ask you to be bold,
to be present 
in what matters most,
to your heart. 

Today,
I ask you to have courage,
to do what you think you can't 
and press on,
just doing the next best thing.

Today,
I ask you to have patience,
when things aren't going as planned
for in this moment you can choose,
to not let it ruin your outlook. 

Today,
I ask you to have hope,
in the midst of your pain 
and challenges,
to believe that it's all working out for your good.

Today,
I ask you to have peace,
in the negative circumstances 
and in the face of your enemies,
because God is with you.

Today, 
I ask you to love,
all those that have hurt you
and spitefully used you,
forgive them for they know not what they do.

Today,
I ask you to be generous, 
with your time, energy and money
for when you do,
you being life to those around you.



© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #Today #BeCouragous #BeGenerous #BeLoving

poem ~ restored hearts

You'll never understand 
what hurt someone so,
But it's a choice to walk away
or to let them know.

The silent pain you bare
can never be recovered, 
Unless vulnerability they share 
to the heart that really cared.

Don't live in a space 
of pain deep in your soul,
When restoration 
is in your complete control.

Live from the knowledge
in the hurt that you feel,
You can always bring healing
to the wounds that are real.

No matter the route
someone else takes,
Believe in this moment 
true love has full benefits.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #RelationshipsMatter #RestoredHearts #HeartOfLove

poem ~ need to hustle

I've been told I need to hustle 
every day of my life,
To fulfill the promise
and the calling on my God given life.

I've been told I need to hustle
working hard to make it happen, 
In everything I have to do
to be connected to what's most true.

I've been told I need to hustle
and be like the ant,
Whose constantly busy working
just to make ends meet met.

I've been told I need to hustle 
to make an impact here,
But the daily grind to do more
makes life feel like it's a chore.

I've been told I need to hustle
to make a difference here,
As if hustling to get ahead 
is gonna make me feel fulfilled instead.

I've been told I need to hustle
to get ahead in life,
But as I study Jesus path
it makes me think about this twice.

I've been told I need to hustle
and work myself to the bone,
Yet when I study the principles of success
I don't find this to be the grand slam home.

I've been told I need to hustle
yet when simple disciplines you set,
More is greatly accomplished 
when work life balance you establish.

I've been told I need to hustle 
for there isn't enough time,
I find this feeds discontent 
and more of the scarcity mindset.

I've been told I need to hustle
and produce more from the core,
That what I'm doing isn't enough 
and that there's more benefits in more.

I've been told I need to hustle 
and I've kept this on repeat,
Until I've become so exhausted
I have no desire to doing a thing but sleep.

I've been told I need to hustle
but I see life has much more, 
When I live in the space of less
I find contentment galore.

I've been told I need to hustle 
yet when I stop and look,
I see the beauty in each day
when my heart in touch I stay.

I've been told I need to hustle 
yet I promise you its not true,
For the achievement in life
doesn't come by all you do.

I've been told I need to hustle 
to live a life that's complete,
But I'm seeking something different
to intentionally just live and be me.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #NeedToHustle #NotOrdinary #NoFear #CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally

poem ~ the battle of vulnerability

The battle of vulnerability 
is that some will always see
it as a flaw in me.

The battle of vulnerability 
is to reflect on my most inner part
of the matters of the heart. 

The battle of vulnerability 
is to let someone in
and not let secrets win.

The battle of vulnerability 
is to let others see
how truly normal they be.

The battle of vulnerability 
is ultimately to give hope
beyond all you believe to see.

The battle of vulnerability 
is to love and accept
and let them choose to connect.

The battle of vulnerability 
is some will completely be touched
while for others it will be too much.

The battle of vulnerability 
may change your perspective of me
even in my imperfect so perfect personality.

The battle of vulnerability 
is something you must choose even more
but no one can make you walk thru that door.

The battle of vulnerability 
may seem contrary to life
yet it creates a connection in flight.

The battle of vulnerability 
always enlightens me
when I least expect it to heal me.

The battle of vulnerability 
will forever be with thee
but it's a choice to stay limited or free.



© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #TheBattleOfVulnerability #BeBrave #Vulnerability #Authenticity

results of being unplugged on vacation...

1st day back to "the office"...here is what is changing from my 6 Days unplugged:

- new writing routine set with my Accountability Writing Buddy that I am beginning today which includes to write a Poem every day as I set forth 01.01.2017, I have 3 days set to write on my book and 3 days to work on the university program each week.

- will be canceling all participation as a Volunteer in all Charity Functions except one, the Minimalist.org: Dallas Local Meetup Group that I lead for the guys of The Minimalists because I believe this provides the most value out of all the ones I do and I touch the most / more lives in this then any of the other monthly and weekly things I have done. Oh, and I will keep my Charity Clients, currently have 3 of them but I am going to make sure they aren't more then 10% of my Client base. I have been out of balance in this with about 40% of my work being done for Charity, for years.

- will be converting to a 4 day work week...I set this goal back in 2014, it is time to make it happen and quit procrastinating.

- will complete the program I am writing for a university this month.

- put the deposit down on #2017VacationNumberTwo for July 2017, another Beach House, this time in South Padre Island

- will resume my VLOGs two times a week, on Tuesday's and Thursday's / Friday's depending on Client sessions because those days rotate, starting this week.

- will be moving my branding from my DBA that I have had since June 2004 to my LLC that was formed June 2013.

- will be doing more work on myself to embrace where I am, my message, the differences I have and who God has called me to be in fulfilling my calling and all that that entails.

- and more as I get clarity on a few remaining items from my time away at the Beach House with Jesus!
#CreateTheLifeYouWant #LiveIntentionally #ThePowerOfChoice #2017Goals #Enterpreneurship #RealLifeExamples

Prayer 04.30.2017

Dear Lord,

Tonight as we begin another week, I ask you to remove all fear. To help bring clarity, focus, and wisdom to the circumstances of life. 

I ask for a greater revelation of truth, strength, and faith. I ask you to help us find more ways for unity and victory. 

Help us to claim the power you give us. Help us to follow through on our commitment to love in everything. To not shut people out. To be an extension of your arms and feet. To be willing to grow deeper in our walk with you.

I pray this in your most loving, caring, and loving name, AMEN! 
#Pray #PrayForOneAnother #PrayerChangesLives #PrayerWarriors #FerventPrayer #ShareInEachOthersLives

poem ~ dearest friend

Today
as you sit in your pain
with a life of regret
I hope that you know
there is another option you can go.

Today
as the pain consumes your heart
know that the rain has to come
for the blossoms to grow
and the beauty to show.

Today
as you reflect on your life
I hope that you'll stop
and just take a deep breath and think
really think hard about this twice.

Today
no matter what you choose
I know that your heart longs
to be accepted and loved
fully able to live a life completely set free.

Today
please don't live in regret
or die with fear deep in your heart
because life has so much more
truly abundantly in store.

Today
you've got a clean slate before you
to live an incredible life
of sweet meaning and forever in hope
through every mountain or valley you're in.

Today
the choice is yours
to create the life that you want to live
and intentionally pursue happiness
and everything that's beautiful and true.

Today
I want you to know
that wherever your path takes you and you go
you've got friends that love you
and want the best for ya.

Today
don't ever remotely forget
no matter what happens
there is always one that is with you
who goes before you and walks right with you.

© Misty W Gilbert
Photo By: @mistywgilbert taken in Cayucos, California in April 2017
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #DearestFriend #ThePowerOfChoice #PainIsAGift

never tire of doing good

Each person has his or her own burden to bear and story to write. 

May we never tire of doing what is good and right for we shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist. 

So seize any opportunity the Lord gives you to do good things and be a blessing to everyone.

Poem Written By: @mistywgilbert
Photo Taken By: @mistywgilbert in Pismo Beach, California April 2017
#2017VacationNumberOne #VacationAtTheBeach #BeachBum #EnjoyTheJourney #BeAnOvercomer

poem ~ the pain that you keep

The pain that you hold
so tight in your grasp,
is a long lonely road
with misery that lasts.

The pain that controls you
is from deep within,
its promise is truly
a negative friend.

The pain that you keep
attached to your heart,
doesn't allow you to have
a fresh new start.

The pain that you give
out from your bleeding heart,
doesn't allow you to live
in the most healing parts.

The pain is a sign
to help you to see,
that you aren't fine
if you continue to just be.

The pain that you have
is a chance to grow you,
beyond the intensity
and compassion to show too.

The pain that you feel
is deeply hurtful to know,
but if you let it perfect you
forgiveness will flow.

© Misty W Gilbert and Photo Taken By: @mistywgilbert in Pismo Beach, California April 2017
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice  #ThePainThatYouKeep #PainIsAGift #ThePowerOfChoice

poem ~ memory lane

The journey down memory lane
brings memories gallore,
When you walk through an open door
you'll find there's always more.

I drove by the place we used to live
on La Entrada Avenue, 
The house was just as I remembered it
on the hill with quite the view.

I reminisced about some memories there
until I was just eight, 
It's weird how some things seem like yesterday 
even though I'm 40 to date.

Yesterday I got to tour
the school of Bishops Peak,
Where I spent first through third grade
until we moved to the desert heat.

The walk to school seemed so long
when I was just just a child then,
Yet to look at it today
it's strange how your perspective is.

The principal heard my discussion
with one of the Office Staff,
And showed me where the yearbooks were
in a cupboard in the back.

I got to locate the details
of stuff about my school,
And see the pictures of my class
when I was young and just learning in school.

I got to share with various ones 
the things that looked the same,
And inquire about the teachers
who I'm sure don't remember my name.

I then drove to find my Dad's work
and stopped in to say hi,
Of course the receptionist was kind
but didn't know my Dad from back in time.

It's crazy to think about the moments there
for growing up my life was hard,
It's been cool to travel down this way 
yet it makes me feel old to study long ago days.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #MemoryLane 

poem ~ everyone wants

Everyone wants freedom
yet most won't do the work,
To release them from the baggage
of bonds that deeply hurt.

Everyone wants to have
a life of no regrets,
But to have these results is easy
when you believe and don't fret.

Everyone wants to be
released from all the boxes that we make,
To keep one from enjoying their life
that was not meant to be fake.

Everyone wants to fly
high above the waves of life,
Yet a battle still remains
as you ride the current in the sky.

Everyone wants to be loved
and accepted for who they are,
The choice to be a ripple effect
and love like pure water is not hard.

Everyone wants so many things
yet all are within their grasp,
Because God made you powerful
with your own will to connect.

Everyone wants to be given
renewed hope today,
But the choice is yours in how you live
in spite of all your scars along the way.

© Misty W Gilbert and Photo Taken By: @mistywgilbert in Cayucos, California April 2017
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice   #EveryoneWants #ThePowerOfChoice

poem ~ a walk through rejection

I tried to walk a mile
on down the beach today,
But my heart was grieving 
in its very own special way.

You see I've been on a Journey
to learn once again,
The meaning and lessons there are
from the people who wound your heart.

We all have our triggers
and things that hurt deep,
Sometimes it's not easy
to quit playing it on repeat.

But today as I look back
on my courageous journey thus far,
I can't help with gratitude remember 
the numerous blessings that there are.

My life is not perfect
though it might seem so from your view,
That I've got it all figured out
in spite of the hurtful things I've been through.

The choice to stay positive 
some days feels like just a game,
Yet I promise you it's more
of a way through the pain.

I wish I could explain 
why people hurt you so,
But I believe in my heart
that every person must do their part.

You can't make all the people
who say they love you so,
To actually work through the problems
and face them as you go.

For many will alternatively choose
to simply run away and hide,
Explaining they have every right
and set boundaries to block all sides.

You may never get the answers
as you seek forgiveness yet,
But the option is only yours
to live a life with or without regret.

Don't let one person ruin your core
or two, or three, or even four,
For true friends won't abandon you
they'll love you even more.

Some days it will be hard to see
why all this is happening for me,
But when I live in love and grace
I can see His perfect plan taking place.

Today I release this Friend of mine
knowing I've got bigger mountains to climb,
Though I still wish you'ld walk this journey with me
I respect the fearful state you've chosen to be.

I will continue to pray for you dear
for I believe in you and your mission there,
But I choose no longer to let you rip my heart
and begin today with a fresh new start.

I forgive you for deeply hurting me
but for one another I'll still be,
For I know completely once again
authentic love and friendship will never fail or end.

© Misty W Gilbert
Photos Taken By: @mistywgilbert in Cayucos, California April 2017
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #AWalkThroughRejection

poem ~ vacation at the beach

The door is wide open
to let in the ocean breeze,
and listen to the endless waves
as they crash along the beach.

I sit here in my comfy chair
with pen and paper to write,
poems about life's beautiful things
with additional lines to recite.

The time is passing quickly here
but I promise I'm loving every moment,
as I treasure this quiet time alone
to reflect and rest in this beach home.

I can't tell you what this view is like
sometimes it doesn't seem real,
that I'm getting to sit here and take it in
for its gorgeous and such a heavenly feel.

© Misty W Gilbert
Photo Taken By:@mistywgilbert at Journeys End in Cayucos, California April 2017
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice   #IAmAWriter #LoveMyLife #VacationAtTheBeach

poem ~ God Is Bigger

As I sat on the airplane
I caught you looking at my hand,
I wondered what you were thinking
with that far-away look that you had.

Perplexed I could see
and I thought about what it could be,
see little did you know
sometimes there's still that fear residing in me.

16 years I wore it
this band on my left hand,
to prevent access to my heart
from any advances of a man.

Some days it's very easy
to face all my fears,
other times it takes courage
to stop the story that brings tears.

So little do you know
as you stared there at me,
all the emotions you triggered
down deep inside of me.

I'm glad you finally asked
what Mark 10:27 meant,
for the bracelet I wear
is God's bigger than all of it.

Your eyes conveyed a longing
and deep desire for Hope,
my response wasn't what you expected
and it left you puzzled - no joke.

You sat back and tried
to absorb what I just said,
yet your heart already forgot
the verse I had just read.

So you asked me again
what did it say?
To which I responded
why don't you just take this today?

You quickly told me
oh no, it's just fine,
I just want to read it
when I have the time.

But I wouldn't let you
not have this bracelet of mine,
because I know the impact it has had
on my daily life each time.

Yes I wear it
every single day of the year,
because I need to be reminded
my God Is Bigger then all my cares.

There once was a time
I would have not given you that,
but I've seen the value that comes
from a ripple effect.

So today I am thankful
for the impact I made,
I only pray you'll come to know God
in a very special way.

No matter if you do or you don't
I know your heart was deeply touched,
by the impact of the thought
that with God all things are possible brought.

And no I didn't even ask you your name
I count it as a blessing just the same,
for the reminder to me that we are
ever connected even worlds apart.

And if by chance on this day
you actually connected to God in your own way,
I'll simply count it as one of my grateful moments
as we all have a choice in a pay-it-forward focus.

For each and everyone I will pray
that love you'll have and in the good fight stay,
please never lose your hope each day
for all things are possible with God and Faith.

© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #GodIsBigger #RealLifeExamples #TheLifeOfMisty #GodMoments

poem ~ a Day at the Beach

A Day at the Beach
what a retreat,
To run away from life
and unplug for a beat.

A Day at the Beach
how calming it is,
To release all the tension
of this Entrepreneurship biz.

A Day at the Beach
with toes in the sand,
Escaping all the stress
of everyday life demands.

A Day at the Beach
always restores my soul,
To listen to the waves
as they continually roar.

A Day at the Beach
oh the smell of fresh air,
And to feel the salt soften
my dark curly hair.

A Day at the Beach,
I tell you it's neat,
All the things that you see
as you walk every few feet.

A Day at the Beach
with a sunset to view,
It's beauty I tell you
is phenomenal it's true.

A Day at the Beach
the water so blue,
My mind gets completely lost
as I study it's hues.

A Day at the Beach
to see all its power,
To capture it's beauty
as it changes by the hour.

A Day at the Beach
goes by so quickly,
I wish I could live here
for the benefits are plenty.

A Day at the Beach
how amazingly sweet.
I tell you it is
my absolutely favorite retreat.


© Misty W Gilbert
#Poems #AuthorLife #MistyWGilbert #TheSassyVoice #ADayAtTheBeach #Cayucos #JourneysEnd