a brief reintroduction to your absolutely brilliant and limitless power from within
- By: Dave Ursillo
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“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 unbowed.
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 punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
- Invictus by William Ernest Henley, 1875
a brief reintroduction to your power within
No matter the hand you’ve been dealt, no matter the circumstances you were born into and frankly victimized from, no matter the events that’ve panned out and regardless of how things might seem to never break in your favor, I’m here to tell you that none of that matters.
You’ve heard that before, I’m sure.
And you’ve probably called bullshit.
And you’ve probably been 100-percent, absolutely, completely justified to say so.
And I’m here to tell you that none of that matters.
Life is not a competition of hardship. But because the hardships that do befall us are so incredibly agonizing and have a way of particularly singling you out, those times of abject loneliness and utter pain seem to insulate us from the entire world around us.
It’s only you, and suffering.
But we all suffer. It’s a human condition. And one that every single human being in the history of our world has endured. Without question. And although instances suffering varies in millions of ways and to significant degrees — as the hunger of an impoverished child simply doesn’t compare to a young teen’s first heartbreak — suffering is still suffering.
We all endure it.
We are each baptized by its fires.
And life swings its pain-wreaking chisel, taking chips and gashes and gouges from our flesh.
Because if it didn’t, the angel underneath would never be revealed.
And an angel is there. Really.
You discover the path by simply walking it.
In each and every one of us lies a wealth of potential, a treasure-chest of incredible tools — imagination, heart, willpower, creativity, genius — and limitless power. That power comes from realizing that we always, always, always possess the power of choice. It dawns from our unrestricted ability to show and give love to everyone and anyone, and in ten million different ways:
- Forgive, and liberate yourself from your past
- Lead, when no one is following
- Give, when you’ve got nothing left
- Dictate that today be great day, for yourself and for others
Power from within comes from honing your personal gifts, recognizing the amazing privileges — big and small — that you’ve been given. It comes from reflecting upon the rights you’ve been granted and the opportunities at your finger-tips.
Your power arises from simply recognizing and appreciating your goals and innate dreams.
Power is bleeding gratitude.
An absolutely brilliant and limitless power lies within you.
Already.
Always.
Close your eyes, and feel your unconquerable soul.
Let the angel be freed.
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Flickr photo credit: Lord Jim
12 COMMENTS... READ 'EM BELOW AND SHARE A THOUGHT
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Andrew Olson
Wow, this is such a beautiful post, Dave. Yes… we all suffer, it is the human condition. And yet that’s only part of it. The other half of the human condition is our ability to look forward, to let go of the past and walk courageously into the future. As you said, it is letting the angel be freed.
Aug 12 2011 / 01:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
Welcome Andrew! As I've mentioned in comments here, I think that idea of "shared suffering" helps to unify people to others during tough times. It serves to help us "get out of our own heads" when we think that suffering (or life itself) is targeting us directly.
Dave
Aug 16 2011 / 01:08 pm
J.D. Meier
There is always something powerful stirred when we decide to move forward.
If you’ve ever seen anybody on the relentless pursuit of anything … lookout, that’s the place where might and magic come from.
Aug 12 2011 / 02:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
A very powerful observation, in and of itself, JD! Right, that force from within ourselves is an incredible one. The combination of patience and determination can overcome just about anything.
Aug 15 2011 / 11:08 am
Sean Cox
Thanks Dave for another dose of inspiration. Suffering and hardship can be so painful, excruciatingly so. It can permanently scar us, reshape us even. But out of this crucible of suffering can come a thing of beauty. Like a refiner’s fire burns away the dross from a precious metal, leaving only a pure substance, so the fires of suffering can refine us and reveal a greater beauty. In my humble opinion, there is no other way to attain true depth, substance, and beauty, than by going through the fires.
Right on, bro Dave.
Aug 12 2011 / 05:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
I think your comment here Sean is worthy of its own blog post, itself! Thank you.
Aug 15 2011 / 11:08 am
Aaron Andrews
This is dope! Hardships have become a little easier as I grow. I take pride in the pain that I had to go through because I it has made me strong! With every trial and test, I become stronger and wiser.
Aug 12 2011 / 08:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
If we can keep the pain in perspective Aaron, it makes enduring the pain somewhat easier. It's easy to say, and far harder to do -- but speaking from experience -- remembering that we all suffer helps create a sense of unity among others instead of isolation from them.
Aug 15 2011 / 11:08 am
Nick
We all suffer in varying degrees and in different ways. The beauty is that overcoming those issues is what makes us stronger. It’s what builds character. What humbles us. What makes us ready for the next battle. It’s not a bad thing by any means, it’s just a part of life.
Great post Dave :)
Aug 14 2011 / 12:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
Exactly Nick. And I think that teaching and reminding people of how we all suffer is a great and effective way of creating a sense of unity, togetherness and community during difficult times -- when suffering tends to single us out and make us feel like victims.
This is why communities come together in the face of tragedies. The tragedy breaks any semblance of separation and 'differentness" and forges new, lasting bonds.
Aug 15 2011 / 11:08 am
Wendy
WOW! Where have you all been all my life?!*
Oh, that’s right, you were on the side preparing to arrive and make positive change for the human race and planet earth…to give faith to better days. Thank you!
I channel-wrote a poem “The Mainstream”, a few years ago when I was given yet another chance; could be the 9th life here. I’d think it appropriate to share, but a little long. The soul of it is, with tenacity and fortitude and a compassionate conspiracy of the shared heart, our spirit and loving community…will prevail.
Aug 19 2011 / 12:08 am
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