Hurt is very real. Many people go through several stages of hurt in their lives. It seems as if we take turns and it is most often unexpected. The trick is how you deal with the hurt. You ask yourself, "Do I embrace it or do I run from it?" I personally chose to embrace it and work through the hurt and pain. It's a very slow process and sometimes you must do it alone. Some people don’t understand what you are going through even though they tell you they understand. You know that they mean the best. Working through the hurt is not a quick process. You must take it in stages. At first it looks like all you are looking at is a black cloud in the sky and slowly you see that cloud get lighter until you can see the blue in the sky again. When I was working through the hurt I would carefully analyze the situation and work through every element that occurred. I then came to realize that the responsibility for my circumstances was not all on my shoulders. Sometimes you have to come to terms with the fact that a person or situation was not meant for you. I have come to believe that there is a person that GOD has put on this earth for you. I think that we just have to sift through the dirt to find the diamond in the rough. At that time you can look back at the hurt and see it as an experience and learning process. I want everyone out there who has experienced hurt to know that you are not alone. I have been there, and I can honestly say that through time you too can see the beauty in the world again. I'm not saying that it won’t be a challenge, but be patient and don’t give up. If you have a friend that genuinely wants to help you attempt to break through the hurt allow them to at least try. Sometimes a caring friend makes the process easier. When we hold things in it just makes the issue a lot bigger to deal with in the end. Never let it get to that point. GOD puts people in our lives for a reason. If you look close enough you may be able to learn something from them. Keep your head up. The sun will shine again.

     These are four of the 50 selections included on the CD. In the online store you may purchase the audio CD, words by Toshia Stelivan, read by Toshia with music by David Carr, Jr. You may also wish to purchase the companion music CD, Who's In There?, which was used for the poetry CD soundtrack.