The sun sets on another day…
Sunset was a contradiction within itself. A moment between storms that called to the sky and opened wide. It was spectacular. As I rushed to the beach I saw the sun dip below the clouds on the horizon, but the result was still beautiful and made me pause and sigh.
That seemed to be a theme today. The pause and sigh. Earlier today I was on a call with a number of great writers. A prompt was put up and this week it was of a strongman. There was little context except for his feat, and the facilitator explained it was someone they knew. The process involved brainstorming words, then writing. As I listened it was not just the words that inspired, but the looks on the faces, and I saw the disdain and concealed cringing as people read aloud. Normally I ignore the negative, but I found this to be slightly personal, and as I heard I saw the bias, and the preconceived notions form around me.
The passion ignited, I wrote easily and from memory and quickly turned out the following. It was so fast that I sat and watched for at least 3 of the 10 minutes as I considered my past. The brief poem is as follows:
Unlimited
The writing prompt was easy, for the picture meant so much
I found myself just listening, both in and out of touch.
The words, they reached inside me, as I listened and I heard.
I found myself lost in a thought, pummeled by those words.
You see I am a monster, twice the size of most.
I have been judged by my size, and people thought they joked.
I saw a man on screen now, and he triumphed over ken.
I know not who he is to all, but he did more than others can.
I was a scholar once as well, and treated as a brain,
and when I set the curves each time, all others gave me pain.
I found when I pushed harder, and worked hard at what I did
that few could understand me, and I was just a kid.
The words they seemed so simple, the “why” made quite a sound
while some saw more than negatives, and reached above the ground.
The fiery thoughts of damage, and meaningless misunderstood
they hammered at my psyche, and tore at what was good.
I see what is before me, like others saw it too.
I see the fire and passion, and a man who pushes through.
Whether smart, or strong, or Brian’s song, I know he is well fitted
to use his strength of mind and body for he truly is unlimited.
With that I heard others speak. Exciting expositions with quasi political undertones were there, as was the positives, those who saw the work and the commitment to achieve, and those who understood the depth of furious feeling that someone has to have to achieve enough, and more. I found myself setting aside the bias pulsing around us all, and seeing that some saw the picture for what is was, a reflection of those in the room. A treatise on commitment and perhaps a little more.
One of my favorite quotes was “For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of their heart.”. Whether right or wrong, I heard the power of many today, and their hearts overflowed with their strength. For those that judged the picture and did not understand, I can only hope if they meet me they will not judge me as they did the picture, but instead open their hearts to see more.
So as the sun sets on another day, each day is an opportunity to open your mind to possibilities. Question yourself if you are sure, as there is always room to learn. See beyond the surface and realize that passion is a personal journey. Realize that you are not the center of the universe but instead the center of your universe, and in seeing beyond yourself, your universe expands. In the end, remember that you have the ability to be more, see more, and do more if you want to. Be someone who sets and example every day, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and see beyond…