IN YOUR OWN WORDS DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, SELF BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR BACK ON THE STREETS: FEAR! BY JOHN ALEXANDER, VOICE VENDOR living on the streets when he could no longer afford his rent. Through the end of this year, various VOICE vendors intend to contribute something in honor of Brian Augustine’s legacy. I DON’T KNOW WHICH IS MORE FRIGHTENING, the known or the unknown. Before I became homeless and on the streets, I had heard about people having no home, sleeping in parks, on bus benches, etc. But today is 35 years later. Based on my experience, I now have some idea of which is more frightening, and I know one thing for sure. I do not want to ever return to being on the streets, homeless again. Down by the river, or over by the railroad tracks, in dark, empty vacant houses or condemned buildings are no places anyone dreams of sleeping each night. I have walked down many alleys and streets, passing by people, stepping over people – some of who were drunk and passed out. I have seen a few individuals lying still from the overdose of drugs. During my 35 years of living homeless, I have passed by many people lying motionless, and they were dead! That sounds awful and shocking to some people, but to me, I remember the thought that no matter what I have seen, or who’s injured or dead, I have to find someplace out here to rest and sleep for the night. RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA DON’T WORRY about what he or she said to you to try to hurt you. Just let it go. Don’t worry about what people think about you, when you know they are not saying anything good about you. Let it go. Don’t worry about who likes you, or who doesn’t like you. Live your life for yourself, not for other’s approval Self, you need to love Self, so you will know what to let go of. Do not take on other people’s problems, when you know you don’t want them. When you know you can’t handle them, speak up and say, “I’m sorry. I can’t help you with your problem.” Don’t worry about what others think about you because you have your life to live. Other people’s opinions of you shouldn’t matter at all. You can’t make everyone happy, so don’t try. Self, you should only care about people who know you and are truly there for you. Let everyone else go. Self, stop worrying about everything because worrying won’t change anything. Deal with it, or let it go. Don’t sit and worry every day about things that really don’t matter, and then, your life, Self, will be a lot better. Worrying will kill your health and age you faster Try, every day, to worry less and not hold on to anything you can’t change. So, Self, let go and free yourself from worrying. ■ JOHN ALEXANDER. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN Editor’s note: This “Back on the Streets” piece is in homage to Brian Augustine, who passed away in January. When he died, Augustine was writing a monthly column about what it was like to return to Being homeless is hell, pure hell! Many times, I have heard people say, “I have been to hell and back,” and that statement impressed me. I often wanted to meet people who said that, until I realized that going to hell, turning around, and going back was NOT the same as a person that has been to hell and come out on the other side. ■ ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN 10 DENVER VOICE July 2023
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