She is the daughter of my friend Lars. Her poem "Get Your Ass Back Up" speaks to me on many levels. I facilitate the Parkinson's Group here in town and just this week we had our first in-person meeting in a year and a half. Several pithy truths were shared doing our meeting:
- Our words have the power to carry us forward. Chose your words carefully.
- If you are having an off (bad?) day, think about what was the best part of the worst part of your day.
- Rather than make your world small and all about you…keep your focus on the other guy.
All this relates to the truth that life can be hard. It can be hard if you have Parkinson's, a declining health problem, a psychological hurt or a myriad of problems we humans face. I see struggle to live well in my PD friends. I see struggle in me, trying to find a 'me' that is shrouded in sadness.
GET YOUR ASS BACK UP
get up and do something
every single day
that feeds
your passion.
if you have more
than one passion,
do more than one thing.
do the work.
keep going.
strive for more.
no excuses.
there will be times
you fall down
so
get your ass back up.
there will be days
you feel low
so
let yourself.
but then, get your ass back up.
this is your life.
you write your story.
it won’t always be easy.
in fact,
it almost never is.
but –
you can always
get your ass back up.
- ele
AND WE WILL ALL FALL...REALLY! So on your way back up shift your perspective. Be kind. Focus on the other guy. Smile. Hope. Bring out compassion for yourself and others. You can do this!