Like a Butterfly

This group of poems, short stories, photographs, and free writes I compiled together to document the movement and transition in my life toward enlightenment as I have experienced it. This book is a creative means to try to share that transition, blossoming into a joy that, for me, took many doubts, fears, trauma, and uncertainty to attain. Much of this book is about that inner struggle of facing all that keeps you from being happy, and in that fight, being held back even more. However, the real message is the overcoming of this struggle, and the importance and realization that to attain true happiness, there is a need to recognize the oneness with all things in the universe. The different works, including the photography, were created when I was between the ages of 13 to 21, but are not necessarily in the order of when they were created. I hope that they serve as a means of strength if going through difficult times, or of a reminder of this transition, if the discovery of happiness has already been reached.