outside the box
I never considered myself a fixer
instead believed sheer
determination might bring
harmony & happiness
I remember that one year
when positive energy abounded
like a field of wildflowers
but those months passed by
like some homemade flipbook
and I soon found myself back inside
that little box of empty
without question happiness
always slays sadness
though the trick may have less
to do with fixing anything
and more with imagining
outside the box
march two thousand twenty-five
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
Really like this, John.
Thank you, Kathleen!
How do you manage to write daily is beyond my human comprehension!
Sounds like a reflection on the journey from hope to disillusionment and, ultimately, self-realization. I love the way you start with an acknowledgment of your belief in sheer determination as a means to find happiness. It is sooooooo relatable, like you’re trusting in the idea that if you push hard enough, things will get better. When you say a “field of wildflowers” when everything is going well is beautiful, and the idea of those happy months slipping away. I have several “homemade flipbook” buried under my to donate pile of clothes in the attic. How quickly tables can turn and the return to a “little box of empty” speaks to a feeling of being trapped or stagnant, even when you try so hard.
Then, the shift in perspective near the end is really powerful. You acknowledge that happiness isn’t necessarily about fixing things or trying to force a certain outcome. Instead, it’s about changing your perspective, “outside the box.” That feels like a quiet but strong realization, a shift from effort to acceptance.
I think the poem speaks to a universal truth that resonates deeply with many of us: the idea that we can’t always fix everything, but sometimes the key to happiness is simply learning to see things differently. It’s a lovely meditation on personal growth and the complexities of emotional states.
Sorry I went down the rabbit hole with my comment, a little wordy! Happy Saturday Mr. Waters!
I’m a day ahead 🤣 TGIF!
Thanks for all your lovely comments recently, LaToya! I hope you’re doing well, my friend. It’s always a pleasure visiting your blog. Have a great weekend!