Before I achieved enlightenment,
life was filled with past regrets
and preoccupation with illness,
and overwhelming pain.
It was all about me
and how I have suffered.
Loneliness clung to me
like an unwanted hug,
until one day, determined to look outside myself,
I developed an interest in others.
I cultivated empathy and selflessness and
my heart became innocent and unguarded.
I began to ask questions
as I peered at my own reflection.
“What are your intentions?”
“What is your motivation?”
I acknowledged and confessed
my negativity, vowing to change.
As I strayed from long, ingrained
beliefs and ways,
I grappled with life’s deepest issues,
admitting pride and jealousy;
using all the courage I could muster
in order to face my own demons.
I began to separate myself from illness
and to shatter long held beliefs about myself;
finding that letting go delivers satisfaction.
I developed a fearless acceptance of
whatever may come, and it was then
that I found true joy.
Author notes
Option 1-B
"Live your life to the fullest and have an awesome time!"
A contest entry
- THOUGHTS by Pisces rainbow.
1950 points, ended July 27, 2008, 13 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - GROUP CONTEST FOR THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES GROUP II by Jeremy0826.
2300 points, ended August 7, 2008, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 40 of 40
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Great
You did well on this poem. Very bitter sweet and I cant definitely relate. Good luck. -
Very good write. As I have faced this very same struggle throughout most of my life I can most definitely relate. When you suffer from pain and depression on a daily basis it can be very difficult to see others needs and not just focus on your own. Thank you for entering!
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Truly a well writen poem. Thinking of others will take away many of your own problems. Sometimes we forget others have problems too. Loved it.
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Thanks so much for your kind comment, and your support is so appreciated. Blessings, Patty
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thanks for the entry
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The poem can lead to many things, however i do believe that there is a beginning here. I would suggest looking back and seeing if it is possible to build onto this poem, and by this I mean making another poem that is meant to be read after this one.
Jeff.
PS: You need to decide where to lead after this, or even to lead on at all. -
Excellent write here
So true this is for if you live only to hear your own whispers often you lose out on the joys of life for the whispers often are directed to negativity and unwilling to hear the loveliness others find in you . Concentrate on helping others and seeing they are happy and the child within will jump with joy and in the instant you feel this your life will never go back to the lonesome whispers that cheated you out of your younger years
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Thanks much! Your kind and thoughtful comment is much appreciated!
Patty
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I know i have read this before, but i needed to add more comment after the last one. This was absolutely beautifully written.It is so good to hear that you are finally moving on in life. I know you have said this before, but the more i read, the more i see that you have. Every word told your story of wanting to be someone else, not that lost soul you once were. Great read, great write,just great!
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You done a great job with the prompt and you have the gold to prove it! I really enjoyed this and thank you for posting.
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Letting Go that is the key. What an amazing write and so true to life. I am so happy that you have found the key to joy in life. I am still searching and hopefully oneday will be free too. Thanks for being such an inspiration to us all. Theresa
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Thanks so much Theresa! I still struggle at times and do not feel I am always at this point as in my poem. I think this is what we all strive for at least, and sometimes it's easier to be there than others. I guess the key is to always have this as your end goal. I hope your back is feeling better soon. Patty
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You truely grasp the key to enlightenment here; moving beyond ourselves and into others' pain and loneliness. Through reaching out and helping others in compassion; our own pain, sorrow, despair and loneliness is healed because we are all one. Awesome write and so very worthy of the gold trophy it deserves. Congratulations both for your enlightenment, and also for sharing it with others!
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Awesome attitude! Very inspirational. I like how you look at motivations and intentions.
Congratulations on the Gold!
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Thanks so much for your kind comment. Patty
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Inspiring & hopeful...
Self reflection & coming to terms with ones perception of self & indeed even perception of our peers is healthy in regard to change & development. I know we don't always like what we see, but alas, without these experiences to draw upon, we would learn nothing from them.
Great narrative, rhythm, flow & wordplay/choice/use...
A great piece you have here,
Well done!!!
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Thanks so much for the kind and thoughful commnet. It is greatly appreciated! Patty
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No probs, it was my pleasure...
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Wow no wonder this won Gold!
Wow no wonder this won Gold! This is a phenomnally brilliant write.
Love the bit which goes: "Loneliness clung to me
like an unwanted hug", that is brilliant, well said on that one!
You have a fabulous way with words, and the way you use words as graphics too and the flow is always brilliant too. Gee you must get in print it would be such a waste if you weren't. Fabulous work fantastic fabulous read, well done another poetic masterpiece for sure. You amaze me!
Poetic Hugs,
Kaz.
Kazytc xx
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Thanks so much! I am thrilled to have met you on here and look so forward to reading more of your wonderful writing. Your encouragement is so warming. Thanks again! Blessings, Patty
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Hi Patty,you have penned this write so well.Full of inspiration much wisdom within your words.I have to agree with everyones comment on your poem, there is nothing that I could add that has not already been said.In my eyes you have already the gold and so well deserved.I wish you all the best but you really dont need it
a wonderful write my friend.
Blessings to you and much love.
Your friend ~Angel-anne~
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It's as if you expressed "The Secret" in a poem. To stop thinking only of oneself and start thinking of others, rewards will come back to you.
Patty
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Wonderful. This sounds very much what i have tried to do and succeeded in some ways. The way you use words, is very good. It leaves impressions on the mind and thoughts to linger on. There is so much to be said and you have showed a forward motion in your writing. Well done.
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Wow what an inspiring poem I look up to you and all you have done. I keep praying and working towards the light and towards forgiving myself. Thanks for sharing such an amazing write with us all and good luck in the contest my friend. Theresa
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I really enjoyed reading this piece by you.
It is very encouraging and inspiring. It's
a wonderful feeling when you are able to
acknowledge and let go of your faults. Not
too many people can do this and miss out on
so much in their lives.
Sometimes our past has a way of sinking itself
deep within our minds and hearts. It can be very difficult to let go especially, when there is so
much happening in your life. Sometimes we forget
that there is another page to turn and that
happiness could be lying there waiting for us.
It's so important to find way of letting go and
encouraging yourself to grow both socially and
mentally. Beautiful work with this write and I
thank you for taking the time to write for this
contest. Thank you for being an active member
in this group and all the best to you in this
contest! Keep up the wonderful work here!
Jeremy0826
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Wow! That was a very nice and thoughtful comment, and I appreciate it so much! Thanks Jeremy, this is a very inspiring contest. Blessings, Patty
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You are very welcome Patty, it's my pleasure! Take care!
Jeremy0826
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Hello. I noticed you in this contest, so thought I would wish you the best of luck, on a wise and insightful write. My regards.
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Nice work
Your style of writing poetry, almost in a "conversation" with someone, is very unique and I really enjoyed it.
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Hello.
Your words speak of someone who is walking the path, and in my opinion you speak many wise words, learned in the manner we so often seem to learn.
Your write speaks to me of, an understanding of getting beyond ‘victim’, and thus you you you. The thing about looking outside yourself is interesting because it is a paradox. Looking outside yourself is also one of the ways of going within, for you start emanating a selfless love, one that doesn’t look for anything in return, which often means that you love yourself more as you see yourself as a good person. But then we have the conundrum of how can you give to others what you don’t have for yourself? Perhaps they go hand in hand.
Your write also speaks of asking yourself, who and what you really are, and an understanding that what you are creating is an outward manifestation of what you felt on the inside. Changing beliefs and thoughts, taking control, accountability and responsibility, changing the sub conscious program and sovereignty. Also facing pride and jealousy, which are products of lack of self esteem and thus ultimately fear. Perhaps this was also based on the writers self worth coming not from wholly them selves, which in my opinion it absolutely must do.
Letting go is also very interesting; submission to the goodness within yourself. For often pain and other negatives are caused by the struggle of Flesh/ego and the aforementioned goodness, and a reluctance to not accept, not understand, and actually stay in victim mode. Well this is what I interpreted from your write. An insightful write.
My regards.
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Hi Ace..Your comments always amaze me and I appreciate them so much. You have interpreted this well. The whole moving out of the victim stance was key, and not always an easy thing to do. We hopefully never stop learning and growing from our experiences. Blessings, Patty
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Bravo
You got it, my friend. Love this!
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Thanks so much!
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true word,
appears we have alot in common,
this is very true for me as well,
it is awesome!
inspirational.
I really love this.
good luck in the contest,
I don't really think you need any luck with this.
it is quite brilliant.
God bless bless my friend
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Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind words and thoughtful comment. Blessinsg, Patty
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A great look at where we would all love to be and the hope to be there.
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This is truly a most awesome write. Deep, profound and wonderful. I'm happy you found your inner strength, may it always shine!
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Thanks so much for your kind words. They mean a great deal to me. Blessings, Patty
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Beautifully written, ecouraging and it express where we all desire to be if not today then one day. Good luck in the contest you are very talented. God Bless
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Thank you so much for your kind comment. It means a lot to me. Blessings, Patty
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