Monday, November 24, 2008

Just A Thought (On Talent)

Talent is not so much about your God given ability
More so about your drive,
and having the opportunity
To put your gift to good use -
Your willingness to work hard
And follow through,
And the strength of your belief
That changing the world with your talent
Is what you were put here to do.

© 2008 Patricia B.

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Ever since Friday the 14th, at about 530 in the evening, I've been thinking about just what I was put here to do. You see - I failed the bar exam in July - and at the moment I found out I failed, I questioned my decision to take it in the first place and the decision I made back in college to start the journey towards becoming an attorney. I love to write - I live to write and as of late, I write to live. I love words. And I am passionate about helping people and "changing the world." All of that doesn't necessarily mean I need to be an attorney - but it sure helps. I questioned my decision the moment I found out my result but then I shut that question down - I just don't believe, I KNOW what I was meant to do and I also know that my impact on the world won't be dealt with a singular blow.

So I'm taking the bar exam in February. I deemed today to be the day I'd really head into my studies with full force - but it didn't happen. I bought a new handbag from Daffy's and contemplated my talents, and my drive, and my need for success.

Here's the quote that helped me start my day and will be on my mind as I focus on studying tomorrow:

The only thing that separates successful people from the ones who aren't is the willingness to work very, very hard.
-- Helen Gurley Brown

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Fire Inside

Burn brightly if in the midst of the cold dark night.
The light source you'll ever need is within you -
Being constantly renewed
By your life source
And your life's force is driven forth
By your internal illumination.
But many of us choose not to guide our paths with this light.
We think it best not to shine bright
But to glimmer, if at all, dimly
And to seek the radiance that abounds from another.
Lamely, many of us ignore our luminance potential
And some of us are taught that we don't shine at all
And learn to ignore the spark we might feel on occasion.
But luminescence resides in us all, with the power
To brighten the entire world with its resonance.
It's why you'll often find that one man can lead a great nation -
He has allowed his light to shine
And pierce through the darkness that seeks to snuff out his inner flame
And brighten the eyesight of those in the shadows
And to bring the fire to spark the flameless wicks of others.
If one man can illuminate a nation with his singular radiance
Imagine the combined power of our light multiplied!
The cold dark nights would still come, as they may
But your force won't be frozen
Your sight wont be blinded
If you tap into the fire inside
And shine.

© 2008 Patricia B.

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I wrote this on October 30 - one week ago, when I and everyone else was merely hopeful about the results of the election. I'm so very very glad that the poem fits the outcome and I hope it fits the future of our country.