Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingYear: 2020
Ed Note 25.19/20
Greetings friends of The Beat Within! Welcome to double issue 25.19/20! It is hard to believe we are well over two months into our Shelter In Place, social distancing, mask wearing life style in order to navigate the new world we are living in, due to COVID-19. What more can we say around COVID-19 that has not been expressed in this issue and in recent past issues of The Beat Within? We are also hopeful that your news sources are keeping you up to date and not overwhelming you too much. We do know, too much news is not a
Continue ReadingYour Outcome…
by Marquees Johnson I remember sitting in San Francisco’s juvenile hall attending the Omega meetings listening to Jack throw knowledge into our minds I remember him telling us that only one or two of us would actually understand and take heed to the message and the others would learn and understand the message the hard way. At that time, I just knew that I was one of the two that was going to get the message that night. Unfortunately, 14 15 years later I now understand that I had to learn the hard way. I’m now 28 old sitting inside
Continue ReadingMami Te Quiero
by L My mom was never in the picture. I seen her three times. First, when I was born. Second, when my grandpa died, and third, when my sister graduated high school. She ain’t my mom, though! My mom aka my aunt said, “A mom is not a woman gave birth to you, it’s the woman who raised you.” That’s always going to stay with me. I love her. It’s going to be hard to spend Mother’s Day here and not with her. I missed her birthday because I was locked up. Remember the first time, I got
Continue ReadingMother’s Day
by Sebastian As Mother’s Day gets closer and closer, it makes me even more excited about getting out so I can go see her. It’s been over two years since I last saw her, and she was crying because I was leaving. She was crying because she was sad that day. Hopefully, when I see her again, if she’s crying, it’ll be because she’s happy. My mom has done so much for me. I don’t know how I could ever even begin to repay her for all her love, support, and nourishment. She hasn’t just done a lot for
Continue ReadingVolume 25.17/18
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 25.17/18
Welcome back to another double issue of The Beat Within! Though our world continues in a state of chaos and uncertainty, The Beat Within remains constant & committed to sharing your voice, your story, and your opinions about what matters most. We’ve been deeply humbled to hear what you have to say about COVID-19, the shelter in place order, isolation, and control – concerns that are impacting all of us, no matter where we are. The advice and encouragement our writers have to offer us readers is so valuable. You bring us the hope, perspective, and enthusiasm that our world
Continue ReadingSearching For Happiness?
by Thomas Sheen Dear Beat Within Readers, Deciding to change is not simple, but it’s something I knew I needed. At a certain point in my life, life seemed so empty and void of happiness that I doubted as to whether there was any hope for me of ever experiencing happiness again. To me it was obvious that something had to change. My initial thoughts were, “If only I were not locked up,” “If only I had a job,” “If only I could see my family.” I knew these things could add to my happiness, but they didn’t necessarily produce
Continue ReadingDear Beat, Thoughts on Lockdown
by Jesse Ayers Thanks for the letter and the prompt. I appreciate you reaching out. I’ll do my best to describe what “lockdown” is like for me, in a way that is relatable to anyone. Being locked down is a lot like being a tree that just got pruned. Trees receive nutrients from the sun through what is called photo-synthesis. When a tree loses its leaves and branches, its roots grow deeper into the soil to soak up nutrients from the earth in order to survive. When the tree’s branches grow back and its leaves return, it is finally rooted
Continue ReadingI Understand Why
by LC I understand why the governor wants everybody at home instead of outside. This Coronavirus is spreading faster and faster. A lot of people are taking it as a joke. They’re still doing what they want to do. A lot of families are struggling to find food and toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. People are buying everything they can get their hands on. The president is giving out Stimulus checks for $1200 plus $500 for every American child. This is because a lot of people are struggling to work and get hours to be able to pay for the rent. Only American
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