For You,

A poem about inspiration, self-reflection and encouragement for you to start really living and loving life

To You,

You are you,

And that’s okay.

We are the sum of the interactions we have, the relationships we make and the people we influence

the stage is set for 2019, the sun poised to rise, the water clear and calm and the world sleeping

You are awake

Looking at the sky, the cloudless, lightless sky,

not dark but lightless

“No”- you say- “that’s how you looked at life in 2018”

Hold your head up high

Prioritize yourself, you matter.

Believe that, own that.

Revel in your strengths, shout and cheer

Tune out those who say “no, you can’t do it”

For a reason like race, skin color or what they ‘think they know’

Because like a muted song bird,

They’ve lost their muse,

Don’t let them misplace yours.

They are but paradoxes, oxymorons and juxtapositions of this world.

Don’t self-scrutinize and think everyone is looking

Because the only one looking.. deep deep at your soul

is yourself

But you knew that.

Make those opportunities

Because, dear, they

won’t

Make themselves.

Prize creativity, originality and intensity above academic performance

Value introspection above extroversion

Insight above rote learning

Inspiration.

Find sustenance and feel nourished

In all the intricacies of life,

In friends,

In family,

Relish experiences, big and small,

And celebrate

Live in the moment

Love boundlessly.

Learn to sit in sun puddles.. and nap

Go on runs with friends, make art, watch sunrises, talk at 3am, get food, go for walks,

sit…

in silence…

and think.

What makes you tick, why and how, and with whom?

Know what you want

And chase it.

Sprint towards your dreams, hard, fast,

And passionately.

But with sprinting towards anything, know, that you may fall,

But the extent of your character isn’t defined by how hard or how frequently you fall but by how resiliently you rise, shake off the dust from your hands and knees and run with your head held high towards your ambitions.

But,

Don’t be afraid to be a dreamer,

And remember starting late is better than starting never,

It’s always better to be the tortoise

than the hare.

And make it happen.

-my wish to you, to fall hopelessly in love with life,

Gio