Potential

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

Charles Bukowski

This poem came recommended by a friend; he talked of how strong and powerful the poem was and that I had to experience it for myself. I've re-read it five times since I first came across it this afternoon. It's a funny thing how strong of an affect a poem, a quote or a book can have on you. It can help you relate, understand or even see your problems as clear as day. I think sometimes reading and understanding what someone else feels can help you understand yourself. By being honest about their feelings and problems and experiences helps you feel comfortable with who you are being and what you have experienced. Understanding that someone else can let their walls down, can give you the strength to see your life in the light of day, and really help you see yourself.

This poem is powerful and filled with passion. Behind every dark moment there lies opportunity. With every decision we make, it's all chance. We need to realize our potential and the strength we have to actually be able to get out of bed every day and decide to actually live our lives. The extreme miracle it is that most of us have a roof over our head, food in our bellies and family to laugh with.

Our hearts will forever be full if we surround ourselves with love and opportunity to grow. Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. We need to realize this and cherish our moments, our days, our lives.

I hope you realize your potential and know what your life is capable of achieving. I hope you see that every day is a miracle and take advantage of all your possibilities.

Never, ever settle.