So the time has come
A sense of achievement
The progress I’ve made
How far I have come
A new beginning
A new chapter to my story
Too comes fear
The unknown
Building new relationships
Wavering thoughts of self-doubt
I am ready….
But….am I ready?
Heart in my mouth
The elevator climbs
Deep breaths in and out, and in and out
As my emotional state declines
A glance in the mirror before the doors open
Be strong
Be you
Be all you can be
Friendly staff, welcome and soothe
Build you up….
Make you believe you can achieve
Help you to reach new goals
To strive
To succeed
This is exactly what I need
Friendly smiles being given and received
Members so different
Yet, all the same in one important way
The want to better themselves
The want to work hard
To work toward a better life
A life both healthy in body and mind
A jam-packed full timetable
The variety
So much on offer
Yes, maybe I’m too unwell
To unwell to tie down a job
Today….and maybe even tomorrow
However, how impressive will it be
When that day comes
The day I can show my experience
My knowledge
My newly achieved qualifications
The day when I can recognise my worth….my purpose in this life that has thrown me so many obstacles
For now
I will use my time
Continue to work with this service
This organization that can set souls free
A place where I am who I am
A place where I am me
Without unrealistic expectations people expect of me
And me, I can be
Even down to the, more hard for me, but simpler of tasks for some
Challenging anxieties, social phobias and things
The ability to step onto a bus
To sit beside people you do not know
To hold a conversation, as the bus slowly makes its way, stop by stop
Until it reaches its destination
Until I successfully reach New Horizons
My destination
Along with the inside, I did it! Celebration
Classes were one can excel
Use their gifts
Their talents
Sharing different aspects of their crafts
For me, the love of creative writing
Something that can instantly transport me into different worlds
Fiction
Reality
Anything my imagination can see
The sporting activities
Filled with fun
Laughter of the competitiveness between members, but mostly staff
Smashing winning shots in badminton
Fancy footwork in boxing
To the stinging of your hands as you save penalty shoot-outs or score the winning goals in a newly experienced activity
Running free
The refreshing cold on your cheeks, fresh air in your lungs
Healthy body, healthy mind
Healthy mind, healthy body
All of these open possibilities and opportunities
In a place where you can broaden Your Horizons!
By C Doherty
