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A poem which gives me motivation

by Arunabh Singh
11 replies
Hey Guys,

Just wanted to share a poem with fellow warriors which provides me inspiration whenever I feel low and vulnerable. I studied it when I was in sixth grade and 14 years later it still inspires me and I sincerely hope it will inspire fellow warriors.


A PSALM OF LIFE - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1838

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream ! --
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real ! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead !
Act,-- act in the living Present !
Heart within, and God o'erhead !

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
#motivation #poem
  • Profile picture of the author Kragsig
    Wow this is a long time this poem has followed you. It's cool to have something in your arsenal, that brings you joy time after time
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  • Profile picture of the author Changing Man
    Nice poem. Words have the power to keep you going and also to inspire you to achieve great things. Live for the moment is something we should all strive for.
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  • Profile picture of the author speedbird
    Very motivational indeed. I like this part

    ' Life is real ! Life is earnest!
    And the grave is not its goal ;'

    Thanks for sharing
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  • Profile picture of the author BugHo
    Sure spurred me up after reading this
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  • Profile picture of the author Michela
    And how apt is this:

    "Let us, then, be up and doing,
    With a heart for any fate ;
    Still achieving, still pursuing,
    Learn to labor and to wait."
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  • Profile picture of the author Ninja Ana
    Very inspiring poem, but a long one. I'm truly amazed that this poem has been with you for almost a decade. What is important is that it inspired you and thank you for sharing this to all your fellow warriors.
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  • Profile picture of the author rising_sun
    Banned
    Really a unique poem ,which increase inspiration.
    It's a wonderful weapon for courage.

    "Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
    And our hearts, though stout and brave,
    Still, like muffled drums, are beating
    Funeral marches to the grave. "

    Always remember these line.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mailbox 25
    That is really uplifting! I'm printing that one out.

    Here's a song I really like. It's called The Impossible Dream:

    To dream the impossible dream
    To fight the unbeatable foe
    To bear with unbearable sorrow
    To run where the brave dare not go

    To right the unrightable wrong
    To love pure and chaste from afar
    To try when your arms are too weary
    To reach the unreachable star

    This is my quest
    To follow that star
    No matter how hopeless
    No matter how far
    To fight for the right
    Without question or pause
    To be willing to march into Hell
    For a heavenly cause

    And I know if I'll only be true
    To this glorious quest
    That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
    When I'm laid to my rest

    And the world will be better for this
    That one man, scorned and covered with scars
    Still strove with his last ounce of courage
    To reach the unreachable star
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  • Profile picture of the author Andres1986
    Nice share! thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    Nice! And it is in the public domain!
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  • Profile picture of the author Spinna
    This is my favorite poem:

    If you think you are beaten, you are.
    If you think you dare not, you don't.
    If you like to win, but think you can't,
    It is almost certain you won't.

    If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
    For out in the world we find
    Success begins with a fellow's will.
    It's all in the state of mind.

    If you think you are out classed, you are.
    You've got to think high to rise.
    You've got to be sure of yourself,
    Before you can ever win a prize.

    Life's battles don't always go
    To the stronger or faster man
    but sooner or later the man who wins
    Is the man who thinks he can.

    ---

    and this is my favorite quote:

    "Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life."
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