There’s something to be said about being.
Being kind, being welcoming, being understanding, being accepting.
Letting others be allows you to be in return.
Knowing that others exist in a way you do not
and learning instead of fighting.
Not everyone will be the same way.
Not everyone will be the way you need them to be.
Not everyone will let you be.
And you don’t have to forgive them.
You don’t have to be kind when they are not.
You don’t have to adjust to what they force upon you.
You don’t have to do anything to make them feel better in their wrongness.
We are beings. That is what we are meant to do.
So be loud. Or be quiet.
Be comfortable in your being.
Be odd, be unexpected, be on the outside.
Or, if you don’t feel you can do that just yet,
be in your safety.
Allow yourself the grace you need to get through times where being is hard.
Allow yourself a break when being is too much and you need to simply exist.
There is something to be said about being.
And you don’t owe anyone those words.
The Junction Journal 
I enjoyed your writing a lot; what I got from this reading was that you should always be yourself. No one should impact how you chose to live and what decisions to make. That you should be yourself no matter what the circumstances are and whose around. These lines caught my eye the most:
What I think these lines means is that it isn’t easy always to be a human being; whether it’s being a son, daughter, mom, dad etc. and you should always give yourself time to think and reflect.
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Thank you for reading my piece Zyon! You are correct – this piece is about being who you are, if you are able to in the hostile environment that is our society. It is not easy to be authentic in a world that fights against such a thing and pushes a “status quo”. And you’re right – reflecting on one’s self and thinking is so important to personal growth and change. – Brenna
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Your writing was eloquently put and well spoken, truly an illumination. To me it almost acted as a lengthened affirmation of acceptance for yourself and others. It spoke to the ways in which we may appear for ourselves differently and to embrace every aspect of that, whether it is being in our respective peace or giving ourselves the space to do so.
Although it was not your intention, or the way that I interpreted your piece, I was reminded of the ways in which we can receive contradicting advice at times that leads to stagnant action or confusion. It’s frustrating when your being contradicts yourself. It’s frustrating when being yourself contradicts with the life you lead. Yet learning to stay focused on your path, seek guidance, and move forward towards self acceptance is crucial to leading a satisfying life: connecting with yourself and others meaningfully.
Sometimes at low points, we may know exactly what we need to do, but not have the means to get there. It’s in moments like that where, although well intended, advice may not suffice, and simply taking the time for yourself to get into that headspace will be the most beneficial thing to do.
What inspired your writing? Who do you seek advice from?
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Hello Zoe! Thank you for such a thoughtful response! I completely understand the frustration – sometimes who we are or want to be doesn’t comply with what is around us. It’s such a difficult place to be in. In those moments, we need to come back to ourselves and truly take time to be alone and find some peace, wherever and whenever we can.
As for what inspires my writing, I know the response is a common one, but other writers do. I read work from my peers, from beginner writers to seasoned ones, from New York Times Best Sellers and anonymous social media poets who just resonate with me in some way. And I seek advice from those I trust – those who truly know who I am and want me to be me, whoever that is.
Thank you again for your response, and for your interesting questions! – Brenna
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This poem explores the concept of “being” as an essential and personal journey really well. I feel that it was really well written and the author was able to express how you felt well with the readers. I agree with the points the author was making. I also think people should be proud of who they are and express themselves. People should feel comfortable being who they are and not let other people’s opinions change who they truly are. The author acknowledges the main challenge of human interaction-that not everyone may return such openness or kindness to us. At the same time, it very clearly says that we don’t have to bend ourselves to fit others’ expectations or demands. I really resonate with the line “And you don’t have to forgive them.” because I feel like if anyone apologizes to me, I’ll immediately forgive them. Sometimes I forget that you don’t need to forgive somebody andI feel guilty not forgiving them. I hope more people read your poem and take your advice. At the end it highlights how we don’t owe anyone validation or our emotions.
How do you define “being” in your own life? What message do you hope readers take away from your poem? What do you think makes it hard for people to simply exist sometimes?
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Hello Humna! Thank you for your comment. In my own life, being has not always been easy. I’ve fought it a lot. So really, in my experience, being is taking each minute as it comes and acting as authentically as I can in that moment.
As for readers of my poem, I hope they take away what you did – that you don’t have to forgive someone for something that hurt you. That the specific guilt you feel for not forgiving is important to process, but that doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You are a person with valid emotions and experiences. When someone apologizes, that’s great! But if you don’t want to forgive them or they don’t deserve that forgiveness, it’s okay and important to choose yourself first.
And finally, your third question is one I could talk about for ages, but I’ll just say this; the world can be a kind place, but it can also be an incredibly hostile one. It is made of love, but it is also made of pain. Existing is a mixture of both, and sometimes one takes precedence over the other. As a result, not only should we be kind to others, we should be kind to ourselves.
Thank you again! I really enjoyed your response and answering your questions. – Brenna
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Hello Brenna!
This blog spoke to me because your message puts in honest truth of being yourself and approving who you are meant to be. The approach you made of accepting yourself is what matters the most in the world. Sometimes you want to change for certain of people but you shouldn’t because like you quoted, “We are beings” and that’s what each of us is, just regular people being ourselves and not doing the need to change. The quote that stood out to me was, “You don’t have to be kind when they are not.” This resonated with me because when I was younger, I have always been kind to people. I didn’t get the same treatment which made me feel a type of way but I ignored it. But as I was growing up and realizing that things aren’t supposed to be like that, I decided that I shouldn’t give the pleasure to those who don’t show the same respect like I did.
Reading your blog gave me a better perspective of what I thought when I was younger and I’m glad it helped me see the true meaning behind it.
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Hello Alexa! Thank you for commenting on and reading my piece. I’m so glad I was able to help give you some perspective, but even more glad you began to chose yourself and put yourself first above others who didn’t treat you as well as you treated them. It is important to be kind of course, but also important to have respect for yourself and know what you deserve. – Brenna
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Your writing as your title suggested is about the concept of “being” which is to be yourself. People should be proud of themselves for who they are and not let other people’s opinion change that. Don’t let other people’s opinion influence change how you want to live your life.
“Not everyone will be the same way. Not everyone will be the way you need them to be.”
This line stands out to me, I think it means everyone is unique in their own way and that is what make yourself so special and why you should be yourself. Which connect to the second part of how people won’t act how you want them to be. What this made me think of is people trying to force their opinion or agenda on others people which isn’t how the world work.
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Hello Maohan! Thank you for reading my piece and leaving a comment. Your interpretation of that line is correct. The first sentence does speak to this idea of everyone being unique and different in who they are. The second sentence talks about the fact that some people you meet are not meant for you – they may not treat you right, understand you, or be the person you need at that moment. In those instances, choosing yourself is the most important thing. Thank you again for reading! – Brenna
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Brenna this blog was amazing it really spoke to me in a loud reassurance tone . This poem might’ve of been short but it did have a lot to say and I feel like its a poem that can enjoyed throughout many ages especially the younger people too like teens who are in high school that are struggling to fit in there school . But I would also say it identifies with me because I am in my first year of college at BC and it a whole new territory there’s lots to learn and it obviously isn’t too easy to make friends when everyone around you is now an adult and all everyone wants to do is graduate and have a career. This poem is also a reminder that we are all unique and we shouldn’t hold the people around us to certain standards because we’re all unique and special . This quote “Be comfortable in your being. Be odd, be unexpected, be on the outside.” spoke to me because theres moments in life where we can be drowning in school and work and more but we got to live on the outside , at the end of the day we only live once so we have to live to the fullest and make every moment count we should be making memories and to live with zero regrets.
I would also say the “Allow yourself a break when being is too much and you need to simply exist.” I’ve learned a lot recently on facing on your mental health maybe you just need some quiet to sit with your own thoughts , or read a book , or to go for a walk . We should all reflect on what we need in order to breathe and have some peace In quiet . For me personally I just need some time in silence so I can just reflect on my thoughts and write them down too .
One thing I would like to ask you is have you ever struggled with “begin” or belonging somewhere and if yes how did you reassure yourself in that situation ? Also I would like to know if theres a specific author that you read poetry from that inspires you to like them?
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Hello Karen! Thank you for reading my piece and leaving a comment! I hope your first year at BC is going well – it flies by! Take it from someone in their last semester. There is absolutely so much to learn and experience and do in college, but you’re right; mental health is most important. You can’t do anything without taking care of yourself first. You can’t pour from an empty cup. And your sentence about making friends really stands out to me – it is really hard. I’ve struggled with it myself. Just know that putting yourself out there and connecting with others will pay off in one way or another. The life we’re living now is the only one we get, unless you believe in reincarnation – but even then, this life is unique. You deserve to make it what you want.
For your questions, I have absolutely struggled in certain places to be who I really am. When it came to reassuring myself, it took some advice and guidance from others that I trusted, and eventually I began to internalize it. Instead of the reassurance being others’ voices, it became mine. And sometimes, if there weren’t people to speak to, books and words became that which guided me. As for specific authors, I adore many. But when it comes to poetry, Richard Siken, Amanda Lovelace, and my fellow interns are just a few that inspire me.
Thank you again. It was wonderful to read your comment. – Brenna
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