Poems
Untitled
life flies by while we're lost in thought
pursuing pointless pleasures
never doing what we ought
regardless of the weather
whether rain or shine we fought
forgot we're all together
never studied what we sought
stillness is strength
the strength we need surrounds us all
in doing less we heed its call
this stillness swells through letting go
be free before the status quo
it can wait
not everything is urgent
it can't all be high stakes
when everything's essential
what matters gets no weight
focus on self-control
the one battle that matters
is to conquer the self
become brittle, you shatter
stay resilient, excel
we are not so different
there is beauty in the suffering we share
yet we neglect others wanting them to care
trauma bonded we're the lion and the lamb
recall we are each all versions of "I am"
gently mindful of mistakes
to fail doesn't mean I'm a failure
perceived losses are really a test
strength comes from stillness, not anger
regain calm and forget all the rest
self-deception's slippery slope
never lie to yourself
every word is a vote
to see your reflection
truth the soul antidote
tender honesty
tell the truth but do it gently
tend your words don’t condescend
tell the truth when no one’s listening
to your enemies and friends
let others err
do as you say
don't expect others to
the person most wise
to follow your advice is you
nothing left undone
to win fights without striking
to speak loud without words
to be wise in nonaction
to exist before first
Prompts
There's a Wrong Way to be Right
What you react to in others, you strengthen in yourself. Righteousness and superiority stem from identifying with a misconceived moral high ground. Pointing the finger at who's wrong only mirrors negativity.
Resentment amplifies the issue.
Instead, act out the positivity you wish to see in others.
Be Charitable With Your Time
There are more ways to be charitable than financially.
Be generous with your compliments.
Volunteer your time and energy.
Instead of money, give kindness.
Be an Idealist and a Realist
Virtue is nothing without effective action.
Hypothetical help is no help at all.
Don't be deterred the real world isn't as smooth as the paper you penned plans on.
Act.
Helping Others Helps Yourself
When you see someone in need, don't hesitate. Act.
Their suffering isn't far away.
It's yours.
Assume ownership and find the only kind option is to get involved.
Being a Leader is Not About Titles
You don’t need a position of power to lead.
Leadership comes from another power: self-control.
Manage your emotions and live by your values.
You’ll inspire others.
Let Go of Lost Causes
Don't sacrifice your time to idle tasks because you're convinced changing aim is giving up.
Going down with a vacant ship isn't selfless, it's self-centered.
You don't need to finish that book you're not into. If you're not getting anything out of an endeavor, the only thing that's growing is your ego.
The Golden Rule with a Twist
Treat yourself as you'd like your friends to be treated.
You wouldn't let a friend say they were worthless. How can you be at your best for others if you put yourself down?
Live Your Values Like a Leader
Achieving success isn't a sign to let your ideals regress.
The higher you reach, the higher the standards.
Staying true to you and your values is what makes it all matter.
Attention is the Mind's Currency
Success at almost anything requires sustained attention (growth stems from concentration).
Do you spend your time focused on what you value most?
Do Your Best, Forget the Rest
Your effort is one of the few things you can control in this life.
Don't squander your potential.
Trying your hardest is easier than living with less than your best.
Regret is Heavier Than Discipline
Self-control over your impulses is as simple as any other habit. The idea it’s always a grind is a lie.
Regret, however, is precisely the monster it’s made out to be.
Before you obey your next impulse, notice the space between the stimulus and your reaction.
Fill this space with your values, or live knowing you stood by.
Wisdom is to Follow Your Own Advice
"Do as I say, not as I do," should be "do what you say, but don't expect others to." You can't control anyone else, and trying to will only cause pain.
What You Do Matters
It's easy to be defeatist in our age. To believe our choices don't matter either way and give up any responsibility for the state of the world. Don’t surrender to despair.
You are responsible for your actions and words, which ripple out in ways you couldn't predict.
You are not condemned to be responsible. You are lucky to be.
Without responsibility there is no meaning or purpose. Don’t give up because the world is on fire. Give more of yourself. Differences are made when states are dire.
Boundaries are the Bedrock of Discipline
People understand you based on what you stand for.
If you don't set your responsibilities and how you expect to be treated, others will choose for themselves.
Nonaction is Always a Worthy Option
A formidable fighter seldom strikes. A great orator senses when silence would suffice.
Don't mistake aptitude as an excuse for rash action.
