Ablaze with Hope: Poem

When you’re working hard to achieve something with all your heart is when true learning take place. In other words, when you really want something (be it a job, a particular project, an award, a reward, anything, everything) and are willing to push your intellectual, emotional, physical and mental boundaries, that is when genuine character builds. Yes, it sounds all preachy but it’s true.

Have you ever wanted something so desperately that you’ve tried every possible solution to get it? Faced unbearable agony and have been on the verge of giving up? And then, more often than not you get what it is that you want and the joy of achieving that is pure and profound. Yes, a lot of time you don’t get what you strived so hard for, but because you’ve strived so hard for something in your life you can be sure that something better awaits you, that is just how it is with the universe.

Here’s a poem by Mr. Daisaku Ikeda that I happened to read, which led to the above thoughts:

Ablaze with Hope

Ablaze with hope,

I face the raging waves,

Though I may be poorly clad,

And even should others mock

Or ridicule me,

I will endure with fortitude

Just watch me succeed!

I spur myself on:

“First hard work,

With all your thoughtful vigor.

Though some may slight you,

Always wear a smile.

Heart aflame,

Advance strong and true

along your chosen path.”

Smiling brightly,

Serenely,

At the arduous road ahead,

Today, again,

I will advance –

Gazing up at the sky, at the summit

of a hope-filled future.

This is a poem written by him when he was just 19 and struggling with severe health problems, so severe that the doctors said he wouldn’t live beyond thirty. He is now one of the most respected peace missionary of the world and still looks young being an octogenarian. Knowing all this about him and more, makes me wonder at the amount of change the will of just one person can bring. Just one person, that’s all it takes to bring a change. Just one smile, that’s all it takes to be happy!