cradled into tomorrow.

next steps.
future days.
not-so-distant tomorrows.

on my mind,
ever circling,
ever present.

the uncertainty.
the vast unknown of it all.

sometimes
i'm swallowed by overwhelm,
pulled under by the undertow.

the doubt
surfacing in quiet moments,
lingering beneath the rest,
growing ever louder.
all-consuming.
distracting.
stealing my confidence.

a tempter.
a deceiver.
urging me to lose my faith.
to drown in the questions.
to become subsumed
by the weight of it all.

but my inner guide.
my teacher.
my ally.
my friend.
reminds me to honor
this part of me.

to recognize
the fearful child within
who deeply craves
a sense of safety,
a place to land
in these hours.
these hours of waiting.

and in that recognition,
an urging to turn toward it.
to hold it close.
to meet it with tender
love,
care,
like kin.

cradling it
into belief.
into faith.
into trust.

allowing waves of inspiration
to wash over me.

cradled by the sea,
i drift into better thoughts,
better dreams,
of opportunities ahead.
of growth still to come.
of building something different.
something beautiful.
a better tomorrow.

so yes,
i will choose to cradle
and soothe
this fearful child within me.

allowing myself
to rest here.
in these hours
of the unknown.

quieted by
the gentle rocking
of the waves within.

eyes set on hope,
on the horizon.