What I Am And What I'm Not

I wrote this a few years ago when I was trying to pick myself up after a few unfortunate experiences with people who tried to tear me down in spite of my kind treatment of them. At first, they made me feel just so inadequate compared to others, and then I thought, "No! That's utter crap and I'm not letting them make me feel bad about who I am!" Since then they have all proved themselves to be unworthy of my friendship and I have lost much respect for them. What goes around usually comes around.

I may not have ten books published,

I may not read all the latest best-sellers,

(I may not have even read today's paper)

I may not belong to the Mensa group,

I may not win the duathlons or ski races,

(In fact, I may even have trouble walking around the block now)

My body's shell God created may not be the healthiest,

nor the most gorgeous-looking,

I may not have children who win "All Round Kid" awards

or who are in the enrichment class

or who will become doctors and lawyers,

I may not have the title,

"Top Volunteer of The Town"

bestowed upon me,

I may not be the key person sitting in a church congregation,

(Indeed, I may not even occupy a seat very often at all)

I may not have the fattest billfold from a bursting bank account

and my house may not be the newest, fanciest or cleanest,

my fingers may not be able to fly over

the ivories on a Heinzman

or effortlessly pluck the strings of a Martin,

and I may not always sing in perfect pitch

or write the most melodious songs.......

But

I have a voice,

albeit quiet and small,

seemingly insignificant,

sometimes unheard,

and

this voice sings

its own perfect sweet harmony

with the world and all who share it.

And

I have a brain,

a mind that thinks and ponders,

wondering

about many important things to me,

a mind that puts ideas and feelings

to pen and paper,

poems and songs,

living deep inside me.

And

I have a heart

that is honest,

open and inclusive,

and caring of others,

a heart that is kind,

generous and giving,

true to myself

and all my beliefs,

truest to my family and friends

with whom I share all I have,

a heart that pumps in overdrive,

compassionately synchronizing

its strong rhythm

with all else -

the internal rhyme and reason

many search for and never find...

this voice, mind and heart

are so alive with spirit

that they have taken on a life of their own....

and so even if all this life spirit

is not recognized and celebrated

by a single soul...

I do believe

that

in a place far beyond

my earthly existence,

it will not go unnoticed

and this spirit shall live on.....

Mother of Invention, feeling way better about myself these days!