Two years ago, my Vistage chair asked us to do an exercise. He gave us 5 minutes for the task. He had a beautiful poem called, "I am from". The poem and some examples read focussed very much on parents, grandparents, birthplace and the past. As you probably know by now, I don't follow directions well. So, I just started writing, and this is what came out of my head...
What intrigues me is that there is a consistency to what I have been thinking for many years that has become clearer and clearer as I get older. The more I learn, the broader the lessons, the more specific my purpose and focus becomes... Bottom line, I don't want to be from the past.... I want to be from the present and in the present.
"I am from"
I am in this moment and from all moments lived…
I am from the tireless pursuit of a better me.
And from the insightful wisdom of an endless list.
I am from love.
I am from the tender kisses of my Marco,
From the deep connection of my Lucas,
And from the warm and longing hugs of my Nicholas…
I am from the eyes and sight of my boys,
And the love and loyalty of my Beautifulest.
I am from fear – from the fear of not being enough.
I am from the loving memory of Dee and Ana –
I am from the strength they left behind…
I am from fear of risk and the fear of not risking enough…
From the fear of losing…
I am from the fear of dying and not having fully lived.
I am from strength and from the possibility of being stronger.
I am from the back of Natalio and the love of Delia.
I am from never giving up.
I am from connection – from Susy, Joe, Ernie, Stephen, Alan, Luis, Charlene, Jordan, and so, so many who have allowed me to show up and be…
From so many brothers and sisters with whom I never shared a parent.
I am from everywhere…
From the desert coast of Peru, from the foreign land of Rockville,
From the heart of Tianjin, the hills of Tuscany, the beaches of Greece,
the mountains of Utah…
I am from the crowded streets of Japan to the empty streets of Ellicott City.
I am from each and every ocean and the sound of crashing waves.
I am from long walks along the shoreline.
I am from possibility… from the possibility of greater love, greater connection.
I am from the possibility of making a difference in the lives of those around me.
I am from the awesomeness of today and tomorrow.
I am from this and every moment…
I am love,
I am connection,
I am fear.
I am strength.
I am possibility.
where r u FROM?
Yours FROM harmony,
Nestor Benavides