Charlie Chaplin, The Poet

Discussion in 'Reading & Writing' started by Magalina Lilis, Sep 10, 2015.

  1. Magalina Lilis

    Magalina Lilis Veteran Member
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    When we hear the name Charlie Chaplin, usually the public thinks of him, as either a comic actor or film director. Much to my surprise, Chaplin was also a poet.

    Actually I am not the biggest fan of Chaplin (sure I admire him), but this poem, As I Began To Love Myself – Self Love reached out and grabbed me.

    Perhaps others here on this forum will also appreciate the wise words written by Charlie Chaplin. Sometimes we get so busy in life, we forget the time to give ourselves the attention and understanding we deserve. .

    I like this poem so much, I might print it out and hang it in a prevalent spot to look at on a daily basis.

    As I Began to Love Myself – Self Love Poem by Charlie Chaplin

    "As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering
    are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
    Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

    As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
    As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time
    was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this
    person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

    As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,
    and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
    Today I call it “MATURITY”.

    As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
    I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens
    at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.
    Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

    As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time,
    and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
    Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do
    and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in
    my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

    As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for
    my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew
    me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude
    a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

    As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since
    I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

    As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry
    about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING
    is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

    As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me
    and it can make me sick. But As I connected it to my heart, my
    mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this
    connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

    We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems
    with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing
    new worlds are born.Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!"
     
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  2. Corie Henson

    Corie Henson Veteran Member
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    If I'm not mistaken, Charlie Chaplin wrote the lyrics of the song Smile, not sure if that is the title. But I remember the video of Michael Jackson singing that song in a capella fashion being shot by his videographer while on a street. And the narrator of the documentary said that the song is the favorite of Michael Jackson.

    Smile though your heart is aching, smile even though it's breaking.....
     
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  3. Hannah Davis

    Hannah Davis Veteran Member
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    Chaplin did compose the music to the original version of the song Smile but someone else wrote the lyrics. I found this out online by looking it up. It's not surprising though that Charlie Chaplin poured out his heart in writing. Anyone who has researched his tragic childhood would figure that he probably needed such an outlet. Writing can be therapeutic not just in writing down your inner most thoughts but also other avenues such as poetry.
     
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