PURSUING WISDOM 
WILL LEAD ONE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
IN DAILY LIVING

GOODBYE TO THE OLD 
Salutations to the new
As the old world goes by

TO LIVE LIFE LIGHTLY 
Not make light of it 
Only easier to bear

A YOUTHFUL SPIRIT 
Is not a matter of age 
But how it's nurtured

A CHATTERING MIND 
Creating one's gloominess 
Needs redirection

BEWARE OF A COMPLIMENT 
Let it be received 
Ever warily

TO OVERCOME PLIGHT 
Mingle with people
Rather than with your sorrows

ONE'S OUTLOOK ON LIFE 
Is not what one sees
With its physical eyesight

ONE'S WORLDLY WISDOM
Is shown by his behavior 
Not conversation

ONE'S SELF IMPROVEMENT 
Benefiting only him
Is all for nothing

ONE'S MORALIZING 
Without a license
Is a delicate matter

DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS 
Facing life bravely
By day to day living it

SELF RUINATION 
Will surely follow
Trying to please everyone

THE ESSENCE OF LIFE 
Becomes diluted
By unbecoming thinking

TO BE SELF RELIANT 
In the midst of crisis 
Requires composure

WITH YOUR OWN DEFINITION
YOU WILL ALWAYS WIN
YOUR OWN ARGUMENT

EMBARRASSING ANOTHER
By word or action 
Is a grievous wrong

AN ANGRY RESPONSE 
May likely occur
From a hasty assumption

LAMENTING THE PAST 
Is a worthless ode
Sickening the mind and heart

INSECURITY
Passes on to children
A sad legacy

THERE IS NO GLORY
From glorifying idols
Money - sex - power

WHEN A RELATIONSHIP WANES
Regrets rise to the fore
"Oh what if - what if"

TO STAND IDLY BY
When another is hurting 
Can't be justified

KNOCKING ONE'S SELF OUT 
With grandiose schemes
Is a mental affliction

EYES AND EARS MAY REACH SO FAR 
One's thoughts have no bar
Best know where they are

IN ONE'S LIFE JOURNEY 
One goes alone
Despite all relationships

TRAVELING ABROAD 
Nourishes the mind and heart 
If they are open

THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS 
Go the minutes of my life 
Measured in seconds

A SHIFT IN VIEWPOINT 
Brings instant relief
A continuous process

WITHIN MY ORBIT
How I conduct myself
Affects others and me

TO BE EFFECTIVE 
Requires learning from others
Who have gone before

SIFTING THROUGH DEBRIS
Of ancient civilizations 
Finding wisdom

A SELECTIVE MEMORY
Will wisely select
The good not the bad

CONVINCING A FOOL 
Is more difficult
Than persuading a wise man

LIVING IN TWO WORLDS
Inner and outer 
Inner of my own making

OFFENDING SOMEONE 
Is a grievous wrong 
Damaging to one's self worth

THE OTHER GENDER
IS A MYSTERY
BEDEVILING TO EACH GENDER

THE EMBERS OF PASSION 
SIMMER THROUGHOUT LIFE
SUBJECT TO FLARING

EVEN WHEN OLDER
THEY CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL
UNLESS WELL GUARDED

BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP 
Is a joint effort
To make it stand up

STRIKING A BALANCE IN LIFE 
Is a fine challenge
Trial and error

All PREDICAMENTS
Have a common solution
The passing of time

THINKING ONE IS POOR
When one in fact is not
Is victimizing one's self

MEDIATE YOUR THOUGHTS 
Be objective in judging 
Let wisdom prevail

ONE'S SELF CHARACTERIZATION
Will always affect
One's outer image

SEEING POVERTY
Can well bleed the heart
Purging one of complaining

A MIND WILL REMAIN FERTILE 
If it is watered
With positive thoughts

TO BE SOLELY SELF ABSORBED 
Is an ego play
With a sad ending

BEWARE OF EGO
When it claims to be
Your indispensable friend

THE SWEETNESS IN A WARM SMILE 
IS GENERATED
BY A LOVING HEART

REST AND RESTORATION 
No sadness allowed
Study and contemplation

FINDING WAYS TO SERVE 
As they may offer themselves
Always selflessly

COMING TOGETHER 
For conviviality
Makes for a grand time

MY NEEDS OF THE WORLD 
The world's need of me 
Do not always coincide

LOOKING BACK ON LIFE 
Highlighting good times
Is nostalgia at its best

GLADDEN SOMEONE'S HEART
However you can do it
Wherever you are

THE ESSENCE OF LIFE 
Produces nectar
To be imbibed heartily

LIFE IS WHAT IT IS 
Not a wishful dream
Leading to disappointments

THINKING BEFORE ACTING 
Is a wise dictum
Born of foolish behavior

TO LIVE WITH A PURPOSE
Gives meaning to life
Bringing inner contentment

WHEN DISILLUSIONMENT SWELLS 
Turning inwardly
Is an antidote

RECOGNIZING A MISTAKE 
Act on it forthwith
Before it turns gross

FOR ONE'S SURVIVAL
To engage selectively
In life's challenges

APPLYING MORAL TEACHINGS 
To real life issues
Tests one's character

TO THINK ONE CAN BORROW TIME 
Is a delusion
Borne of a braggart

TO BE RECLUSIVE
Does not make one exclusive 
Except in one's mind

APPLIED PLEASANTNESS 
Smooths any soreness
Both physical and mental

TO REMAIN HUMBLE
When being honored
Requires extra precaution

DIE BEFORE DYING 
Is not literal
It refers to one's ego

BEING MOVED TO CRY 
Unashamedly 
Is being human

ENABLING SOMEONE
To pursue his dream 
Is a special privilege

ONE'S VISION REFLECTS
One's background and stage of life 
Coming to the fore

YOUTHFUL FANTASIES
Seem to continue
Irregardless of old age

AGING GRACEFULLY
Reaping many benefits 
Coming in all forms

RECOGNIZE ALL THOUGHTS
SEE THEM AS WAYFARERS
SEE THEM ON THEIR WAY

ENJOYING ONE'S SELF
Any time and any where 
Is one's time well spent

SPECULATING WITH MONEY
Is far less risky
Than with one's morals

MOVING TOWARD OBLIVION
I cherish each day
Make my presence known

PREPARING FOR OLD AGE
Is a lifetime spent
In pursuit of wisdom

 Portal - AlKrassner's email- alkrassner@aol.com