Beauty defined…

Her outward

appearance

does not define

her worth,

for she has

the ability to

see beneath

the surface to

the foundation

of her inner

strength.

She draws

wisdom,

from this

place within,

deciphering

truth from lies,

trading insecurities

for her crown

of beauty,

and upholding

hope over defeat.

~ denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

**Art credit: @artbybriahna https://www.artbybri.com/

No longer held captive by…depression

It laid itself dormant amongst the

barriers of her heart,

the longing, in a hungry pursuit

of this illusion for happiness.

the place where she wrapped

herself in temporary moments

by filling each need with the status quo ego.

this perfect appearance

portrayed itself amongst the

imperfect deception.

but then,

in the most inconspicuous places

she found her Joy,

and as she engrossed herself,

she found this treasure

to be a gift,

and promised to never let it go.

In your presence is fullness of Joy- Psalm 16:11

~ denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

No longer held captive by…shame

Every troubled heart

cries out to this earth for its relief,

but searching there alone,

won’t bring you peace.

Like moths to a flame,

disoriented by failed attempts to fill

your brokenness with good deeds.

This yearning for wholeness,

and the unending need

for acceptance,

can’t be found,

in the hands of others.

Free yourself from the weight of the

tattered alabaster box,

and receive the gift of significance.

~denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

Why…I’m No longer held captive.

No longer held captive comes from the concept of freeing yourself from any and everything that no longer honors you. And many…many times…that includes self sabotage 🙋🏽‍♀️. No longer believing the lies that I believed about myself.

The lies that I coveted, that if I held onto these things long enough, that I would receive an award for the “woman of the year” for the one who could who hold onto the damaging affects of the abuse that happened to her as a child or hold onto the shame of relationship betrayal and the gut wrenching pain of rebuilding a rocky marriage.

The 30lb weight gain that makes me miserable because of a chronic illness diagnosis & medication. The previous years of yo-yo dieting and portraying the face of “perfection” in spite of hiding an eating disorder from the world. Almost four years ago, hitting rock bottom and going to a recovery program and facing the fact that I truly am “powerless” over the things that are out of my control…learning what it really means to, walk by faith.

Walking away from a career at the University and at almost 50 years old, having to re-create myself.

Facing the anxiety, depression & ptsd and finally accepting the advice of my therapist who encourages me to get off the merry go round and really start to deal with the layers of pain that I have suppressed behind the mask of “I’m ok”.

The learning how to find joy in Be-ing instead of selling my soul to always doing. The upholding of healthy boundaries and learning to say NO to people who try to suck me dry of all my creative juices.

It’s learning to rest when fatigue takes over and choosing not to fall into the guilt factor abyss. And….when guilt tries to show it’s ugly head, letting it know, that your no longer welcomed here.

This my friend, is the evolving journey of being “No longer held captive”.💗

~denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

No longer held captive by the darkness…

Uproot

and replace

the negative words

that play out

over and

over again

in your mind.

It’s ok to chose peace.

~ denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

No longer held captive by…my own limitations

Every part of my BE-ing

screams out from

under the mask

of my own insecurities.

Fear tries to woo itself

oh so closely

to the inner complexity

of my identity.

This inward battle of

who I am vs who I’m not

continues to churn.

Keep evolving.

~denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36