11. FREESTYLE FRIDAY | Live your life.

In this episode I want to break down my favorite poem.

 

I speak about death, and how the recent death of another Fire LT Jimmy Alexander made me think of how him, Lt Punkie Kegley, Chief Henri Moore, Lt Brad Clark, Chief Jeff Phipps all sang their death song going home leaving this world better than they found it.

 

I hope you all gain some value from this. This poems meaning and depth has had me thinking even more over the last week and I wanted to share with y'all.

 

Live Your Life

“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a Nobel death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give the word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

~ Tecumseh