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*New blog as of January 2021. Find previous blog here*

Encouraging People Through Poetry

4/6/2021

2 Comments

 
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Encouraging People Through Poetry
​with Christopher Beaudry

As long as I can remember, Chris Beaudry has been a positive influence on the people around him, including myself. His attitude is consistently positive. His purpose and intentions don't change with his mood. He is as much of a role-model as I have ever come across. So, I thought it was only right to share a little bit about him and what he stands for. 
I met Chris in 2008 at a high school sports event because he was my friends father. When Chris walked in the room, he grabbed the attention of all my peers. Everyone knew and liked him and I was soon to understand why this was. From the first moment of meeting him, I felt a level of respect and honesty through his words and demeanor. His positive attitude made for fun conversations which, at the time, was rare for a high school students and an adults to have. Chris treated everyone the same, no matter who they were. These qualities were and are rare to find in a person.

Growing up without a father, led me on a search for positive male role-models to learn from. Chris Beaudry and a few others filled that void for me. It wasn't like he took me under his wing, instead I was watching him from a far and soaking in his presence from time to time. Chris and these men helped me understand how to be a man of purpose and to have higher standards. I am forever grateful for this.

Chris and I recently connected to discuss this article and he is still the same man he was when I met him. In a short hour, I learned even more how much we were alike. Our goals are the same: to positively impact people. Both of us put time into helping others with no intentions of getting anything in return. Positive impact, not money, drives us. We both seem to care less about the little things and strive to make a difference where it matters. During this time, Chris answered a few questions about his purpose and how his poetry is used as a vessel to inspire people. Within the questions and response, below, are some poems written by Chris. Enjoy!
Find poetry from Chris here:
Christopher Beaudry
1. What got you into poetry?
​I think it was my love for music in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. I was intrigued by the lyrics of some of the progressive rock bands of that time. I began writing songs that I hoped one day someone, or some band would put it to music. It slowly became a passion and I continued to write and let words wander through my soul and spill out from my heart to this day.
2. Which categories are your "bread and butter" to write about?
​It would have to be motivational and encouraging with a touch of spiritual energy. Lifting people up in a world where people need to understand their purpose in life, a purpose that was planned for them before they were born. A purpose that is meant to be full of hope, guided by love and directed toward peace. Other areas that I like to throw wisdom with words and bring calm and wonder to readers are topics of nature and the changing seasons. I write of family and relationships, of patriotism and freedom. Mostly, I write of Hope for the purpose of bringing peace to anyone who needs it.
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It’s impossible to travel through life
and not collect emotional souvenirs
but holding on to these trinkets of pain
only brings grudges and resentment and fears

We need to clean out the dust in our souls
sort from the heart what stays and what tossed
correct our perspective and lean into hope
learn what we’ve gained and not what we’ve lost

healing doesn’t have to wait until justice
accepting this knowledge blesses your story
God will never waste any part of your suffering
He’ll bring you the truth and into His glory

Travel lightly my friends, travel into the light
let all the places you’ve been, be forgiven
so, all the places you’re thinking of traveling to
will be as beautiful and peaceful as heaven
3. What has kept you waiting for so long? (Meant to be writing* not waiting but we went with it anyways)
​I’m not waiting, I’m just following God’s timeline. Grasping on to His grace and blessings along the way. It takes a lifetime to learn to love the way God does. Words must grow deep within my soul daily, and as they do, I grow closer to my purpose and significance. Faith will guide me to the appropriate time. The vision is clear in sight.
4. What has writing done for you over the years and why do you find it so important?
First, I could not be a writer without first being a reader. I am inspired by many influential people and authors who place words on pages. I also enjoy observing human behavior, which motivates me to write in a world with both good and evil, giving both groups a positive twist to seek a better world, now and eternally.
​
Writing for so long has helped me to grow as a person. As I write of Love, of Hope, of peace, I slowly evolve into that mind set and realize that this is a gift given to me by God. I believe His purpose for me is to share hope to others and remind them that love does always win. It is the spirit within me that guides me to write songs for the soul. It truly is my passion, my peace.
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Remember my child, you have a beautiful soul that will forever matter in this life... you
have been touched by a light of pure grace, you have been given the honor to carry this
light and shine love where ever you go, where ever the wind may take you...

There are things of this world that will eventually reveal dark days and sadness... and one day
your heart will be broken... you may get lost in the wild of senseless struggles, and rejection will
find you standing in the shadows of lonely... tears will fall...

My sweet child, as your Spirit, I will never leave you, I will always walk beside you... I will teach you
to be brave and courageous, I will bless you with peace... Together we will grow stronger and wiser, we
​will overcome with amazing joy... We will build on hope and heal into the truth of who you really are...

A beautiful soul
A beautiful daughter of God
and the shining light of My love...
5. What are your goals or end-goal for writing these poems?
​Always to encourage others and bring hope to everyone who reads. Eventually, maybe closer to retirement, I would like to enlarge my market beyond just Facebook, there are so many more people in this world that need to replace sadness with smiles, so many people who to need to bring light to their darkened world, so many people needing to seek the beautiful from the landscape of their broken hearts. With God’s blessing, I am planning on putting God’s gift into book form within the next few years.
6. If you could narrow it down to one thing, what advice would you give to young adults?
“Anyway, the Wind Blows” have been my personal wonder words to live by... my mantra.
​
My advice to not only the younger generations, but to people of all ages, is that no matter what happens in your life, the mistakes, the failures, all your successes and wins, and mostly the ugly things that you had no control of... You still have to breath in the winds that will blow at you in all directions... and that matters because your future has already been planned out by God... follow his ways and soar. Have faith, be loving and kind and always be grateful, so that blessings will follow you... any way the wind blows.
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If you could sit still for just a moment, I want to take a photo of your heart. This camera has
lenses with spiritual vision, and it will show me the Man you are going to become when you
grow up...My Dad says the heart tells a story about trust and honesty, about respect and true
character of a person, and as a girl, he says I should always look for that... I'm going to zoom in
on the part that Mom says is the key to a loving relationship, the unselfish, humbling and giving
part. It's near the center of the heart that God blesses when we pray to him... I hope it turns
out to be a pretty picture, because I want to put it in a frame next to my heart, and as we grow up
we could look at it anytime, just to remind us that two hearts together always leads to Love,
​forever and ever...
Ok, cool...
Do you still want me to smile 
If you'd like to read more inspiring poems by Chris, find them on his Facebook page here:
Chris Beaudry
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In the silent of your search
you are my child of hope
and I will guide you onward and walk beside you

In the secret of your pain
you are my child of love
and I will hold you near my heart and cry along with you

In the spirit of your soul
you are my child of peace
and I will lift you up to see the light that shines within you

In this world and in the next
you will always be my child
and I will always be with you...always

Thank you for reading! Find more articles here:
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2 Comments
Lynn whitfield
4/7/2021 11:40:57 am

You truly are a remarkable person!
Everyone has a story, yours will encourage many! Keep writing!
You have been blessed...

Reply
Greg Smolka
4/7/2021 11:48:03 am

Lynn,

Thank you for reading and the kind words.

Reply



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    Greg Smolka

    Greg is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native with a passion for personal growth.

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