Neo Soul is my favorite genre of music. It gives me a feeling that is so great, but I don't even have the words to explain just how great it makes me feel. I am always in the mood for Neo Soul. It has the power to make you smile, cry, and fall in love. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

If you do not believe in yourself, who else will? You have to believe that you are capable to do great things in life. That does not have to be arrogance or cockiness. Confidence is not a bad thing. It is necessary to be successful. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

We tend to envy things we admire about others whether it be material things or character traits. That envy often becomes jealousy. While we may want what others have, we don't always know how they arrived to the point where they are. The path to get there may have a price tag that we are not wiling to pay. Be careful what you wish for. --- Send in …

There is nothing like a father's love for his daughter. You spend their entire childhood trying to protect and guide them so that they will grow up to be respectable ladies. Then, one day you wake up and realize they are all grown. At that point, all you can do is hope your example was good enough for them to make good choices. --- Send in a voice …

America flaunts the monicker, "Home of the free." While America is the best place to live on earth, there are still some fundamental flaws that keep many people in bondage. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

There are times when your heart is so broken that you just don't know what to do. You still try to love, but you hurt so bad. This is about one of those times. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

History has many atrocities that people prefer to leave buried in newspaper articles, dusty books, and the memories of those who experienced it and have passed away. It's important to discuss the parts of history that are not that glorious to keep us from repeating the same mistakes. It is also therapeutic for the victims. This piece talks about so…

We have all been there. Living life some type of way. Then you look back and realize just how bad some of your decisions were. We feel like there is no good within us. We can never run so far away that God cannot reach and restore us. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

Misinformation gets passed around so easily. Don't be mindless sheep. The fact that it is in print or has strong backing doesn't make it true. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

This is the story of the day my mother passed away. Although I knew it was coming, nothing could have prepared my heart for the pain I would feel after she took her last breath. I think I am able to go on with life because her life was so beautiful. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

Contrary to some of the lyrics, this poem has nothing to do with drinking alcohol 🥃🍹🍸. It’s a metaphor about gaining maturity as we journey through life. Growing old can be frightening. The thought of losing the benefits afforded us via youth can be tough to handle. However, growing old gives us the wisdom to apply life’s lessons. It is when we gro…

Life can throw some very painful things our way. It is at those moments where we contemplate giving up. This poem come from one of those times in my life. You never really know what people are going through. Check on your folks. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

People often have this misconception that getting into a relationship will fix our personal issues. To add insult to injury, people hide their shortcomings until the relationship has gone too far. It is only fair to let your significant other know who you are before it is too late because the truth will ultimately come to the surface. --- Send in a…

It takes a lot of confidence and perseverance to overcome growing up in an impoverished environment. There are so many kids dealing with circumstances that we take for granted. Whether it's not having a bed to sleep in or a meal to satisfy their hunger or even having to navigate through a dangerous neighborhood every day to get where you need to be…

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers. This is a salute to you and all you do for your families.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

This is dedicated to everyone who has lost their mother. My mother was a blessing to anyone who knew her personally. She lived what she preached; "Love thy neighbor as thyself." She was the proverbial "glue" that held the Helaire family together. Because of that, all of her kids hold her in such high regard. I can remember so many times when she we…

This is a lighthearted poem that plays off the cliche, "Misery loves company." Just a little something to put a smile on your face. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

This is an abstract piece about how life changes. As we grow older, some of our preferences adjust with our age. Some things just do not move us the same way. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message

This poem is about the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It tells the story of the night Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world. More important than him dying on the cross was his resurrection on the third day. Without this ultimate sacrifice, there is no salvation. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/p…

This piece is dedicated to all the women holding it down despite life's challenges. I wrote it specifically for my wife for our 20th wedding anniversary. I see the beauty in all that she endures while standing by my side. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

This is an appreciation of my black culture. Growing up, I had to overcome a lot of negative imagery that could have easily convinced me that I was a second-class citizen simply because of my skin color. The messages in the media, including movies, television commercials, and popular music, all convey that the African-American community is inherent…

This poem is encouragement to the black wife to support the black husband because black men already face enough adversity in society. The added antagonism from one's wife is disheartening and damaging. I believe there is a misconception of what being a strong black woman is. Many take that to mean she needs to question her man's authority and chall…

Happy Valentine's Day!!! This is a series of 3 short poems written to my wife, Shannin Helaire. The first one is about the day we met, hence the title "July 19, 1991." The second one, "An Ode to You," is the poem I recited when we renewed our vows for our five year wedding anniversary. The third poem, "Earth Angel," is one I wrote on GP because she…

There is a misconception that we have to be "good" for God to deal with us. However, the Bible is clear in stating that no one is "good." We all have short-comings and sins that make us unworthy of God's presence in our life. In fact, we are only privy to God's favor because of His grace. He loves us despite all of our faults. We are saved by grace…

This poem is about the bond my wife and I have formed over the years. Despite all of the hardships we faced, we made a conscious effort to draw closer to each other. That bond has gotten us through so many tough times. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…

Sometimes, we go through some very trying times in relationships. We go through things we would have never imagined in many instances. In the midst of those times, we find ourselves desperate to get over the emotional injuries; grasping at straws to find a remedy. However, the really deep hurts simply take time to heal. The quick fixes just don't w…

I was teaching 3rd grade at Roosevelt Elementary School in 2002 when I wrote "I Have a Dream Too." My class recited it for a Black History program that year. The school was in the inner city where students didn't tend to have many tangible examples of what society considers to be "successful" people (i.e. lawyers, doctors, engineers). I wanted my s…

We all go through hardships in life. Too often, we go through those hard times without realizing that there are spiritual powers behind the attacks we face. God is always in our corner fighting on our behalf. Going into battles knowing that God has my back encourages me to stand strong even at my weakest moments. The Bible says, "If God is for us, …

This is a comical poem about women being suspicious of their men. Regardless of whether or not the suspicion is warranted, men want their women to trust them. In this episode, you will find a lot of the general discussion you typically hear from a man's perspective. Imagine this recital being delivered from the confines of a courtroom. The man is p…

This is an abstract piece on retrospection. Our choices create the "bed" in which we must lie. We often fail to examine those choices until our bed is already made. This can lead to a very bitter perspective on life. Regardless of the extent to which we take responsibility, we still have to deal with the consequences of the reality we create.--- Se…

This piece is a ode to my wife, Shannin Helaire. It was inspired by the realization that we do not have an infinite amount of time to be with our significant others. People often take time for granted and have so much regret when their loved ones are gone. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atlas-helaire/message…