Digging Deep

Today I received a heartfelt, handwritten letter from a dear family friend, Michael. It was so kind and thoughtful. Rather than share all of the details of the letter, I prefer to share a couple of snippets and the poem that Michael included.

The poem is called "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley. Yes, this is the same poem that served as the source of inspiration for Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment, and is the title of the Matt Damon/Morgan Freeman movie depicting the events of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Side note: Invictus is a terrible flick. Don't get me wrong, the storyline itself is great, but director Clint Eastwood phoned this one in. I love Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, but somehow they were not given much to work with.

And although I did not enjoy sitting through the Invictus movie, I admit that I really like the poem, and I thank you, Michael, for sharing it with me. I, too, plan to "use it on days with I have to 'dig deep' to make it through" -- on the upcoming bike trip, and beyond.

As someone who, in the past, has scoured the internet in search of inspirational quotes that speak to me (Admit it, you've done it too), I can say that the poem below is among my favorites. As Michael mentioned in his letter to me, it's nice to know that "when all is said and done, I have the strength to finish what I started." I could not agree more, and I will undoubtedly be reading this poem in 20 days -- right before I pedal over the Golden Gate Bridge and make my way East. Thanks again, Michael!

Invictus

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.