New Year, new new new..!

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First day of the year.. I know that if it wasn't for the date and the whole festive mood it would seem like any other day. But, to me it felt like a change has been made, all the wishes are taking place (and hopefully will keep in the positive) and a general sense of positivity is prevalent..! (yay!).
But the highlight of the day was a poem sent to me by a friend which translated all the emotions I've been keeping and, in a way, the perspective I have about life, into words. It was sent at the right time and I am grateful for that! So, I feel like sharing, Pablo Neruda is one of my favourite poets to begin with... :)
-- The first part is in Spanish as originally written and there is a (rather literal) English translation right after.




Muere Lentamente/Die slowly

Muere lentamente quien se transforma en esclavo del hábito,
repitiendo todos los días los mismos trayectos,
quien no cambia de marca,
no arriesga vestir un color nuevo
y no le habla a quien no conoce.

Muere lentamente quien evita una pasión,
quien prefiere el negro sobre blanco y los puntos sobre las "íes" a un remolino de emociones,
justamente las que rescatan el brillo de los ojos, sonrisas de los bostezos, corazones a los tropiezos y sentimientos.

Muere lentamente quien no voltea la mesa
cuando está infeliz en el trabajo,
quien no arriesga lo cierto por lo incierto para ir detrás de un sueño, quien no se permite por lo menos una vez en la vida,
huir de los consejos sensatos.

Muere lentamente quien no viaja, quien no lee, quien no oye música, quien no encuentra gracia en sí mismo.

Muere lentamente quien destruye su amor propio,
quien no se deja ayudar.

Muere lentamente, quien pasa los días quejándose
de su mala suerte o de la lluvia incesante.

Muere lentamente, quien abandona un proyecto
antes de iniciarlo,
no preguntando de un asunto que desconoce
o no respondiendo cuando le indagan sobre algo que sabe.

Evitemos la muerte en suaves cuotas,
recordando siempre que estar vivo exige un esfuerzo mucho mayor que el simple hecho de respirar.
Solamente la ardiente paciencia hará que conquistemos
una espléndida felicidad.




Dies slowly he who transforms himself into a slave of habit,
repeating every day the same route,
who does not change brands,
does not risk to dress in a new color
and does not talk to someone he does not know.

Dies slowly he who avoids a passion,
who prefers black over white, and the points (dots) over the "i's" to a whirl of emotions,
exactly those that recover the brightness of the eyes, smiles of the yawns, hearts to the stumblings and sentiments.

Dies slowly he who does not turn the table
when he is unhappy in his work,
who does not risk the certain for the uncertain to go after a
dream, who does not permit himself for at least one time in his life
to flee from sensible advice.

Dies slowly he who does not travel, who does not read, who does not listen to music, who does not encounter grace in the same.

Dies slowly he who destroys his self love,
who does not allow himself help.

Dies slowly he who passes the days complaining
of his bad luck or of the incessant rain.

Dies slowly, he who abandons a project
before it is started,
who does not question about a subject he does not know
or does not respond when others inquire
about something he does know.

Let's avoid death in easy shares,
remembering always that to be alive requires courage much greater than the simple fact of breathing.  Only the firey patience will cause that we conquer
a splendid happiness.

Pablo Neruda
© 2010 - 2024 SChasez
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