At Peace With Alone

In the vastness of this Universe,
from cradle's empty security to

deathbed's icy grip,

we are all of us alone.

Inextricably, undeniably,

irrefutably alone.

There is but one thing,

one energy,

one person

in all the expanse of life

upon which we can rely;

Self.

To distract one's self with

temporary forays or beautiful illusions

is to lie to your best friend.

To imagine that anyone will do for you,

or support your vision,

or reach out to your pain,

is to commit to fantasy

rather than reality.

We are complete unto self.

Our aloneness is a gift.

We can revel in all we have to offer

and all we have to accomplish

and all we have to experience;

no assistance, no permission,

no acceptance, no tolerance

is required.

If you aren't strong, don't worry.

None of us are born that way.

This world indoctrinates and

beats us into submission

from the moment we sprang forth.

Strength is in us,

but it must be cultivated,

discovered, excavated.

You better see fit to find that strength

sooner rather than later.

Depending on a faulty outside source

(which is about the best thing you can say

regarding fallible, weak, deceptive,

wishy-washy humans)

is a set-up for failure.

Cut to the chase;

depend entirely upon self.

You'll never have to worry,

regret, second-guess, or be

blind-sided by where your faith

has been placed.

There's only one True Friend

that stands by you to the end;

look in the mirror,

dig inside,

and discover them today.

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'Kissy Poo' Time is Over

You can't be sedate, passive, and doe-eyed.

You have to jump in the Game,

cuz it'll for damned sure jump all over you.

Stand up,

stand tall,

speak up with a loud voice.

Walk on, even if fear slams against you.

Steady yourself; you can rely on no other support.

Create your own fight.

It's not inborn; you manufacture it

every day

with choices and courage and confidence.

Be your own light.

Embody the best traits of your heroes

rather than waiting for one to descend

or admiring them from afar.

This life is a fight.

Face it.

It is in you.

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The Center of it All

After all the declarations, all the decisions to do better, all
the fear of losing loved ones or freedom, what is the one thing
that will truly save us in the end?

We must truly decide to Love ourselves.

This consists of many related decisions we have to make.

A true and abiding desire to care for self.
To do what will ensure better health and happiness.
To love self in a nurturing and devoted way.
To sacrifice instant gratification and past methods in favor of
    growing up and metting our own needs.

That's the only lasting and meaningful dedication I know
of that will make a difference.

There is much talk of doing for others in this country,
often to the detriment of self. All this codependency, all this
viewing of self as incomplete unto itself, all of the neediness
and dependence and need for others' approval is par
for the course, but it's dangerous and it's ultimately
unfulfilling and futile.

If you can't care for your self, you can't do for others.

Likewise, if you are dependent on others for esteem
and worth, you will ever be at the mercy of circumstance and
whims.

Self-sufficiency is the key.

Knowing and being true to self.
Being dedicated to mental and emotional and social and
physical health.
Putting one's own needs ahead of others' and not being a
doormat any longer.
Meeting your needs and doing what it takes to survive.

There is no morality required to quit drinking and drugging.

You need to know that you're worth the effort.
If you were never told, it's nonetheless true.

You are the center of your own universe, and there's
responsibility required to run that show.


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