The Philosopher and the Path to Strength

By Liz Picardal, October 25, 2024

Under an ancient tree, weathered by time,

An old philosopher sat, his thoughts sublime.

A woman approached, her eyes filled with doubt,

Seeking the answers life had left out.

“Master,” she began, her voice soft, unsure,

“I’ve tried and I’ve failed; I can’t take anymore.

The world feels too heavy, the losses too great,

How do I move forward when burdened by fate?”

The philosopher smiled, his gaze wise and clear,

“Surrender, dear one, and let go of your fear.

The hand you’ve been dealt, though often unkind,

Holds the lessons of power your heart needs to find.

It’s not in the winning that true strength is shown,

But in the grace of each loss, how deeply you’ve grown.

For when you release control you can’t keep,

It’s in that surrender your courage runs deep.

So, don’t compare your path to another’s bright flame,

For your journey is yours, not a race or a game.

In laughter, in tears, you’ll feel life in full,

Each rise and each fall makes your spirit more whole.”

The woman, now softened, looked up with new sight,

Realizing her strength came from loss, not just fight.

With a nod of respect, she left, knowing true,

That in surrendering her trials, her power grew.