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ZenArashi
60 731,658 M Meaningful Journey 13
You can’t pour from an empty cup
PathStep 251 Compassion hearts89,328 Forum posts116 Forum upvotes351 Current upvotes351 Age GroupAdult Last activeJanuary, 2025 Member sinceMarch 15, 2020
Bio

I am Zen 👋🏼 

My username means Calm Storm in Japanese.

💜💙

Once you've met someone you never really forget them.It just takes a while for your memories to return. - Spirited Away





Recent forum posts
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Empty sky : A eulogy
Poetry / by ZenArashi
Last post
 8 hours ago
...See more The wind is still,   A leaf falls not a single sound   but its a quiet descent.      The tree, once full,   stands bare,   its branches reaching   into an empty sky.      The earth beneath me   feels colder now,   like the space   where you once stood.      I search the horizon,   but there’s no trace,   just the endless stretch   of what’s left behind.   And in the silence,   I wonder if the stars,   have forgotten to shine. 
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Bent but not broken
Poetry / by ZenArashi
Last post
 Saturday
...See more A single branch,   twisted by wind,   holds on to what remains.    The sky above, heavy with clouds,   and the earth below trembles. I stand in the hollow of a tree,   its bark peeling away like old wounds,   roots struggling to find a steady grip. The raging river beside me rises,   crashing against the slippery stones,   dragging murky memories in its wake.   The listless leaves above flutter and fall,   each one a quiet surrender,   but I do not let go.     I stand,   Bent but not broken,   This too shall pass. 
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Healing Steps
Poetry / by ZenArashi
Last post
 January 8th
...See more Bare feet touch cold earth,   the ground unfamiliar,   a silent witness to the weight   of what was lost.   Fingers grip the wooden rail,   each breath a slow, steady inhale,   muscles remembering rhythm  of a body that once ran. The air tastes of renewal,   the sun a quiet observer,   of this fragile rebirth   a seed breaking through stone.   Each step is a question,   each step is a promise,   a quiet defiance of the dark   that once held me down.   And with every faltering move,   the earth cradles my soul,   whispers, "You are not broken, Zen  only mended in time."   The path ahead is unclear,   but with every step,   I reclaim the space between   what was and what will be. (Actual x-ray image of my feet) 
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Weeding Out Toxicity
Poetry / by ZenArashi
Last post
 January 6th
...See more Like weeds in a garden,   they spread,   roots tangled deep   in the soil of my peace,   climbing, choking  soft whispers of poison,   bright petals that hide the thorns.   I used to water them,   thinking they were flowers,   nurturing their sharp edges,   believing kindness could soften   their barbs.   But now,   I see them for what they are-   invasive,   leaving the soil barren,   suffocating the living.   So I pull them,   one by one,   hand steady,   roots snapping beneath my grip,   the earth sighing with relief.   I let the sun back in,   and the garden breathes again,   untouched,   waiting for the seeds of peace   to bloom.
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Managing Boundaries: My Personal Journey
General Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 January 7th
...See more    I’ll be honest, setting boundaries used to feel like a foreign concept to me. For the longest time, I thought that being “nice” and always saying yes was the key to being a good friend, family member, or colleague. But over the years, I’ve learned that not having boundaries can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and even resentful. And, as much as I hated to admit it, I was burning out.    I used to constantly stretch myself too thin, saying "yes" to every request, even when I knew I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth. That's when I realized that I had to start putting myself first, and that meant learning to set boundaries.    I used to think that saying “no” would make me seem selfish or uncaring. But over time, I learned that boundaries are actually an act of self-respect, not selfishness. By respecting my own limits, I can show up as my best self for others.     I’ve realized that not all energy is worth sharing. Some people, situations, or environments drain me, and I need to know when to step back. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is how to walk away from toxic or emotionally exhausting situations. It’s not always easy, some days I get it right, and other days I struggle. But I’ve learned to be kind to myself when I slip up, and I give myself permission to reset.    Boundaries are still a work in progress for me, but every small step I take toward honoring my limits has made a huge difference in my mental health. It’s not about shutting people out or being unkind. It’s about creating space to care for myself so that I can show up fully for others.  You can’t pour from an empty cup. 
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When You’re Ready, This is How You Heal by Brianna Weist
Reading & Writing / by ZenArashi
Last post
 January 6th
...See more Happy new year everyone!  I’d like to share a book that I’ve read recently entitled When You Are Ready, This is How You Heal by Brianna Weist.  Reading this has been a transformative experience for me. One of the key takeaways that resonated deeply is the idea that I’m not meant to be for everyone, and not everyone is meant to be for me. This concept helped me realize that the few genuine connections I have—whether in friendship, love, or relationships—are incredibly valuable, and I’ve learned to appreciate them even more by understanding what they are not. The book also made me realize how important it is to stop staying stuck in relationships where I’m being used, emotionally drained, or treated as a back burner option. By doing so, I was preventing myself from finding support that I truly deserve. This book reminded me that the healing I seek is out there, waiting for me to embrace it.
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Happy New Year!
General Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 January 1st
...See more Wishing you a year filled with health, happiness, and beautiful memories. Thanks for being there for me when I needed it the most. 💜💙
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