Lin Lane Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

~~ Silent One's Shikata Ga Nai Contest ~ October 28, 2024 ~~

A Problem Free Philosophy

I've always been bothered by that old saying 
that we should accept things we cannot change. 
It should also say, "and things we can't rearrange."

A friend suggested we should be content with "things"
instead of being worrisome watchdogs 
like those eager elves, the irascible imps sitting on shelves
with gremlin grins on their cheeky faces. 

In part, he meant we shouldn't take seriously 
what others say or think about us. 
We can't control tittering tongues 
or those who are dubious doubters of what we say or do. 

It's all about the big "A" word... Attitude. 
I'm not promoting another 'A' word... apathy. 
Of course, we should care about things we cannot change,
but maybe it's worse to care too much. 
We don't live in a fairytale fantasy world 
in which everything has a happy ever after ending, 
but we can be more content in life if we stop fretting
by not forgetting that there are many situations
and people we cannot control... nor should we want to.

All causes of stress, I must confess, are hazards to our health,
but having knowledge of Shikata Ga Nai can ease strife, 
making life more pleasant.  So, why don't we give it a try?

Have a 'Hakuna Matata' moment ~ a "problem free philosophy."
Adopt the ability to accept the inevitable   
by avoiding the adrenaline rush, the cranial crush 
that transpires in our brains when we remain daunted, 
anxiously apprehensive over not being able to alter things 
we cannot adjust, such as the neurosis of a nervous twitch 
when we cannot switch things around to suit our wants. 

If something is Shikata Ga Nai and cannot be helped, 
the change that needs to occur must come within us.
I'm reminded of another Disney movie, Frozen, 
in which Elsa sings, 'Let it go.'  
That's good advice to remember and follow.

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Silent One November 10, 2024 at 11:53 AM Thank you for writing for my contest and congratulations on your placement. Lin Lane November 10, 2024 at 1:10 PM Thanks for considering for your winning list.

Tom Cunningham October 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM Thought provoking verse Lin, I think we're all guilty as we go through life of not accepting things that are beyond our reach. For me I try and live by Elsa's words, let it go. Beating yourself up certainly doesn't do your mental health any favours. Good luck in the contest. Tom Lin Lane October 29, 2024 at 5:49 AM We worry and stress over so many things that we can't control, don't we, Tom. I wish I knew the secret to stop doing that. Thanks for your good luck wishes.

Daniel Henry Rodgers October 28, 2024 at 10:30 AM Dear Lin, We are probably of a similar age and your poem also made me think about "The Bare Necessities of Life". I was just talking to someone this morning about the Serenity Prayer, which has that first line you mentioned. I feel like you do that we should seek to create a Life Worth Living and not focus on all the bad things of life or what others say or think. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel Lin Lane October 29, 2024 at 5:48 AM I'm not sure about the age thing, but they're just numbers. Another example of "Don't sweat the small stuff." Thank for you openminded insight, Daniel.

John Lawless October 28, 2024 at 6:57 AM and Roger Miller once sang..."ya can't roller skate in a buffalo herd"...the courage to change the things we can AND the wisdom to know the difference.... Lin Lane October 28, 2024 at 7:06 AM Profound, isn't it? Roller skating with buffalo. If there are 50 ways to leave your lover, there must be a few ways to escape worry over things we can't change. Hop on the bus, Gus. Make a new plan, Sam. Drop of the key, Lee. Set yourself free!