“Invictus” is a poem by William Ernest Henley that was published in 1875. It reads:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
The poet invites the reader to feel empowered. When I read this, I get the image of a captain steering his ship through a terrible storm at sea. It is his sheer determination that will get through him through the ordeal. He does not bow down to fear but stands steadfast and strong. The narrator acknowledges the hardships of life and tells the world that he is in control.
Is life a challenge for you right now? Are you in control?
Control is not about trying to manipulate the situation in ways that are not in alignment with your soul. Being in control means that you let go of identification with the negative emotions about your situation; you let go of your ego-self.
You can’t control the external situation; you can only control your response to it.
Yes, it’s OK to feel temporary anger or sadness but when you continually dwell on things, it only makes them worse because it plays out as negative thoughts in your head. Maybe even over and over like a broken record.
Guilt and blame are two emotions that surface in times of extreme difficulty. It is the ego rearing its head.
Whatever happened in your life cannot be undone. The problem won’t be solved by you feeling bad or wracked with guilt because you think that you could have done something differently in the past. That will only keep you dwelling on the problem. Again, the broken record scenario.
Perhaps what is occurring right now is necessary for your soul’s growth. Maybe there is a larger picture that you cannot see.
Are you blaming someone else for something that happened? The other person may be totally unaffected by what is happening inside of you. By forgiving them, you release your own internal suffering. You lighten your own load.
I wrote a blog post about the Dark Night of the Soul, which I am currently experiencing. For me, I recently went through a string of negative experiences: my income diminished, I was in a car accident where my car was totaled and widespread arthritis and pain are taking its toll on my body.
Depression from the situation and lack of sunlight adds to all of this. Anyone who has ever experienced it can tell you that when you are depressed, you cannot think clearly. So even writing this blog post took enormous effort.
It has been a challenge emotionally to maintain faith that it will all work out. But I have to believe it will.
I am determined to get through all of it. It may take a while, but I am going to do whatever it takes to get to a better place. The storm is temporary.
Like the captain of the poem, Invictus, and just like you, I have to focus on getting through the difficult times to the smooth seas beyond.
The last two lines are a powerful declaration:
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul
Whatever you say following the words “I am” become your reality. If you make a statement that is in conflict with your subconscious thinking, it will create disharmony within yourself.
During his incarceration, Nelson Mandela recited the poem to other prisoners. He was empowered by its message of self-mastery. His transition from this world inspired me to create digital designs of the poem.
The featured Invictus design above is one of my best-selling prints. It is a popular poem and people buy it for themselves as well as gifts for loved ones going through any kind of adversity.
I created the designs, just like I created this blog, out of love. For me personally, inspirational poetry and other writings help get me through difficult times. I keep going on though so many times I have wanted to give into the pain and just end it all. But I haven’t ended it because I know that I came here on a mission and I am not finished.
If you are encountering a difficult time, I pray that you have the strength to get through whatever ordeal that you are currently experiencing. But more importantly, you yourself have to believe that you will get through it.
Remember, this too shall pass.
Watch what you think and say without judgment. If you catch yourself in a negative thought like “I am not good enough” turn it around and declare the opposite out loud. Reaffirm what empowers you, not what brings you down.
Release your suffering by focusing on what you are grateful for here and now. Allow yourself to see the silver lining in the midst of the clouds.
If you feel isolated and alone, reach out to someone. You are not the only one who has your problem, though it may feel like it. Sometimes just being able to talk to another person makes all the difference in the world.
When you feel overwhelmed, place your hands over your heart and breathe. It will connect you back to your center, which is your heart.
Always,
Alice Always
P.S. Having an inspirational print nearby may help you or a loved one. Please check out my Invictus Gallery on Fine Art America. Items can be purchased as prints, greeting cards and more.
