![17711646375605210715580372512839.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tikatarot/23x155YhhwXskpX2EouoDKtbPZw5FTFhLTqoGqcKzm8W5KAtTvwVkM7EPdzwkp58hXFdt.jpg) ![topfeather.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tikatarot/jVIY8Tx5-top-feather.png) I return to the essential, aware that I sometimes complicate things because I don’t trust what’s simple, I return to the essential, I admit I’ve added more and more because I didn’t trust my first truth, and now that mistrust made everything blurry, I return to the essential, aware that complexity can become camouflage when I’m afraid to be direct, I return to the essential, asking whether I will let the heart of it be visible without defense, I return to the essential, letting the extra fall away and breathing through the space it leaves behind… I make each mark count, I notice how every small choice carries a cost, and when I add careless details I’m basically spending attention I don’t even have, I make each mark count, I admit I’ve thrown lines and words onto a page like noise, then blamed myself for not feeling proud of the result, I make each mark count, I confess I want my work to feel intentional, but I also want to rush, and that contradiction keeps showing up in these drafts, I make each mark count, asking whether this choice strengthens the whole or merely fills the space, I make each mark count, moving slowly enough to let intention guide my hand… I soften the reaction at its root, seeing how intensity has become a familiar language inside me, I soften the reaction at its root, I admit I’ve used overwhelm to justify snapping, procrastinating, disappearing, then felt guilty when I had to explain myself later, I soften the reaction at its root, I confess my emotions are real but they are not always wise, and I’m tired of letting them run the room as often, I soften the reaction at its root, is this expression helping me or just rehearsing chaos again, I soften the reaction at its root, placing one calmer action where a sharper one used to live, and allowing it to stand… I choose inward repair over outward display, aware that I sometimes dwell in pain to validate that what I’m feeling matters, I choose inward repair over outward display, aware that performing my hurt doesn’t bring relief—it just prolongs the ache, I choose inward repair over outward display, learning that dignity moves softly, and softness feels strange when I’m used to intensity, I choose inward repair over outward display, am I willing to soothe myself internally and silently, I choose inward repair over outward display, I hold my own hand and settle down, and let that be the bravest thing I do… Watchwords: I hide behind complexity for protection, Every small choice carries a cost, My emotions are real, not always wise, Is this expression helping me at all, I hold my own hand and settle, ![bottomfeather.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tikatarot/bYIitQga-bottom-feather.png) *** Here is Tikatarot, who dares you to answer the question, *“Who am I?”..* *** *** As and will always be reminding you to dream: *“As you are still the Master of your destiny and the maker of your dreams…”* ![tikatarot sign.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tikatarot/cUPh7Abd-tikatarot20sign.png)

Make it count