Wonderfully inspiring poem by Charles Bukowski. I found this via Tim Ferriss 5 Bullet Friday newsletter. I read this and I specifically think about mindless TV, numbing feelings and experiences with drugs and alcohol, and all of the other ways that we try to avoid living our lives - likely because of fear. And then there’s those moments where opportunities present themselves and we don’t seize them - also because of fear. This poem inspires me to be vigilant to not let these dank submissions and darknesses happen.

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission. be on the watch. there are ways out. there is light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness. be on the watch. the gods will offer you chances. know them. take them. you can’t beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes. and the more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be. your life is your life. know it while you have it. you are marvelous the gods wait to delight in you.

— Charles Bukowski