jaynadpatel

Anyone who's ever had the bad habit of saying 'yes' too often or putting to higher expectations and too much pressure on themselves will relate to this one...…

jaynadpatel

There's all sorts of people out there with odd hobbies and pass times but most of the time they're nothing to be ashamed of. We all need an outlet to relieve stress or something to channel our worries into. I hope this poem inspires you to go out (or stay in!) and do something you enjoy- even if you're not all that stressed ;)…

jaynadpatel

Ever feel like you're going one step forward and two back? This is an early one I wrote about doing things just for the sake of it, because you enjoy it, you're passionate about it. With so many exams, job appraisals and other people's judgments it's easy to feel like you have to be good at everything you do- we measure and compare ourselves. But sometimes in the effort to be so good at something- and failing a lot!- you can actually end up having a lot of fun and a laugh along the way- if you're open to it :)…

jaynadpatel

With all these magazines , TV shows and life coaches selling us nuggets of wisdom on how to apparently lead a better, spiritual, mental and physical life it's hard to know what to believe. But although 'utopia', 'heaven on Earth', 'paradise' is often only ever glimpsed a few times in a lifetime, out of all the advice we have access to these days, I reckon finding balance between different opposites in life- busyness and reflection, bending the rules and outright evil, indulgence and greed etc- if key to happiness and that's what this poem's about.…

jaynadpatel

This one's based on that hopeless feeling we have all experienced where we know we're capable of more, we want more but we're confused and lost about how to get to 'more.' Sometimes we don't have the motivation, believe we don't have the ability to achieve more so why bother? Other times we're just making excuses...…

jaynadpatel

I wrote this one after being so sickened by the Sandy Hook Massacre in 2012 and getting tired of hearing about gun crime in America. I have always lived in England, where guns aren't legal and understand that in the U.S. where they've always been legal, it might be ingrained in the culture, be seen as an entitlement or even a necessity. Outlawing guns is not straightforward either I know. So this poem isn't even one of protest against gun crime. To me, it's one of pointing out simple logic: if guns are legal there will simply be more gun crime. So something's got to change.…

jaynadpatel

Sometimes we can judge things before we give them a proper chance to play out, unfold and develop, or judge people and slap labels on them before they've had a time to flourish, grow, shine and prove themselves. Sometimes we're always searching for answers as to why something has happened, instead of just accepting that it just is. Maybe sometimes, if something unexplainable and bad happens, we hsould stop wasting our energy wondering why it occurred and instead search for the obscure positive impact it might have had or surprising repercussions it caused. This one's a reminder of all the hidden potential out there.…

jaynadpatel

Recently my 82-year-old great Aunty had a knee replacement. With no kids of her own and no other family nearby, my parents and I visited her everyday, despite having work etc and it made a difference to her, our company and care. After all, when we're old and frail we'd want people to visit us wouldn't we? So I thought I'd share this one as it cost nothing to go the extra mile, even if the gesture is small, it makes a difference to someone, somewhere, that you took the time to care. I'm Christian myself but I don't think you have to be religious to help people out. In fact most religions preach helping you neighbour and peace but it's been known for rabbis and priests to overlook a person in need, yet a non-religious person in the street helps the person in need out! We can all help a friend, family member or stranger out- it just takes selflessness to do so. Apologies for the mini lecture and enjoy the poem :)…

jaynadpatel

This is a brand new one I wrote yesterday, that I thought I'd share. It's dedicated to anyone who's had a rubbish day or has felt low for a while. It hit me that life is full of little moments of pure joy, small nuggets of miracle, innocence and fun. They're in the moments that pass us by, we overlook, take for granted, forget about. But they are there. As much as I love films, social media, computer games, books, songs etc as much as the next person, sometimes- to really feel positive and happy again-we need to focus and truly be mindful of what life blesses us with- instead of concentrating on the curve-balls it throws us.…

jaynadpatel

Inspiration for this one is a right rich fusion and flavour of lots of different things. My parents were never too pushy but there was an element of feeling pressured to be good and out do what the younger version of you had achieved the previous year, to constantly move forward. I'm posting this one now as my sister is toying with the idea of making some big decisions that could effect her future a great deal, and may feel pressured to lean a certain way when deciding. Then the other muse for this poem was that I've always been prone to taking too much on (a bit like my Mum) and feeling overwhelmed as a consequence, torn in different directions, wanting to please a lot of different people in different ways and buckling under this pressure, spreading myself too thin and giving my commitments less quality effort as a result. Vicious circle. But as I've got older I've learnt, yes be selfless, help others, get involved, live life to the full, but to help others, you need to look after number one occasionally- meaning it's OK to say 'no', we're lucky enough to have options, opinions and choices. Freedom. Well before I babble on anymore- hope you enjoy the poem :)…

jaynadpatel

Given that it's Easter, which is about new beginnings (Spring), Jesus, the Son of God dying and rising for our sins (if you're Christian) or just spending time with family and friends, I thought this one I wrote a while ago would be good to share. Love is constantly changing, starting afresh, forgiving, selflessly sacrificing and comes in many different forms, from family, to friends to romantic relationships. Even though there's constantly a war going on somewhere in the world, it literally amazes me how, given the right circumstances, love can transcend language an unite people- whether their Eskimos, Amazon tribes, Western, Oriental, African, Asian...Happy Easter.…

jaynadpatel

I'm no expert but we don't truly fall for someone until we open up to them, can unequivocally trust them with all our embarrassing habits, deep seated secrets and hidden fears. Here's a poem about that need to fully open up and connect in a relationship.…

jaynadpatel

Love can come in all sorts of forms and strengths- for people, for pets and for objects. We're not meant to get too attached to material objects but sometimes it's OK especially if it brings you a lot of joy. This poem's a simple on about the love an accomplished pianist must feel for their piano, which I reckon is a beautiful instrument.…

jaynadpatel

Sometimes some people don't think they have any talents, skills or anything to offer the world at all. Others know they have unique special gifts but choose not to share them, out of low confidence, not wanting attention or glory or simply out of laziness. But one of the most rewarding things is using your practical skills or creative gifts to help others, cheer them up, inspire them, move them. When was the last time you shared your talents to help others? This poem's about convincing yourself to do just that.…

jaynadpatel

In tribute to the one and only Sir Terry Wogan...…

jaynadpatel

Even though this was one of the first poems I wrote, it has occurred to me on off in the years since that we never take the time to just BE. As in 'be in the moment'- now that is the biggest cliche saying going oozing with cheese 'be in the moment' but think about it: when was the last time you truly focused, relished and absorbed a moment instead thinking of what you have to do next, the list of jobs awaiting you tomorrow etc? Most busy people, including myself, are guilty of this. Some of us even have the bad habit of thinking we'd rather be somewhere else or be talking to someone else when at an event or having a conversation with someone. But I'm learning that all experiences are necessary to shape you we are- if we didn't have to go to school or work- treats like holidays and days off would lose their colour and joy, if we didn't endure dark times or make mistakes we wouldn't be as strong or wise today. So try to make the most of your time, be of use to others and most importantly do what you enjoy :)…

jaynadpatel

I'm sure we've all been there, sucked up in a whirlwind at some point in life. It might not have been a windfall of wealth or ultra fame but we would have been dazzled by some dreamy ideal situation that swept us off our feet. Something that we focused on, got absorbed by, had passion for then became obsessed with. Until one day we lost sight of what truly mattered, got our priorities wrong and lost the something that never sticks around if you mistreat it often enough.…

jaynadpatel

With Valentines weekend just gone I thought I'd share this one. Based on my boyfriend, best friend and all that soppy stuff. I've never been the gooey romantic kind and while he's always been fearlessly committed and insists it was 'love at first sight' when he met me, I'm almost embarrassed to say it took me a lot longer to fall for him, I was more cautious. Now what that says or means I don't know but, despite lots of people saying they didn't think we suited each other, we've had a blast growing together and being together the last five and half years so here's to many more awesome years with each other!…

jaynadpatel

I recently found out one of my parents' friends might be seriously ill yet he's only middle aged. While this reminder of our own mortality means it's important to fight illness and look for cures, as well as question what happens to us when we die, why we're here in the first place, who/what created us, what we're meant to do in life etc etc, sometimes we can dig ourselves a hole chasing our tails at theories with impossible answers and unknown solutions. We can waste precious time worrying about things that are fleeting, like our looks, success or wealth. The reminder that we can all get ill or die at any time is surely a powerful message to stop theorizing and debating really big questions and sometimes, just focus on the here and now- start living and making the most of the epic things life has to offer. This poem's about that message :)…

jaynadpatel

I'm always fascinated by how often and how naturally it comes to most people (including, sadly myself) to complain and moan all the time. We know we should be grateful for what we have but we forget that there's always someone better and worst off than us. We wish for crazy things like billions of pounds and exotic holidays and forget to appreciate the little things right in front of us. So with all the recent commotion over who brought the mystery £33 million lottery ticket, I thought it would be appropriate to publish this one now. Enjoy :)…