Since my neighbors were screaming at each other at 6 AM, I found myself getting up early. Granted I'm not a morning person, I thought I'd make good use of my time by writing this poem, which ended up more like an essay, but that's the way it goes. I try not to strangle the form and let it be what it will be.

Focusing on your troubles will only bring more troubles

Focus instead on your strengths

Can you breathe?

Well, that is the first blessing, now isn't it?

If you can't breathe, does a machine breathe for you?

Then at least you have the machine

If you have neither it's pretty safe to assume you are not reading this

So now you breathe.

Focus on your breath.

You are still alive

So that is your second strength

Can you move? Move your arms and legs?

That is another strength

Keep adding to your list

Can you read? Can you write? Can you talk? Sing? Dance?

Can you make yourself laugh when all around you if falling apart?

Humor is one of the greatest strengths.

Can you soothe a broken heart? Rock a child? Plant a garden? Build something?

Whether it's a birdhouse or a mansion, being able to build is a great strength.

There are many jobs in the world that need someone to do them.

They are not glamorous or lucrative maybe

But they are jobs just the same

You can make yourself useful while you look for something better

Are you grieving? Even that is a blessing.

It means you are still human and capable of caring.

There are many people that can't care, who don't give a rat's ass.

Being able to grieve is a great strength.

So is being able to cry.

It is not a sign of strength to lock away all your emotions.

We are not robots.

Are you afraid? Good. Fear is a great motivator.

Fear is what gives us the energy to move out of the way

when a train is coming right at us.

Action dispels fear, so when fear gets to be too much to bear,

get moving.

No one promised us an easy course.

Gather your strengths. Focus on them. And move forward.