everyone keep in mind this was made by a 9th, 10th grade high school video production class. For many this was their first video project, and I'm quite proud of it to this day. Shane wrote this for this specific project, so the recording was a rough draft compared to his CD
My absolute favorite poet. I find myself today, at 32 years old coming back to his gems throughout the years but this is possibly my first time commenting. Funnily enough, I was watching come random video that reminded me of a conversation I was having with a friend earlier today... which then reminded me of the perfect way to express what I should have said to that friend in that conversation. We often talk about religion, him being a theist and myself, a heathen, we are at odds on the subject. He was thrown off by me telling him he should go to church like he said he would (something from earlier in the conversation) and this youtube video, hours later, reminded me of Shane and therefore this quote "declare what you accept as true in a way that envisions the resolve with which you accept it". Which I couldn't remember verbatim so I googled and read... crying in anticipation and life experience from the first letter of it. So I went to rewatch it because who could resist. And so here I am now, tablet I was watching that other video on paused for 10 minutes now as I gathered my thoughts for this comment and another 2 hours or so as I go down Shane lane wet in the face
When I was a teenager I came to this anytime I wasn't feeling okay. Tonight is the first time I've remembered and understood this message since I've been an adult. Thank you Shane. Not only have you saved my life, but you've reminded me how to accept myself.
This is my gospel. Everyday on my way to school, I listen to this. I quote it all the time and I live by this. I try and send this message to everyone i meet day to day. I so admire you Shane. You are such an inspiration!
Literally when I heard this for the first time as a teenager over 10 years ago it was a turning point in my life. I know it by heart and recite it to myself whenever I need and it makes me feel better every time. I found the video again and just wanted to say thank you. It came to me exactly when I needed it and it changed so much for me. Thanks you thank you thank you
It is nothing short of monstrous that 200,000 people have heard this. 200,000 is a large number, but not nearly so large as the amount of people who *need* to experience this.
I'm writing sobbing. Art like this reminds me that I have friends and family that can share my burden. We craft such thick armor to stop things from getting under our skin that the things already there can't come out. Thank you Shane. I love you man.
Shane, I just want to say thank you for posting what you do. You're words have literally pulled the barrel of a gun away from the roof of my mouth. I cannot tell you how much your words help people. Just....thank you. With all of my being, thank you, Shane.
I'd never seen the original version! This was the first of your songs that I ever played for my clients. I work with seriously mentally ill adults. Now when I bring out the laptop for my art therapy group, they tell me they just want to listen to "that Shane guy." :)
Really late comment, but I wanted to say thank you. My thanks is not enough to explain how much you’ve helped me and so many other people. My life Has only be up and downs. And I suffer from severe PTSD because of several traumatic events. I’ve lived my life with a cloud above my head with friends that I don’t know I could even call friends that have come and gone all my life. I started to lose hope in everything around me one after the other. Not being understood or respected, belittled and threatened. I’ve struggled with my emotions all my life. Not being able to let them go. So I held onto everything. Struggling and drowning in fear and hurt and pain. It’s hard to breathe, to go through your everyday life feeling like you you can’t go on. I found your video through a How to train your dragon video, Funny right. But when I heard your words. I cried. I cried and cried, and I felt relief. I felt like I had a reason! I had a reason to be able to keep going to keep running and live. It reminded me of what it means to be alive and here today. Your video was indescribable, and your work. All your poems are things that we don’t speak about enough. So, today I remind myself and share your poem to many people and I will continue to do so. Thank you so much!
My favorite line had to be : be persistent , like a weed growing in the sidewalk cracks. Beautiful , for it doesn't know it's not supposed to be there. Good job
Hey Shane i will just thank you alot, you are one of my big heroes this video has helped me alot of days where all hope ended it lift me back up from my dark world with voices and visions of bad things I have learn to forgive all who has been bad to me, but i feel sorry for all the young people out in the world who get bullied every day i wish I could make it stop because none deserves to live though that again thanks you have touched alot of people keep it on because not many are fighting for the weak ones the ones who get left out the ones that none see look closer people be aware of the people who needs a helping hand who needs a smile to make they day shine
His voice is like a warm cup of tea. It sends a wave of comfort throughout your painful thoughts and it melts it's way through the walls we've all built in our minds to keep out the bad. It's so calming and motivating. I cant begin to tell you Shane how much you have influenced us. How many edges you have walked us away from and how many restless nights you have rocked us to sleep with your beautiful words. Thank you. Thank you for it all. I know you may not even see this but thank you so much.
I too was bullied as a kid by my parents, my friends and generally everyone around me. I was always the oddball.I knew everything I would do would lead to judgement and ridicule. I have strength now, strength that allows me to wear a real smile I never thought I would. And i still get looked at strange. I hope Shanes poem helps him. Kids can be cruel, but we never stay kids and that strength is needed when we get older for the true trials, trials that the bullies will always fail
Shane, my son is 11. Has been bullied half his life. The odd man on the playground. The lone wolf. He was recently told by a classmate that kids think he is weird and lame. He was diagnosed with Aspergers last week. This video. These words. I will write them down for him. I will give them to him as encouragement on days he is struggling. To have in his view ever time he needs them. This... this brought me to tears. Thank you.
I am bullied all the time still to this day. I have felt pain, try to take my own life, i have been pushed down and no one gave me hand to help me up when i needed someone the most there was only my friends and family who said they where there but there was no one who would have felt the same pain and saw the same things I saw. My heart is a scar that will never fade and cut, that will never heal.
I'm 26 years old now, but I remember high school. There were some pretty bad days it felt like I wasn't going to be able to leave behind. Some pretty cruel words that I had to entrust to others to erase from my mind long after high school was done. It gets better, though. I want people to know that. There's a level of power that you have after you get out that, if you struggle hard enough, allows you to make something better of your life. I'll be going into nursing at the end of 2017; it really took me that long and a failed experiment at art school to realize what it is I want to do. And the chance to find what you want to do with your life is right around the corner.
I still remember when I was in 8th grade and in period 3 NO ONE use to sit around me I was in the front row and the teacher felt bad for me so he called up someone to sit next to me they always use to say "not next to the shy girl" I felt so bad I wanted to cry but I hold it back in, now i'm not shy I stand up to ENYONE who trys to hurt me my friends ,my family and people I don't even now.
I can't escape my own broken body... I'm dying inside and my love is dwindling.. I look at myself and see only loathing. I'm 25 and my spinal cord is so damaged I can't even function.. And my son just turned 1. I'm standing on the sideline and missing out... I hate myself... But I listen to you and you help me clinging to this horrid life... Please.. Don't stop your inspiration.. Your beautiful words..
This poem has saved me so many times. When I have a bad day I watch this, and his other poems. They make everything a little big better. Shane is amazing.
His voice.. it just descends, like gruff mist sent from heaven to inform you, that it's actually a bright beautiful day and appreciating it will on make you a happier person.
Thank you for this Shane, and everyone who helped on this project. Many years ago, this poem helped to save my life. Thank you. Whenever a friend has a hard day, I play this for them.
I've watched this video a few times before now, but today is the day when I really need it. I'm going to listen to it again, and again, because it helps me get through the emotions that otherwise I have no idea how to feel. Thank you so much for posting this. Truly, thank you.
Looking back on this from last year makes me so proud of my school and what we can accomplish. Thank you Shane for this amazing opportunity that you gave us, you're the most down to earth person I know and I really enjoyed working with you on this project. Thank you thank you
I just want to let you know how much of inspiration you are. Watching your videos, no matter how many times I watch the same one I end up in tears. You truly understand what it's like, and you put it into words the way nobody else can. I didn't know it could even be put into words. You have truly changed my way of thinking and on bad days, I look for the light thanks to you. Thank you.
Thank you. I had such a terrible day, and when I came home I just felt so tired and sad. I went onto TH-cam to watch a lecture, but then I saw this I'm the sidebar. It was such a wonderful gift. Thank you so much. You made a difference in my day.
Can I just say how awesome you are, your videos are so inspiring, you are so awesome, in every single way, you are truly one of my idols, your videos mean so much to me and other people, you are amazing and everybody should watch atleast one of your inspiring videos, they should become household names everybody needs to see these
I wish my peers had pointed me towards poetry eariler in life. Poetry expresses what our hearts feel without rules. Saved and will be revisited again =] Max sent me!
Shane your poems are the source of my inspiration and motivation in life i wake because your words joined their hands, got some shovels, and dug me out of my adolescent crater. I didn't need to hear any of your work but if i hadn't, i would still be confused and feel alone. Your work has opened my eyes and helped me see that there are others out there who have the same problems i do. And i can never thank or congratulate you enough for that.
This is so beautiful your a true inspiration and your poems are so strong they tug on my heart strings and always make me cry and I usually hold in my tears its nice to let them out finally ... Thank you
I really needed this today, I am a huge fan Shane, and you are a major inspiration for me and many others. Thank you for making a difference because this really did brighten my spirits. :)
I.....I......I thank you so god damn much! I just finished working to this day and now im here and shane, i truly thank you with all my heart, you're an amazing human being and I owe you more than i care to admit.
you make a terrible day of being bullied so much better Shane. please make more of these videos, they are like blankets to me after a long blizzard at school.
I really needed to hear this today. Thank you! Shane you are such an inspiration; your words, a beacon of hope. My writing for years has been therapeutic for my darkness withi, full of pain. But I'm so moved by your words, I want to branch out from that. And allow myself to feel hope and have pride in my talents. Thank you. Thank you!
Thank you to make me remember how I felt and how I got out of it, Thank you to show me that I am not alone with these feelings, And finally, thank you to make noise for the one who can't or couldn't.
Thank you Shane, I have never heard a poem as beautiful as this. Its really inspiring and uplifting, i wish there were strong poems like this when i was a teenager. But thank you shane, keep inspiring people.
everyone keep in mind this was made by a 9th, 10th grade high school video production class. For many this was their first video project, and I'm quite proud of it to this day. Shane wrote this for this specific project, so the recording was a rough draft compared to his CD
I'm not crying.
It's just raining on my face.
My absolute favorite poet. I find myself today, at 32 years old coming back to his gems throughout the years but this is possibly my first time commenting. Funnily enough, I was watching come random video that reminded me of a conversation I was having with a friend earlier today... which then reminded me of the perfect way to express what I should have said to that friend in that conversation.
We often talk about religion, him being a theist and myself, a heathen, we are at odds on the subject. He was thrown off by me telling him he should go to church like he said he would (something from earlier in the conversation) and this youtube video, hours later, reminded me of Shane and therefore this quote "declare what you accept as true in a way that envisions the resolve with which you accept it". Which I couldn't remember verbatim so I googled and read... crying in anticipation and life experience from the first letter of it. So I went to rewatch it because who could resist.
And so here I am now, tablet I was watching that other video on paused for 10 minutes now as I gathered my thoughts for this comment and another 2 hours or so as I go down Shane lane wet in the face
When I was a teenager I came to this anytime I wasn't feeling okay. Tonight is the first time I've remembered and understood this message since I've been an adult. Thank you Shane. Not only have you saved my life, but you've reminded me how to accept myself.
This is my gospel. Everyday on my way to school, I listen to this. I quote it all the time and I live by this. I try and send this message to everyone i meet day to day. I so admire you Shane. You are such an inspiration!
Vicki same but my life is worse cuz i have no friends and social anxiety
Literally when I heard this for the first time as a teenager over 10 years ago it was a turning point in my life. I know it by heart and recite it to myself whenever I need and it makes me feel better every time. I found the video again and just wanted to say thank you. It came to me exactly when I needed it and it changed so much for me. Thanks you thank you thank you
It is nothing short of monstrous that 200,000 people have heard this. 200,000 is a large number, but not nearly so large as the amount of people who *need* to experience this.
Please, Shane, so many people would benefit from this being in their Spotify playlists for the dark days
This poem will forever be a sanctuary for me. A place of strength.
I'm writing sobbing. Art like this reminds me that I have friends and family that can share my burden. We craft such thick armor to stop things from getting under our skin that the things already there can't come out. Thank you Shane. I love you man.
Everything Shane Koyczan makes is amazing
"Love and hate are beasts and the one that grows is the one you feed."
I spend too much time on TH-cam same
Men, tattos are bad for the skin, only I want to say is: if you wanna make the tatto, just buy something for the health of your skin and your tatto
Shane, I just want to say thank you for posting what you do. You're words have literally pulled the barrel of a gun away from the roof of my mouth. I cannot tell you how much your words help people. Just....thank you. With all of my being, thank you, Shane.
I'd never seen the original version! This was the first of your songs that I ever played for my clients. I work with seriously mentally ill adults. Now when I bring out the laptop for my art therapy group, they tell me they just want to listen to "that Shane guy." :)
JUST LISTENING TO THIS WHEN I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY AT WORK HELPED ME.... HELPED ME RESET AND CALM DOWEN...... AND TO THINK ABOUT TOMORROW....
Really late comment, but I wanted to say thank you. My thanks is not enough to explain how much you’ve helped me and so many other people. My life Has only be up and downs. And I suffer from severe PTSD because of several traumatic events. I’ve lived my life with a cloud above my head with friends that I don’t know I could even call friends that have come and gone all my life. I started to lose hope in everything around me one after the other. Not being understood or respected, belittled and threatened. I’ve struggled with my emotions all my life. Not being able to let them go. So I held onto everything. Struggling and drowning in fear and hurt and pain. It’s hard to breathe, to go through your everyday life feeling like you you can’t go on. I found your video through a How to train your dragon video, Funny right. But when I heard your words. I cried. I cried and cried, and I felt relief. I felt like I had a reason! I had a reason to be able to keep going to keep running and live. It reminded me of what it means to be alive and here today. Your video was indescribable, and your work. All your poems are things that we don’t speak about enough. So, today I remind myself and share your poem to many people and I will continue to do so. Thank you so much!
I'm reciting this at my graduation!! Your name honored!
LOVE YOUR WORK!!!! YOU ARE AMAZING.
That moment when your favorite song isn't even a song.
If I could like this 1000 times I would
This man is my hero. It is as simple as that
God damnit. I swore I'd get through at least one of your videos without breaking into tears. You magnificent bastard.
My favorite line had to be : be persistent , like a weed growing in the sidewalk cracks. Beautiful , for it doesn't know it's not supposed to be there. Good job
Shane got me through all my hard times so far in my life, if I saw him, I would hug him until I couldn't anymore
This immediately made me cry. Also my mom sent this to me on a pretty normal day 😁
Hey Shane
i will just thank you alot, you are one of my big heroes this video has helped me alot of days where all hope ended
it lift me back up from my dark world with voices and visions of bad things
I have learn to forgive all who has been bad to me, but i feel sorry for all the young people out in the world who get bullied every day i wish I could make it stop because none deserves to live though that
again thanks you have touched alot of people keep it on because not many are fighting for the weak ones the ones who get left out the ones that none see
look closer people be aware of the people who needs a helping hand who needs a smile to make they day shine
Could not have said it better. 👏
I didn't realize his backpack was getting bigger till the end!
This guy always has an important message to say. I like that.
His voice is like a warm cup of tea. It sends a wave of comfort throughout your painful thoughts and it melts it's way through the walls we've all built in our minds to keep out the bad. It's so calming and motivating. I cant begin to tell you Shane how much you have influenced us. How many edges you have walked us away from and how many restless nights you have rocked us to sleep with your beautiful words. Thank you. Thank you for it all. I know you may not even see this but thank you so much.
I too was bullied as a kid by my parents, my friends and generally everyone around me. I was always the oddball.I knew everything I would do would lead to judgement and ridicule. I have strength now, strength that allows me to wear a real smile I never thought I would. And i still get looked at strange. I hope Shanes poem helps him. Kids can be cruel, but we never stay kids and that strength is needed when we get older for the true trials, trials that the bullies will always fail
Sometimes, when I think I can't make it or can't get out of bed ill tune into this to help me pull through.
Shane, my son is 11. Has been bullied half his life. The odd man on the playground. The lone wolf. He was recently told by a classmate that kids think he is weird and lame. He was diagnosed with Aspergers last week. This video. These words. I will write them down for him. I will give them to him as encouragement on days he is struggling. To have in his view ever time he needs them. This... this brought me to tears. Thank you.
"The truth is, whether we see them or not, the Sun and the Moon are still there and always, there is light"
I am bullied all the time still to this day. I have felt pain, try to take my own life, i have been pushed down and no one gave me hand to help me up when i needed someone the most there was only my friends and family who said they where there but there was no one who would have felt the same pain and saw the same things I saw. My heart is a scar that will never fade and cut, that will never heal.
I was like why are the bags so big? Then I was like ooohhh, this video is artsy af
+Sightofbuns 45 and it was made by the teens that are in the video - pretty cool
Yea, I didn't realize that the back pack was getting bigger the worse the day became.
I'm 26 years old now, but I remember high school. There were some pretty bad days it felt like I wasn't going to be able to leave behind. Some pretty cruel words that I had to entrust to others to erase from my mind long after high school was done. It gets better, though. I want people to know that. There's a level of power that you have after you get out that, if you struggle hard enough, allows you to make something better of your life. I'll be going into nursing at the end of 2017; it really took me that long and a failed experiment at art school to realize what it is I want to do.
And the chance to find what you want to do with your life is right around the corner.
You give me hope for humanity and inspire me to be sooooo much better.... and for that I thank you.
"Love and hate are beasts. The one that grows is the one you feed."
So powerful. Words to live by.
Bless this man.
Never fails to brighten my day up a little . .
Thank you. I wish I could press a button that said "I love this video".
I'm struggling with a depression I have been suppressing for months now. Thank you Shane, you saved me tonight. :)
Shane, you are an amazing person. As words leave your lips they penetrate into peoples souls and change lives. Bravo sir.
I wish I was as eloquent as this dude. respect shane
I still remember when I was in 8th grade and in period 3 NO ONE use to sit around me I was in the front row and the teacher felt bad for me so he called up someone to sit next to me they always use to say "not next to the shy girl" I felt so bad I wanted to cry but I hold it back in, now i'm not shy I stand up to ENYONE who trys to hurt me my friends ,my family and people I don't even now.
this man...is an inspirational man.... I'vewatched his videos..and i will see theworld in a different way now
I can't escape my own broken body... I'm dying inside and my love is dwindling.. I look at myself and see only loathing. I'm 25 and my spinal cord is so damaged I can't even function.. And my son just turned 1. I'm standing on the sideline and missing out... I hate myself... But I listen to you and you help me clinging to this horrid life... Please.. Don't stop your inspiration.. Your beautiful words..
"Number the times you could've pressed quit, but you pressed continue."
That got me.. This is so beautiful.
His poems always make me cry
This poem has saved me so many times. When I have a bad day I watch this, and his other poems. They make everything a little big better. Shane is amazing.
His voice.. it just descends, like gruff mist sent from heaven to inform you, that it's actually a bright beautiful day and appreciating it will on make you a happier person.
I wish I could learn my life could learn how to be such a beautiful person as him and lead a beautiful story.
Thank you for this Shane, and everyone who helped on this project. Many years ago, this poem helped to save my life. Thank you. Whenever a friend has a hard day, I play this for them.
It was symbolism for the weight we carry and the things we hold onto dear.
This poem has gotten me through so many bad days.
I've watched this video a few times before now, but today is the day when I really need it. I'm going to listen to it again, and again, because it helps me get through the emotions that otherwise I have no idea how to feel. Thank you so much for posting this. Truly, thank you.
How could anyone dislike this? It fills my soul with hope, and reminds me that if I am having a bad day to consider those around me.
i watch this whenever i am feeling upset. the line "there will be bad days" itself has saved my life so many times its incredible.
Looking back on this from last year makes me so proud of my school and what we can accomplish. Thank you Shane for this amazing opportunity that you gave us, you're the most down to earth person I know and I really enjoyed working with you on this project. Thank you thank you
I plan to show this to my 8th graders this next school year. It will make a for a great discussion.
I'm tearing up a little. This is fantastic.
Shane you are doing an amazing job. I wish there was a way I could help. What you are doing is so meaningful.
I just want to let you know how much of inspiration you are. Watching your videos, no matter how many times I watch the same one I end up in tears. You truly understand what it's like, and you put it into words the way nobody else can. I didn't know it could even be put into words. You have truly changed my way of thinking and on bad days, I look for the light thanks to you. Thank you.
Thank you. I had such a terrible day, and when I came home I just felt so tired and sad. I went onto TH-cam to watch a lecture, but then I saw this I'm the sidebar. It was such a wonderful gift. Thank you so much. You made a difference in my day.
One of the greatest Wordsmiths i have ever heard...
Truly amazing manipulation of the language to create a masterpiece...
Damn you Shane. LOL That made me teary eyed.
I just want you to know that you give me hope💜
Can I just say how awesome you are, your videos are so inspiring, you are so awesome, in every single way, you are truly one of my idols, your videos mean so much to me and other people, you are amazing and everybody should watch atleast one of your inspiring videos, they should become household names everybody needs to see these
Ive seen every video of yours each day. And somehow finally i decided to ask this girl out.
She said yes.
I wish my peers had pointed me towards poetry eariler in life. Poetry expresses what our hearts feel without rules. Saved and will be revisited again =] Max sent me!
Oh my word. I don't know how I've missed this one. Thank you. This blesses me deep in my woundedness.
"love and hate are beasts, and the one that grows is the one you feed." i love this.
Shane your poems are the source of my inspiration and motivation in life i wake because your words joined their hands, got some shovels, and dug me out of my adolescent crater. I didn't need to hear any of your work but if i hadn't, i would still be confused and feel alone. Your work has opened my eyes and helped me see that there are others out there who have the same problems i do. And i can never thank or congratulate you enough for that.
I am so glad there is good hearted people in the world like you, thank you for being a nice person.
Damn, I didn't cry until the end...almost made it!
none of this guys videos should be disliked he is amazing
This poetry always makes me cry. Makes me remember the bad days and the good. The great and the foul.
Your voice gives me chills when listening. Thank You for You.
Aww.... I couldn't tell what the narrator was saying the entire time by that was amazing.
This is so beautiful your a true inspiration and your poems are so strong they tug on my heart strings and always make me cry and I usually hold in my tears its nice to let them out finally ... Thank you
You have a fantastic voice. Very even, calming, and powerful. Keep doing great work, for there will always be an audience.
This video couldn't have found me at a better time... Thank you shane
I really needed this today. Good thing I never forgot about it.
I really needed this today, I am a huge fan Shane, and you are a major inspiration for me and many others. Thank you for making a difference because this really did brighten my spirits. :)
Almost ever night I fall asleep to this poem
If you have not already, you should watch Shane's other video, "To This Day". It also has a very strong message for those who have been bullied.
Shane you are a great inspiration.
teared up.
chills. this gave me chills.
Thank you for working with my school, that's just so amazing.
This really did make my day. Thank you for posting this. Life has been very crappy but it will get better thanks to you.
I was really confused as to why his backpack was SOOO big...lol, but then I got it. great video! Maxnosleeves sent me. :)
I still don't understand the backpack
I think it was supposed to represent his bad day.
Its supposed to represent the load he has or stress.
I.....I......I thank you so god damn much! I just finished working to this day and now im here and shane, i truly thank you with all my heart, you're an amazing human being and I owe you more than i care to admit.
This and many of ur other videos have helped with my life and I say thank you
Shane, you are an inspiration.
you make a terrible day of being bullied so much better Shane. please make more of these videos, they are like blankets to me after a long blizzard at school.
I really needed to hear this today. Thank you! Shane you are such an inspiration; your words, a beacon of hope. My writing for years has been therapeutic for my darkness withi, full of pain. But I'm so moved by your words, I want to branch out from that. And allow myself to feel hope and have pride in my talents. Thank you. Thank you!
Thank you to make me remember how I felt and how I got out of it, Thank you to show me that I am not alone with these feelings, And finally, thank you to make noise for the one who can't or couldn't.
wow. very touching! I definitely needed to hear this.... & maxnosleeves sent me! thank you. :)
This made my day, brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing what so many of us feel so eloquently.
That was beautiful. Great job!
Thank you Shane, I have never heard a poem as beautiful as this. Its really inspiring and uplifting, i wish there were strong poems like this when i was a teenager. But thank you shane, keep inspiring people.
I loved this. So inspirational!