Invictus 

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me,
      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
      Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
      How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
      I am the captain of my soul.

I have dreamed of this so long that now that I have made it this far I sometimes have to pinch myself. My intentions for my Mastery Journey is to learn as much as I can and to find as many ways as is possible to put that knowledge to use. This poem is an inspiration to me, a reminder that I am strong and capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to. It speaks of showing bravery and strength in the face of adversity. “I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul” (Henley).

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