this being human is an amazing privilege
I have the ability to read write and blog
I have good health and sufficient resources
security, safety, shelter, friends and no wars
I am not lost, an animal nor an alien
I can think and speak for myself
rail against injustice without fear for my life
the choice to waste my life or find my purpose
I have nothing to prove, I can just be me
freedom to choose my beliefs and priorities
live by my core values, treat others kindly
disciplined to avoid wanton desires or cravings
the ability to tame my mind, let life unwind
sure I’d like to do so much more for others
often blocked by damage, wary or burden
I can only help those open and able to trust
I can work, volunteer, exercise and learn
privileges so many other humans don’t have
power, consumerism and waste leave me cold
so long as I have enough to pay my bills …
some are real poor, in resources and spirit
but doubt that I could ask for much more
travelled, lived abroad, followed my dreams
learned to grow from my trials and hardships
being human opens me to so many possibilities
to share and care, to listen and live my life
to the fullest extent, to be true to myself
Do you utilize this blessing or waste it?
d’Verse, “this being human is …”, Kim
Beautiful tribute to the freedom, Kate.
Love ❤
Michel
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To have such a privilege is amazing..
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The privileges we take so for granted are celebrated, Kate. I share your perspective, and I’m grateful daily for the gift of life.
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A beautiful affirmation for this gift of life and a new day each day that we can create with our service towards others or our own inner cultivation. A sense of deep gratitude permeates your post and it lifts me up to choose better.
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An amazing privilege indeed! After reading your great poem, I feel foolish about the little insignificant things I complain about! We are truly blessed!
Dwight
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Being human does indeed open us up to possibilities which wait to be embarked upon…. may we seize them .. and prove to be compassionate along the way! 💝💝
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The gift of being alive and having the self-awareness of it is a privilege. Nicely conveyed, Kate, there is much to be thankful for.
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Oh, SweetKate! This brought the joy-tears! 🙂
YES, we are so fortunate to have all of those things you shared and more!
Each new day is a chance to utilize our blessings AND to bless others!
Please know that you, your life, and your words are meaningful to me! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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Wonderful poem! Life is a gift. On the open road there are unknowns, but that is part of the journey. To venture out each day is what is required… We give the best of what we have to give and that is all.
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To make a difference is my goal. I often fall short but I keep trying. This week I will join a friend and we are going to help an older woman who needs to have her home cleaned – she is so ashamed that she can’t do it herself but we are going to help her out.
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Thoughtful question at the end, Kate! We want to have a life well spent.
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Besides the words I was mostly captured by the positivity of your writing. Most people write of being human as some sort of struggle whereas you make it out to be a blessing!
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You call it a privilege
I call it a curse
This consciousness, this being here
Is getting so much worse
I’m getting all these feelings
I’m stuck in all this thought
Knowing all along
That it all amounts to nought
I’d rather be a piece of fruit
I’d rather be a rock
I’d rather be a pair of gloves
I’d rather be a sock
I won’t be coming back here
If I’m offered life again
I’d rather be the words I write
Than the dude who holds the pen
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A beautiful tale on the prompt. It’s in our power to use it or waste it! 👍👍👍
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Kate, It is a mistake to take our wonderful rights and liberties for granted. It has been demonstrated in the US in the previous administration how fragile our rights really are. We have a saying, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Maybe we will be bearing that saying in mind for a while.
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A poem full of gratitude.
‘power, consumerism and waste leave me cold
so long as I have enough to pay my bills’
Thank you for saying this. So many people ruin their lives by always wanting more and thinking about what they don’t have rather than what they have.
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Your title does what it says – it’s meaningful, Kate – and your poem is a an honest tribute to the meaning of life, a privilege indeed. We have so many things that make our lives meaningful, all of which you list in your poem, and nothing important to complain about. And those who have good reason to complain never do. Your poem has made me realise how fortunate I am.
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I love how grateful this poem is, Kate. And this was my favorite stanza, for sure:
❤
David
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That final question is the key. (K)
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I also think it’s a privilege, along with a challenge to be the best human BEING that we can BE. I’ m so grateful that we can write about what it means to be human, in prose and poetry, which is also a sublime privilege. xo
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Gratitude for being human is a wonderful message. Loved this.
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A wonderful poem and a great reminder that we are among the blessed ones and we should use this opportunity to help others. You are a great example to follow Kate.
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Beautiful, Kate! We need to use this precious gift.
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Life is good when you realize what you have and don’t focus on what you don’t. I give thanks everyday.
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Each day is a gift, that’s why it is called the present…
We can only hope that the many who have (at least something) will come to the aid of those who have much, much less.
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those on the poverty line do their utmost to help those below it … those with excess need everything they get their grubby hands on the feed their insecurities 😦
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Most often that is true with very few exceptions 😦
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What a beautiful challenge to us all Kate! Masterfully expressed. I still have all those essences cradled near my soul — they have just been severely dented by life… but the realizations linger. May you never loose your crisp perspective. So well written my friend!
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Well done Kate! Life should meet these basic expectations. Every day is precious, filled with meaningful moments.
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Great reminder to crank up the Gratitude–well done.
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Oh yes. The freedom in humanity! I love how you’ve explored facets of it..
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Brilliant words so well said on life that is so meaningful and all because of being Human. Every single day has to be full of gratitude for what we have been given. A lovely poem, Kate.
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I am grateful for the gift of life always.. and for that i learn to share my life, my stories, my dreams and my hopes to others; with the hope that i will be able to inspire them in one way or the other
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