Horizons

by William Ernest Henley

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.

I know what it is like to face pain and challenges. Though no one can
understand your pain, sharing can be a helpful release.

My own story is filled with enough to keep soap opera writers busy for years, but here's the glossed over version. I was sexually abused by a family doctor at a young age, until I realised what he was doing was wrong and told my mother I'd never go back to a male doctor. I was the kid everyone picked on in school, including the teachers, several of whom called me retarded because of mild dislexia.

I know what it is like to be physically abused by loved ones, and to live in fear of the next beating. We'll leave it there.

I have physical conditions that can be trying, such as Fibromyalgia, Environmental Illness, Migraines, Depression, Asthma, as well as being a Stroke survivor.

My way of overcoming these trials has been to read, research, and to never surrender to the challenges facing me. I have faltered often, but have maintained a bulldog stubornness against quitting. I have learned that sharing with others is empowering, and that their suggestions and experiences have enriched my own strength in the struggle.

I believe it strengthens us to come together and share our stories and our knowledge with those who seek strength in their trials. What one can rise above, overcome, or survive through, can be done by others..

So share your story with us. Everyone's pain is important. We are all enduring to the limits of our abilities at the time.

No Triumph Is Trivial!!!

Light in the Dark

by Doni-Marie Oliver

No matter the darkness of the night
The spirit of man is strong,
It soars and flies in the face of pain
And lifts in hope and song.

It tarries not long at the house of woe,
It falters, but topples never,
The soul is a gleaming torch inside
To light our path forever.

Pain comes and goes,
Trials fleet away,
And enemies never deign to stay,
But the soul, undaunted,
Challenges all,
It may be crushed,
Yet will never fall.

So hold to the last
In the dark of the night,
Remember your soul,
And trust your light.
Hold on to your fire inside and say,
"I may have faltered,
But I'll win the day".

A Song of Service

by Marguerite Few

If all my pain,
And all my tears,
And all that I have learned
Through all the years,
Could make one single perfect song
To right some wrong;
To lift some fallen head,
To light some darkened mind,
I should feel that not in vain
I served mankind.

If all my joys
And all my laughter,
Could give one single soul
Faith in hereafter;
If all the radiant things I see
Known but to me,
Could give a half-life strength,
Lend sight to stricken eyes,
I should know I helped the world
Glimpse Paradise.

from Never Quit

by Unknown Author

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must --- but NEVER QUIT.