June 2022 3rd Street Beat

3rd Street Beat

Art

The 3rd Street Beat Mission Statement

The Third Street Beat is a newsletter written by and created for people with substance use disorder. Our mission is to validate that experience so people know that they are not alone, and to emphasize the many unique roads that we take to recovery. This is an opportunity to share our experiences to creatively support each other. We are non-political, non-denominational, multi-racial, and gender neutral. Our mission is one of recovery and harm reduction, and all experiences are welcome. All the viewpoints herein are personal in nature and related specifically to our contributors’ recovery.

The 3rd Street Beat Editorial Team

The 3rd Street Beat is produced byThe Recovery Center community with assistance from the occupational therapy team.

3rd Street Beat back issues

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Art by Norman Brown

Joelleigh Dream

by Yaritza Valle p. 3

My Inspiration

by Eboneik (R. Crawley) p. 3

My Return in my Journey by Yaritza Valle p. 4

Who Are You to Judge?

By Moe p. 4

The Mind Opener by Kennard Singleton p. 4

In the Passionate Room

by Raymond Bird, III p. 5

Hello by William Edwards p. 5

Life’s Value

by Raymond Sanders p. 5

Better Today

by Yaritza Valle p. 6

My Pen, My Tool by Moe p. 6

I Am a Writer by Moe p. 6

Art by Norman Brown p. 7

JOELLEIGH, WELCOME TO THE TRC FAMILY!

Dear Joelleigh Dream,

This letter is to you my unborn child, I thank the man above for blessing me with you. The day I found out I was expecting you I cried like a baby so many emotions went through me at that moment but terminating you wasn’t an option at all. On November 23, I literally stop getting high and smoking cigarettes, something I’ve never done before, honestly baby girl it feel Amazing, feeling your every movement and hearing your heartbeat has given me the strength I thought I would’ve never had, being pregnant with you life hasn’t been so sweet but carrying you has made it something I will never forget, I got you Joelleigh Dream forever, you are coming into my life for a reason and we will continue this journey my daughter. I can’t wait to see your face and smell your baby breath. Little girl you don’t know how blessed you are already by having the family born into but even more with the family we were blessed at TRC. We are very lucky Dream Trust me mommy will not let you down. I love you forever Joelleigh Dream.

YaritzaValle,YourMommy 4/21/22

My inspiration

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you don’t feel like doing anything? Let me tell you about what’s going on with me.

This morning I woke up to a peaceful start, then my driver got caught up on the FDR due to an accident and couldn’t pick me up until 10 AM and my appointment was for 10:30 AM. There was no way I could have made it. So I came to my program to spend the day. … I always find some serenity from here.

Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh…

What this verse means to me…?

This verse means a lot to me because being Muslim, I wasn’t comfortable and didn’t understand the concept. But growing up Baptist reading this verse gave me comfort. I know that God is everywhere.

So actually i really didn't know the truth meaning of returning cause this is the first time I'm taking it real serious about returning back to my true self, and it's feels amazing to wake up in the morning and feel healthy actually like to look at myself and see that little girl is gone with all the pity party and blame game and the woman that returned in that mirror is coming back stronger than ever, loving herself, not putting herself down, It feels good to actually have family also acknowledge the woman that has returned and trust me there is not turning back from this path I am on. So yes it is my turn to keep myself going and I will not be making any u-turns cause Im loving my return in life.

Yaritza Valle

Who are you to Judge? By Moe

Who are you to judge who am I to judge. In the "bible" there is a verse. That states He without sin Throws the first stone. In other words everyone is flawed in one way or the other Everyone is special in one way or the. Even if one is perfect than wouldn't be fair to say that he or she would not be judgemental. In other words If this person was perfect than he wouldn't be judging. Remember he who judges will equally judged. How can you see the speck in my eye when there is a speck in your own. This is no such thing as perfection. Perfection is only perception. What u perceive to be perfection might be destruction in my eyes. So again I ask you who you are to judge.

In the passionate room

Never had I had the time to remember what happened in yesterday's passionate room

Passionate as it was "in the mix of it all"

I still can't put my mind around how beautiful it must have been In the passionate room

By Raymond Bird III

Painting by Galina Kilpach

Life’s Value’s

Life is a blessing, Without it we wouldn’t be here today!

Life gives you opportunity.

Without opportunity, you will be stuck.

Life has a lot to offer, If only you take the risk.

Taking the risk, will either

Incline you, or decline you. It all depends on your choices.

Speaking of choice’s, life has Plenty to offer as well.

- Raymond Sanders

Hello. How are you doing today: (I’m ok) just trying to keep up with myself, my health, my faith, my lifestyle and make it worth a positive way of living: Everyday is beautiful. Remember. To keep smiling and trying. Have a good day: to myself, Everyone.

-William Edwards

My Father Flower

Help my Father Flower in the memory Father you took me

My father took me to see the fighting gloves

To Madison Sq Garden to see M. Ali and Frazier Steven Miller

Better today than other days, The other day. I got some news that honestly, if I wasn’t taking this path I’m on… seriously, I would of went out to go get high cause hearing that your child is going to be a parent is sorta hard, especially when you were a teen parent yourself. I’ve actually came to the terms, he isn’t the first teenage dad and won’t be the last, I wish he would’ve waited a little longer but I’ve come to realize that things happen for a reason. I see my son being more responsible still going to school and got a part time job. I seen the glow in his eyes when he was telling me about the baby, He got so excited because everytime the baby hears his voice she moves and kick for him. I’m also glad that I get to experience this part of his life with him. This just pushes me more to continue on my path. My baby boy needs me more now than ever, I have been given another chance in life, and I’m grateful to have my children back in my life, and I wouldn’t change it for nothing in this world. I’m actually looking forward to meeting my grandaughter, Trust me baby, grandma won’t be missing anything from your precious life. So don’t worry my son you have me by your side …back and stronger than ever. We got this poppa. I love you my son.

My Pen / My tool

I am a writer. Yet what is a writer without a pen. My pen is my tool my pen is my sanctuary. My pen is my sword in a fence fight of witts. My thoughts are my gifts. My gifts come to life when my pen meets my pad. What is mechanic without his tools. Answer is A writer without a pen. My pen makes me whole. My pen makes me a writer. Thank you pen. because without I can be complete. By Moe

I am a writer I am not a poet I am not a novelist. I am a writer. I am a writer because I write my thoughts on paper. What qualifies you as a writer? Well I am assuming that writing your thoughts on paper qualifies you as a writer. A poet sounds too complicated and a novelist sounds like to much work. So I decided to simplify my life and just write. So today I am a writer.

By Moe

Art