A Poem and Vision for 2025 and Beyond…
The Healthiest Version of Me
By AJM ELLIS, 12.27.2024
I am in pursuit of
The healthiest version of Me
I'll know her when I see her
Her eyes are bright and full of life, full of wisdom and understanding
Her hair represents her liberated creativity
I'll know when I'm near her
She carries the sweet scent of someone who regularly spends time in God's presence
It is evident that she knows her worth
Because she takes up space unapologetically
She fills spaces with so much
Light and love and joy
Her presence brings peace, comfort, and healing
Her touch restores health and hope
Her belly and lips are full of laughter
I can hear her from miles away
Both her grace-filled words and wisdom-filled silence can be heard loud and clearly
Filled with God's spirit, she speaks, and it is so
She is both bold and humble, leader and servant
She has seeing eyes and chooses to see truth
Even the truth of her own beauty
Of herself, she sees no need to boast
For she is well
She is WELL
And has no need to prove herself
She discerns her battle
Never putting on Saul's armor
But rather conquering with her Rock and sling
She dances
Oh, how she DANCES
Strongholds are demolished as she creates and writes and speaks
She is a mighty force
Her home is a place of refuge
Her home is a place of refuge
SHE is home
Like Maya Angelou, she belongs everywhere and nowhere at all*
She is at home within herself
She is free
Free
Free from fear
God's "perfect love [has] cast out her fear"**
Her heart is free and loves openly and deeply
Mourning with those who mourn
Grieving griefs
Yet oh, so free
Free to hope
Free to believe
Free to get up time and time again
Free to be
All she is called to be
The healthiest version of Me
*Ken Haller, (2017) Medium. Maya Angelo Interview with Bill Moyers
** 1 John 4:18