Say not

Efforts… efforts….efforts… but no results. Faces as many failures and disappointments. Then read this poem. A wonderful ecstasy of an endeavor. When we try and don’t succeed, the mind gets distressed. It agitates in a negative way. We may feel: why always me? We may feel: all the efforts I put are in vain.

In such torments, we can surely empower the mind. The truth is: somewhere and somehow the same efforts make changes. We may not be able to notice it. So never ever lose faith and put forth in misery.

Pain always teaches us. New strengths get revealed during sufferings. Struggle and scuffle make us brave. Grapple against the circumstance with an undying spirit. Surely the victory will emerge like the sun that arises after a dark and deep night.

Here a few lines about it:

SAY not the struggle nought availeth,

The labour and the wounds are vain,

The enemy faints not, nor faileth,

And as things have been they remain.

If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;

It may be, in yon smoke conceal'd,

Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,

And, but for you, possess the field.

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,

Seem here no painful inch to gain,

Far back, through creeks and inlets making,

Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

And not by eastern windows only,

When daylight comes, comes in the light;

In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly!

But westward, look, the land is bright!

By Arthur Hugh Clough

Summary of the poem:

In this stanza, the poet advises us not to feel low in difficult times. Soon or late the efforts get rewarded. Temporary failures should not shake our heart. Things change, enemy faints, have faith in putting efforts. Surely the circumstance will change.

The hope may deceive us. Frail will be all fears. We may not be able to see in yonder and smoke. But our efforts can come off with flying colors. Comrades may chase the fliers and they will win the battlefield. So continue to make efforts.

Waves seem to be tired. It seems that they are vainly trying to break the sea stones. Not an inch has been gained in pain. But on the other side through creeks, inlets make their own way and finally floods in the sea.

Not by the eastern countries, only the knowledge is spreading light. But slowly in the western countries as well, the sun is rising slowly and the land becomes bright.   

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So, in summary, don’t lose hope. Continue to make efforts. Even we can’t see immediate results believe in God. No efforts are in vain. One day they all will be rewarded.