We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Javier Rhoden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Javier , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
Misunderstandings came from not being supported in the way that was needed yet still pioneering for what I believed in.
That didn’t necessarily come with all positive without some negative, because you have to speak and do for yourself in ways others wouldn’t approve, but it works for you. You may seem angry, out of control, perceived as negative or become mischaracterized, yet the work you do and the response you get from sharing is the proof of goodness in you and that you should continue.
Eventually you outgrow those with closed minds or limited understanding because you’re devoted to increasing yours. I come from a background of educators and technological thinkers, so to voice my desire to write philosophical poetry or poems with different outlooks didn’t sit right with my family. The norm was go to school, get a high paying job and work, so I was seen as abnormal, despite working at the time but pursuing authorship on the side.
People don’t believe in themselves enough to see possibilities so they wont and cannot do the same for you, yet on the flip side, try to do what you do without acknowledgement of what you do. Often times, it was family that made me feel betrayed and belittled, but from being misunderstood, I took lessons from experiences that others misunderstood and I put that into poetry, so that my readers wouldnt potentially have to go through what I grew through, or they can find the words to how they feel and express themselves.
My artwork was written for myself while leading myself and it can definitely serve as a comforter for those going through similar circumstances. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is being misunderstood doesn’t have to make me miserable, that my time is valuable, and I’d rather be alone pursuing my dreams than caught up wanting to be liked by those who should be loving me unconditionally. I now have my essence in books that my children can read through and use throughout their life once everything is said and done and I’ve passed on. Life is what you make of it so, lead it.
Not everyone will follow, but those who will, is a resonance far bigger than any disapproval or argument you can have. An insight I’ll give is if you’re misunderstood, carve out your own world of purpose and never look back. I can promise you, you’ll make a lot of progress and the best part is you stay out of trouble. People will look at your reaction, not the reason, so why not put more reasoning into your purpose in life?
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
From being in an environment that suppressed my expressions, I took to reading a lot. With reading came knowledge and it got to a point where I decided to put a lot of what I learned into poetry. From being seen as a problem at home and school, I was seen as a solution with people I shared my work with through the perspectives I could give. In my adulthood I decided to submit a manuscript to a major publisher, but they rejected it. After being told my writing wasn’t good enough or that it was too complex and I needed to simplify my art, I took to research and eventually self publishing my work. This birthed my brand, ‘Perseveerance’, which means steady persistence in a course of action, however, because ‘veer’ makes it two words in one, meaning a change in direction, Perseveerance means persistance in a changed course of action. Everything done is 100% independent, from the editing to the marketing and sales, I’ve done myself. I have included my wife on this journey, who does my illustrations, canvases, translations and graphics. The canvases serves as imprints from what my wife has learned with me and from me; for example, we have a canvas with flowers blossoming from the brain called ‘train your mind’.
What sets me apart is I’m putting forth everything I’ve invested in myself and I’m now investing to share with the world. My poems were written at a point in time which helped me, they can help you too. I’m leading myself as I set an example of how success can be achieved overtime through consistency and support. I’ll always be proud of the fact I’ve broken limitations to get to where I needed to be and that’s being an independent artist.
My poetry is written in many styles and forms, including surrealism poems and prose, brevity, vignettes, freeverse, lyrics and rhyme. The words illustrate perspectives about every aspect of life such as love, self-love, self-esteem, inner strength, heartbreak and happiness, to give my readers mental stimulation and inspiration.
My body of work includes my first book ‘Luminescence’, which brings you on a compelling journey of discovery and empowerment through overcoming insecurities, fear and self-doubt, to build confidence in yourself by learning to appreciate yourself, to know your worth and move on from your past as you let your inner light shine.
‘Lamentations’ dives beneath the surface of grief to uncover the healing through overcoming adversities. In revealing the art of letting go, readers are guided through heartbreak and into redemptive power.
To be read on its own or as a complement to ‘Luminescence’, my second work is a healing resource for those who are building on hope, mindfulness, going through personal transformation or appreciating themselves, others and surroundings.
In my creative book of prose ‘Altschmerz’, you will uncover difficult expressions about domestic relationships, friendships, childhood trauma, fear and abuse that will stimulate perspectives towards courage and higher self-esteem. Sensitive but tough. Do you have what it takes to grow in perseverance?
My fourth book ‘Twilight Zone’ is soulful, aspirational expression for independent thinkers who are developing belief in themselves and possibilities to brighten their futures in a spiritual light. This is to bring hope as you go through developmental and intelligent stages, phases and changes.
We have merchandise, tee shirts, sweatpants, onesies and more, for my readers who enjoy mementoes from who they support, visit perseveerance.com
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A part of my journey was trying to appeal to the people around me while still thinking I could go through with what appealed to me, as in I was working full-time while building my online precense as a writer. This couldn’t work out because time became compromised, but eventually, my body couldn’t keep up with the demand I was putting it through and I lost my independence due to health problems. I had to move back into my mother’s house and that was without a job. This was during the start of the pandemic when hours were being cut, uncertainty was the norm and I had finished taking care of my stepfather who passed. I was kicked out despite not having a diagnosis for my excruciating pain, which turned out to be scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. I was bed ridden for about two years or so due to the pain after the fact, but during it all, my author career was what I was able to fall back on financially, so my wife helped me to get things back up and keep it going and everything has been growing ever since. My quality of life took an unexpected turn and a lot of pain was involved for my mobility and flexibilty to improve and the pain to be less, but it further solidified what I wanted to do and how. I’m not pain free, yet, but I know deep down my will is shatterproof from the things I’ve gone through.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to be an amazing man to and for my children. Life bears weight that can limit you physically, emotionally and mentally, but you don’t let it depress you spiritually. We often look up to or idolize the wrong people or things but if I become the example our children see and need, then my purpose here is fulfilled, and that’s through how I lead. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to, great things take time, see? Daddy did it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://javierrhoden.com
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com/@javierrhoden - Other: https://www.
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