This evening, while shopping, I saw this journal, and the message on its cover sparked many thoughts in my mind. These questions surrounding "Finding yourself" and "Who am I?", I assume, are questions that most people have pondered as they try to make sense of, and navigate, this world. A few years back, I was at a writers' conference during which my colleagues, and I, were asked "Who got a hold of you and told you not to be yourself?" That was one of those life-changing moments that I will never forget: Be who you are. #tdarris is #msdarris (at Ferguson, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNEYMjrMDAN/?igshid=orv6x7od1vzk

One of the things I decided to do during #SpringBreak was to re-read my favorite book, "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. This book #inspired me to follow my #dreams, and it helped me to appreciate the little things in my life and do my best with everything. I think you might agree that it can be easier said than done. The story opens, saying, 👉👉👉"There once was a boy named Milo who didn't know what to do with himself, not just sometimes, but always" (pg. 3). 👈👈👈 The story closes, saying, 👉👉👉"And, in the very room in which he sat, there were books that could take you anywhere, and things to invent, and make, and build, and break, and all the puzzle and excitement of everything he didn't know—music to play, songs to sing, and worlds to imagine and then someday make real. His thoughts darted eagerly about as everything looked new—and worth trying.👈👈👈 Now, here are the closing lines: 💥"Well, I would like to make another trip," he said, jumping to his feet; "but I really don't know when I'll have the time. There's just so much to do right here (pg. 154)." 💥 Sometimes, we have to finish the work in front of us before we go on to the next task. #HappyWednesday #tdarris is #msdarris (at Ferguson, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMzVYYlsXqb/?igshid=45fdbwfd91hy

There is nothing wrong with having #chocolate and peanut butter for #breakfast... 😁🍫. #Kachava. #tdarris is #msdarris https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrzHydMVJq/?igshid=fgju65fatm74

#Goals don't care about the weather🏃‍♀️💨🏃‍♂️💨👟...#KeepGoing! 🌨🧊🥶☃️❗ Two miles in👟. #tdarris is #msdarris https://www.instagram.com/p/CKH8Rn6sWX7/?igshid=1jd1i9th3sl94

I guess it's time to #publish those #poems that have been sitting in my notebook year after year. It's a #chapbook series that was illustrated by Taki Richards. Thank you, Taki🤗❤️👏. #StuffIWroteFromMyHeart ❤️ #tdarris #msdarris #GoodPoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CG85eH8sSyf/?igshid=1aozu7l82prjx

I've just completed the major changes to my #SecondGrade school webpages with my #BitMoji. School starts on Monday! Given this historical moment (with the pandemic), I get to be a "new teacher" all over again. One of my objectives is to help parents to understand the vital role they play in their children's education and to not be quick to disqualify themselves from teaching their children because they are their children's FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT teachers. #wereinthistogether #TDarris #msdarris #MsDarrisIsDigital #backtoschool (at St. Louis, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfklUjholl/?igshid=1hngdg92vl5fe

"live and love" by teyuna darris live and love breathe some air stare at heaven walk barefoot on the ground absorb the sunlight feel the wind blow life is all around us. ------------------------------------------------------------- #poetry #poet #poem #tdarris #msdarris #GoodPoetry #poetsofinstagram #poetsofig (at Ferguson, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8EKRthDzW/?igshid=p58nhqpgqiru

And my other #ThrowbackThursday post. “GoodPoetry”  By @tdarris What are the prerequisites For good poetry? Is it the layout on the page  Or, a pretty word to calm fears  Or, to stir emotion  Or, to put you inbetween?  Does good poetry Sound good?  Are its iambs and pentameters in perfect mode? (or, is it form?) Is it a sonnet or a villanelle?  Does it rhyme or unrhyme,  And can it have the rhythm, And not have the rhyme?   Is it sexy, seductive, sassy, and sweet?  Or, is it conserved, passive, humble and bleak?   Don’t ask me to define a good poem   For all the world  could not contain its potential  And no author, nor critic could pen, or contend its true definition.   What is good poetry?  Let the poem decide.  #GoodPoetry #poet #poem #tdarris #msdarris #StuffIWroteFromMyHeart (at Ferguson, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC-ZOV2ByPC/?igshid=60k1n8sf615j