Gerry and the Pacemakers arrive NYC, 1964

I wrote this poem back in 1981 after facing another incident of discrimination in my career as a fitness instructor. Though the episode itself was ugly, my attitude and beliefs turned it into an experience that opened a door of truth, a door that led me within, where I found peace and clarity about who I was then and who I am today.

Throughout my life, I have nurtured my ability to let go when my heart is hurting. I retreat to nature and turn inward, chanting the sacred syllable Om. I don’t do it every time, but when I do, I find peace of mind, body, and soul much quicker.

Om is a sound. Its history goes back thousands of years. It’s the sound of peace and the harmonious universe.

I chant Om to find my center. Wherever I may be, I find a place outside, in nature, to relax and absorb the surrounding presence of the trees, the ocean, the mountains, and the quietude of my acceptance.

That is what I did on that day.

I closed my eyes and breathed to quiet my beating heart, saying Om. When I did this, I became one with myself. Clarity came, and I found the ability to relax into my feelings. I found peace within. I became open and willing to see all parts of myself, both the good and the bad.

As I looked deeper, I let go of the critical parts of myself and accepted my good as well as what was happening at that moment. Instantly, my life changed. I freed myself from attachment. I learned to let go without resistance.

As a result, on that day, I received the gift of clarity. I saw clearly the difference between the dark feelings I had and the light within myself. Trusting myself, I walked through my fears and became fearless. The natural agent within stimulated my sense of sight and made things visible to me, like darkness contrasted with light.

I could see. I saw the positive experiences in my life. From my childhood, I saw the music, the dance, my family, and the simple things that brought me happiness, such as blowing bubbles or playing hopscotch with my girlfriend, taking dance lessons, and listening to music I also saw the negative ones, like falling and breaking my tooth in the middle of the street. And I accepted them all.

But, especially I saw the mama I was blessed with. She talked and reasoned with me. She gave me hope in ways I never suspected would bring me strength in the future when the hard times came. Encouraging me to hold my head high and not be afraid of the dark, she sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Thanks to her, I learned to dance in the rain.

Thank you for following my blog. After you read this poem, please take a moment to listen to “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” as performed by Gerry and the Pacemakers. And hold your head up high. If I can do it, you can do it, too. 

Passionate Past

I remember the days
Not long passed,
The days gone bye
Of my passionate past

When life was
Pleasing, simple,
And free,
And my dreams
Shimmered or faded
With every
Hope I had.

Each dream that I dared,
Every star I wished upon,
Became an enduring light
And kept on keeping on.

Original text ©2024 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved. Image by Paul Schumach, Metropolitan Photo Service, New York City. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.