As a Deaf writer, I dream and embrace my journey to inspire you and future generations. My passion for storytelling shines through my journals and personal stories, drawn from my life experiences and imagination.
When we write honestly and from the heart, we cannot lie to ourselves. Lying to others might be easy, but lying to ourselves is unimaginable. Writing allows us to reveal our truths.
As a Rainbow Dream Catcher, I see myself as a hero or warrior who walks on the Red Road, inspired by my eight generation of young Chief Joseph, a Broken-Heart; the Dreamer, A Prophet. I capture others' dreams and help bring them to life through inspiration. My life may be filled with challenges, but I am the master of my dreams. Nature is my sanctuary and my greatest teacher, constantly inspiring my art of storytelling.
My journals and stories provide me with hidden messages and guide me to my next piece. I create with a unique writing style to advocate for and inspire the Deaf community, especially in literature.
Writing is not a burden; it is a rewarding experience. It does not have to be long, fancy, or perfect. What matters is writing from the heart, creating memories for the future, even if it is just for a few minutes or a single sentence.
Guided by nature and the animal kingdom, I step into the world to share my stories and inspire others. The world is vast, but my imagination knows no bounds. I continue to spread stories, weaving a world filled with wonder, magic, and imagination. That is the power of storytelling.
Heart-broken Deaf Storyteller:
I am a Deaf storyteller and proud of it! Life is not just about the good times; it is also about the tough moments that shape us. At three years old, I lost my mother, and since then, it has always been me against the world.
That was my first heartbreak, but we all face heartache. Sharing our stories brings comfort. My anger is like a storm, but it leads to personal growth. I have learned to transform my pain into strength.
Storytelling is my escape, my therapy. It helps me connect with others who have faced similar struggles. Anger is not just an eruption of feelings; it comes from deeper emotions like hurt, frustration, or fear.
Recognizing and understanding our anger leads to self-awareness and better coping strategies. It is like appreciating the beauty of volcanic landscapes; we learn to navigate our emotions without being consumed by them.
“In our minds, a spark is born,
From a place where we have been torn.
Anger, like a heart on fire, can take us higher,
It is a force, wild and free, but within its mess, a light we see.
Like a river, it rushes through, creating a path that is new.
In its heat, we find our way, to break, to heal, to fly.
Anger, when met with care, becomes power that helps us dare.
So let it shine, like a star in the night, for in the end, it brings us light.
Strength, courage, a mind that is kind, in the wake of anger, we rise and find.”
My Journey in the Silent World:
Your world is vast and how can you truly be aware of it?
“Dear Journal,
My life in the silent world shapes who I am, and I want to share it with you.
Being hearing is expected and normal but being deaf makes me different.
Why am I different? Because it is your world I live in. It is about how you hear, period.
Since birth, I have faced challenges. I was forced to wear hearing aids and an FM system as a child. From preschool to third grade, I took speech classes daily to learn to read and write English.
Furthermore, I chose to use American Sign Language (ASL) and stay Deaf, no longer speaking or wearing hearing aids. I use body language and gestures, quickly learning visual skills.
When I interact with people, I always ensure you understand and communicate in your "hearing" ways. I never complained, I never resisted. It’s always been about your hearing world.
Our Deaf world is small, like ants. Hearing people can choose to learn ASL or understand Deaf culture, but why should you? Deaf people like me have no choice. We must embrace your ways to survive.
It’s not terrible, it’s our truth.
Many loves,
Alex Hawkins”
My Silent Journey:
Since I was 27, I have developed my own methods and studied nonverbal languages deeply. This knowledge is the key to making my dreams come true because in our dreams, they don’t speak or listen. Dreams transcend this world, yet we know them more than ourselves.
I have spent a lifetime understanding your perspective. Now, it is your turn to step into my shoes. Imagine a world without sound, where your voice is silent.
Try this exercise: watch TV with the volume off and captions disabled for 5 to 15 minutes. Hard to imagine, right? Welcome to my everyday life.
It might make you sensitive to the silence, but now you understand why.
A Reflective Short Story:
During a harsh winter in Vancouver, Washington, my ex-fiance and I were homeless. An old friend offered us shelter in his tent for two months. We were grateful for free meals downtown.
A homeless girl liked me and spent time with us. It brought brightness to our days.
A misunderstanding arose when her friends believed I had hurt her. Their anger turned towards me. They waited for me to return from recycling pop cans in Portland, Oregon.
I sensed something was wrong as I exited the car. A group of aggressive lesbians confronted me. One tried to hit me, but I instinctively defended myself. The girl intervened, explaining it was another Alex.
Embarrassed, her friends retreated without apologizing. The girl checked if I was okay.
Reflecting on this, I realized clear communication is vital. Misunderstandings can escalate quickly, impacting our lives deeply.
Your world is vast, but are you truly aware of it? My experiences remind me of the importance of understanding and communication.
Deaf Narratives:
“The legacy I leave behind will define who I truly am. It's in the quiet moments of reflection that my actions truly resonate. I have been afraid of the truth all my life, and this fear has caused me a lot of discomfort. It is a hard pill to swallow, but I know it is a vital part of my journey.”
Memories from my past still hover over me, and the sting of being left behind as a child lingers. I have often acted out of character to fit in and keep others happy, sidelining my right identity.
Now, as I tackle my damaging habits and simmering anger, I see how these unresolved issues have stolen my joy. Writing down these painful memories is a challenge because it forces me to confront parts of myself that I have been avoiding.
I often feel isolated in this battle, but I realize that understanding these issues is crucial for my healing. I am a complex person and can be rebellious at times, especially during arguments. Learning to love others as I love myself is tough, but it is the only path to genuine growth.
This journey is long and arduous, but I am committed to uncovering my true self and forming a meaningful identity. Facing and understanding my issues will boost my self-awareness and give me the courage to be authentic.
Understanding my emotions and the reasons behind them is a meticulous process that requires patience and honesty. Each painful truth I uncover is a step toward feeling complete.
By letting down my guard, I open myself up to move forward and personal growth. This is not about forgetting my past but accepting it in a way that propels me forward with clarity and purpose.
Throughout this journey, I am learning to trust myself. Doubts and fears still haunt me, but I am getting better at silencing them. By surrounding myself with supportive individuals and asking for help when I need it, I am building a strong support system that boosts my resilience. This change is influencing all aspects of my life, including my relationships and self-perception.
In the end, the journey of self-discovery and healing shows our capacity for change. It takes courage, as it means confronting our deepest fears and accepting all facets of our identity.
However, this journey also holds promise; each step forward brings us closer to a life that is authentic and fulfilling. By embracing this path, I believe that through understanding, acceptance, and growth, I can forge a future that respects both my past and my dreams.
A Dream Pursuer navigates life and experiences like a passionate dreamer, immersing themselves in storytelling and chasing imagination. This describes someone fueled by ambitions and determined to turn dreams into reality.
Alex Hawkins, a 39-year-old married deaf author, celebrates his published book, "Enchanted Forest Kingdom: Uncover the Enchantment of the Forest Kingdom."
I share my journey and the support I receive from my husband and cats. I emphasize the importance of savoring the journey while staying open to possibilities. Let us celebrate small victories by connecting with nature and sharing our stories to inspire others.
Despite facing challenges, I embrace a vibrant imagination and a love for storytelling. I draw inspiration from nature and my experiences. I weave elements of diverse legends into my writing to enrich readers' lives with fantasy and wonder. I urge others to dream big, stay curious, and cherish the journey of life.
Moreover, my story reflects a profound sense of wonder and excitement about life, particularly regarding my mixed heritage of Native American and Germanic European roots. In my journal entries, I reflect on the historical journey of the word "wonder" and its significance in my exploration of identity and culture.
One day, I embarked on a personal journey through the Quinault Rainforest, inspired by the mystical elements of both Native American and Germanic backgrounds. I visualized and discovered nature's beauty and ancient tales that inspire my writings.
Throughout my reflections, I portray myself as a figure of positivity and kindness, likening my impact on others to that of a superhero.
I emphasize the transformative power of optimism and curiosity. My deaf narratives combine elements of heritage exploration, personal growth, and the celebration of wonder.
“In the quiet corners of our hearts, emotions simmer like volcanic lava, waiting for their moment to erupt. Anger, often seen as a destructive force, can morph into a powerful catalyst for personal growth when understood and embraced.”
My journey, as Alex Hawkins, a Deaf storyteller, is a testament to this transformation.
My story begins as a three-year-old deaf boy, abandoned by my mother due to her battles with addiction. Raised by a family that later shunned me for my sexual orientation, I navigated life’s challenges solo. Relationships brought further heartbreak, with betrayal becoming a recurring theme. Out of 23 ex-boyfriends, 21 were unfaithful. Yet, these experiences taught me that a broken heart goes beyond betrayal—it is about the deep, personal pain we endure.
Anger became my companion, a relentless storm threatening to consume me. However, I learned to see it not just as a destructive force, but as a powerful energy that could be harnessed for healing. Acknowledging my anger was the first step in my journey toward emotional resilience. By understanding its roots in my pain, I began to transform it into strength and self-awareness.
Through storytelling, I found a way to express my emotions and connect with others who have faced similar struggles. It provided a cathartic outlet, allowing me to turn personal turmoil into narratives that inspire and heal.
Just as volcanic eruptions create fertile ground, embracing my anger led to personal growth and new beginnings. Anger, like a volcano, can be both destructive and creative. It is rooted in deeper emotions such as hurt, frustration, or fear.
By understanding and processing these feelings, we can turn anger into a constructive force for change. It is about learning to navigate our fiery emotions without being consumed by them, much like embracing the volatile beauty of volcanic landscapes.
“Rising, roaring, tearing apart.
Strength to break, to mend, to soar.
For in the ashes, we find the light.
In embracing our anger, we rise and find
resilience, heart, and strength of mind.
Like a volcanic eruption, it holds the potential for
profound transformation and new beginnings.”
Self-awareness:
“The other dreams in shadowed flight.
Vibrations dance where sound cannot speak.
In silence, the secrets of life I keep.
Guides me in a dance that knows no end.
The other dreams in shadowed flight.
Vibrations dance where sound cannot speak.
In silence, the secrets of life I keep.
Guides me in a dance that knows no end.”
Dreams weave our aspirations into reality. As dream chasers, we grow and transform through life’s journey, encouraged by destiny. Nature inspires us to dream bigger. Challenges shape us, and with supportive people, we find joy in the pursuit, not just the destination. In the quiet of the forest, our dreams take flight, reminding us of our inner power. Gratitude helps us see the beauty in our journey.
Embrace your dreams with an open heart. Let them guide, inspire, and transform you. Though the journey may be tough, it’s in the pursuit where profound transformations happen. Hold onto your dreams; they are the essence of your soul calling you to live boldly.
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” — Albert Einstein”
Communication Style
- Creative and expressive: I have a passion for storytelling, nature, and spirituality.
- Appreciation for diversity: I enjoy exploring different cultures and legends.
- Inviting reflection: My communication style invites others to reflect and explore.
- Emotional depth: I use symbolism and visuals to convey rich emotions and ideas.
Listening Style
- Thoughtful and empathetic: I listen with an open mind and heart.
- Value stories: I appreciate the stories and experiences of others.
- Deep connection: I connect deeply with others, offering a sense of being heard and understood.
“Man’s inability to communicate is a result of his failure to listen effectively.” — Carl R. Rogers
In the forest, where the last rays of sunlight filter through the trees, whispers of secrets and self-discovery arise. As night falls, deeper mysteries linger, but the bond between nature and spirit grows stronger, reminding us that true enchantment lies in our connections and dreams.
The ’a’e of the Enchanted Forest Kingdom lives on, inspiring new adventures and inviting all to uncover their own enchanted paths where the magic never ends.