I remind myself pleasure is never free, it always leaves a shadow when it stretches too far, what you thought you wanted,
I remind myself a drink too many turns laughter into clumsy shame, the sweetness into sting and regret,
I remind myself the body pays first, the mind after, the spirit last… and sometimes we don’t even notice until too late,
I remind myself what they call enjoyment too often wears the mask of punishment, quiet but heavy.
I confess I argued with words, tried to push, but no one listens when you sound like you’re preaching,
I confess I tried to change people by force, only to find them shutting the door harder, leaving me more tired than them,
I confess I forgot that self-interest—that small question of “what’s in it for me?”—is the only lever strong enough to move a heartbeat,
I confess wisdom is not shouting “wrong,” but showing, “look, this way could hurt less… maybe better for you.”
I believe the wise don’t moralize, they just put the light on, so the ugliness reveals itself,
I believe the wise don’t scream “stop,” they whisper, “is this really serving you? or is it just hurting slow?”
I believe temptation loses its fire once you see the ashes in your hands, the hurt that stays longer than the thrill,
I believe persuasion isn’t control, it’s just a mirror you place near someone so they see their own wound without you pointing.
So I choose to turn this mirror to myself first, even when it cuts,
So I choose to measure not what is “bad” but what drains me, what is no longer worth my hours,
So I choose to let practice, not speeches, shape me—example louder than avoidance,
So I choose not drunk on pleasures, not drunk on words, but steady, proportionate… sober in truth.
Watchwords
Show, don’t moralize
Begin with yourself first
Temptation punishes on its own
Steady, sober, simple
Example speaks louder than words
Here is Tikatarot, who dares you to answer the question, “Who am I?”..
As and will always be reminding you to dream:
