life so far has rotated around me
so why aren’t I happy and free?
distracted ill health
unpopular lack of wealth
distant from family and home
limited freedom to roam
too little hair to comb
meditating all alone
today I finally see
what’s always been offered me
exchange of self for others is the key
let’s look at how this might be …
with less focus on ‘me, I mine’
by putting ‘others’ first
make serving them my thirst
I could become selfless
constantly thinking of ways
to benefit them and their days
finding many ways that repays
their kind care without delays
to avoid my self-pity craze
self-absorption I need to rephrase
the only way out of this dissatisfied maze
is for ‘self’ to fade into a background haze
to drag myself out of the tomb
no more doom and gloom
need to dissipate that inner fume
by giving selfishness no room
24.1.2007 – d’Verse, OLN, Linda
aroused 
Wonderful! We all could relate … well written. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks so much!
LikeLike
I love this!!
💕🕯🌠
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks sweetness 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well-stated, Kate! You’ve come up with an awesome checklist, and no doubt each reader will have multiple additions of his/her own.
Self-improvement always is a work in progress, a life’s labor. There never comes a point at which we expel a sigh of relief, “That was tough. Glad that’s done!”
No, this is much too important, too permanent, to be dismissed so easily. Sure, minor things like putting away groceries or doing laundry, but not our life’s purpose. Our time here is much too brief. Only our legacy will outlive us, in some cases by millennia. Make it good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes there is always room for improvement Keith … we never stop learning or growing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You don’t need to put away your laundry…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a poignant write. I feel the mere realization goes a long way in changing oneself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
then I pray it commutes to others, thanks Sanaarizvi 🙂
LikeLike
To be self-aware is the only way not to be selfish in my view.
LikeLike
self-aware is good but helping others is more effective 🙂
LikeLike
your poem is an ode to a person who practices what she does best – such an honour to read you Kate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do far too little for others Gina … I need to review that soon 🙂
LikeLike
No big, gigantic efforts are required. One simple but kind act can even do lots of wonders 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a beautiful rhythm in your words and timely messages to ponder, the sun has come out and all is well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the rhymes in this. Yes. We do need to get out of ourselves and into others and the world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is wonderful. Sometimes, we need to get out of our own head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good observation about what matters: “exchange of self for others is the key”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said Kate. When we take the focus off our needs and wants(the whole self-pity train) and re-focus them on the needs of others, our life takes on new meaning and direction. Often we need to give first in order to receive back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully said and Kate I agree totally with your inspiring words. The Me, I and Mine has to be replaced with helping each and everyone and that will lead to selfless service and not the selfishness that is so much rampant in today’s world. To see happiness and smiles on others is such a lovely feeling of love and care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been a long time since I read your wise words and how much I was missing them.
I love this poem.
These lines “to avoid my self-pity craze self-absorption I need to rephrase …”
really captivated me. We need to cross the boarder of “ME”. It is difficult in the beginning but once we learn to feel the joy of helping others. There is no end of doing more and more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful timely truth in your amazing poem, SweetKate!
“exchange of self for others is the key…EXACTLY! 🙂
To genuinely sincerely care, give, help others…always benefits us, too. ‘Tis good for the mind, body, heart, and soul. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me without you is incomplete and causes unnecessary stress. Aptly put, Kate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ancient Greeks referred to a person who was only concerned with his own affairs and not with those in the public realm to be an idiot. Thus the original term referred to someone so self absorbed as to not take up their civic duties. I like this definition as opposed to the use of the word to describe persons with diminished intellectual abilities. I think the turning outward and putting others first or at least considering the impact of our actions on those around us makes us so much better than “idiots”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautifully stated! Living just for ourselves leads to an empty life. A full life is a generous one and a connected one. Thanks for putting into words the truth about life
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well penned poem. Indeed if we shift the focus from me to you, things look better and work better too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What you have said here is perfectly true, Kate. Focusing externally is the best cure to depression and also elements of self pity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your words and sentiments here Kate and wholly agree. To live a life with purpose and meaning means connecting with more than just ourselves. 🙏💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its an amazing poem. 👍👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello kate I love the poem it expresses how I feel lately. You nailed it my friend !! Please read my blog called ” My Big Mistake “. It explains what I did and how sorry I am for it. I am re-following you again Kate. Thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person