This time of year is just too busy – conventions, graduations, week-long and week-end company and add to that a 50 hour work week. I haven’t had time to do any writing and I MISS it. Maybe next week, or the week after, things will calm down…
In the meantime, here is a poem that I have kept for many years. My copy is dog-eared and faded. I have often dug it out and reread it when I needed it. Today, I came across it bookmarking one of my favorite books. It is worth the read!
It was printed by Hazelden years ago for folks struggling with recovery issues. It is a good general reminder for all of us. Enjoy!
The Man in the Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Who judgement upon you must pass;
The man whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you a straight-shootin’ chum
And call you a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says your’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
I see why you have kept this one. It is so easy to slip into bad thoughts land, and not realize you are off the path until it is too late.
Catch you on FB.
Thanks, Sandy, for commenting. I have interpreted many things relating to stuff like this down through the years and sometimes there are gems that I don’t forget. This poem was one of them.
Have a good rest of the weekend!
The poem’s words hold a lot of truth, don’t they? I hope you find some time for R & R soon!