Like the Flowing River Part 2

Today I have finally completed Paulo Coelho’s “Like the flowing river” book. It is a must read book for all the book lovers. The following poem is mentioned in one of the chapters of this book. 

This poem reminded me that it is not always necessary to pretend that things are running  smoothly in life. We should not bother what other people think about us. The best way to live the life is that, accept yourself as the way you are!!! Don’t try to change yourself just to please someone. 

This poem also shows the importance of simplicity/innocence in life

Because it has lived its life intensely

the parched grass still attracts the gaze of passers-by,

The flowers merely flower,

and they do this as well as they can.

The white lily, blooming unseen in the valley,

Does not need to explain itself to anyone;

It lives merely for beauty.

Men, however, cannot accept that ‘merely’

If tomatoes wanted to be melons,

they would look completely ridiculous.

I am always amazed

that so many people are concerned

with wanting to be what they are not;

what’s the point of making yourself look ridiculous?

You don’t always have to pretend to be strong,

there’s no need to prove all the time that everything is going well,

you shouldn’t be concerned about what other people are thinking,

cry if you need to,

it’s good to cry out all your tears

(because only then will you be able to smile again).

                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                          -Written by Mitsuo Aida