GENIE! [Again]

Hello Universe 203

I wrote this poem about a year ago when overwhelmed with life. I’ve been unwell over the last few days, and that has led to another bout of overwhelm. So I’m resharing this poem to remind myself what is important at the end of the day.

Additionally, I’m enjoying writing longer poems on Hello Universe. Are you enjoying them too? Or do you prefer them short and snappy? I would love to know your thoughts, dear reader.

Alright, poem starts in 3… 2… 1!

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Once lived a man, with spirit brave,
he thought himself a meagre slave,
to every task that came his way,
he'd work himself all night and day.

With list in hand and tasks galore,
he pushed himself, intent on more.
"I'll see this through", he would proclaim,
but things would always stay the same.

He joined assignments, teams, and boards,
with vast agendas, long and broad.
He volunteered for this and that,
responding "Yes!" for each new hat.

But soon this dude was overspread,
such burden on his tiny head.
Engulfed in duties piled on high,
he felt himself begin to sigh.

Soon one day came when overwhelmed,
he found himself just so repelled,
by all the tasks he'd picked so quick.
He wondered now, why were they picked?

Did he pick them for sheer love?
On his list were they up, above?
Did doing those things bring him joy?
Or was he always a bit annoyed?

He thought and thought and then one time
he went out on a mountain climb.
The mountain climb was arduous though,
and soon he knew not where to go.

He found a cave and sat a bit,
wondering if he should submit,
to forces far beyond his reach,
he wished he'd just gone to a beach.

But suddenly an object glints,
and his eyes spot that shimmery hint.
He went ahead to pick it up,
and saw it was a golden cup.

He brushed off all the dust away,
and out a genie came that day.
The genie said, "I'm here my friend,
tell me your pains, I'll make them end."

The fellow was surprised, confused.
The genie seemed in a hurried mood.
To make the most of this great chance,
the fellow said "Oh please enhance...

...my way of handling many tasks,
I cannot manage all the asks.
I'm feeling like I'm inundated,
my spirit's overcome and faded."

The genie made a simple query,
"Do you think you're extraordinary?
Do you think you can do it all?"
asked that being standing wide and tall.

"No that's not so!", the man protested,
"I pick tasks in which I'm interested,
but now my basket feels so full,
that life is burdened, harsh, and dull."

"So let things go!" was the reply,
"Nature's rules cannot be defied.
There's limits to a single person,
if they're not followed, life will worsen.

Step right back in, relax, my friend.
Don't be so burdened, don't be bent.
Zoom out and see the world for once,
and find those dreams that make you dance.

Just work on those, with focus deep,
and get yourself some restful sleep.
Don't take up every offered task,
instead, find some sunshine and bask.

And listen to some music, chill,
get down from this endless treadmill.
For tasks may come and tasks may go,
but life is just a limited show.

You're not a processor of work,
you're not a mindless drone or clerk.
You're full of wit and energy,
the youngest you will ever be!

The road ahead is full of flowers,
don't sit at desks for endless hours!"
His voice bellowed in that dark cave,
and "Poof!" he disappeared in a wave.

The man sat there so clearly stunned,
surprised by a message so clearly summed.
He went back to his daily life,
but now when he was faced with strife.

He'd ask himself, "Do I like this?
This task I do, do I like this?"
And if the answer was ever "No!"
Into the trashcan he would throw

that task, whatever it may've been.
And walk away to meadows green.
He'd put on music, nice and light.
And bask in sunshine warm and bright.

He was once-burdened, now he knew,
that to himself he must remain true.
The rest of the world may come and go.
But with himself, he spent time most.

So of himself, he must take care.
From tip of toe to tip of hair.
A slave no more, he took control.
A master now, a richer soul.

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That’s it! Thanks for reading edition 203 of Hello Universe. Check out Some Fun Stuff below!

I’m curious to know - what has gotten you overwhelmed lately, dear reader? I invite you to share your feelings and experiences with the Hello Universe community in the comments below.

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Some Fun Stuff

This is a place where I recommend read-worthy, hum-worthy, and watch-worthy content from across the internet. The underlined words are links that you can click to access my suggestions:

1. Use Google’s AI Studio instead of paying for ChatGPT : There are many tools available at various levels of performance and price in the LLM Chatbot world. Here is the best option in my opinion - Google’s AI studio powered by “Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental”. (Please get some better names to brand your products Google.). Its biggest USP is that it can handle about 1 million tokens - that’s a lot of content you can get it to read and answer specific questions. I’ve moved all my chatbot queries to this tool, check it out!

2. Listen to “Lo Fi Groovy” by All India Radio: A chill tune that takes the edge off of the day. Listen now.

3. Watch “The Evolution of Absolutely Everything”: Sometimes the time is just right for a speedy video running through all of history. This is one of those times. Check it out!

That’s it for this week. See you next Tuesday!