ZORA

A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color.

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Why You Need an ‘ANTHEM’

2 min readSep 6, 2023

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I remember the first time I created an ‘anthem’ for myself. I felt emotionally isolated, discouraged, and depleted. It was at a time when it seemed the nights lasted infinitely longer than the day. After weeks of this, I heard a voice whisper to me, “How much longer?”

How much longer was I going to grieve? How much longer was I going to wallow in self-pity? For how much longer was I going to allow the negative voices in my head to rule my life?

At that moment, I decided to talk back.

“Anthem- (noun) a song of praise or devotion; a sacred vocal song.

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An anthem is a dance that you do in the privacy of your room, or on a crowded dance floor, feeling free. It is a poem written from the soul, spilling the truth of your spirit in deep black ink. It is a song sung in the shower. A hug given, a kiss received. An anthem is a meditation of gratitude, a prayer of love. It is an affirmation of all that encompasses you.”

Everyday life doesn’t permit us the time or space to cater to our needs. The day is full of to-do lists, tasks, and productivity. We are encouraged to live as a cog in the machine and to please those around us, neglecting our own happiness.

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ZORA
ZORA

Published in ZORA

A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color.

Tori Franklin
Tori Franklin

Written by Tori Franklin

Olympic Triple Jumper. World Championship Medalist. Public Speaker on Mental Health and Dream Chasing. Non- Profit Founder. AUTHOR!!!

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