logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
5m 59s

1116: Mercy by Dessa

American Public Media
About this episode

Today’s poem is Mercy by Dessa.


The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I never took to the attitude of I’ll show them. It concedes that those people, people who did not think enough of me to take care of my feelings, are still in my life, in an unhealthy manner, subconsciously controlling my actions. My success is not going to suddenly prove me worthy of love in their eyes. Will they have thought better of that moment when they scarred me? Maybe. Will they think me more intelligent than they initially granted? Possibly. But, truth is, I am healed when I no longer care to have their acceptance or validation.”


Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Up next
Today
1338: Are you bringing fruits, plants, seeds, by Karen Llagas
Today’s poem is Are you bringing fruits, plants, seeds, by Karen Llagas. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem looks at the anxiety and the absurdity of America: How many people seem fixated on the dangers outside our borders with ... Show More
6m 9s
Yesterday
1337: New York Address by Linda Gregg
Today’s poem is New York Address by Linda Gregg. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem captures that feeling when you’ve just had it—you’ve absolutely hit your limit. But at the same time, you realize that you’re the only person w ... Show More
5m 47s
Aug 22
1336: I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson
Today’s poem is I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “One thing I love about poems is how they give us the opportunity to take our time, to dial in, to look and listen closely. Not everything ... Show More
6m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
311: What to Do When You Get Offended: Resent or Release
In this episode, Corrine and Neil unpack what to do when you get offended—a follow-up to their recent conversation about repentance (Ep 309). They share personal stories and recovery insights about how resentment can quietly take root and how holding on to offense can block spiri ... Show More
38m 57s
Apr 2025
Re-release: How to enrich your everyday life with poetry (w/ Sarah Kay)
Roses are red, violets are blue, has poetry ever been intimidating for you? For many people, this art form can feel unapproachable, but poet and educator Sarah Kay, suggests that people who don’t like poetry just maybe haven’t found a poem that really speaks to them. Sarah propos ... Show More
31m 28s
Apr 2025
Episode 193 The beauty beyond the beauty we thought we knew
Humans are naturally drawn toward beauty, because we long to know more of ourselves. It was spring two years ago when I recorded an episode on this theme, and as I re-listened this morning, I heard myself say that I had just received a “download” (not a word I would use now) that ... Show More
30m 40s
Jun 26
"You Are Not Your Thoughts!" -Maha Turki Al-Subaie 154 | Certified Self-Development Trainer & Life Coach
On this powerful episode, we sit down with certified self-development trainer and life coach Maha Al-Subaie for an honest and insightful conversation about self-love, emotional awareness, and the journey of inner healing. We explore why so many struggle with loving themselves, ho ... Show More
1h 45m
Apr 2024
EP 0081 - The Mother Wound
- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://joeryan.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/joeryan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://joeryan.com/coaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Subscribe To All Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://joeryan.com/subscribe/⁠⁠ Many of us are emotionally stuck at a point where we f ... Show More
31m 11s
Jan 2025
Ep. 67 - Cy Twombly's "Second Voyage to Italy (Second Version), 1962"
"My line does not illustrate. It is the sensation of its own realization." - Cy Twombly Critics have described the work of consummate scribbler Cy Twombly as at once "barely there" and overly academic, but what about us art civilians? What is it about these half-baked scraps, scr ... Show More
26m 28s
Jul 22
31. Reclaiming the Lost Art of Sensuality
After poet Andrea Gibson passed away this week, I realized that poetry and sensuality are deeply intertwined. Both require "masterful sensitivity" and the courage to feel everything, including pain. I believe most people don't realize they're poets, and by tuning into all nine of ... Show More
29m 31s
Jul 30
Addicted to Approval: What Happens When You Stop People Pleasing
Send us a textIn this bold and soul-baring episode, Elaine is joined by powerhouse coach and speaker Jacquie Grillon for a truth-packed deep dive into people pleasing, perfectionism, and what it really takes to unlearn the conditioning that keeps women stuck, silent, and drained. ... Show More
46m 50s
Feb 2025
No Hard Feelings
Holding a grudge can feel like a form of justice, a way of punishing those who have wronged us. But psychologist Fred Luskin says that more often than not, grudges don't hurt the targets of our anger. Instead, they only hurt us. This week, we explore the lingering effects of long ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 2024
3 Signs God Says it's OK to Give Them Another Chance
 If you’re ready to learn how to identify and deal with all the difficult people in your life, grab a copy of your FREE Toxic People Survival Guide. https://krisreece.com/toxic-people-survival-guide So you’ve finally put your foot down. Maybe you’ve kicked the narcissist to the c ... Show More
7m 54s