Life Philosophy: Overcoming Failure Through Bukowski's Poetry

The life philosophy of Charles Bukowski, as articulated through his famous poetry, is the perfect place for us to go to learn how to overcome failure. Failure is paralyzing, it makes us feel worthless and like we shouldn't bother trying anything ever again, but this is because we are approaching life all wrong. Bukowski knew failure, he knew it intimately, and he mastered the art of pressing through and coping with a world far uglier than most want to admit. In this video, we explore the topic of failure and seek to add a new perspective through Bukowski's poetry, a perspective that may help you build your own life philosophy.

[@Mrvictorfernandes]

invent yourself and then reinvent yourself, don't slough in the slime. invent yourself and then reinvent yourself, stay out of the clutches of mediocrity and self-pity. invent yourself and then reinvent yourself, change your tone and shape so that they can never find you. recharge yourself. accept continuance but only on the terms that you have invented and reinvented. be self-instructed. invent life, it is you, the history of its past and the presence of its presentness. there is nothing else, nothing. - Charles Bukowski, "no leaders" (original text)

[@PowerofThought_]

Love this one, thank you for sharing! Have these things helped you in your own life?

[@samanthaschroeder3065]

I think this topic is so important and can’t be discussed enough. Whether we realize it or not, feelings of failure often permeate our lives… for our whole lives, and learning to identify how the feeling presents itself and manifests is so important to happiness and acceptance of ourselves. Thanks for sharing!

[@PowerofThought_]

Thanks for the insight!

[@AlessioBarelli]

I spend all day watching and listening to videos on Philosophy and this is by far one of the best channels I've seen. Keep the faith and keep going! Big love from London!

[@PowerofThought_]

This comments means a lot. Thank you for watching and we will keep that in mind!

[@modernphilosophy4932]

It seems success and happiness are always only to come, never arriving

[@thedionysian8261]

Best use of Bukowski I have seen

[@shankariaproductions3871]

Just in bed and was about to go to sleep and tripped across this. The topic, commentary and of course the Bukowski poetry is Absolutely brilliant, thought provoking and believe it or not - soul & mind soothing. Real talk. Real emotions. To be free from any entanglements of the past or of the perceived future. We are reborn every single day. A new me with fresh eyes and senses towards everything around me each and every day. To be free. To be inquisitive. To just be real & true to oneself Love your presentation guys. Keep up the good work and look forward to more of this to help us all realise the authenticity within ourselves. Defo subscribed! 😊

[@danjeff1011]

This is great! I think something similar to failure would be the feeling of having to keep going when you feel as though you are failing. A sort of burnout, or a forced un-willingness to move forward from feeling like a perpetual failure. I think it might contribute to a lot of the hopelessness people feel about their situation, or about life in general.

[@banjanrameen7514]

Hey I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate this video. For whatever’s it’s worth someone random in the middle of the world appreciates your work. I keep rewatching it and finding more and more. Thank you ❤

[@Misserbi]

I understand the idea of being something or someone. It is a declaration but it may be hollow and not seem true. I think we all have been set up. 13 years from K-12 grade has shown us what failure looks like and the scary thing is as we mature thoughts we thought were below us are the things to center on. I think that is what Bukowski was good at. Seeing the pain and suffering and learning life is either a struggle or great achievement. You cannot declare you are great before the world. David Foster Wallace explained it too. He said some writers just stop writing because they cannot put down how beautiful and perfect it is in their heads. So they will fail by trying to let it come out. That is really fear.

[@jecellefetzer8716]

Thank you so much for this video. It took me so long to let myself write like I've always craved. I feel excited to learn about Bukowzki and I will continue to...thank you for your service of this video. I appreciate the mindfulness in the creation of this as well.

[@PowerofThought_]

Thank you for sharing, that’s amazing that you’ve made that progress with your writing!

[@vonmusel6158]

Sad to see this, your work is not more widely known but let me just tell you I appreciate this, Ive rewatches this piece several times especially the first part on how we should not put our hopes in the things that broke our hearts in the first place but we have to grow and relate to them in a NEW way. Be transformed in the renewal of your mind in Christ! Amen

[@RIGID01]

You’re onto something truly great with these videos- the authenticity and vulnerability are jarring and motivating; the like-count will never be huge, because this only appeals to those few people who can truly grasp what you’re trying to do- please don’t stop. Please keep going.

[@PowerofThought_]

Thank you for the kind words, this kind of thing keeps us going!

[@CooksFSH]

This found me when I really needed it.

[@michellemiller8668]

This video is very beautifully presented. I appreciate you sharing yourself along with the content.

[@timcompton4857]

This is a great video! I just recently went through one of the toughest times in my life, with a failure in my professional career. I made some tough choices that didn’t work out and I finally came out on the other side. I learned more than I could have about myself(long story). I am ready to start again(got some good news), and I’m excited. This video really hit home. I have to take my failure and turn them into a positive thing.

[@PowerofThought_]

Thank you so much for sharing, it’s inspiring to hear others going through it and coming out on the other side!

[@tommyrocker33]

Gotta appreciate Bukowski, a helluva writer. Appreciate what your doing with this channel too, enjoy your content - thank you. All the best 👍

[@WindmillFighter]

Suggestions: be hyper specific about issues so you can relate more to your audience: failure is maybe too general, maybe try talking about going through a layoff, a divorce, the death of a loved one... also, people using KZbin want to feel entertained and they prefer to end with a positive note, a message of hope. Try different things in your videos and see what sticks. You can use the rule of thirds for your content: one third the same from previous videos, one third improved content, and one third of new, untested ideas. Good luck with your channel, mad respect for putting the time and effort into it.

[@Dandy804]

I appreciate you making this video. It was very refreshing and inspiring. Thank you ❤

[@DanTheMan293]

Love it, Thank you for posting!

[@nelson6465]

I don’t really have any specific struggle or concept but I think Carl Jung and Albert Camus are interesting if you have anything on them. Good video

[@Andreas10012]

Liked this video for it’s realistic and grounded, especially for a youtube video about philosophy. The way i see it, there is also a freedom in achieving whatever you dream of, for you to realize that there wasnt really a final destination. Cause if you pursue what you think you want, and realize it, you can at least know for certain that was not all you wanted. It allows for further exploration, that is, if you are able to do what Bukowski suggests; to earase former definitions and ideals. I also think it ties to Jungs idea of finding the self. I see it as exploring in different directions, each time adding more depht to our understanding, and bringing us closer to the core of our being. And i think there is one thing to read about a great truth, but quite another to have lived creatively and to have a deep sense of personal truth that cannot be expressed in words. I think you can see this in some people, especially old people, they just know «it», for they have lived it.

[@PowerofThought_]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply! I like the comparison to Jung here, we need to seek ourselves before we decide to believe in something, or else how could we know if it is for us?

[@Leonardomatos-we9wk]

just loved it. keep going man.

[@Jupa]

Apple released a Journal app recently. Tried it out, for the first time in my life I’ve started journaling. It’s surprisingly fun, in a calming way. Helps me make sense of where I am. I always assumed that I didn’t really want to explore my thoughts, and that I’d be averse to journaling. But it’s not like that at all. I recommend it. This is great video. Subbed.

[@PowerofThought_]

Years ago when felt very lost and like I didn’t know myself, it was also journaling that brought me to a place where I could collective my thoughts, know what I wanted, and pursue a path that was just for me. I’m still not all the way there journaling is a great first step. Thank you for sharing!

[@warrenb6742]

Really enjoy the Bukowski stuff

[@JimmyBuddhaOm]

Thanks for the videos, good subject matter:)

[@williamtoner8674]

Very thoughtful and well-made video. Surprised I haven't found the channel before

[@PowerofThought_]

Thank you for that! We are doing our best to get some traction going, your support means a lot

[@jamiecannon1063]

Great! Would love to hear more Nietshze!

[@jamiecannon1063]

Also, Joyce Carol Oates?

[@PowerofThought_]

More Nietzsche coming soon!

[@PowerofThought_]

I will have to look into this one, thank you for the suggestion!

[@797brm]

More about break up please

[@fouadal-noor3804]

A great topic would be about breakups

[@PowerofThought_]

This is a great idea!

[@PowerofThought_]

What do you think about the role of failure in our lives?

[@michellemiller8668]

I think the word failure is so connected to the feeling of shame when it is supposed to describe a result that simply missed the intended mark. If shame around failure wasn't a feature of our human experience we might be spared the pain of it that often comes. If failure could be experienced as a delay or detour containing valuable information that we can use on our journey forward failure would take on a more positive quality.

[@johnmccarthy6743]

The Bukowski poem Snake Eyes is amazing. But it does not turn up in any online search. Does anyone know where I can find it? Is it in one of his collections? Thanks.

[@PowerofThought_]

Thanks for the comment! I found the poem on bukowski.net, but only in the form of a scanned manuscript. I’m not sure if it was ever fully published

[@EdT.-xt6yv]

10:40 "for what it IS",,,🤔

[@davyking-com]

Interesting