Creating from my Heart to Inspire, Empower, Encourage, Offer Hope
Author: TANiELLE ART
I'm a whimsical artist/painter and poet from Loveland, Colorado. I'm on a life journey of following my heart through creating poetry and art. I believe in being open and vulnerable through my poetry to be a voice for any who may find it inspiring, empowering, helpful or meaningful in their own lives. Creating art is my happy place and my way of painting the world with hope, smiles and a little splash of magic.
"Hold onto those you love so dear.
Memorize the moments as they pass by.
Live, love and laugh all you can - and
Make the most of this beautiful life."
-Tanielle
Nestled in And snuggled up Basking in the peace, Blanketed within the glow Of the beautiful silence Just before dawn…
The early morning light Begins to rise… Ever so slowly Like a single flame Flickering gently- Growing and spreading Into an explosion of light and color Across the entire eastern skyline- God’s painting in real time- In the most profound And heartwarming way- Like a giant good morning hug Sent from the heavens Wrapped in sunshine And covered in love.
I woke up yesterday from a night of bad dreams, and the moment I opened my eyes, these words started pouring out of me and I knew I had to get them down in order to be able to let this go … for whatever it’s worth, these are my two cents…
The tough times Aren’t meant To break us. They’re meant to Shape and sculpt us Into who we are Becoming – The next level Of growth In who we are Meant to be.
The tears We shed Are meant to Humble us, And ground us. A reminder for us Of the kindness And compassion This world, And people Surrounding us- Need.
We’re all fighting Battles Or health issues Behind Closed doors Most people Never see.
These days, I would argue, Most of us Are often Disconnected,, Over-stimulated, Rarely present, And too busy To process and Heal from All the things That continue To make our Mind, body, And spirit Bleed… Including me.
The overwhelm. Our constant Hustle and bustle- Always moving. This world Is always in a hurry. We’re so busy Speeding through Our days From A to B To C to D to E. Just to get by. Just to provide- For our families. And then- Many of us Are struggling to sleep, And the hours of rest We actually get- Never feel like Enough- At least for me.
The mindless scrolling, Binge-watching, Numbing, vanity-driven Distractions Are carrying us all Further and further away From the true meaning Of this life And living- Daily. This frightening pattern Is slowly killing The very fabric That connects us. The deeper connection, And sense of community Is meant to support And protect us. As people- We are more divided, And more conflicted Than ever before- Slamming each other Online in comments Behind screens And closed doors Over disagreements… Disagreements- Over the muddied, Skewed and Extremely divided Waters of corrupt Media outlets and politics. This division Doesn’t suit us. It’s gutting us. Turning us Against one another. The hate Certainly won’t fix this. And I’ll be honest When I say, I don’t know What the answer is- But I do believe this-
We all need To pause, To reconnect With ourselves, To God, The universe, And our hearts. We need more time Out in nature. More peace, And quiet, More time to Think and breathe- To reflect, meditate And pray. To sit and listen To the silence. Allowing ourselves To reset And to just be… To be at ease- To listen to the breeze, Watching the birds Flutter, soar, And dance Across the sky, So effortlessly. It’s live poetry- In motion… To just sit still And watch the clouds Form and fade, Build up, roll in, And release Snow or rain, Or allow Warm sunshine To shine through The cracks And down Upon our face. The raw beauty, Of this world And the wildlife buzzing All around us Is a gift to behold. The awe-inspiring Magic of our earth. The power, the fragility, And true honor Of what it means To breathe, To be alive, To be alongside Our loved ones, To be present, And to feel heard.
We all want the same. We all want better- For ourselves, For our children, And grandchildren. For our country, And for each other. Let’s all do better- And be better- For the higher good.
The pure magic And beauty of this life And this world Is so profound And powerful, And suddenly Becomes exponentially More meaningful When a test or tests Call your current health Into question.
The sky, the clouds, The colors of the sunrise And sunset- The trees, the birds And majestic Colorado Snow-capped mountain tops. The open fields And still waters. If we just pause For a moment And ponder… Just how lucky are we To be surrounded By such magnificent beauty. I’m continually in awe Of nature’s tranquility. In times like this- The sheer beauty Just hits me- Differently.
Waking up each morning And getting to rise With the ones That you love. Getting to see them, And tell them good morning, And being able to Show them your love. And oh- The pure magic In their heartfelt, And comforting hugs. What a gift. What magic to behold. These simple treasures Make us far richer Than any amount Of gold.
I am over the moon Grateful For this life, For our family, And all of our friends. For our laughter, And every moment- Together. For our memories, Adventures, And light-hearted Shenanigans. For the gift Of this new day. For getting to Rise again- For this moment Right now, For the air I breathe, And for the strength Of my body Still carrying me- Forward. And onward. I am grateful!
To our beautiful son, Dason, Who wasn’t meant To stay here on earth… I will never forget you Or the day of your birth.
I honored your life By delivering you As if you were To be born alive. It was the only way I knew how to show you- Just how much love We held for you inside.
In times of great sorrow, You never cease to Surprise and amaze me- By showing up In the most beautiful And unexpected ways.
Today- I walked outside After a few days of Feeling somber And sad inside.
And the most Vibrant dragonfly Was laid to rest Right at my feet As if it had been Perfectly placed And was waiting there Just for me.
My tears were instant. A giant lump in my throat, My heart skipped a beat. I knew in that moment It was you. A giant hug from above A gift of grace And all the love And comfort I So desperately longed for.
I see you And feel your spirit Through your Heaven-sent signs And dragonfly eyes. I am endlessly grateful For you And I love you With all my heart And bigger than The whole sky.
Some battles Just aren’t worth All the tears that come.
Some might say That all these patterns Are too much For the eye to see… And I did- Because that was me.
Until I realized What the magnitude Of my words to her Might convey…
That she is Too much, Too bold, And too different For this world to see… And to please tone it down For all others, And for the pride Of the mother in me.
And that reflection Stopped me cold In my tracks And broke my heart for her. These patterns, All of these Beautiful flowers, And this outfit All of her own choosing Are NOT too much For this world And me to see.
Rather- They are A breath of fresh air. A palette of innocence, And pure and simple Happiness. This outfit Now makes my heart Smile with joy- For she is a force To be reckoned with. She is a beacon of light, Kindness, love, And quick wit. She is smart, bold, fierce, Creative, and beautiful, And dances to the beat Of her own drum… And I will no longer Tell her that her outfits Are too much For this world Or for me- Because her imagination, And her bright shining spirit Is everything This world and I both need.
My six-month breast cancer Check-up last Friday With my oncologist- Turned into seven because I forgot. I forgot to schedule it Because I was so busy living- And the forgetting, for me, Was a blessing… Because remembering – is a lot!
Before this day came, I was unbothered and untroubled. After all, this was just another normal Follow-up doctor’s appointment I needed to go to. But when I was pulling into The Harmony Cancer Center that day, My mood suddenly shifted. I felt a heaviness welling up inside my heart. I was taken aback. And these emotions Caught me completely off guard.
As I walked into the cancer center, I looked around at all the people present Waiting for their name to be called, As I patiently waited in line To be checked in for mine. Some wore hats To cover their balding heads from chemo. Some sat alone in silence Staring out the windows At the falling snow and gray skies. While others sat with their spouses And filled their waiting time With comforting words, Loving nudges and a bit of normalcy. Today, the cancer center was busy, And bustling.
I was a mixed bag Of so many different emotions… Bouncing, in real-time, From one right into the next. I stood trying to wrap my head around The complexity of all that I was feeling. And what I was feeling Felt heavy and intense.
I meandered around And found a chair that offered Bright colored landscapes on the wall In front of me to get lost in, And large windows close by To see the beautiful tree outside- That was somehow grounding. And something I found comfort in.
And I sat alone in silence, Sipping my hot coffee With honey and cinnamon- Reflecting, observing And remembering the journey That landed me in this space. The traumas still come back To haunt me from time to time. Like today. Coming back was a trigger I wasn’t prepared for in any way.
My grief is still present, Though not as often as it once was. And my sadness still lingers. Though most of it, I have chosen to let go of. But all that I felt was a reminder That I am still healing From all that I endured. That I am not done processing Everything I’ve been through. And I’m still hoping for one day, a cure. I’m healing slowly, but surely And that’s okay. Little bit by little bit, Over an extended time… Because healing never happens Overnight.
When my name was called, I stood tall and followed my nurse Like a robot going through the motions. Weight and height check- Followed by my vitals and questions Around depression and how I’m managing. Overall, I feel a sense of pride For getting through and to Where I’m at today. That said, I still have moments Where I struggle to accept My new normal as being okay.
After my nurse left, and as I sat waiting For my oncologist to arrive, I snapped this photo of myself Because it’s a moment To be celebrated. This was my high-five. I felt happy and grateful To still be here- To still be alive.
But when I look at This photo of myself, I see every emotion I was feeling And sitting with, Even though I thought I was hiding it. I see everything That tugged at my heart that day. I see happiness and inner peace. I see a deep sadness And a sense of unease. But I see immense gratitude- And a good attitude toward Being in remission– And I also see that I am not defined By one or the other. I see that I am all of them- Intertwined together… And a work-in-progress I will be– Forever.
Last night I stepped outside my norm and this is what came forward … along with a poem that came directly after. This is for any and all who need to hear the same.
“RELEASE”
Release the need For perfectionism. Let go of that Which cannot exist.
Instead- Color outside the lines With bold enthusiasm And lead with your love, Fire and grit.
Drop the comparisons. You are not them, And they are not you. Your journey is not theirs- And yours is for you.
Live your life out loud With intention, And just be you. Reinvented you. Passionate you. Healing you. Unapologetically you. And be unafraid To let the world see The unmasked version Of you.
For you are beautiful. Just as you are- With every story, Every scar, Every facet, Every celebrated Imperfection. You are a force To be reckoned with.
Your truth Is your connection. It’s the red thread That unites us all Behind unspoken words. Speak up with courage. Your voice is your power And your story- Beckons to be heard.
Chase your joys. Follow your heart And be led by the things That ignite your light So deeply within.
For that IS Your purpose And a sign that The stars have aligned. That you are on your path- And your soul is ready To dive in.
I took a giant leap of faith, and followed my heart instead of listening to my fears. I went on a journey of art and healing with an amazing group of women that I’m now proud to call my friends. I stand in awe of our experiences together.
This is a poem I wrote after I bought my plane tickets. You should also know it took me 3 times of getting all the way to end where you confirm – before I actually did. The fear was loud, but my faith was louder. This was one of the most empowering experiences I’ve ever had. I’m forever grateful.
“Teotihuacan Feb. 2025 – Leap of Faith”
I just took A GIANT leap of faith. Scary! Terrifying actually! My heart is racing… And the logical Part of my brain Is bracing itself… And wondering why I just jumped Without a net To catch my fall- And yet Something Deeper within My spirit Told me To just answer The call. Told me I must! Told me to trust! Asked me to believe. Have blind faith in that Which you cannot Foresee! And my higher self Is applauding me, And celebrating My bravery- And rejoicing in The open-minded Parts of me Willing to Finally let go. Let go Of every self doubt, Every roadblock, And excuse That has been This barrier Enslaving me, And belittling me Since I was 19. Because My higher self Sees the real me. Believes in me. Sees my Unique qualities, My strengths, And every possibility Deep down Inside of me. Maybe- The lioness Within me is Awakening… And jumping Was just The beginning Of my trajectory- To inner glory. And the beginning- Of my NEW life story.
I’m terrified. But my soul Is on fire With a light Brighter Than anything I have ever felt Before. Something Has been ignited Deep within My spirit, At my core And I am ready And eager For ALL that’s In store…
Today is a gift In this very moment As you sit here now, Breathing, seeing, Feeling and being. This- is living. This- is the present.
Life is a treasure To behold, And to cherish. No day is perfect But every single one, Holds something within- A blessing or blessings To relish.
Let perfection go- And allow Your life To unfold In the most Beautiful ways- As you follow Your heart, And listen To that little Voice inside- Nudging, And guiding you. This- is your intuition And your guides Lighting the path, And realigning you.
Allow your light To shine For all those Around you To see and to feel. This- is the center Of your spirit. This- is love. The truest And purest, Most beautiful part of you.
Today is a gift. Celebrate it. Gratitude is Knocking On your door- Answer it. Life is a mirror Of what you choose To project. So, protect it. Choose your Words and your Thoughts wisely. And if something Within this day Doesn’t go your way- Let it. Change your lens, Find your peace, And accept it. Happiness is a choice. Remember that. New opportunities Are unfolding Before you- Open your heart And be willing to listen. Have faith And trust in it.
I’m so proud of you For getting through Every hardship, Every battle, And every struggle That came from Every difficult storm You walked through.
I’m so proud of you For every part Of grief you Overcame. For moving through Every feeling You felt, For allowing Your heart to cry- As you Stoically, Quietly, Or powerfully, And painfully Wept.
I’m so proud- That when the timing Was just right for you, You chose To finally Let it all go. Let go of your pain, And suffering, The anger, And sorrow, And everything That no longer Served you- And in the same breath You decided To step outside of Your comfort zone. And you chose Joy and happiness. You chose to rise, and To spread your wings, In order to grow, And glow Into the new, Courageous, Powerful and Radiant YOU.
Shine your light bright For the whole wide world To see- And to feel. Choose to Love yourself A whole lot more, And a whole lot better… Please promise me You will. Please offer yourself Forgiveness, And allow yourself More grace- With even more space For love, compassion, And patience… For doing your best. For who you are And where you are- Right now At this very moment, And in this place. Because- You and I both know That this life isn’t easy! And I just wanted you to know- That I think you’re doing great!
It’s been a rough stretch- Mentally. I draw in a deep breath- As I feel the clouds Begin to lift. This darkness- Has felt so heavy. This grieving- Of who I was before- Cancer. And struggling To accept myself Unconditionally, As I am now- After. So much was lost, And I was happy With who I was. And I don’t yet see Anything That has been gained- Out of who I have become. If I’m being honest, Breast cancer Has made me feel Less like a woman, Weaker as a person, And so much more Sadness as a human. I would not wish this On anyone. I have been Profoundly humbled By my life journey. I understand The fragility of life, And the importance Of moments spent Both happy And hurting. I struggle to understand The purpose behind All that has been taken- And I would be lying If I said There weren’t moments Where I have felt Like I have been Forsaken. But I will forge ahead For my family- And do my best To hold my head high. And I will do so With as much strength And hope As I can find- Cancer has taken So much from me- But I will never Give it the power To define- The rest of my lifetime.
It is up to each one of us To somehow Keep our hope alive. And we will find it In those places Where our heart Feels overwhelming joy To thrive.
I find my hope In a morning run And in the vibrant colors Of the rising Sun. In the clouds And God’s sun rays Shining down From up above. I feel hope When I give gratitude For the blessings I’ve been given. I find Hope In the beauty Of life’s little things. And In learning A new life lesson. Hope is there For the offering In those beautiful spaces That make your heart sing. May you find and feel Hope today In whatever Your day may bring.
I reach out To hang out. I long for old times And friendship. But each time I feel denied And somehow rejected. And it triggers This horrible sadness inside, And I can’t help But feel deeply affected. I know that I hurt you A long time ago- I apologized, And I’ve tried To right my wrong- But it’s forever changed The way we once were- And it’s become Painfully clear Over these last few years- That I no longer Really belong. In truth, I’m realizing The time has come For me to stop playing This same old sad song. I love you forever, And I always will. Until my very last breath. All those crazy, fun times We had together- Are some of my most favorite Life memories yet- I won’t bother you To hang out anymore- And I’m sorry If I have felt like a pest. I love you big And I love you for life- You’ll always be one of the best-
You’ve loved me at my best- You’ve loved me at my worst- You’ve loved me equally, And unconditionally, You’ve loved me through Every trial and every hurt. You have a way of grounding me And calming my crazy nerves- You have a way of speaking Directly to my heart- And my spirit belongs with yours.
May life’s littlest joys Make you smile in the moment- May you find time today To pause and take in The beauty all around you. May you feel peace and gratitude For simply being present. And for every blessing That comforts, calms, And re-grounds you.
May today’s sunshine Come along and kiss you Upon your cheek, Remind you of life’s blessings, And bathe you in its peace. May the afternoon showers Wash away your worries, And may all of your troubles Be fleeting. May God‘s grace Renew your spirit, And remind you Of His safekeeping.
It’s crazy how fast The past Can come flooding Right back… All the memories Of yesteryears And always wishing You could still be here. I remember your smile And all the ways You made me laugh- All the years Remind me of how long You’ve been gone But my heart still Doesn’t know the math.
This poem came to me around 3am on the morning of 6-27-24, and was written for those of us who are experiencing our children growing up and being around a whole lot less.
I feel a little bit sad Every time I walk by And see your empty bed. It’s a reminder again and again- Just a little each time, You’re a little more adult, And a little less kid.
My mama heart breaks Just a little each time I see you paving your way. Living your own life, And on your own terms, A little less here, And a little more away.
But I also feel A lot of mama pride- Watching you thrive As the days fly by… And I see the woman You are growing into- A little less me And a lot more you.
It’s beautiful. YOU are beautiful, And I am forever grateful That I get to do This life with you. I thank God For every waking day I get- To spend a little more time Watching you blossom And bloom…
Even if my mama heart feels like It’s all happening- Just a little too soon.
dreamer | artist | painter | poet 