Muere lentamente (Dying Slow)

Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet and diplomat who died under questionable circumstances during the Pinochet coup of Salvador Allende in 1973. He began writing poems at the age of 10 and has been called the greatest poet of the 20th century in any language.
 
Below is a poem that someone sent me attributed to Neruda that speaks to all generations. It's worth a read even though the Pablo Neruda Foundation says he never wrote it. More likely the poem was written by the Brazilian poet Martha Medeiros, which underscores one of the key issues that our country faces as a new administration takes the stage tomorrow: separating fact from fiction. 
 
You start dying slowly
You start dying slowly if you do not travel, if you do not read, If you do not listen to the sounds of life, If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly When you kill your self-esteem; When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly If you become a slave of your habits, Walking everyday on the same paths… If you do not change your routine, If you do not wear different colors Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly If you avoid to feel passion And their turbulent emotions; Those which make your eyes glisten And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love, If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain, If you do not go after a dream, If you do not allow yourself, At least once in your lifetime, To run away from sensible advice.