Be Practical! A Problem of the Heart

 

Hey everyone!

I am back with another topic for you to ponder on.

So, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately on what it means to live in this world where we’re constantly told to be "practical." You know, the kind of world where emotions and kindness are often seen as weaknesses or things to hide away. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, we’ve lost sight of what truly matters. That’s where the inspiration for my latest poem, Be Practical!, came from.

Be practical!

In a world of pragmatists, where whispers fill the air,  

They call me a dreamer, with emotions laid bare.  

They speak of a harsh existence, where love fades away,  

But my soul beats to a different tune, night and day.  

  

They say, “Show less of kindness, be firm in your stance,”  

But my heart cannot ignore the world’s tragic dance.  

For I am the girl who cannot leave another in pain,  

The one who wipes the tears, who cannot feign.  

  

I cannot watch the hungry without offering my share,  

Or pass by the wounded without binding the tear.  

I see the shadows of suffering and cannot just look away,  

For love and compassion, I cannot betray.  

  

I don’t seek to prove anything or make a name for myself,  

I simply carry these traits, like a book on a shelf.  

For they are not badges to earn or adorn,  

But reflections of the soul that is born.  

  

So let them speak of practicality, and what they may find true,  

For I am not shaped by what they do.  

I’ll walk in the world with love as my guide,  

For in its embrace, I’ll forever abide.

Let me take you through the journey behind writing it!

Why Be Practical?

We live in a time where people often tell us to toughen up, to not care too much, and to focus on our own needs first. It’s all about self-preservation, right? But honestly, I’ve never been able to follow that path. I feel too much, care too deeply, and can’t just turn a blind eye to someone in pain, and it's not just my story; it's the story of every old-school soul that's existing in the modern times.

In the opening lines of the poem:

"In a world of pragmatists, where whispers fill the air,

They call me a dreamer, with emotions laid bare."

I wanted to capture the essence of how it feels to be labeled for simply being... well, human. Dreamers, they call us. But is it really such a bad thing to dream of a kinder world?

The Battle Between Practicality and Kindness

Throughout the poem, I explore this constant push-and-pull between what’s "practical" and what feels right in our hearts. You know that moment when you’re told not to care too much, to guard your heart, to mind your own business? Yeah, I’ve never been able to do that. That’s why I wrote these lines:

"For I am the girl who cannot leave another in pain,

The one who wipes the tears, who cannot feign."

I think many of us feel this way – we can’t just walk by when someone’s suffering. It’s in our nature to care. And even if the world calls it impractical, I believe it’s the most powerful thing we can do.

Embracing Who We Are

This poem isn’t about rejecting practicality altogether – it's about recognizing that kindness and empathy don’t make us weak. They make us human. I didn’t write Be Practical! to prove anything or to stand against anyone. I wrote it to remind myself (and anyone who reads it) that it’s okay to feel deeply, even when the world says otherwise.

"I don’t seek to prove anything or make a name for myself,

I simply carry these traits, like a book on a shelf."

That’s the heart of it, really. These traits – love, compassion, empathy – aren’t something I wear for show. They’re just... part of who I am. And I know a lot of you feel the same way.

Love as a Guide

The poem closes with these lines:

"I’ll walk in the world with love as my guide,

For in its embrace, I’ll forever abide."

That’s my truth. No matter how many times I hear “be practical,” I’ll keep walking my path, guided by love and compassion. It’s not always easy, but it’s the only way I know how to be. And maybe, in a world so focused on self-interest, we need a few more of us who are willing to lead with our hearts.

Your Thoughts?

This poem is a little piece of my soul, and I hope it resonates with you in some way. Do you ever feel like the world is pushing you to be practical when all you want is to lead with kindness? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – share your own experiences in the comments! Let’s start a conversation about the power of love and empathy in a world that often feels too focused on "practicality."

If you want to stay connected with me then do check out my other poems on VerseBound.blogspot.com

Until next time, stay true to your heart!