What I Take Comfort In

No feeling in the world,

is greater than that which you receive,

from being in harmony with what one envisions to be,

striving ever more to approach closer and closer

To the best version of oneself one can possibly be.

I take comfort not in material objects, easy food, or Netflix

but in the process of daily self-betterment without cease.

For the pain of physical exercise builds lasting health,

From the boredom of reading emerges a sharpened mind,

The effort of drawing unleashes imagination's infinite potential,

In the reading of the Bible where spirit is fed.

It is completely understandable if some reactions are that of confusion,

"this is supposed to be a poem about comforts, not agonies!"

Fully do I realize the strangeness of what I take for "comforts,"

Though if willing, I implore you to heed my words till the end.

One painful,

The other dull,

Another childish,

The last totally archaic,

All of these activities, seemingly the total opposite of comfort.

However it is certain,

That in the pursuit of self betterment,

Is the conscience at its most satisfied state.

Though the rejection of the four activities provides momentary comforts of

Body, mind, and emotion,

It leaves the human spirit woefully deprived,

T he conscience writhing in turmoil and agony,

Realizing fully, potential left unrealized.

Therefore in my life,

There is no greater comfort to my conscience

Than in the pain of exercise,

The dullness of reading,

The effort of drawing,

The blandness of the Word;

The unceasing pursuit of self-betterment.