I want you to know that you are worth it,

Despite struggling in life with pain, abuse, trauma, depression,

Stay strong, it's okay to break 

Sometimes we can shatter 

The cracks we get; they can be fixed 

That's really all that matters 

Together we heal, together we feel 

Even when we're alone 

It's through the dark, the light comes in 

And on you it will glow.

You are here, you are breathing,

Each moment you rise, your heart starts to shine.   

Yes, life can be heavy and seem impossible,        

You are alive, with battles to fight, 

Each scar is a story, a chapter, a line,   

A passage through where time starts to unwind,   

A roadmap of healing, of lessons   

Through struggles of silence,  

You find strength within yourself,

So gather your stories, your trials, your fears,   

With each step that you take, with each breath that you find,   

Embrace all the pieces that life left behind,   

Lift your eyes from the shadows, the past’s heavy pain,   

And know that through struggle, your heart will awake.   

So stand proud, let the world know your name,   

For within all your battles, you’ve conquered the flame,   

And as you rise higher, may the fire still flame,   

You’ve carved out your journey in your own unique way,   

So gather your strength, let courage arise,   

For your voice matters, a light in the skies,   

And remember the moments that made you strong,  For every ounce of struggle has made you belong.   

You are alive, you are worthy, a gift,    

For you still discovering life,  

In the face of the storms, the challenges,   

The glory of rising each day

So let the world see you, let your colors shine bright,     

And through pain, through abuse, through trauma, our way,   

You have found your own strength each day.   

Your worth is a treasure, every crack and each scar,  Reminds us of battles and how strong you are.   

- Natalie Flaherty-Verrall 

New chapter begins 

With hope in our hearts 

And dreams in our minds 

The book of life with endless opportunities 

Lies open before us 

Its pages blank 

Waiting to be filled 

New beginnings 

Fresh starts 

A chance to rewrite 

The story of our lives 

We stand on a brand new year 

Full of potential 

And endless possibilities 

The past is behind us 

A distant memory 

What will this new year bring? 

What adventures await? 

What challenges will we face? 

And how will we grow and evolve? 

Each day is 

A chance to start new 

To make the most 

Of the time we have 

So let us embrace 

This new beginning 

With open arms 

And hopeful hearts 

Let us make the most 

Of every moment 

That lies ahead 

For the book of opportunity 

Is ours to write 

And the first chapter 

Begins on New Year's Day.

- Natalie Flaherty-Verrall 

In the depths of despair, when darkness surrounds 

And life's struggles seem too much to bear, 

You may feel like you're all alone, 

But remember, you're not the only one who's there. 

Other people struggle too.

The weight of the world on your shoulders, 

The burdens that you each day, 

It can feel like a never-ending battle, 

But there are others who have lost their way. 

The pain of rejection, 

The loneliness that haunts your soul, 

These are the trials that we all must face, 

But you are not alone in this fight, you are not alone. 

In the silence of the night, when tears fall like rain, 

And your heart aches with a deep pain, 

Remember that there are others who understand, 

Who have similar experiences, who have held your hand. 

Life can be cruel, life can be unkind, 

But in the midst of it all, there is hope to find, 

For in the darkest of nights, there shines a light, 

A glimmer of hope, a ray of insight. 

You may feel like you're a burden, 

But remember, there's people who love you,

There are others who have felt this pain, 

Who have fought this battle on their own and maybe even worse.

So when life knocks you down and you can't find your way, 

Remember that you are not alone, 

There are others who stand by your side, 

Who will help you, where ever you are

The struggles of life may seem overwhelming, 

But you are not alone in this fight, 

There are others who understand your pain, 

Who will walk with you through the darkest night. 

So hold onto hope, hold onto faith, 

For you are not alone in this race, 

There are others who have faced the same trials, 

Who have persevered, who have found their smiles. 

In the end, we are all in this together, 

Bound by the struggles we face each day, 

But with a hand to hold and a heart to share, 

We can conquer anything that comes our way. 

So remember, in the midst of your strife, 

You are not alone in this journey called life, 

For there are others who walk by your side, 

Who will lift you up and help you to thrive. 

- Natalie Flaherty-Verrall 

In the realm of life, a sword is painful,

A weapon sharp, yet with a heavy heart, 

Its blade stained with tears and blood,

For life, like a sword, can tear apart. 

Each cut, each wound, a mark of pain, 

Each battle fought, a scar remains, 

Life's struggles, like battles, leave a stain, 

On the soul, on the heart, on the veins. 

The weight of the sword,

A heaviness that cannot be lifted, 

The darkness of life, like a shadow's knife, 

Cuts deep, leaving the heart as if it breaks.

Yet through the pain, through the pieces,

A warrior's strength can still shine through, 

For in the darkness, there lies a tomorrow, 

And in the depths, a light that's true. 

Life, like a sword, can break and tear, 

But in the hands of a brave and bold soul, 

It can be held with love and care, 

A weapon of strength, of courage, of goal. 

So take up the sword of life, 

And face the battles with courage untold, 

For in the end, it will all be worth it, 

For the bravest hearts are the ones that hold.

- Natalie Flaherty-Verrall