A Typical Long Island Story
Advice for a younger me (A poem)
Hi friends and welcome to The Circle Of Freethinkers!
Below is a poem that I wrote for a High School Career Day that I was invited to speak at recently (you can watch the video or read the words below).
I’m very excited to see your comments and I am always so grateful when you share my words with friends, family, and coworkers—helping them to slow down, free their minds, and enjoy their lives.
THANK YOU for being here. I appreciate you and look forward to going deep into freethinking, nonconformity, and challenging the status quo together.
-Mike
~~~
Here’s a typical Long Island story,
Losing what’s real in the quest for glory.
Because I did the thing many Long Islanders do;
I lived the life my parents wanted me to.
But now I fully live and although I will die,
I’ll never go out wondering, what if I took the chance to fly?
And I implore you to listen to these words that I give.
You will die too. But will you truly live?
Because I was twenty-five when I started to feel,
That maybe I got the short end of this deal?
Then thirty came and I quit! I was finally free,
To travel the world and be fully me.
But at thirty-five, disaster had struck…
Depressed again, could it just be bad luck?
After tropical adventures and a ski resort town,
How the hell could I be feeling so down?
You see, I had to learn that joy is not out there at all.
Joy is inside, and always sounding the call.
But when that voice is ignored, muted, or silenced,
We begin to feel terrible and see a world full of violence.
And now THESE words I write to a younger me.
I lovingly shake you, so maybe you’ll see.
You must take time for yourself and get to know who YOU are.
Before you take any journey, no matter how near or far.
Do you know what you want? Where you’re going? Do you care?
If not, don’t be surprised when you never get there.
Your dreams are special because you are too.
You’re here to be unique, it’s why there’s just one of you.
But how can you ever make a true choice,
With noise and distractions always stealing your voice?
You have to get quiet and spend time within.
This is the place where you must begin.
Turn off the devices and the TV too.
Try a meditation, or a journal will do.
Only when you silence the noise and the chatter,
That’s when your dreams can turn into matter.
No one will ever—or can ever—give you permission,
It’s yours, you own it…it’s your intuition.
And don’t take the easy path…that’s where the herd goes,
‘Cause guess what? It’s actually not easy and it shows.
Just look at commuters, heads down with no smile.
But isn’t life meant for living? No dress rehearsal, no trial.
And I know you want success, but you’ll never GET it.
It’s what you bring to this world, don’t ever forget it.
The world has enough takers, be someone who gives,
It’s the generous one who truly lives.
But in order to give you must already be full,
So let go of normal…you must resist that pull.
Normal is waiting to be joyful—that plan is the worst.|
Do what makes you smile…what brings you joy first.
Create, create, create! This is your fate.
Add value, authentically…or you’ll just regurgitate.
Because when you add value and make your life fun,
Would you ever retire and just fry in the sun?
Of course not, because your work is your life.
And when your work is play, you avoid so much strife.
And those teachers, mentors, and parents can all be a guide,
But they’ll never know exactly how you’re feeling inside.
Only you hold the wisdom, the power, the key,
When you listen to your heart is when you will be free.
You don’t need to make something of yourself or figure out what to do,
Your blueprint is inside, just be authentically you.
So don’t be a typical Long Island story,
Losing your True Self in the quest for glory.
Don’t try to beat the others…that’s not victory,
When you follow your own path, that’s when you’re free.
And I’ll leave you with this, before my final bow.
Know where you’re going and be joyful now.
Your words and thoughts matter, so once more, I vow:
Know where you’re going and be joyful now.
A Typical Long Island Story
Mike Messeroff
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
~~~
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I appreciate you 🙏
Enjoy the journey!
Mike
So true! Happiness is never “out there”! ❤️