May 2024’s Poem of the Month, Helping Others (Help Themselves) is a subject very dear to my heart. Since high school days I have been involved in one charity fund raising project or another. And while I am scooting around, putting effort into the various projects, I am feeling so rewarded to be of some help to others… 

Some of my favorite charities come together in the spring to invite their fans to celebrate the season for giving with Galas and fancy parties. It’s always fun to get dressed in formal wear and go with my best beau to a party. (Am I revisiting high school Prom nights??? Maybe…)

It’s also rewarding to volunteer… at a puppy shelter, or a food bank, or putting back-to-school packages together for school kids whose parents need some help in that part of their kids’ lives. There are so many needs!!!

Cicero, who is mentioned in the poem, said this about helping others: 

    “NON NOBIS SOLUM NATI SUMUS” 

    which, translated, means

    “Not for ourselves alone are we born.”

So many great minds have commented on the subject… one of my favorite’s is by a gentleman named Charles Gill: 

    “There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don’t do them.”

And, do them with love… whatever the question, love is always the answer!

HELPING OTHERS (HELP THEMSELVES)

Emerson said it well and, of course, there were others
Who pondered and then commented on our purpose for being.
It’s being useful, and honorable, and compassionate in our dealings,
And to have it make a difference in the lives we are seeing.

Charles Dickens said that “No one is useless in this world
Who lightens others’ burdens” (said with emphasis).
This world is a place for us to learn that we need each other.
Our rewards in life are in direct ratio to our service.

Denzel Washington is credited for sharing this thought:
“It’s not about your success” [your money-making knack}.
“It’s about who you’ve lifted up; who you’ve made better.
It’s about what you’ve given back.”

It’s said that the smallest act of kindness
Is worth more than the grandest intention —
Yes paying lip-service to a generous thought
Cannot compete with the actual kind act, I would mention.

One cannot do all the good the world needs,
But the world needs all the good that one can do.
Helping others is the path to a happy life.
Happiness is a by-product; kindness begins with you.

Tom Brokaw is credited with the words that follow.
When pondered for a moment, they really make sense.
Contemplate them before you discount their power:
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s harder to make a difference.”

Some plain-spoken words from Winston Churchill:
(Discovering them, I became most appreciative.)
There is no doubt about the meaning behind them.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Down through the ages, from Cicero to Gandhi,
Great minds have pondered the purpose of life.
As we lose ourselves in the service of others
We discover our own lives with happiness, not strife.

Honestly, the longer I live, the more I am coming face to face with my own life’s “truisms!

I’ve even written poems about them! For example (in alphabetical order), “Accept Uncertainty As A Blessing;” “Attitude Is The Key;” “Authenticity I and II;” “Be The Change;” “Be The Solution;” “Be Yourself;” “Carpe Diem;” “The Choice Is Yours To Make,” etc., etc.

In fact, the subjects of many of the poems I’ve written over the years and shared in my books are showing up again in my life, and giving me pause… a second look at the messages in them…

The success or failure of my life is, quite simply, up to me. I am the writer of my own script. I am solely responsible for the thoughts in my head, and solely responsible for the decisions I make about acting on them…

And… so are you!

You are the hero of your own story… as I am of mine!

Enough of waiting… of blaming or excusing… of feeling helpless!

Time to take charge… and to take responsibility for the way things turn out for you!

It’s time to be your own hero!

And remember, whatever the question, love is always the answer.

BE THE HERO OF YOUR OWN STORY

Every person has the potential to be
A hero in his or her own story line.
It’s a matter of being true to your values and principles;
And to live with those values as your guideline.

Heroes do not wait for someone else’s action.
They become the change they wish to see.
They take responsibility for their behavior.
It’s natural to them… a matter of policy.

When you realize that you’re the only person
Responsible for your own happiness and peace,
You will begin to approach life differently.
Your doubts and fears will decrease.

Heroes know that change starts from within.
It is personal and private to each individual.
They strive to become the best versions of themselves.
It’s a wonderful kind of renewal.

Sometimes the hardest battles are fought within,
Causing one to confront his or her own flaw.
And fearlessly working towards self-improvement
Is heroic in itself. Friends look on with awe!

The two most important days in your life?
Well, the first one is the day you were born. Oh, my!
And the second? (A very good question to ponder…)
Is when you figure out why!

It takes some courage to grow up and become
The person you really are… Indeed!!!
You can change the world simply by being yourself!
Solve your own problems in order to succeed.

Throughout the ages, the advice to love yourself first has prevailed. From Buddha to Eleanor Roosevelt; from Oscar Wilde to Rumi; from Hecaton of Rhodes to Dolly Parton, the advice has been the same.

Buddha: “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

Eleanor Roosevelt: “Friendship with one’s self is all-important because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.”

Oscar Wilde: “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”

Rumi: “And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”

Hecaton of Rhodes: “If you wish to be loved, love.”

Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

These bright people are not promoting a narcissistic love of self, but a healthy one with acceptance, patience, forgiveness and kindness — just like you would love a best friend, warts and all.

So, by loving yourself, accepting yourself, you become the person you want to be and others notice! Make yourself a priority! When things change inside you, things change around you.

I hope you enjoy this March 2024 Poem of the Month, and please remember, whatever the question, love is always the answer.

LOVE YOURSELF FIRST

Self-talk may be the culprit, the thing that holds you back
From living your best life, the one you would choose
If you knew that self-love is essential for loving others.
(True love starts with self-love; do not be confused.)

Mark Twain said it best when he penned these words:
“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.”
Befriend yourself first; other friendships will follow.
When you’ve learned this, it’s nothing short of a miracle.

You may have been criticizing yourself for years…
(And how has that worked for you? Probably not well.)
Try approving of yourself and see what happens:
You’ll have friends, you’ll be happy, and doubts will dispel.

We teach others how to think of us… (yes, we do)
By how we think of ourselves, don’t you know.
How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.
You’ve everything to gain — Come on, give it a go…

When you take care of yourself, you’re a better person for others.
You’re continually teaching others how to treat you.
When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better.
The exchange becomes natural… it’s what you do.

Self-love and love of others go hand in hand,
And, ultimately one cannot tell one from another.
Your relationship with yourself will set the tone
For all other relationships you might have. You’re the author.

Fall in love with yourself, It’s the first secret to happiness.
Be kind, be considerate; be your own best friend.
Self-care is giving the world the best of you
Instead of what is left of you in the end.