THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday 21 October 2023

TOMORROW by Rachel from Finding Joy Blog

"TOMORROW"
by Rachel (from Finding Joy Blog)

I lived a life for many years waiting for tomorrow.

Tomorrow I’ll start running.

Tomorrow I’ll call that friend.

Tomorrow I’ll read that book.

Tomorrow I’ll tackle that room.

Tomorrow I’ll speak up.

Tomorrow I’ll try out for that part.

Tomorrow I’ll plan that trip.

Tomorrow I’ll take time for me.

Tomorrow, when the kids are grown, is really what I was telling myself.

Tomorrow, when the kids are grown, I’ll really take time for myself because only then do I think I’m worth taking the time. Tomorrow when all the things that need to get fixed will I do all the things that need me to be brave. That’s what I was really telling myself. It’s not easy to admit those kind of thoughts. We tuck them behind mom guilt and yet, when asked, those are the moments where the tears well up in one’s eyes.

Living for tomorrow means that you think you will have many many tomorrows.

Here’s the real truth:

It means, at some level, you believe your life is invincible.

Humbling, isn’t it? I so quickly forget that truth until those moments where it’s smack in my face. Maybe it’s easier to live without that urgency. Maybe we get caught up in the frenzy of motherhood.

What, just what happens, if you stop with the excuse of the perpetual tomorrow and you start living today? What will you teach your kids then? You won’t teach them that a mom gives up on her dreams and her passions and gets burnt out. You will teach them that it is just as noble and just as wise to not forget you.

Remember when you were young? The dreams, the possibilities, the excitement of when you were grown?

Don’t lose that. This is your now.

Sometimes we just get so busy and so bogged down by life that all of that seems foolish, unwise and if there isn’t the time. Trust me.

You are worth the time.

I know you have dreams. I also know you have dishes. I know you have hopes. I also know you have kids who either rebel or throw up or don’t want the shirt with the lion on front and you are late and don’t want to deal with changing it or well, you get the picture. You are a mom.

But, dear sister, just because you are a mom does not mean that you get a pass on yourself.

You don’t get to quit taking care of you.

You don’t get to wait until tomorrow to find your spark again.

You get now.

Sometimes it will mean tough stuff. It means looking at all the excuses that you have built and deciding to go the other way. It might mean giving up something to gain something better.

But you are worth your tomorrow today.

You are worth living with vibrancy and excitement.

Don’t worry. It’s not going mean that you deny being a mom, buy a plane ticket and fly to Europe. It simply means that you will remember you with the same tenacity that you remember your kids. I bet your kids doctors appointments are up to date and you make sure they eat well and have a good education. That goes for you too.

Not tomorrow.

Today.

So I challenge you, wait, I dare you – do one thing today that is about you finding you, finding joy or just makes you happy. I dare you to start living today like it was your tomorrow. No excuses, no putting you last, no more waiting.

You see, if you burn out, what good are you to everyone around you who needs you?

Ponder that.

Live today doing everything you put off for tomorrow.

I dare you.

~Rachel https://www.facebook.com/findingjoyblog

who lives today like it was tomorrow.

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LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding---a summary and critical analysis

"LORD OF THE FLIES"
by William Golding (summery)

"Lord of the Flies" is a novel written by British author William Golding. It was first published in 1954 and is a classic work of literature.

I first read this book when I was in my teens, during the mid 1960's. Although the first film adaptation was released in 1963, it was way into the 1970's before our local cinema premiered it. I remember having to queue for what seamed like forever, but then again it was well worth the wait. A very harrowing film indeed.

Here's a summary and critical analysis of "Lord of the Flies":

**Summary:**

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a novel about a group of British boys, including Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and others, who find themselves stranded on a deserted island due to a plane crash during a war. At first, they attempt to establish order and create a system of governance, electing Ralph as their leader. They use a conch shell as a symbol of authority, and they attempt to maintain a signal fire to attract rescuers.

However, as time passes, the boys' society begins to unravel. The group splits into two factions: one led by Ralph, who seeks to maintain a sense of civilization and hope for rescue, and the other led by Jack, who becomes increasingly savage and power-hungry. Jack's group embraces violence and worships a pig's head on a stick as "The Lord of the Flies," representing the primal and dark instincts within them.

As the boys descend into barbarism, their fear of a mythical beast on the island and their internal conflicts lead to violence and death. In the end, a naval officer arrives, rescuing the boys but highlighting the chaos and brutality that have taken hold on the island.

**Critical Analysis:**

"Lord of the Flies" is a deeply allegorical and thought-provoking work that explores the inherent human capacity for evil and the fragility of civilization. Here are some key aspects of its critical analysis:

1. **Allegory of Human Nature:** The novel serves as an allegory for the darker aspects of human nature. It suggests that, when removed from the constraints of society, individuals are capable of cruelty and brutality. The characters of Jack and Roger represent the descent into savagery, contrasting with Ralph's desire for civilization and order.

2. **Symbolism:** Golding uses powerful symbols throughout the novel. The conch shell symbolizes order and democracy, while the "Lord of the Flies" symbolizes the inner evil that resides within us all. The island itself represents a microcosm of the larger world.

3. **Loss of Innocence:** The story traces the loss of the boys' innocence as they move from well-behaved schoolboys to violent and destructive individuals. The killing of Piggy and Simon, in particular, symbolizes the ultimate loss of their innocence.

4. **Social Commentary:** Golding provides a commentary on the brutality of war and the capacity for violence that exists within society. The novel explores how human beings can slip into chaos and cruelty when isolated from the structures of civilization.

5. **Narrative Style:** Golding's writing is characterized by its vivid and haunting descriptions. The novel's intense and atmospheric prose draws the reader into the boys' descent into savagery.

Overall, "Lord of the Flies" is a powerful and disturbing exploration of the human condition and remains a classic in literature for its examination of the dark side of humanity and the fragility of civilization.

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THE OLD LADY AND THE TAXI DRIVER

"THE OLD LADY AND THE TAXI DRIVER"
(author unknown)

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy,’ she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive

through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.’

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. ‘The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

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Friday 20 October 2023

I LOVE MY BODY by Becky Hemsley 2023

"I LOVE MY BODY"
by Becky Hemsley

This is such a bold statement isn't it? Who says that?

Who admits to loving their body like that?

Well, I like to remember that love does not mean perfection.

It doesn't mean flawless or unblemished or undamaged.

I love plenty of people who are flawed and blemished and damaged.

I love them because of who they are. Of who I am when I'm around them.

I love them because of what they bring to the world and what they bring to my life.

And because of what I bring to life as a result of them.

So I love my body.

Some days I may not particularly like it.

It may be heavier, softer and more scarred than I would wish.

Some parts may not work as well as they used to.

Some parts may no longer work at all.

But that does not mean I do not have deep gratitude and love for everything it has done and continues to do for me each day.

It works hard for me. It keeps me alive.

Sometimes it doesn't do exactly what I want it to do.

It isn't as fast or as strong or as lean as I'd like.

But it does not deserve hate for that.

Just like the people in my life do not deserve hate for the ways in which they may not meet my expectations,

and I do not deserve hate for the ways in which I may fall short of theirs.

I love my body.

It is not perfect. But nothing is.

Because we are not here to be perfect, we are here to be human.

Here to be real.

Here to live.

And we need our bodies for that.

So we might as well give them some love.

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Beautiful artwork by @alev.neto (on Instagram)

'Human Being' is from Letters from Life https://amzn.eu/d/7xu8hmn

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To the person I thought I would spend my lifetime with by Shiori X

"To the person I thought I would spend my lifetime with" by Shiori X

Some things can really change as time goes by. I remember when I was still so in love with you, I would always write a letter for you and tell you how much you meant to me. I used to believe that my feelings for you would never change and that I would always choose to stay with you under any circumstances. God knows that I meant it when I said I would love you unconditionally and grow old with you someday. I swear, I would die every day just to make you the happiest man on earth. But things started to change when you took for granted my love and took advantage of my kindness. I have been hurt over and over again, but I still chose to put up with it just to be with you.

Believe me, I have loved you with everything I have, even if it means leaving nothing for myself. I have loved you the best way I could, and I just wish you've seen and valued that. I have loved you even on the days where I feel like losing myself. I have loved you even on the days where you make me feel terrible about myself, and I have loved you even on the days where you make me feel not enough. I may not be a perfect lover no matter what I do, but I know that I have loved you with all my heart and soul, and with everything that I could offer. But you still didn't learn to value and love me properly. You didn't listen to me when I was dying in pain and sadness. You didn't listen to me when I was begging for you not to do the things that could hurt me. But despite of everything that you did to me, I still chose to look at you as the man that I treasure the most in life.

But I now believe that too much pain can kill the love in someone's heart. Now, I can no longer feel anything but pain, sadness, and hatred towards you. I am no longer the person who loved you before. Could you blame me for feeling this way? I am not heartless; I just learned not to settle for less now. It hurts me to think that I have to let you go. It makes me sad to think that you hurt me so much that I have to leave you. But if the parallel universe really does exist, I hope the two of us are happy together. In a parallel universe, I hope you are treating me right and making me happy. In that place, I hope we'll get to grow old and spend our lifetime together.

— Shiori X

Art: hessah._.art

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THE PASS by Joanne Boyle

"THE PASS"
by Joanne Boyle

God came to me today

with an angel by his side,

he said it had been a while

since my body died.

He opened up some clouds

and said "just look down there"

I saw so many people,

memories floating everywhere.

Each memory that was shared

found its way in to my heart

and transported me to earth

like we'd never been apart.

I went around in circles,

visiting you all once more

See heaven is a miraculous place

with a forever open door.

I saw some of you sat crying

and as I dried your eyes

I sent you a happy memory

to disguise your cries.

I lingered around the laughter

like a breeze in the air.

I am sure that you felt

my prescience was right there.

A year has gone so quickly

and my memory still lives on.

I live in many moments

and am the lyrics in a song.

I am always watching you

from my home in the sky.

Still dancing in your memories

you have of you and I.

Joanne Boyle Art at Steffi Krenzek

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

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THIRTEEN by Becky Hemsley 2021

"THIRTEEN"
by Becky Hemsley 2021

Dear Thirteen

I hope you get this and I hope it finds you well

I’m writing you this letter for I have so much to tell

It’s words - I hope - of wisdom, of insight and advice

Some lessons that I pray will help you navigate through life

The first is - life gets easier and then gets hard again

But persevere because I know it works out in the end

You’re going to lose some people and it’s natural that you’ll grieve

But you’re going to make your peace with those who choose to up and leave

There’ll be times when you’re in love and they’re not meant to last forever

But don’t worry, for the future’s saving someone even better

Try your best at school but do not give up on your dreams -

It’s not too late to be what you’ve always wanted to be

You’re going to hurt some people - you don’t get to say you’ve not

But you’ll get to say you’re sorry and you’ll get to right your wrongs

They’ll be times when others hurt you, when you’re lied to and betrayed

But I promise you’ll get stronger and the hurt will slowly fade

So many things will happen that will test your strength of mind

But you’ll learn through all of it that it takes nothing to be kind

And there’s someone more important than most everybody else

Who deserves your love and kindness - and that person is yourself

Your life will all make so much sense as soon as you can learn

To forgive and to embrace yourself and recognise your worth

And how is it I know all this of life and loss and love?

Well, I’ve lived your years and many more -

I’m you

Just all grown up

*******

Becky Hemsley 2021

Beautiful painting by Snehal Pendurkar (@paintingsbysnehal on Instagram)

‘Thirteen’ is from Talking to the Wild

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Thursday 19 October 2023

UNDIAGNOSED ADULTS IS WHAT WE ARE by Joanne Boyle

"UNDIAGNOSED ADULTS IS WHAT WE ARE"
by Joanne Boyle

They call us crazy paranoid.

They say we are insane.

Some even dare to tell us

to take the loopy train.

They don't understand,

what it feels like to be you,

To constantly torment yourself

with the things that others do.

To speak about how you feel,

then made to wince with shame.

Wishing that just once

you could win this game.

The one that they call life.

The one where people live

that can torment your mind

with just a look they give.

In the outside world,

where you think all is well,

until someone speaks

and you have to tell.

Where your thoughts were at peace,

until the music played

and then you found you danced

as their rhythm strayed.

To want to run away,

to somewhere new,

rather than to explain

what you are going through.

The young are diagnosed

in this day and age,

whilst adults still struggle,

whilst sharing the same page.

Sensitive souls, they are taunted

always causing trouble,

so we all walk away

alone in our bubble.

Too proud to talk.

Too stubborn to cry.

We won't be a victim

to the question why.

These adults are the children,

with the problems of today,

we were just undiagnosed,

but the problems stay.

Joanne Boyle https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

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