When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
(Edgar Guest 1881 – 1959)
I usually turn to Dr. Maya Angelou or John O’Donohue when I need a courage booster. But today I opted for Edgar Guest, whose words speak straight to the soul – perfect for these dreary November days when you question even the presence of sunshine in the world. In conjunction with the newly re-edited photograph taken last year, today I choose to look beyond the darkness of the threatening clouds or the strong undercurrents of the river.
One thing the cowards and narcissists of this world have taught me is that running away from trouble just creates more trouble. Remember that old saying “what goes around, comes around”? That applies to karma, kindness, generosity, lies, and running away from your problems. Some people are terrified of facing old demons, others prefer to pass the buck and blame their shortcomings and failures on everyone in their path, past and present. Sooner or later, the past catches up with you and unless you summon up the courage to face the demons and close the chapters, inner peace will be elusive.
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
I lost count of all the things I started and had to cast aside because of some obligation or another, and this includes dreams, projects, further studies, and just general well-being. When I reached my 40s, I began to take stock of my life, realising that the follies of youth had to be buried, and it was high time to see things through.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
The strange thing about life sometimes is that you try to solve problems in the present without having any idea how the rest of your journey will eventually unravel. Bad decisions tend to reveal themselves only when you are already waist high in trouble and it takes a painful move to repair the damage. I have become an expert of getting into trouble, but I have also been blessed with a sense of humour and strong faith, both of which I have been criticised for and verbally abused by those who possessed neither. Well, I am standing here today, in my chipped and bashed armour, to prove them all wrong.
Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
Faith has seen me through the worst of times, and held me up during the best of days. Failures and mistakes are part of every person’s journey, but it is how you learn from them that makes all the difference. Many were the times I doubted myself as a writer, photographer, mother, friend, and woman! But this frog has a lot of fight left in her, no matter the odds.
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
FrogDiva Thoughts 