There doesn't seem to be a forum for this sort of thing (Cep?), but this one seemed close enough. Lately, I've been looking at who I want to be, and how to get there. I've dusted off some of my early inspirations and road maps, and found some that speak to me yet again. So, here's a thread for sharing things that inspire or affect us. Things that say the right thing, when your own words won't. Things that bring courage and comfort. Things that help us to be happier, balanced, better people. Things that say something more each time we read them, that can be dusted off again and again as we grow. Maybe a bit of the background as to why it affected you -- your choice on that one. And it needn't be restricted to poetry. Art and stories and so many more things can serve the same purpose. Reactions are welcome. Sharing is not a solitary act. I'll start. The first time I heard these words was in a song by Roger Whittaker. In high school I typed it out and hung it on my bulletin board and memorized it. Later, I learned that it is one of my father's favourites. Lately, it's been sitting on a shelf, patiently waiting for me to ask for its guidance. Every time I read it, a different line speaks to me. IF Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

I love this poem. You're right, a different line seems to be the prominent one each time. Thanks for sharing!

from Dune by Frank Herbert. I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

thats pretty cool Lyon.

Oh, God, Lyon. I read that in Grade 9, and recited it before each exam, and every scary event for years, and then forgot all about it. Brings back good memories.

By the way Cricket what did you mean about a forum?

This forum / category / whatever is labelled "book nook". THen again, are we gonna have enough inspirations to need something bigger than a thread? (Looks at her old notebook, very dusty thing that it is -- nah, I'll keep this thread for special stuff of the moment, and use my own page, if I ever get it updated, for the book.)

you know, i still can't read that Kipling poem without hearing Roger's voice?

Ideals are like the stars. We may never reach them, yet we set our course by them.

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Love that one! So very, very true. May I share the blessing from ours? (13 years last week, so we must have done something right) Apache Wedding Prayer Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, For each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, But there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place To enter into the days of your togetherness And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Cricket, Thank you for sharing it is a lovely blessing. Congrats on the 13th wedding anniversary

Aww bless

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