Shreya Date

“The planet is fine. The people are fucked.”
― George Carlin

“STAY AN ORIGINAL WORK OF ART

In this short lifetime,
Why not be --
True to your own voice,
Your own story,
Your own truths,
Your own style,
Beat and drum --
Instead of reflect the words,
Songs and march of another?
Why not use your soul's own
Unique language,
Instead of constantly try to toot something
Not true, suitable or intended
For your own instrument,
Painting,
Song,
Or story?

Why create an image you cannot produce?
And if you can create a brilliant mask,
How long will you really be able to hide your true soul
Behind it
Until its colors and plastic
Begin to fade and melt with
Time?

Do not speak about truth when there is no truth in you.
Do not speak about being yourself when you are trying hard to be someone else.
Do not keep crying about your pain when you you have no shame creating pain in others.
Do not step on truth, or someone else's truth, or someone who fights for truth --
And think there will be no repercussions;
For there is more danger in silence,
And for every action there will always be a reaction
Of opposite or equal measure.

Treasure integrity,
Treasure your own story and truths.
How will people remember you when you want to be an imitation?
How will people remember your voice when you want to sound like another?
Be so different that everybody will remember you.
Be yourself because an original is worth more than a copy.
Be true to yourself or your heart will never forgive you;
For once you silence the music from your own instrument,
Your true purpose and intended path will begin to fade.
There is no greater crime
Than ignoring your conscience
And the truths intended
For you to live, learn,
And share.
So
Stay
TRUE
to YOU
In everything
You do.
That itself is the purest
And truest
Art.


Suzy Kassem, "Stay An Original Work of Art"
Copyright 1993, The Spring For Wisdom”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The
willingness to learn is a choice.”
― Brian Herbert, House Harkonnen

“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones.”
― Alexander Solzhenitsyn