Dies Slowly

Dies slowly
he who becomes a slave of habit,
repeating same path every day,
he who never changes brands.
Who doesn't risk wearing a new color
and doesn't speak to whom he doesn't know.
Dies slowly
he who makes the television his guru,
he who avoids a passion,
he who prefers black on white
and dotted "i"s to a whirlwind of emotions,
precisely those that rescue the brilliance of one's eyes,
smiles from yawns,
hearts from disappointments and sorrows.
Dies slowly
he who doesn't turn the table when he's unhappy at his job,
he who doesn't risk the certain for the uncertain to follow a dream,
he who doesn't permit himself at least once in his life,
to flee from sensible advice.
Dies slowly
he who doesn't travel, he who doesn't read,
he who doesn't listen to music,
he who doesn't find humor in himself.
Dies slowly
he who destroys his own love,
he who doesn't allow himself to help.
Dies slowly
he who passes the days complaining of his bad luck
or of the incessant rain.
Dies slowly
he who abandons a project before starting it,
not asking about an unfamiliar subject
or not answering when they inquire about something he knows.
We avoid death in soft quotes, remembering that to be alive requires
an effort much greater than the simple fact of breathing.
Only with ardent patience will we conquer a splendid happiness.

Pablo Neruda