Breathing Freely
Breathing freely,
And adopting this as my number one...
Priority,
At first...
I brought along with it some guilt.
I was taught from birth,
Doing for others...
Provided me a sense of self worth.
And a doing for myself first,
Was a selfish activity.
And I thought about this,
Through the years of my giving.
And I thought about this,
With a lesser happiness...
As I continued to live.
If I am not happy,
To whom do I address this?
And who is going to recognize my unhappiness,
Better than I can myself?
And...
I awakened!
As if it was the first time I had witnessed dawn.
Breathing freely,
And adopting this as my number one...
Priority,
At first...
I brought along with it some guilt.
I was taught from birth,
Doing for others...
Provided me a sense of self worth.
And a doing for myself first,
Was a selfish activity.
Today,
Feeling selfish is the least of my concerns.
I am no longer seeking to prove I can be sacrificial.
I've earned and deserve the right to be happy.
Pleasing the needs of others,
To receive disrespect as a benefit?
Is a lesson I have learned not to repeat.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Guess What?
Guess what?
When I discovered,
I could appreciate my own happiness.
Without feeling the guilt of being selfish,
Or self centered.
I began to do it with more consistency.
I was one who believed,
Doing for others came first.
To bust my butt for my brother!
Be dutiful and strong for my sister.
And so on and so forth.
You know...
That me for you,
You for me BS.
I am 62 years old.
And that kind of human spirit...
I have witnessed used infrequently.
And I can't be the only one...
Subjected to live in the valley of leeches.
Some folks are blessed to give with that sacrifice.
And this too I have learned...
You can not do enough for other people.
They will squeeze you dry of every emotion you have.
And then complain to anyone who listens...
About how 'you' think you are better than everyone else.
Guess what?
When I discovered,
I could appreciate my own happiness.
Without feeling the guilt of being selfish,
Or self centered.
I began to do it with more consistency.
And left those to say what they will,
Alone.
Because they will.
Whether they are alone or not!
Guess what?
I've also learned I can spend wonderful times,
Away from miserable people!
And I'm not saying 'all' are miserable.
Just the ones I enjoy being away from!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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When I Am In My 'Me' Zone
When I am in my 'me' zone...
That's what it is,
All about me!
I hear some folks say,
How selfish that is.
And they seem to be the ones...
With their hands out.
Seeking others to give.
And after years of being drained,
By others who complain.
I've learned,
Over time...
My own happiness,
I had to maintain.
Since few could care less about that!
And I've observed happy people,
Carrying less burdens on their backs.
And there is something about 'that'
That keeps me attracted.
When I am in my 'me' zone...
That's what it is,
All about me!
And it is not a question of being selfish.
It's more like identifying a peace of mind,
I can qualify as mine.
Since some folks seem to be victimized...
By guilt.
If they are not constantly in a giving mode!
Receiving is part of it!
And I am in full acceptance.
Prepared and ready to share.
Free from being depleted!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Selfish
I am selfish
You are selfish
He is selfish
She is selfish
We all are selfish
To a lesser or a
Greater degree...
Let's not
Stay in denial.
Let's accept
Our selfishness
So that if people
Are selfish to us,
It hurts us less.
(Poem themed on Acceptance)
poem by Aparna Chatterjee
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You Have Not Yet Learned How To Live
Look not do I,
For your attention.
And giving is for me,
Something that I naturally do.
I am not seeking anything,
To receive an expectation of respect.
If I get it I get it.
But I do know what's for me is true.
I do know what's for me is best.
I want to see you happy.
To see you smile,
Is my gift from you.
I want to see you happy.
And If I am guilty of that...
That explains your attitude.
I've already experienced the affects,
Of being selfish...
And learning lessons from it.
I've already experienced a self centeredness.
To believe I was the beginning...
With a power to see,
What I wished to end next.
And I thank God,
For showing me how I was blessed.
By teaching me WHO and WHAT truly ruled.
With a taking away from me,
What I most loved as a test.
Dear friends and family were taken away.
Until I thought I was also going to lose my breath.
I've already experienced the affects,
Of being selfish...
And learning lessons from it.
I've already experienced a self centeredness.
To believe I was the beginning...
With a power to see,
What I wished to end next.
And after learning painful lessons,
That did not take me long to get.
I know that it is in the giving.
And not living with a mind filled with selfishness.
I want to see you happy.
To see you smile,
Is my gift from you.
I want to see you happy.
And If I am guilty of that...
That explains your attitude.
You have not yet learned how to live.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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With A Sense Of Deserved Entitlement
In today's society,
People are seldom happy...
Unless the ruining of someone else's life,
Has come to enhance a feeling of self worth.
It is as if they've been taught from birth,
To be encouraged to recognize the signs of this.
And to implement as quick as possible,
A reason to be motivated.
And these 'positive' comments made,
Has sustained the egos of those...
With a sense of deserved entitlement.
That keeps others enduring...
The restricting limitations,
Implemented by the infliction...
Of ethnic and class divisions.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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He Does It In the Giving
When one is given to serious thought...
That seriousness,
Should be on one's 'mental list'.
I choose to begin with God.
Followed by family,
And my love of friends.
Then myself.
With a desire to keep my wishes,
Prioriticized.
My thought process is always orderly.
Sometimes God pushes me,
To have me think of myself first.
I use to think that was selfish.
And God laughs at me!
Knowing no one could ever be more 'selfish',
Than He!
And He does it in the giving!
That's how 'selfish' He is!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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God Has Instructed Me 'Not' to Be the Judge
Before...
When I denied myself,
The right to be happy.
I was told that was being selfish.
And my life was to be lived,
Being of service to others.
And to do it to give.
And I did.
For years and years,
I gave to give.
Today?
With no more sacrificial tributes,
To display in charitable moments.
God reminded me my doing to give was done.
And with Him in conference,
He pointed out each one!
And confirmed it.
He knew I knew what to do to please.
And it was time to do that for myself!
AND 'if' anyone wants to see that as being selfish?
God has instructed me 'not' to be the judge!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Was It All Worth It
Words and music by queen
What is there left for me to do in this life
Did I achieve what I had set in my sights
Am I a happy man or is this sinking sand
Was it all worth it was it all worth it
Yeah now hear my story let me tell you about it
We bought a drum kit blew my own trumpet
Played the circuit thought we were perfect
Was it all worth it
Giving all my heart and soul and staying up all night
Was it all worth it
Living breathing rocknroll a godforsaken life
Was it all worth it was it all worth it all these years
Put down our money without counting the cost
It didnt matter if we won if we lost
Yes we were vicious yes we could kill
Yes we were hungry yes we were brill
We served a purpose like a bloody circus
We were so dandy we love you madly
Was it all worth it
Living breathing rocknroll this godforsaken life
Was it all worth it was it all worth it
When the hurly burlys done
We went to bali saw God and dali
So mystic surrealistic
Was it all worth it yeah yeah
Giving all my heart and soul staying up all night
Was it all worth it
Living breathing rocknroll this never ending fight
Was it all worth it was it all worth it
Yes it was a worthwhile experience
It was worth it
song performed by by Queen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days
FEAR not, dear friend, but freely live your days
Though lesser lives should suffer. Such am I,
A lesser life, that what is his of sky
Gladly would give for you, and what of praise.
Step, without trouble, down the sunlit ways.
We that have touched your raiment, are made whole
From all the selfish cankers of man's soul,
And we would see you happy, dear, or die.
Therefore be brave, and therefore, dear, be free;
Try all things resolutely, till the best,
Out of all lesser betters, you shall find;
And we, who have learned greatness from you, we,
Your lovers, with a still, contented mind,
See you well anchored in some port of rest.
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
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So I Am Told
There is one thing some have yet to discover about impatience.
So I am told.
Less thought with implusive action...
Has a longer unexpected regret span of time,
To reflect upon wishing to have taken more patience!
After finding that having remorse,
Seems to endorse an activity of self infliction...
By an awakened consciousness.
Sitting to never go away.
Even with the aid of good medication...
So I am told!
This can not be taught.
So I am told.
It has to be experienced.
So I am told.
And somehow,
Eventually...
This lesson is learned.
So I am told.
And I wonder why it is I am...
The one this is often told?
Since I am not the one soliciting this advice,
From anyone!
I've got too much to do.
With little time to listen to such nonsense.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Depressed Not Dieing...
When was it or have you never realised that nothing makes you happy in this world,
You could have all the money an all the love in this world but what would make me happy I ask? Because life is not worth living miserable as sin an my happiness can not last in my conscience within, I may think that I’m strong although I know I am not when happiness is not in my hart, I could have it all but what is that worth when all I really crave for, is someone to love me to have an to hold me and make me happy once more. but is this the truth am I really in pain or am I just selfish an lying again or can it be true I lost my happiness with you an today I feel like dieing, because the pain in my hart just wont go away and I’m emotionally exhausted from trying. And the tears I have cried have left my eyes dry an I still cant sleep for trying, but please don’t be mad because I am sad I will continue trying, for the happiness I seek is always just out of reach, look I’m just depressed not dying…
poem by Robert James Davis
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This Time I'll be
You and me
Have been friends for a while now
I'm gonna try and be happy for you this time around
I won't be selfish when you get a boyfriend
Or when you start hanging out with him instead of me
Or when you call last minute to tell me you can't hang out
Cause he wants to hang out with you tonight
I won't get mad when you decide
That you can't come to dinner with me
Because you have to cook him dinner
I won't be sad when I can't call you in the middle of the night
When my world comes crashing down
Because you're laying next him happy
And it would be selfish of me to ruin it for you
I'll try and not be so dependent on you this time around
When you're in a relationship with someone
I'll try and like him even if I feel like he doesn't deserve you
This time I'll be happy for you
I swear to you I won't be sad
When we don't spend as much time together
Be Selfish and Healthy. Be Happy...and, Share 'That'!
When a shallowness begins to darken,
A preferred stubbornness kept in one's life...
Do not show you can be just as stubborn,
With a proof one can live a life filled with Sunlight.
You will be convinced,
From shadows sheltered you can feed.
And a misery that is shared,
Is a part of your destiny!
Be...selfish.
Get away from this misinformation.
Be selfish!
Head in the direction of your complete happiness.
Make this your destination.
Let others sit and be satisfied,
Deceived in restricting limits.
Be selfish,
And healthy.
Be happy...
And, share 'that'!
F.A.T.O.S.
'F.A.T.O.S.?
What does that mean? '
Pluck away all that other stuff!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Resentment?
Resentment?
I have never met anyone,
With abilities and skills...
That expressed a resentment,
Towards anyone seeking to be convinced...
Talents they possess,
Could be used at someone else's benefit.
And there to easily access.
But had been ignored,
For another sought to address...
That left them with an impression to express.
Resentment?
How many people do you know,
Would give up their expertise freely?
To confess to anyone,
That a giving up of their unpaid time...
Had been rejected,
Without a compensation of payment done.
To allow a continuance of their peace of mind?
And this they kept protected.
Acknowledging how this was difficult to find.
Resentment?
I doubt very seriously if they had that feeling.
Perhaps relieved...
What they brought to offer to others,
Had not been dissected or scrutinized.
With a diluting done of their freely given abilities.
Resentment?
Would not be the word I'd use,
To define their state of mind.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Children of the World #3
The children as they live today, are future
disease carriers. They have no hygiene knowledge.
AS they grow, and mature. They must be taught
proper health care. Starting with the simple
washing of their hands.
They must be taught how to care for, keep their
bodies clean to prevent diseases from occuring.
proper hygiene is a necessity.
Sex education must be taught to prevent unwanted
children. Also to curb the population explosion.
Young men, as well as the girls must learn to
become responsible adults.There must be a new mind
set about sex. It is not always about producing
children. men and women need to be taught proper
hygiene. Men taught, and provided with protection.
Women must be taught, and receive birth control
pills, or shots.
Our Bible clearly tells us, raise up your children
in the way they should go, and when they are old,
they will not depart from it.This is a lesson,
well taken all things are possible with God's help.
When these things I write about begin to happen.
New societies will begin to emerge. The Children
of the world will be prepared to face the future.
they will look for a tomorrow with anticipation
poem by Heather Burns
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Selfish One
(wilfred mcginley/carl smith)
Selfish one, why keep your love to yourself
Its like a souvenir that just sits on a shelf
It seems like you built a fence around your heart
Afraid that sharing might tear it apart
You pass up every chance at the start of romance
Selfish one, why keep your love in store
You think its still that keeps forever more
You feel as I do when I ache
My heart could break down in a lonely stage
You better let your heart find a mate before its too late
You let so much time pass by
I find myself still giving you the eye
You must have realised much to my surprise
Youre making eyes at me
Is it really you
Now selfish one, youre walking me to my door
Selfish one, you never did this before
Without a chance to resist, your lips get mine
Youre beginning to let your love light shine
I can see that youre really on the ball
Youre not selfish at all
No, not at all
The way you hold me, the way you squize me
No youre not selfish
No, no, no
Youre not selfish at all, not at all
The way you hold me, the way you squize me
Youre not selfish at all
No not at all
The way you hold me
Youre not selfish at all
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It Was Me Who Let You Keep Me On Hold
It is not about you.
Although it had been,
For a number of years.
I awakened in a new mood.
And it was not attitude.
It was a consciousness.
No longer did I feel a need,
To be there for others...
Without my own needs addressed.
I am addressing my needs.
And you may believe it is selfishness.
After I awakened I just cared about what I felt.
And I feel blessed to realize,
Part of my life has been kept...
To live in the pleasing of myself.
It is not about you.
Although it had been,
For a number of years.
Now it is about me!
My needs and wants.
With desires missed I have yet to live.
It is not about you.
It was.
And it was me who let you keep me on hold.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Stuck With You
Weve had some fun, and yes weve had our ups and downs
Been down that rocky road, but here we are, still around
We thought about someone else, but neither one took the bait
We thought about breaking up, but now we know its much too late
We are bound by all the rest
Like the same phone number
All the same friends
And the same address
Yes, its true, (yes its true) I am happy to be stuck with you
Yes, its true, (yes its true) Im so happy to be stuck with you
cause I can see, (I can see) that youre happy to be stuck with me
Weve had our doubts, we never took them seriously
And weve had our ins and outs, but thats the way its supposed to be
We thought about giving up, but we could never stay away
Thought about breaking up, but now we know its much too late
And its no great mystery
If we change our minds
Eventually, its back to you and me
Yes, its true, (yes its true) I am happy to be stuck with you
Yes, its true, (yes its true) Im so happy to be stuck with you
cause I can see, (I can see) that youre happy to be stuck with me
We are bound by all the rest
Like the same phone number
All the same friends
And the same address
Yes, its true, (yes its true) I am happy to be stuck with you
Yes, its true, (yes its true) Im so happy to be stuck with you
cause I can see, (I can see) that youre happy to be stuck with me
(yes its true) Im so happy to be stuck with you
Im happy to be stuck with you
Happy to be stuck with you.
song performed by by Huey Lewis And The News
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Selfish
Well, its too late for givin in
Ive been waitin for too long
Theres no way that I could lose
Givin me the love youve been holding back
Today Im not gonna wait
Not anymore, the time is now
Id give up everything
Just to have you for myself
Cuz when I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
Youre sent from above
Im so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know its real
Its just the way that I feel
Im just a little bit
Im selfish
I dont wanna share you with anybody else
Dont want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont want to share you with anybody else
I dont want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
Should I stop trippin and let it flow?
It happened a long time ago
Damn, boy you hurt me so
When you cheated on me with that other lady
Well, I felt embarassed and ashamed
And to top it, you called out her name
Keep thinking Im the one to blame
Still, I took you back
When I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
Youre sent from above
Im so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know its real
Its just the way that I feel
Im just a little bit
Im selfish
I dont wanna share you with anybody else
Dont want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont want to share you with anybody else
I dont want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
There are reasons why I care
The way you love me seems so unreal
There are times when I feel scared
Cuz you had a girl when we first met
I close my eyes and pray
That you would be more truthful baby
Be the love of my lifetime
Say that youll be mine
Im selfish
I dont wanna share you with anybody else
Dont want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont want to share you with anybody else
I dont want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont wanna share you with anybody else
Dont want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont want to share you with anybody else
I dont want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont wanna share you with anybody else
Dont want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
Im selfish
I dont want to share you with anybody else
I dont want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
song performed by by Toni Braxton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Today I Care
At one time I cared less,
About your thoughts.
And how they were expressed.
I was too busy collecting 'things'
Believing they would bring me a happiness.
At one time I perceived,
My needs were different than yours.
I thought of life as a contest...
And doing whatever I could to win,
Regardless of any suffering you did...
Behind 'your' closed doors.
That was a problem 'you' had,
I chose to ignore.
At one time I thought myself better than most,
If I had a college degree.
Afterall, so many didn't!
And I was getting 'mine'...
With very-little-sleep,
Indeed.
Any sacrifice committed I did,
Was done then for selfish reasons.
There was something I wanted to prove.
And selecting those I wished to please.
That is what I then did do!
I had corrupted thoughts.
Brought about by ego.
I had corrupted thoughts.
That would glorify my name.
And I was not above shame!
I had corrupted thoughts.
Not criminal but close.
I had corrupted thoughts I chose...
To drive a nice car and wear fine clothes.
Petty I know.
But I needed then to boast!
At one time I cared less,
About your thoughts.
And how they were expressed.
I was too busy collecting 'things'
Believing they would bring me a happiness.
At one time I perceived,
My needs were different than yours.
I thought of life as a contest...
And doing whatever I could to win,
Regardless of any suffering you did...
Behind 'your' closed doors.
But today I care about you more than ever.
Feeling us connected...
In a 'together' seperateness.
Today I care about you more than ever.
Both of us have been blessed,
Not to live it to impress.
But to be grateful for life as it is!
And that should be expressed.
To leave God to do the rest,
At His best!
At one time I cared less,
About your thoughts.
Your needs and your feelings.
Until I awakened to realize...
They were my own!
And 'that' God has shown.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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