This is my suicide letter. As I write this, I wonder will the me I am now,
\nafter all the pain I have had to grow through, disappear? If I tell you what I know,
\nwill it change you enough to destroy my current self? Is that what I truly want?
\nPerhaps I should let you make all the mistakes, lose everything
\nyou had to lose to finally realize your worth. Maybe I should let
\nthe relationships fail, the loved ones die unexpectedly, the horrors of your
\nown despair carve your character from the sleeping
\ndeath wood of your coffin.<\/p>\n
Dear Former Self, here are ten things I wish someone would have told me about sooner.<\/p>\n
Number One: The Return Phase<\/em> Number Two: Emotional Reasoning vs. Logical Reasoning<\/em> Number Three: You Are Your Dominant Thought Patterns<\/em> Number Four: Don\u2019t Be Afraid of Your Emotions<\/em> Number Five: Scarcity is an Illusion<\/em> Number 6: Energy is the Greatest Gift<\/em> Number Seven: Labels Limit<\/em> Number Eight: Objective vs. Subjective Truth<\/em> Number Nine: Change You, And In Doing So Change the World.<\/em> Number Ten: Practice Humility in Everything You Do<\/em> Because you should always try to go above and beyond what is asked of you, here is I hope this finds you well, even though I know you are not.<\/p>\n That’s the purpose of this letter.<\/p>\n Your self-obsession will eventually lead to spiritual growth.<\/span><\/p>\n The worst part is yet to be revealed. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Resignation of Your Future Self<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is my suicide letter. As I write this, I wonder will the me I am now, after all the pain I have had to grow through, disappear? If I tell you what I know, will it change you enough to destroy my current self?…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":965,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-marathon-poem"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/965"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53450"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54630,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53450\/revisions\/54630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepoetrymarathon.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nEvery classic protagonist has to leave home and
\ncomplete a journey in which she grows, but it’s the
\nreturn phase that makes her a hero. Yes, she leaves home,
\nthe familiar world, all she has ever known. Yes, it is the values and beliefs
\nof her family and culture that she carries with her, that guides her through
\nthe road of trials and helps her atone with her debilitating fears.
\nYes, the hero does what ordinary people can\u2019t, but it is the return
\nhome afterward that makes her a hero. It’s bringing back the wisdom,
\nexperience, and strength she gained from her journey to her village,
\nher community, her family that helps to raise the quality of life for all,
\nthat grant’s everyone the freedom to live.
\nIt is by giving to others, and in being of service to the
\nyounger and weaker that she becomes a hero.<\/p>\n
\nIn every moment I have a choice of how to respond.
\nDepending on whether or not I give myself a moment
\nbefore I respond, the results of my reaction can be
\nbeneficial or self-destructive. Typically, when I react to stimuli immediately,
\nmy response is based on Emotional Reasoning, trying to remedy
\nor enhance a feeling. Emotional Reasoning is inherently selfish
\nand usually blinded because my first reaction is to serve what I want.
\nBut if I give myself a moment to recognize my emotions,
\ntake a deep breath, consider differing perspectives, and contemplate
\npotential outcomes, I am using Logical Reasoning. Nine times out of ten,
\nLogical Reasoning helps me to make better decisions. Logical Reasoning does not
\nexclude my emotions; it helps me look at other factors beyond what I immediately feel.<\/p>\n
\nThe thoughts you hold in your mind are reflected
\nin the world around you. This is why mindfulness is so important.
\nConsciously directing your thoughts towards your goals
\nand dreams will increase the likelihood of them becoming a reality.
\nBe careful, because the opposite is also true.
\nWorry, negativity, jealousy, envy will consume you,
\nand by giving negativity an open door in your mind, you invite it into your life,
\nto wither your ambition and potential each time you entertain them.
\nBy simply learning to notice when your thoughts have strayed
\nor become negative, then willfully changing them back to your goals,
\nor reframing the negatives into inspiration for action, you generate positive change.<\/p>\n
\nEmotions tell us how we relate to the world around us; our relationships,
\nour environments, our choices, ourselves. We should welcome each feeling
\nin its due time, and know that we don’t have to react immediately.
\nWe don’t have to run away from them nor give chase. We can listen to them
\nand appreciate how they inspire us as members of the human race,
\nfor they are the bittersweet evidence that we are alive.
\nFrom them, we discover our deepest desires,
\nand we can share them with those we trust. Read The Guest House<\/em> by Rumi.
\nRead lots of Rumi.<\/p>\n
\nScarcity implies that there is not enough of something
\nfor everyone to have. It divides people, putting us in competition with one another
\nrather than working together. It promotes a fear that says \u201cI have to get mine
\nbefore everyone else takes it from me.\u201d Be aware that societal systems
\ncan create scarcity intentionally. It keeps people dependent on the system to provide
\ninstead of looking to ourselves and one another. Don\u2019t envy or pity
\nyour neighbor\u2019s lot in life. The only time you should consider what they have
\nis to make sure that they have enough. Scarcity only applies to the material world.
\nLook inwards, to the spirit; there is only abundance
\nand endless self- discovery to be found.<\/p>\n
\nEnergy is the greatest gift you can give and receive.
\nIt comes in many forms: love, inspiration, music, art, feelings, thoughts, ideas…
\nEnergy causes growth, creates change, perpetuates existence.
\nEnergy is the vitality that sustains all life.
\nWhen you recognize the potential of those around you,
\nhelp energize their efforts to create. When others are hopeless,
\nshare your strength. Revitalize. When you are exhausted,
\nlook for sources of inspiration to replenish you.<\/p>\n
\nAvoid labels. People love to categorize and classify.
\nIt makes us feel safe when we have a place for every
\nunfamiliar unknown to belong. Remember the outliers.
\nQuestion the labels put upon you. The ones you chose
\nand the ones others chose for you. Perfect fits are rare.
\nThe entire range of human experience, thought, and feelings
\nare vast and conflicting. As soon as you take on a label,
\nyou divide yourself from the rest of society. People are more complex
\nand ambiguous then societal labels. There will always be more reasons
\nto stand together rather than war over our differences. Look for them.<\/p>\n
\nWhat is true versus the nature of truth can be tricky things.
\nObjective truth can be found through deductive reasoning.
\nBy testing the verifiability of a claim and ruling out
\nall other possibilities until the remaining factor can finally be called \u201ctrue.\u201d
\nSubjective truths are innumerable. For this kind of truth, there are as many possibilities
\nas there are perspectives to experience a moment.
\nIn both forms, the nature of truth must be observed from multiple angles.<\/p>\n
\nYou cannot change other people; you can only change yourself.
\nMany people have fixed ideas about what they believe
\nand what they want from life. No amount of pleading or arguing
\nis going to change another person\u2019s perspective. It\u2019s about living your truth
\nrather than telling others about how great it is. People are more impacted
\nby how another person conducts themselves versus what they say.
\nIf you want others to agree with your opinions, model what you believe
\nin your lifestyle, those who like what you do will imitate it and make it their own.
\nThis is far more effective than knocking door to door
\nand sharing your beliefs with others.<\/p>\n
\nYou will go on to do great things.
\nYou will be fortunate enough to rise in wealth, status, and even power.
\nWhen you find yourself moving towards the top, always remember
\nwhat it was like when you started. Remember when you didn\u2019t have as much,
\nand you relied on the help of family, friends, community, government.
\nWhen you rise in status, fame, and power, think of how you can use your prestige
\nto help the less fortunate rather than cementing your own personal gain.
\nThat is the true nature of a leader. Life is hard, full of challenges, and suffering.
\nLife is also unpredictable. We are all susceptible to twists of fate; nothing is guaranteed.
\nPractice humility and gratitude.<\/p>\n
\nNumber Eleven: Be Present<\/em>
\nThe moment is all there is. The past can be alluring.
\nNostalgia fills us full of memories of fonder, simpler times,
\nsometimes tinged with sadness, regret, and loss. Regardless the past is unreachable,
\nunchangeable; it only serves as a reference point to continue growing from.
\nThe future is unwritten, unknown, and comes with no guarantee
\nthat it will include everyone, including you. The future is something we hope to see;\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 we hope to meet with the best of ourselves that we can offer, but we should be careful
\nwith our apprehension towards it, and with our full embrace of it.
\nThe future should be taken on faith with a grain of realism.
\nThe moment is all there truly is. It is at each exact moment when everything
\nhas happened, and anything that could happen happens.
\nThe mind transcends momentary existence, but in reality
\nall that is possible is bound to the steady reappearance of opportunity.<\/p>\n