In shadows cast, where strength is found,
A tale of courage doth resound.
Amidst life’s battles, rise and fall,
Strength prevails, through it all.

With every dawn, a chance anew,
To face the challenges we pursue.
To stumble, yet with grit, we rise,
Each fall a lesson in disguise.

Strength lies not just in might and brawn,
But in the willingness to journey on,
To venture forth, the unknown explore,
With heart ablaze, forevermore.

And in the depths of pain’s embrace,
To find the strength to leave, erase,
The toxic ties that hold us tight,
And choose the path that feels so right.

For strength resides within the soul,
A flame that burns, makes us whole.
It whispers softly in our core,
“Courage, my dear, you have much more.”

In tender moments, tears may flow,
Strength blooms amidst the ebb and woe.
With open hearts, we find our way,
Through heartfelt words, we gently sway.

So let us stand, hand in hand,
Embracing strength, a united band.
Together we’ll rise, brave and true,
With every step, strength will renew.

In strength, we find the power to heal,
To mend the wounds that time can’t seal.
With love and hope, we’ll mend each part,
For strength resides within our heart.

So let us cherish the strength we hold,
A gift within, more precious than gold.
With every breath, we’ll carry on,
In strength’s embrace, forever strong.

~ Abhishek Bhura

Strength of Unknown. was originally published in Be Open - Writers & Readers Pub on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A poem

As children, we dreamed of things to come,
Of all the adventures that we’d run.
We had expectations, bright and bold,
Of all the wonders we’d behold.

But as we grew, things began to shift,
Our expectations, once so swift,
Were harder to achieve and maintain,
And often brought us endless pain.

We longed for the ease of days gone by,
When all we wanted was to fly.
But now, the path ahead is steep,
And often leaves us feeling weak.

Our expectations still run wild,
But we know that we must be mild.
For though our dreams may seem so grand,
The path ahead may not be planned.

And so we change and adapt our view,
As expectations come and go anew.
For though we may not always meet,
The goals we set and strive to beat.

The journey itself can bring us joy,
And new expectations to employ.
For though we may not reach the stars,
We’ll always have the journey thus far.

~ Abhishek Bhura

Swift Expectations. was originally published in iPoetry on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The urge to say no burns deep inside,
But I hold back and swallow my pride.
I don’t want to hurt the ones I love,
So I put myself last, push and shove.

I forget that the most important person is me,
I give all my space to others, can’t you see?
I put in the effort, I do my best,
But sometimes it seems it’s all a test.

Ungrateful, they take and take,
My heart aches, it’s about to break.
Why do I forget to love myself,
Why do I put my dreams on a shelf?

I need to remember that I am important too,
It’s time to focus on myself and follow through.
Saying no may cause temporary pain,
But it will help me in the long run, that’s plain.

So, I take a deep breath and find my voice,
I make my choice, it’s time to rejoice.
I’ll put myself first, I’ll stand my ground,
I won’t let others bring me down.

I’ll love myself, and that’s a start,
I’ll follow my dreams and trust my heart.
No more sacrificing for those who don’t care,
I’ll find my way, and I’ll get there.

~ Abhishek Bhura

I Can’t say No. was originally published in Be Open - Writers & Readers Pub on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Laziness was once a simple pleasure,
As a child, it was our leisure,
Lying in bed without care,
Nothing to do but breathe the air.

But as we grow, the rules have changed,
Laziness now appears deranged,
Productivity is the new king,
And the idle life, a shameful thing.

We’re expected to be on the go,
A non-stop flow from head to toe,
Our worth is judged by what we achieve,
Laziness now, we can’t receive.

But wait, there’s still a time and place,
For slowing down, a little grace,
Being lazy, now and then,
Can be the medicine we need, my friend.

It’s okay to take a break,
To let your mind and body un-awake,
To be yourself, without the rush,
Laziness is not always a crush.

So let’s embrace our lazy days,
With open hearts and minds in a daze,
Sometimes, the best thing we can do,
Is to simply take a break, and renew.

~ Abhishek Bhura!

Being Lazy! was originally published in Be Open - Writers & Readers Pub on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The city hums with life and sound,
A symphony of hustle all around.
Opportunities abound at every turn,
And yet, inside, one can still yearn.

The glittering lights and flashy cars,
All the material things raise the bars.
They promise happiness, fulfillment, and more,
But the emptiness persists at the core.

The pace of life can be dizzying,
The crowds and noise can be stifling.
In the midst of it all, one can feel lost,
Amidst the chaos and the exhaust.

The constant rush and endless grind,
Can take a toll on one’s peace of mind.
The soul longs for something more,
Then just the superficial, materialistic score.

City life can be a double-edged sword,
With every gain, a sense of loss is stored.
The more we have, the more we crave,
The more we hustle, the more we feel enslaved.

In the end, it’s not about what we gain,
But about what we leave behind and attain.
It’s about finding peace and meaning within,
Amidst the hustle and bustle of city din.

So, let’s pause and take a moment to reflect,
On what truly matters and what we neglect.
Let’s find balance amidst the frenzy,
And learn to be content with just being.

Abhishek Bhura

Busy City Life — Rhymed Reality. was originally published in iPoetry on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a book that has captivated the hearts of millions of readers around the world. The story follows a shepherd boy named Santiago who embarks on a journey to follow his dreams and find his purpose in life. Along the way, he meets a series of characters who teach him valuable lessons about the importance of following your heart, taking risks, and believing in yourself. This book is a must-read for anyone who is on a journey of self-discovery or seeking to live a more fulfilling life.

One of the most memorable quotes from the book is, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This quote highlights the importance of setting a clear intention and believing that it is possible to achieve your dreams. Often, we limit ourselves by our own beliefs and doubts, but by trusting in the universe and taking action towards our goals, we can create the reality we desire.

Another important theme in the book is the idea that our personal legends, or life’s purpose, are already written in the language of the universe. It is up to us to listen to our hearts and follow the signs that the universe presents to us. This requires courage and trust, as we may be called to take risks and step out of our comfort zones. But as Santiago learns, the journey towards fulfilling our personal legend is worth all the challenges and obstacles we may encounter along the way.

The Alchemist also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and being grateful for the blessings in our lives. As Santiago travels through the desert, he learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, such as the taste of a date or the sound of the wind. This reminds us to slow down and savor each moment, rather than constantly chasing after the next thing.

So how can we apply the lessons of The Alchemist to our own lives? For many of us, the idea of following our dreams and living a fulfilling life can feel daunting or even impossible. But as the book reminds us, the journey towards our personal legend is not always easy, but it is always worth it. By taking small steps towards our goals, listening to our hearts, and trusting in the universe, we can create a life that is aligned with our deepest desires.

In conclusion, The Alchemist is a timeless classic that offers wisdom and inspiration to anyone seeking to live a more meaningful life. Its themes of courage, trust, and self-discovery are relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds. So whether you are a young adult just starting out on your journey, or an older adult looking for a new direction, this book has something to offer. I highly recommend it to anyone who is ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Thought-provoking question: What is one step you can take today towards fulfilling your personal legend?

As the great Napoleon Hill once said,

“The starting point of all achievement is desire.”

This quote has resonated with me for years as I strive to be productive and successful in my own life. But what exactly does it take to achieve success through productivity? To answer this question, I turned to some of the most successful billionaires who have achieved their success through their own hard work and determination.

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has famously spoken about his intense work ethic, saying, “I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.” This level of self-reflection and dedication to improvement is essential to achieving success through productivity.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has also spoken about the importance of prioritizing one’s time and focusing on what truly matters. He once said, “I very frequently get the question: ‘What’s going to change in the next 10 years?’ And that is a very interesting question; it’s a very common one. I almost never get the question: ‘What’s not going to change in the next 10 years?’ And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of the two — because you can build a business strategy around the things that are stable in time.”

But what about those of us who don’t have the resources of these billionaires? Can we still achieve success through productivity? The answer is a resounding yes. One of the most inspiring examples of this is the story of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She started her company with just $5,000 in savings and has since built a billion-dollar business. Her advice for achieving success? “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

So, how can we start implementing these lessons in our own lives? Here are three tips to get started:

1. Prioritize your time: Make a list of the most important tasks you need to complete each day and focus on those first. Eliminate distractions and avoid multitasking as much as possible.
2. Reflect and improve: Take time each day to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and how you can do better. Set goals for yourself and track your progress towards them.
3. Don’t be afraid to take risks: Success often requires taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Embrace new challenges and don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.

In conclusion, achieving success through productivity is possible for anyone who is willing to put in the effort and stay focused on their goals. By following the examples of billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sara Blakely, we can learn valuable lessons about hard work, self-reflection, and risk-taking. By prioritizing our time, constantly improving, and embracing new challenges, we can unlock our own potential for success.

A river begins as a trickle so small,
From a mountain peak, it starts its call.
As it winds and twists through valleys below,
It grows and grows with each stream it flows.

The river meets trees along its way,
Whose branches sway with the wind and play.
The birds above, chirp and sing,
As the river rushes by, flowing like a spring.

The river encounters boulders and rocks,
It cascades down, creating lovely talks.
It crashes and tumbles, twists and turns,
Like life’s journey, with its ups and downs.

The river keeps moving, never still,
It travels through cities and the countryside, with great skill.
It meets new people and creatures, every day,
Just like our lives, we meet new folks on the way.

The river’s end is the vast open sea,
While thinking to open up, it becomes free.
It joins the ocean and becomes one,
A reminder of how our lives have just begun.

Like the river, we too should keep moving,
In the face of obstacles, keep pushing.
As we meet new people and creatures each day,
We must cherish them, and never let them stray.

So let the river be our guide,
As we journey through life, side by side.
Let the mountain, tree, and birds remind us all,
That life is precious, and we must answer its call.

~ Abhi Bhura

In the darkness of the night,
Amidst the shadows and the fright,
A person walks with steps unsure,
With doubts and fears that make them pure.

Lost in a maze of endless thought,
They wonder if they’ll find what they sought,
A glimmer of hope to light their way,
And lead them to a brighter day.

But deep inside, a fire burns bright,
A determination that won’t take flight,
A steadfast will to keep on going,
And face whatever the world is throwing.

For though the path may be unclear,
And obstacles may appear so near,
This person knows that hope abounds,
And in their heart, a new light around.

They take a deep breath and step ahead,
With a strength that’s born of hope instead,
And though the journey may be long,
They’ll find their way and find where you belong.

So let the winds of change blow strong,
And let the road ahead be long,
For this person knows that hope will guide,
And lead them safely to the other side.

Abhishek Bhura

For my birthday surprise, you went above and beyond,

And your love and care for me, I cannot despond.

Your efforts were great, and they shone through,

In every little detail, you planned it all anew,

From the decorations to the food, it was just perfect,

And I couldn’t have asked for anything more direct.

But that’s not all, my love, there’s much more to say,

For you’ve been carrying our child, day by day,

Your strength and courage are beyond belief,

And your love for our family, always chief.

So on this special day, I want to take a moment,

To express my gratitude, for all you’ve put in,

Thank you for being my rock, my support,

And for making my life full of joy, all sorts.

You are the light that shines bright in my life,

And I promise to always cherish you, my wife,

So let me say it once again, loud and clear,

Thank you for everything, my dear!