David Grayson describes beautifully the realisation that freed me, some 40 years ago, from all those doubts, insecurities and worries of childhood. The time when my motto became… “To Thine Own Self be True” which I had engraved on a bracelet. For many years this bracelet never came off my wrist and helped with the remembering, and gave courage, to always be myself and to love the person that I am.
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The sense of wishing to be known only for what one really is is like putting on and old, easy, comfortable garment. You are no longer afraid of anybody or anything. You say to yourself, ‘Here I am — just so ugly, dull, poor, beautiful, rich, interesting, amusing, ridiculous — take me or leave me.’ And how absolutely beautiful it is to be doing only what lies within your own capabilities and is part of your own nature. It is like a great burden rolled off a man’s back when he comes to want to appear nothing that he is not, to take out of his life only what is truly his own.
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Copyright © 2012. Catherine Ann Crout-Habel.
Beautiful Catherine!
I thought so too Kerryn… glad you feel the same 🙂
you were ahead of the game signing up 40 years ago and what a good idea to have it on a bracelet. Not sure I’ve reached that point even now, except conceptually.
Thanks Pauleen… Yep, was always pretty much ahead of my time and, from a very young age, was very outspoken. This got me into heaps of trouble and quietened me down for about 20 years. Some would say that the pendulum has now swung back too far… ha ha ha… Seriously though, it caused lots of anguish and emotional pain and is why David Grayson’s words ring so true for me.
Because of family circumstances, I had to grow up much quicker than many others… certainly not without many trials along the way. I can’t pinpoint a time when the constant jibes and remarks started to roll off into oblivion, because I didn’t have, or didn’t do, what others had and did… I just know that one day I felt at ease (mostly) in who I am and who I wanted to be.
I AM
I am the summation of all who have passed on,
all I have met and all I admire…
I am brushed with days and years gone by,
of friends who left and those who have stayed,
of places I’ve lived and places I’ve visited.
I am the summation of the books I’ve read,
the craft I have done,
the sunrises and sunsets I have seen,
the babbling brook and the raging sea.
I am the summation of tears shed
of laughter shared,
of long winter evenings
and the blissful days of spring.
I am the petals of fragrant roses
and inviting fruits.
I am brushed with death, and tears,
of life and joy..
I am the past and the present
I am the future..
I am me.
(c) Crissouli
What a lovely poem you wrote Chris! I’m going to print it out and pin it up in my study. I especially love the influences of friends, past and present.
Ohhh… so beautiful Chris. Stunningly so. It is indeed something to be treasured and reflected upon. Thankyou so much for sharing.
Thank you, Pauleen… instant poetry… 🙂 inspired by Catherine’s post.
😀