“Variation on a Theme by Rilke”

“I have a real tricky time hearing folks who don’t believe in themselves.”

Ted Lasso, Season 1: episode 3

If you haven’t watched Ted Lasso, the Apple TV+ series that swept the 2021 Emmy Awards, you might want to give it a try. Ted is a folksy American football coach who’s hired to coach a professional English soccer team despite knowing very little about the sport. The show is well-written, warm-hearted, and exactly the dose of optimism, hope, and inspiration we need right now. Here’s a poem for today about believing in yourself. I think Ted would approve.

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Variation on a Theme by Rilke

A certain day became a presence to me;
there it was, confronting me — a sky, air, light:
a being. And before it started to descend
from the height of noon, it leaned over
and struck my shoulder as if with
the flat of a sword, granting me
honor and a task. The day’s blow
rang out, metallic — or it was I, a bell awakened,
and what I heard was my whole self
saying and singing what it knew: I can.

Denise Levertov

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Years ago, I carried this poem in my pocket while I ran a very cold and rainy marathon. I probably forgot it was with me during the race, but, looking back, I like to think it helped me get to the finish line.

Prompts:

• What helps you believe in yourself and push through tough times? Do you have a mantra or prayer you say, or a practice you follow?
• Is there a dream you have but self-doubt is keeping you from pursuing it?
• Who is the Ted Lasso figure in your life — the person who keeps you hopeful and optimistic?

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Sources:

“Variation on a Theme by Rilke (The Book of Hours, Book 1, Poem 1, Stanza 1)” by Denise Levertov from Breathing the Water, 1987. Copyrighted material used for educational or therapeutic purposes.

Photo: teepublic.com