You start dying slowly
By Pablo Neruda.
This is taken from the Get up and Go Diary for Busy women.
You start dying slowly, if you do not travel,
If you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly when you kill your self-esteem
When you do not let others help you,
You start dying slowly if you become a slave to your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths,
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
or you do not speak to those you do not know.
You start dying slowly if you avoid passion
and its turbulent emotions,
Those that make your eyes glisten and your heart beat fast
You start dying slowly, if you do not change your life
When you are not satisfied with your job
Or with your love, or with your surroundings.
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself, at least once in your lifetime
to run away from sensible advice.
