My life changed this time last year. Things started becoming more clear about what my mission in life was. I’ve gone through so many setbacks and trials that needed to happen because they were part of my path of enlightenment. The things I’ve learned on this journey thus far are constantly shaping me to become a better version of myself. I think that for the most part, that’s what everyone wants, we all just don’t know how to find it. Everyone isn’t going to like you when you start changing your life for the better. Most people don’t like you regardless, and that’s fine. It’s on you to like you, everything outside of that is a bonus. Love every part of yourself enough to have a desire to make it stronger and align with your purpose.
I knew I wanted to spread awareness about PTSD, depression, and suicide because it’s something I’ve been battling for years. Enlisting in the Marine Corps a year after 9/11 also played a huge role on how I felt I was supposed to be living my life. I came to the understanding that a warrior’s heart is never healed. I needed to find a way to break this kind of thinking and after a while the only thing I realized that was helping me was poetry. Poetry was literally saving my life. It began taking my mind away from the things that were toxic to my livelihood. More than that, going to open mics and actually reciting my poems became a form a therapy I never knew existed.
After years of soul searching I finally stepped into my purpose and started walking in light. I began putting more passion into trying to pull others out of their darkness and it only has made me stronger spiritually, mentally, and physically. At this point, my body is a product of my poetry. Baring my soul on stage is harder than baring my chest. I figured if I gave more transparency with my life, people would be able to see that an intangible change was occurring.
Mental health can often get overlooked when people think of men’s health, but for me it’s the most important factor of living a healthy lifestyle. I’m going to continue to share my story and my message with as many people willing to receive it. I know how much of a powerful role poetry has played in my life. It may not work for everybody, but I know it will help everybody that it’s supposed to help.
Creating Poetic Justice Open Mic, a monthly poetry night which started in St. Louis challenges me harder than any workout. The trauma that black men and women in this country experience is unimaginable, and for me to be able to provide an outlet for them to decompress is a blessing. As a kid, I wanted to be a weightlifter, and making the load a little lighter for someone else falls right in line with that. It actually makes me stronger knowing that I’m making other people stronger. It keeps me going.
I know a lot of people assume that when I post pictures on social media showing a lot of my flesh that I’m just setting up “thirst traps” or seeking attention. Those are the people that don’t see the bigger picture, and that’s cool. It’s not for everyone to see what I see until I reveal it. I guess in that sense, it does come off as magic. The real magic is having a vision for yourself, and actually putting in the work to bring that vision to fruition. That’s Black Man Magic. I hope Men’s Health will help me spread this message and share my story. Don’t sue me for using your logo on this picture taken by Rob Cannon, it was just the only way I could get people to see what I was on and I didn’t know how else to contact the magazine. If you know any veterans or anyone suffering from PTSD or depression, please share this with them. If you or anyone you know is having any suicidal thoughts please call the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255) and try to find a professional in the field of mental health. My story is far from over, and I hope it can help others on their journey.
I just wanna see everybody happy. Abundance & Prosperity.
– Corey Black
