Imposter
Pixabay.com

Imposter

You think no one sees 

The flowers through the trees

Imposter

The one you desperately hide

And attempt to confide

Imposter 

Those traumas twisting inside like a ball

Preparing for an anticipated fall

Imposter 

Drugs, sex, and porn 

Upon which you've sworn 

Imposter 

Your allegiance to the flag

That has become a filthy rag 

Imposter

Performance is your coke 

Family has become a joke 

Imposter

Isolation is your wife 

Secrecy cuts like a knife. 

Imposter 

Thank you for reading.

Your thoughts are very appreciated.

Author’s Bio

Karen Bontrager helps 16-24-year-old men, and fellas, 25+ stuck there due to complex trauma, make permanent shifts in their behavior from merely surviving in life to thriving through transparent coaching/counseling in one-on-one conversations and in group work, and through topic sensitive trauma-informed workshops in a program called, “From Crisis to Courage.” With this ontological approach, I partner with my clients to discover their essence, (aka highest and best self) by powerfully reflecting and listening to them. My clients quickly learn how to generate self-awareness and to voice their own relationship needs in a clear, constructive way by learning key coaching techniques/evidenced based counseling approaches/tools to work past their traumatic events and addictions to move forward. The clients are then equipped to develop healthy relationships with key relationships: parents/siblings/friends, and with intimate dating partners because they have learned how to proactively use their voice.

She does a weekly Relationships Matter Monday LI article/poem/commentary for 16-24-year-old men and fellas, 25+, stuck there due to trauma, is a frequent contributor here, and has a bi-monthly podcast called Crisis to Courage to give gentlemen an honorable platform for learning how to use their voices in a way which gets respected, instead of turning to the old standbys: anger, isolation, and numbing behavior, so they can be the men they were made, formed, and created to be.

Crisis to Courage Podcast for Men Links below:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1130105/listings

https://open.spotify.com/show/0hBtQMFu6eOoHAJBZVRgiQ

https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xMTMwMTA1LnJzcw==

https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/3017583

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/crisis-to-courage-podcast-a-pl-1258925

https://www.deezer.com/us/show/1372142

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/crisis-to-courage-podcast-a-platform-for-udrRN3OmV9o/

Are you a man, 16-24, or more mature, 25+ which feels stuck mentally, and is not able to move forward due to a traumatic past, which shows up as anger, isolation, or various numbing behaviors, and needs support? Or, do you feel something gets in the way emotionally from you loving self, others, or having the life of your dreams, but are not sure what? Please DM me on Linked In for an opportunity to talk.  


Martin Slyngstad

Business Owner of Spire Autism, Behavior Specialist at Center for Social Dynamics, Book Author, and Speaker

4 年

Need to think about this one. Definitely hit difficultly

Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Emmy-Nominated TV, Video & Event Director | Messaging Strategist | Author, “The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing” | Leadership and Near Death Experience (NDE) Keynote Speaker ?? ?? ??

4 年

Every day is a dance between aspiration and failure. A key is to accept the journey from fear to faith, tragedy to triumph, failure to victory. It is not a straight road, or smooth road, or fast road... but a road worth traveling when we understand that we are on a transformational journey for life Karen Bontrager

Elvis Galesi

Sabbatical - working on my next painting at Life

4 年

Beautiful poem Karen. Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust..... but in the meantime in this game of life we acquire through experience various “Masks” in order to navigate through it...peace comes when the masks are shed and the Essence is released...where Nothing and No one can define you but yourself.

Gary Familathe

Executive Producer

4 年

I'm a witness that God can bring healthy positive relationships into your life. Prayer helps alot ??

Brian S.

Partner at CDI Global LLC | CDI Space & Technology | Tactical Solutions Group | Adjunct Teacher of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

4 年

It’s a matter of having questions, the consideration of which allow you to get an “authentic” look at yourself. The beginning of our authenticity is to be authentic about our inauthenticity.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Karen Bontrager的更多文章

  • Crisis to Courage 4Men - Male combat vets should know how premilitary trauma impacts them

    Crisis to Courage 4Men - Male combat vets should know how premilitary trauma impacts them

    This first edition of the Crisis to Courage 4Men LI newsletter is dedicated to all the incredibly brave combat veterans…

    38 条评论
  • Strong Young Man Poem

    Strong Young Man Poem

    Where did you go? Everyone acts like they do not know that it is a mystery, that you are this enigma, an unsolved…

    10 条评论
  • Are men emotionally castrated due to trauma?

    Are men emotionally castrated due to trauma?

    Dictionary.com defines castration as rendering impotent; to deprive of strength, power, or efficiency; weaken.

    8 条评论
  • Pretender

    Pretender

    You adamantly pretend there is no need, When your very DNA triggers you to lead. To provide and protect is the most…

    6 条评论
  • My nakedness: There are things I cannot give my son By Contributing Author – ShaRhonda Withers

    My nakedness: There are things I cannot give my son By Contributing Author – ShaRhonda Withers

    My story Relationship matters, which is powerful within itself, but when I think of mine; coming from a perspective of…

    7 条评论
  • Insecurity

    Insecurity

    I come on strong with my masculinity To hide the overwhelm So, no one really sees. Insecurity There is an abundance of…

    7 条评论
  • The Purpose By Contributing Author –Timothy Davis to Rachel

    The Purpose By Contributing Author –Timothy Davis to Rachel

    I love it when we have deep discussions And there seems to be no resolve But, through prayer there is no problem Given…

    9 条评论
  • The Brave Ones

    The Brave Ones

    Once, creatures of habit Paralyzed like ambushed rabbits. Reaction is their new action False security, but void of…

    19 条评论
  • Elijah Man

    Elijah Man

    Like him, I often feel alone As if never being shown A powerful example among my own people Instead of man-made…

    11 条评论
  • September 11, 2001 By Contributing Author – Kimberly Ferguson

    September 11, 2001 By Contributing Author – Kimberly Ferguson

    Twenty years ago today You went away We think of you every day We pray that your families are okay Your memories we…

    12 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了