Your gentleness
is your strength
it is just as brave
to comfort the oppressed
as it is
to stand up to the oppressors
allow love
to guide you
it will not
lead you astray
GENTLENESS IS STRENGTH (For Ana)
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
In order to truly live
we must die
to our former selves
stepping into the darkness
to face our deepest fears
stripped down to nothing
with nowhere to hide
and no guarantee
of survival
life is not for the faint of heart
NOWHERE TO HIDE
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Your task as an artist is not to make art that people like.
Your task is to make art that you are proud of.
Your task is to follow your vision where it leads and then to share your art with the world.
Your task is to express yourself courageously in spite of your fears and insecurities.
Your art is your voice and not everyone wants to hear what you have to say, but they are not your concern.
Share your art so that those who have no voice may feel seen, heard, and understood through you.
Your task as an artist is to carry the tension of uncertainty and vulnerability so that others don’t have to.
AN ARTIST’S TENSION
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Let people work through their own fears.
Don’t pile yours on them also.
Everyone is dealing with their own demons they have to conquer.
They have to go through what they have to go through.
It has nothing to do with you.
You cannot walk their path for them.
Either help them or get out of the way.
WORKING THROUGH FEAR
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Courage is contagious.
When you do something courageous, it tells others it is possible to overcome their fears.
Everyone is afraid of something.
In fact, the most important things often frighten us most.
Fear never truly leaves us, but it can be overcome through courageous action.
Face that which frightens you and trudge forth.
You never know who is watching and how your courage may be the inspiration someone needs in order to be courageous also.
INSPIRING COURAGE
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior
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To contact me or to see what else I’m up to, visit robertvanvalkenburgh.com
Meditations on God 