Potential Versus Reality

Years ago I had one of those moments where a poem came through me. I was simply holding the pen and paper. This poem had me look at the story I was currently telling myself about my partner.  I wanted her to be this person that she was consistently not being.  She was showing me reality through her words and her actions.  I kept telling myself oh she didn’t mean that or what she really meant was___________.  (Fill in something much nicer.)  I later came to terms with this calling it my potential versus reality.

I think it is great to hold a higher potential of other people, but at the same time it is really important to see what is actually in front of me.  This poem helped me re-frame the story I was telling myself and eventually was part of what I kept reading to keep myself in the truth of what was happening right in front of me.  It helped me own responsibility for my part and take right action for me. I was reminded again that the only power I had was to change me – my thoughts, my words, and my actions.

Here is that poem –

Flames of Desire

The fire was glowing, red and spitting

It sent off heat that melted the wax off the candles in the other room

Still she watched and reached closer

The fire spit higher as if to warn of the impending pain

She still wondered and watched and moved a little closer

The fire did as it had warned and sent out an explosion of fury

At first she was surprised, stunned; even hurt by what seemed unexpected

The fire continued to roar as only a fire knows how to do

She stepped back, turned away, and realized her desire to burn was gone and she had a beautiful life to live.