Poem by George Cappannelli

I did not start out to play a small game or to do ordinary things. I dreamt of greatness once, of lifting my wings and soaring to great heights. Of charging the barricades and fighting the good fight. Of making a difference and celebrating my life.

But the world around me, the body that was my home, and the skills and talents I came into life with were not perfect. They did not seem to validate my inner dream of greatness.

So I turned elsewhere, toward the practical things I was told I was supposed to do. I turned outward and away from the promptings of my inner voice. And I listened instead to those who told me my dreams were foolish, that I was just like them.

And yet sitting here now, looking back on the road I have traveled, I find myself wondering, “Is this really all there is?” And sometimes in the spaces between the moments of my life, I think I hear echoes of my early dreams.

So I ask myself, “Is is too late? Can I still change?” And from someplace deep within, a soft yet persistent voice says, “It’s never too late or too soon to follow your heart, to get out of the ruts of old habits and ordinary ways!

“It’s never too late or too soon to do the things you’ve come here to do!” And in these moments, something stirs inside me. It feels like hope and maybe passion, imagination and inspiration. And I know that this time there will be no turning away.

This time I will not listen to those who tell me my dreams are foolish. This time I will listen only to my truth. I will open my heart and my arms and let my life take flight. This time will be my time!

From: Getting Unstuck by George & Sedena Cappannelli