Category: Non-Fiction

Community · Inspirational · Non-Fiction · Poetry

The Blogger’s Call

AinaBalagtas3 Comments
“Blogging meaningfully is more than just hitting ‘publish’—it’s sharing your truth with purpose, knowing your words have the power to inspire, uplift, and create change. Every post is a chance to leave the world a little brighter than you found it,” me.

In the hum of the digital world’s embrace,
Lies a new kind of storyteller, setting the pace.
No printing press, no newsroom’s wall,
Just a screen and a voice — yet louder than all.

You are the fresh face of journalism today,
A pathfinder carving out your own way.
With every word you dare to release,
You spark conversations, stir hearts to peace.

A post isn’t just content — it’s more than you see,
It’s a platform, a bridge, a spark to set free.
Your thoughts, your truths, your untold fight,
Can be someone’s morning or their guiding light.

The power you hold isn’t feather-light,
It’s a beacon that glows through day and night.
You write to inform, to heal, to inspire—
To fan change’s flame or ignite desire.

Don’t wait for permission or shrink from the task,
The world needs your words — all it asks.
You shape meaning with every line you create,
And rewrite destinies that once seemed too late.

Some will scroll by, but others will stay—
Reading your post could brighten their day.
Or lift their soul in a storm-tossed sea,
Your voice can unlock who they’re meant to be.

So speak boldly, with passion and grace—
Your blog is more than just words in a space.
It’s your footprint, your mark on this earth,
A chance to show others what courage is worth.

For in this age, where voices collide,
Yours has the power to open minds wide.
You are empowered — the pen’s now yours,
A blogger, a dreamer, breaking open new doors.

Don’t take it lightly, this gift you possess—
A voice that can build, uplift, and bless.
The world is waiting, so rise and be heard—
Your words have the power to change the world.

Essay · Non-Fiction · Persuasive

The Inevitability of Risk: How Willing Are You to Take It

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What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?

Risk is an uncomfortable word. By nature, we prefer safety, certainty, and familiarity. Nobody enjoys stepping into the unknown where failure, disappointment, or loss might wait. However, to gain anything worthwhile—whether it’s success, love, or personal growth—risk is inevitable. Life itself is a gamble, and every decision, big or small, carries some element of uncertainty. The real question is not whether to take risks, but how willing we are to take them.

For me, I don’t embrace risk blindly. Instead, I carefully weigh the odds. If the chances of winning or succeeding are in my favor, I might just take the leap. But my choice isn’t driven by emotion alone; I use every tool available to evaluate my options. Whether it’s math, statistics, research, advice, or past experience, I gather the information needed to make a sound decision. Often, common sense is the best guide—a simple but effective compass that helps me know when to step forward or pull back.

Risk isn’t always about chasing monumental dreams; sometimes it’s found in everyday choices. We take risks when we start a new job, open up to someone emotionally, or pursue a passion that others may dismiss. These decisions come with uncertainty, but they also hold the potential for great rewards. The truth is, avoiding all risk can lead to stagnation, leaving us with “what ifs” and missed opportunities. As the saying goes, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

However, not all risks are created equal. It’s essential to be mindful and deliberate. Some risks aren’t worth the consequences if the odds are stacked too high against us. Reckless behavior isn’t bravery—it’s carelessness. The key lies in balancing ambition with caution. When I know the potential payoff outweighs the downside, I feel more prepared to move forward. After all, life rewards those who dare to act but also have the wisdom to choose their moments wisely.

In the end, risk is unavoidable if we want to grow, achieve, and live meaningfully. Every person’s threshold is different, but the question remains the same: How willing are you to take the risk? Whether the prize is a dream fulfilled, a new relationship, or a goal achieved, it takes courage to try. And even when the outcome is uncertain, the attempt itself can teach us more than playing it safe ever will.

Creative · Love · Non-Fiction · Poetry · Sentiments

Just So the World Knows

AinaBalagtasLeave a comment

If the world could know what’s in my heart,
How thoughts of you never depart,
They’d see the love I hold so true—
A love that lives and breathes for you.

You are the man of dreams untold,
My warmth, my light, my heart to hold.
With every smile, you fill my days,
And brighten life in countless ways.

I wish the world could hear me say
How much you mean to me each day.
That you’re my joy, my sweetest song,
The place my soul has yearned for long.

But words, they falter, fall too small—
How can they capture it all?
If skies could write or stars could speak,
They’d tell the love that makes me weak.

For you, my world, my everything,
I’d trade the winter for the spring.
If only all the world could see—
How deeply, wholly you are loved by me.

You are my sun, my moon, my sky,
The reason stars sparkle up high.
With every breath, my heart is clear—
You are my joy, my soul’s premier.

In you, I find my world complete,
A love so pure, so calm, so sweet.
When life feels heavy, dark, or gray,
Your smile alone lights up my day.

And though at times we’re far apart,
You’re still the rhythm of my heart.
Just thinking of you, I start to cry—
But these are tears that never lie.

For joy like this is rare and true,
And all my dreams begin with you.
In you, I’ve found what hearts aspire—
My everything, my soul’s desire.

YouTube/Dan Fogelberg/Longer
Creative · Nature · Non-Fiction · Poems · Quotes

The Wisdom of Fall

AinaBalagtas2 Comments
“From fall we can learn that letting go is not the end—it is actually the beginning of growth, creating space for new dreams to take root and flourish,” nature says so.

The air turns crisp, the sky burns bright,
And autumn drapes the world in light.
Leaves flutter down in gold and rust,
Teaching us to let go and trust.

The trees release without a fight,
Their branches bare, yet feel no fright.
They whisper softly, “It’s time to rest;
Not every season demands your best.”

Fall reminds us that change is near,
But growth will follow every year.
We learn from nature to shed the old,
To find new strength when nights grow cold.

The harvest tells us: be grateful, too,
For all the blessings life gave you.
Like falling leaves, some things must part,
But room is made for a brand-new start.

The squirrels prepare, the winds shift low,
And rivers teach us how to flow.
In every breath, in every breeze,
There lies the wisdom of the trees.

So let us welcome autumn’s call,
And find the grace in every fall.
For seasons pass and hearts grow wise—
There’s beauty found in every rise.

Creative · Memoirs · Non-Fiction · Writing True

A River Within: The Unfolding of My Creative Soul

AinaBalagtas7 Comments

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

There’s a river inside me, always moving, always flowing. Some people know of it—of my creativity—but few understand how deep it runs or how far it carries me. It’s not deception, not even close. It’s expression, pure and essential, the way I make sense of the world and navigate the currents of life. I wear my creativity like a second skin, sometimes quietly, other times boldly. Whether I write, paint, sketch, or dabble in a new form of art, it’s always my way of speaking truths that words alone cannot hold.

Writing is my compass, guiding me through emotions, experiences, and dreams. But I don’t just write the truth—I craft stories that blur the lines, diving into creative non-fiction where facts and imagination dance together. I find that truth itself is sometimes too rigid, and life too complex to fit neatly within its confines. So, I let my mind wander. I weave hopes and desires into my words, reimagining what life could be. It’s not that I lie or pretend—rather, I reshape the pieces of life to reflect the deeper truths that can’t be spoken plainly.

Painting and other forms of art are like different languages I use to express what I can’t capture in writing. A brushstroke, a splash of color, the rough texture of a canvas—each one tells a story only I can feel, but others may glimpse in passing. These visual creations are an extension of the same river of creativity, winding through different landscapes, shifting and shaping me as I go.

My creativity isn’t just about making things; it’s about surviving, thriving, and finding peace in life’s struggles. When life becomes too heavy, too complicated, I dip into the river. God gave me this gift, and I know it is not mine alone. I’m thankful for the professors who sharpened my knowledge and encouraged me to explore every artistic corner of myself. They opened my eyes to the many ways creativity can act as both a mirror and a refuge.

What people see in me is only part of the picture. Some notice my writing; some have seen a glimpse of my artwork. But there is always more beneath the surface, more flowing within me that they may never fully grasp. And that’s okay. Creativity, for me, is deeply personal—not a performance, but a necessity. It’s how I make sense of joy and sorrow, how I dream and cope.

Like a river running quietly under a bridge, my creativity moves through me constantly, always present, always alive. I am grateful for every twist, every turn, every outlet through which it flows. It allows me to shape my world in ways that words, paint, or any medium alone never could. It is not just a talent or a skill; it is my lifeline, my prayer, my way of living with gratitude for all the beauty and chaos that life brings.

Human Nature · Inspirational · Non-Fiction · Poetry

The Bright Corners of the Human Soul

AinaBalagtasLeave a comment
“In us lives a fearless fire,
A will to lift, to heal, inspire.
No act too small, no heart too cold—
The goodness of the soul unfolds,” just me.

In the bright corners of the human soul,
Lies every gift that makes us whole.
A kindness given without demand,
A helping heart, an open hand.

There lives a love that knows no end,
A quiet strength to lift a friend.
Forgiveness blooms where grudges fall,
And mercy answers every call.

Hope burns steady through life’s storms,
Creating light in countless forms.
Dreams unfold on broken ground,
And joy in darkness still is found.

Empathy bridges hearts afar,
Guiding us like a northern star.
A gentle word, a steady ear,
Can turn despair to hope sincere.

Compassion dances in every deed,
Sowing care like scattered seed.
From tears, new courage dares to rise—
The soul reflects the endless skies.

For deep within, the goodness stays,
A shining core that never sways.
No fear or loss can take control
Of the bright corners of the human soul.

Humor · Non-Fiction · Poetry · Writing True

Pickle Ball Prep: A Grand Illusion

AinaBalagtasLeave a comment

What could you try for the first time?

I’ve made up my mind—this is the year,
Pickleball mastery is finally near!
I’ll be agile, precise, quick on my feet,
Dodging that wiffleball, light and elite.

First step: I’ll need the right pickleball gear,
(Though, let’s be real—just shorts and a beer).
Google says paddles come in all sorts,
Do I need one for pros? Or just casual sports?

Next up: I’ll study the rules, nice and slow,
“The kitchen?” What kitchen? Do I bring dough?
It’s all sounding strange—but hey, I’ll adapt!
Who knew a sport could leave me so trapped?

I’ll pencil in workouts to build up my game,
(Though Netflix might call me—those workouts feel lame).
I’ll practice my footwork and swinging technique,
In my living room first, at least twice a week.

I can already see it—my dazzling debut!
Crowds will cheer when I score—maybe one or two.
I’ll high-five my teammates and grin ear to ear,
“Natural talent!” They’ll shout—wait, what’s that? A tear?

But truth be told, plans don’t always get done,
And my coordination might make folks run.
Still, even if I flub it and can’t hit the ball,
It’s learning that counts—win, lose, or fall!

So here’s to my humble intentions, half-baked as they seem,
To pickleball dreams and my couch-bound regime.
I may not be ready quite yet for the court,
But soon—probably—just probably—I’ll dominate the sport!

Non-Fiction

To live beyond the numbers

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What principles define how you live?

They’ll tally your worth in lines and rows,
Mark your successes by how high they go.
A grade on a paper, a figure on scales,
The numbers scream loudly, but they tell only tales.

But I refuse to be boxed, defined, or confined,
By digits that cage the expanse of my mind.
The heart I pour into each uphill fight,
Speaks volumes beyond what’s seen in plain sight.

For it’s not the score but the spark in your stride,
The fire that flickers though storms may collide.
Diligence carved in the creases of toil,
Tenacity grown from the depths of the soil.

You press through the night when the world seems asleep,
Sowing seeds of a promise you’re destined to reap.
Not measured in sums or pinned to a chart,
But written in love and the will of your heart.

Compassion shapes every act you embrace,
A quiet strength that time cannot erase.
For kindness endures when numbers decay,
And perseverance will carry the weary halfway.

When the road gets steep, and failure is near,
Remember the courage that conquered your fear.
It’s the journey endured, not the points in the race,
That carve out the legacy time won’t replace.

At the close of it all, when the curtain must fall,
No weight can be placed on the worth of your call.
No scale can hold what your soul gave away,
No sum can define what your heart chose to say.

In the end, it’s not measures but meaning that shows,
For the seeds of your best are the ones that will grow.
And though victory bends to the winds of the unknown,
When you give it your all, the best is your own.