February 26, 2025 - More Poems to Encourage You by Abimbola T. Alabi and Douglas Malloch

I've been sharing a couple poems each day this week in the hopes they will encourage you. Words have power and are able to lift our spirits while also challenging us to make choices which make us stronger. I hope these poems today will do these things for you. If you would like to read the poems, you will find them at this link and this link.

Life may not let me choose my lot,
But whether I'd be happy or not...
That is my choice.

To leave hurtful memories behind
Or allow them to bother my mind...
The choice is mine.

To fret over a mistake when it's done
Or learn from it and move on...
The choice is mine.

To be bothered by all that people say
Or ignore them and go my own way...
The choice is mine.

To hide my feelings, pent up, unspoken,
Or say my mind and ease the burden...
The choice is mine.

To enjoy what I've been able to gain
Or ungratefully regard it with disdain...
The choice is mine.

Sometimes I won't get to pick my lot,
But whether I'll be happy or not
Will always be my choice.

Poem by - Abimbola T. Alabi. "The Choice Is Mine." Family Friend Poems, January 11, 2018. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-choice-is-mine

 Sure, this world is full of trouble

     I ain't said it ain't.
Lord, I've had enough and double
     Reason for complaint;
Rain and storm have come to fret me,
     Skies are often gray;
Thorns and brambles have beset me
     On the road — but say,
     Ain't it fine today?

What's the use of always weepin',
     Making trouble last?
What's the use of always keepin'
     Thinkin' of the past?
Each must have his tribulation —
     Water with his wine;
Life, it ain't no celebration,
     Trouble? — I've had mine —
     But today is fine!

It's today that I am livin',
     Not a month ago.
Havin'; losin'; takin'; givin';
     As time wills it so.
Yesterday a cloud of sorrow
     Fell across the way,
It may rain again tomorrow,
     It may rain — but say,
     Ain't it fine today?

Poem by - Douglas Malloch. "It's Fine Today." Family Friend Poems, https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/its-fine-today-by-douglas-malloch

I hope you take these words to heart. Here is my virtual "hug" for today - You matter. You deserve to be loved and are loved - I love you! You make our world a better place - we need you in this world. I hope you have people around you who tell you these things, but if not, please let me be someone who does. Yes, I say this every day, but these words are true and will always be so. You will find the video at this link.