Aspiring Poet, heartfelt thoughts.I have Just Discovered that I can write

 There are nights when my own mind becomes a kingdom of shadows, and I find myself walking through corridors no other soul can enter. This is my life with mental illness. To the world, I may appear as though I am simply moving through another day. They see my face. They hear my voice. They see me standing beneath the same sky they stand beneath. But they do not see the storm that follows me. They do not hear the thunder that echoes within my thoughts, nor do they know the strength it takes to rise each morning and face a battle that no eye can witness. My mind, at times, becomes both the battlefield and the enemy. Thoughts creep like whispers in the darkness, and I wrestle with them long after the world has fallen asleep. There are moments when I wonder if anyone truly knows the weight I carry. Not because people do not care. But because there are places in my soul where no human hand can reach. There is only One who sees the whole of me. My Saviour. He sees the tears I ...

I know you will not receive this letter the way you would have when you were here, but maybe this is more for me than it is for you. Maybe it is my heart trying to put into words what has been sitting there quietly for the past year. I miss you. There are so many things I wish I could tell you. So many little moments I would give anything to experience one more time. When I think about you, I remember the late-night lectures — the ones I probably did not appreciate as much as I should have back then. I remember sitting on the stairs, listening to you teach me, guide me, correct me, and shape me. I remember 7th Street in Kingfisher, where our home became my classroom. I remember wishing I could go to a regular school with other kids. At the time, I did not understand why my life was different. I wanted what everyone else seemed to have. But now, looking back with the eyes of someone who has lived more life, I see what I could not see then. I see a mom who had so much to do, so ma...

  There are days when life makes perfect sense. The sun is shining. The bills are paid. The people we love are gathered close. Our prayers seem to rise straight to Heaven and come back wrapped in peace. On those days, "Hallelujah" rolls off the tongue with ease. Then there are the other days. Days when shadows linger longer than they should. Days when the doctor's report brings more questions than answers. Days when grief sits beside us at the table and refuses to leave. Days when our minds become tangled in a thousand thoughts, trying to understand what cannot be understood. Those are the days that teach us what Hallelujah really means. The human mind is a remarkable thing. It searches for reasons. It wants explanations. It wants every loose end tied neatly into a bow. We look at the world and try to separate everything into categories: good and bad, victory and defeat, blessing and sorrow. Yet life rarely cooperates with our neat little boxes. Sometimes joy and sorrow s...

The house still remembers her. Not in a way I can prove, not in anything I can point to and explain cleanly, but in the quiet way a place changes when someone who shaped it is no longer walking through it. It is my father’s house, and he still lives there, but it is not the same home it once was. I go to see my dad. But I still go to see her too. And both of those things are true every time I pull into the driveway. The couch is still there. The rooms still hold the arrangement of her life, even if no one says it out loud anymore. Nothing has been dramatically changed, but everything feels permanently altered. Like the house is still learning how to exist without the one who made it feel complete. When I step inside, my eyes still do the same thing first—they look for her. Not because I expect her to be there, but because love does not stop searching just because it has been told the answer. My dad is there. That matters more than I can say. He is still in the house, still holding on t...

 At the feet of Jesus there are no years to measure— no anniversaries, no “one year gone.” Only now. I wonder what that now feels like for her. Does she remember the ache of this world, or has it already fallen away like a coat she no longer needs? Here, I count days with a tight chest. There, she stands where love has weight, where faith is no longer whispered but spoken face to face. I wonder if she knows how often I still reach for her, how time keeps pressing forward while she rests outside of it. She is not waiting. She is not missing anything. She is where all questions finally exhale— at the feet of Jesus, where eternity is gentle and grief cannot follow. And I remain, learning how to live in seconds, trusting that one day time will loosen its grip, and I’ll step into that same now, and see her there.                                                   ...

  I'll see you again mama Her hand in his grasp— each breath a frail, fragile wisp, her faith steady, sure. He remembers love’s tender warmth, those hands that bore his childhood weight. Memories surge in— the lull of her voice, her arms that sheltered his storms, her gentle strength in each word, her laughter that filled the dusk. Tears streak down his face— each sob a testament to her devotion’s light. He leans close, his voice a vow, softly through his trembling lips: “Sweet Mama, I will come when my earthly journey ends— we shall stand in perfect peace together at our Savior’s side. ” She takes a labored breath— her final breath upon this earth— now no pain, no sorrow, only joy untold. ----JHF

  Fifty-six weeks. Over a year of searching, applying, waiting, and hoping. I knew finding a job wouldn’t be easy, but I never imagined it would take this long. One interview this week. Another chance. Another hope. But no call back—at least, not yet. I’ve filled out more applications than I can count. I’m pretty sure I’ve applied to the same job multiple times, like a goldfish swimming around the bowl and getting excited about the same castle every lap. Every morning, I wake up, check job boards, refresh my email, and send out another round of resumes. Some days, it feels like screaming into the void. Other days, it feels like the void is screaming back, laughing at my futile attempts. It’s easy to get discouraged. The longer the search drags on, the louder the doubts become. Maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe I’m wasting my time. Maybe I should just stop looking, stop hoping, stop trying. Maybe I should take up interpretive dance or start a farm with a single goat and a dream. But ...

 Embracing Rejection: The Art of Resilience in the Face of Repeated Setbacks Rejection is a universal experience, yet it often feels incredibly isolating. The sting of being turned down—whether for a job, a project, or even in personal relationships—can lead to feelings of inadequacy, doubt, and despair. If you’ve found yourself on the receiving end of rejection after rejection, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there, and the journey can feel endless, especially when it seems like the world is saying “no” at every turn. The Weight of Rejection   After a year of searching, it’s easy to feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Each rejection can feel like a personal indictment, a reflection of your worth, your abilities, and your dreams. You may find yourself questioning your decisions, your skills, and even your identity. The emotional toll can be profound—an overwhelming sense of hopelessness can settle in, making it hard to see the light at t...

The Struggles of Getting Hired in 2024 and 2025: An Emotional Journey of Rejection and Perseverance There’s no easy way to say this: the job market right now feels like a battlefield. The path to landing that elusive job offer is riddled with obstacles, and no matter how hard you try, it feels like the odds are stacked against you. If you’ve been navigating this difficult journey for a while, I don’t have to tell you that it’s exhausting—emotionally, mentally, and even physically. You put yourself out there, time and time again, crafting the perfect resume, tailoring your cover letter, and sending applications into what often feels like a black hole. Each rejection email feels like a punch in the gut. And as weeks turn into months, the sting doesn’t fade; it lingers, weighing on your heart, making you question your worth, your abilities, and whether you’re ever going to make it to the other side. The Job Market in 2024 and 2025: A Challenging Landscape The job market in 2024 and 2025 i...

 Here we go again. Another rejection letter. Another polite, carefully worded dismissal of my work, my skills, my potential. I read it, let out a slow breath, and set it down with the others. Each one feels like a weight pressing down, but deep down, I know something they don’t: I know what I can do. If only given the chance. I’m not new to rejection. It’s a feeling I’ve grown familiar with—one that has tested my patience, my resolve, and sometimes even my confidence. But if there’s one thing rejection hasn’t done, it hasn’t broken me. If anything, it’s built me into someone stronger. I know my worth, even if they don’t see it yet. I think of the greats—Walt Disney, who was told he lacked imagination. J.K. Rowling, who received rejection after rejection before her words changed the world. Thomas Edison, who failed thousands of times before finally creating something that changed the course of history. What if they had let rejection define them? What if they had walked away from the...

Ah, job hunting. That magical time when you wake up every morning, grab a cup of coffee, and prepare yourself for another day of sending résumés into the abyss—where they will never be seen, acknowledged, or even pitied. But don’t worry! The job boards have a solution for you. No, not actual jobs—why would they do that? Instead, for the low, low price of "only" $19.99 a month , you can boost your visibility and stand out to top employers! Oh, fantastic! If only I had $19.99 to spare , I’d definitely spend it on making my résumé sparkle. But funny enough, I don’t have $19.99 because, oh yeah— I DON’T HAVE A JOB. The “Only” Scam I love how these services always say the price is only a certain amount. Only $9.99 a month! Only $29.99 for premium! Only my remaining will to live and a pint of my own blood! Wow, such a bargain. Let me just check my financial situation real quick—oh look, I have exactly four cents and a crumpled receipt from Taco Bell. Here’s a radical thought...

These would be Mine;  10 BIGGEST INTERVIEW WINNERS ✅ (Guaranteed to Impress!* Maybe.)  Arrive Fashionably Late Show them you’re in demand—your time is way more valuable than theirs, right? Rock That Unique Outfit Who needs boring business attire? A Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops scream confidence! Master the Art of Whispering Nothing says “hire me” like mumbling and avoiding eye contact. Mysterious vibes = job offer. Stress It Out Sweating profusely and nervously laughing at everything will definitely make you memorable. Talk About You, You, You Forget qualifications—regale them with tales of your cat’s Instagram fame. They’ll be hooked. Stay Connected Keep your phone on. Better yet, answer a call mid-interview and say, “Hold on, I’m with someone less important.” Wing It Like a Pro Why research the company? Just ask them, “Wait, what do you guys do again?” They'll love your curiosity. Spill All the Tea Trash-talking your last boss? Perfect. They'll totally trust you to do the s...

 Let’s talk about recruiters, those elusive creatures who promise to guide you to the golden gates of employment. You know the type—they call with enthusiasm, throw around words like “shortlisted,” and make you feel like you’re the chosen one. But then, poof! They vanish faster than my self-control at an all-you-can-eat buffet. In my experience, dealing with recruiters has been like trying to date a ghost. You get that initial spark of connection, the promise of something meaningful, and then radio silence. I imagine them sitting in a dimly lit room somewhere, surrounded by stacks of resumes, cackling maniacally as they hit "archive" on yet another email. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been told, “I’m here to help you find your dream job,” only for them to pull a Houdini and leave me hanging. Here’s how it usually goes: The Call of Promise It starts with an upbeat phone call or email: “Hi there! We’ve come across your resume, and we think you’d be a perfect fit for [...

Act 1: The Confusion in the Ranks At InnovateTech, the hiring process for a new software engineer was supposed to be an opportunity to bring fresh talent into their growing AI and machine learning team. But somewhere along the way, things went off course. The job description had been hastily written, with vague buzzwords like “innovative problem-solving” and “adaptability in high-pressure scenarios.” It was broad, nonspecific, and, frankly, confusing even to the managers tasked with conducting the interviews. They wanted someone “technically brilliant,” but they also wanted someone “creative” and “visionary.” In truth, no one on the hiring panel could clearly articulate what they were looking for. Despite this ambiguity, the interview schedule was finalized. Rohan, a software engineer with five years of experience, was one of the top candidates. His resume gleamed with quantified achievements, like “Increased system efficiency by 35%” and “Developed an API that reduced client-side load...

 Resumes: the bane of job seekers everywhere. You’d think condensing your entire professional existence onto a single sheet of paper would be straightforward, right? Wrong. If resumes were an Olympic sport, I’d be the undisputed champion of listening to contradictory advice. Here’s the story of how my quest for the perfect resume turned into an epic game of “Whose Advice Is It Anyway?” Too Long “Your resume is too long!” one expert said, peering at my magnum opus of work experience. “No one has time to read a novel.” Okay, fair point. I trimmed it down, cutting out the fluff, the font embellishments, and, unfortunately, the joke about my award for “Best Office Coffee Brewer 2018.” What was left was a streamlined masterpiece… or so I thought. Too Short Enter Resume Guru #2: “This is way too short. You’re selling yourself short!” Wait, what? Wasn’t I supposed to keep it concise? Apparently, now I’m supposed to highlight every little detail. Did I mention I once organized the supply c...

It’s been a year since I set out on this epic quest for employment. At first, I approached the job search like a wide-eyed optimist. Now? Let’s just say I’ve developed a sense of humor that borders on the cynical, and my coffee consumption has reached Olympic levels. Armed with a slightly battered resume, a Wi-Fi connection that feels like my only ally, and a dwindling supply of patience, I’ve trudged through the trenches of the job market. My dignity? Let’s just say it’s on an extended vacation. Month One: The Honeymoon Phase Ah, the early days. I was so naive. My resume was polished, my LinkedIn profile sparkled, and I was ready to take the professional world by storm. Every job posting seemed like a golden opportunity. I even got excited about generic confirmation emails. "Thank you for applying!" they said. Little did I know, it’s the job-hunting equivalent of being ghosted after a first date—minus the free dinner. Month Six: The Slow Descent By month six, the cracks star...

In my journey through various jobs and experiences, I’ve often wondered: what do hiring managers truly want? Is it the “yes-man” who agrees with everything, follows every rule to the letter, and never questions the status quo? Or is it the thinker, the one who brings fresh ideas, innovation, and a willingness to challenge norms? You’d think the latter would be the obvious choice. After all, progress and success often come from creativity and diversity of thought. But in reality, it seems more complicated than that. I’ve worked in environments where ideas were encouraged—on the surface. “We value input from everyone,” they’d say. But when push came to shove, the unspoken rule was clear: fall in line or face the consequences. Any deviation from the prescribed way of doing things was met with resistance or outright dismissal. (At one job, I swear I saw an actual eyebrow twitch whenever I used the phrase “What if we tried...”) Then there are the jobs where being a “yes-man” is practically ...

 For years, I was the guy in IT who could reboot your computer, untangle your network cables, and, on a really good day, remind you that your printer wasn’t working because it was unplugged. Let’s face it, tech life had its moments—some of them even rewarding—but eventually, I found myself staring at screens and servers wondering if there was more to life than explaining “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?” Spoiler alert: there is. Enter writing. Now, before you assume this was some grand epiphany where I threw my hands in the air and declared myself the next Hemingway, let me assure you, it wasn’t. It started small. I’d always loved words—telling stories, writing blogs, and making my wife laugh at puns that were so bad they could qualify as dad jokes. Eventually, I realized that the stories and words I was scribbling down had the power to do more than amuse me. They could connect, inspire, and even help others. Suddenly, writing wasn’t just a side hobby anymore. It f...

Well, here we are, folks. Week 55 of the Job Search Extravaganza. That’s over a year of resume tweaking, application submitting, and endless waiting for recruiters to "circle back." Starting tomorrow, a new week of opportunities, rejections, and possibly some hilariously tragic LinkedIn interactions awaits. I wonder if I will have any more qualifications this week than I had last week, except I am getting better at rejections. Seriously, I could teach a masterclass: "Rejection Emails 101—How to Spot Them Before You Even Open the Message." The Resume Riddle Will this be the week I finally crack the code to the perfect resume? You know, the one that doesn’t make hiring managers wonder if it was written by an overly caffeinated squirrel? There’s a fine line between "detailed" and "please don’t make me read your life story." Maybe I’ve been walking that line like a tightrope artist with questionable balance. Or perhaps the hiring managers will look f...