Words, either others, or my own, have always provided me solace, and cloaked me in comfort when I needed it most.
Six years ago, I suffered a devastating trauma that left me both physically, and emotionally shattered.
A friend shared a poem with me that literally dropped me to my knees, and has become what can only be described as, my life - in four short stanzas.
That poem was:
Invictus
by Willilam Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbow'd.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
In that most troublesome time, these words gave me comfort, strength, and courage, just as words have given me, all throughout my life.
In a nutshell, this poem is about living the life that has been given to you, triumphantly.
AKA - getting up every.single.time life knocks you down, and saying, "you hit like a bitch!"
Each stanza gives us a lesson on how to live that courageous, triumphant, life.
1) 1st stanza:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
The lesson here is, even while at the bottom of the pit of darkness & despair, be thankful.
Be thankful that you survived.
Be thankful you have made it out of every battle fought, thus far.
Be thankful for your warrior soul.
2) 2nd stanza:
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbow'd.
The lesson here is, you will undoubtedly find yourself in precarious situations, perhaps even dangerous, however you must always fight, without fear, and with everything you have. You may not come out unscathed, but being a bloody and battle-worn victor is far more courageous than being cowardly and giving up, out of fear.
3) 3rd stanza:
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
The lesson here is, hardship and horror are ever present, and will invariably sneak up on you, but be unafraid. Face whatever finds you, without fear. Dare to survive, against all odds. Always!
4) 4th stanza:
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
The lesson here is, no matter who you are, you can overcome dark and trying times, just by having courage, and believing in the strength inside of you. You are in control of your own fate, and decide how to live your life.
I don't know about you - but this is pretty powerful stuff!
Each of us has a warrior inside.
It's just that come of us have had to call upon our warrior more often than others.
Just because your warrior may not have as much experience as mine, doesn't make them any less badass, or any less capable.
If you believe you'll lose; you're correct.
If you believe you'll be victorious; you're correct.
We captain our own lives by showing up, facing the hard times, and fighting like hell to stay alive; in reality or theoretically.
If you find yourself knee deep in a vat of shit soup, I urge you to call forth your inner warrior; dig, claw, and scrape your way out.
You got this!
Do words give you hope, bring you comfort, fill you with courage?
Comment below with your fave verse, poem, quote, etc.