I recently came across a quote on Pinterest saying, “be a poem.” As I was originally drawn to the capitalized, bold red print and simple design aesthetic of the image, I saved the pin to my board without thinking any further. It took me a minute to fully recognize the meaning behind those three words that I aimlessly repinned.

I had a sudden flashback to a blushing, shy girl studying poetry in my seemingly unimportant high school days, in the literary city of London. What was seemingly unimportant actually had a profound effect on me, I would come to find out. There was a poem that left a lasting footprint on my journey with the English language, one I continue to grow with today. The poem was compelling, challenging and enchanting. It then made sense to me what “be a poem” meant, how the elements of a poem can relate to our daily lives and character.

So, be a poem.

Be witty. Make humor out of your best and worst experiences. Be imaginative, create stories out of fantastical ideas and make realistic goals out of what could be. Take your weakest day and make something beautiful out of it.

Open up.

Honesty and integrity will make you a more credible, trustworthy person. Take a soiled situation and create romance out of it. What’s more exciting than the butterflies and mystery associated with love?

Find something beautiful to share with others, may it be common ground, hidden message or an unspoken connection.

Be rhythmic. You have the power to create a pattern of happiness or adventure.

Be emotional. Pour out everything that you have to give to someone, don’t hold back.

Be short and sweet or let your consciousness stream. Control your narrative with a bold voice and imagery to accompany it.

Be challenging.

Be compelling.

Be enchanting. Come to life in extensive lines of rhythm and imagery.

Be a poem.