THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday 4 November 2023

THE ISLAND OF FEELINGS

"THE ISLAND OF FEELINGS"
(author unknown)

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived..

Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love.

One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left.. Except for Love..

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?"

Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you, Love.

You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."

"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her..

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you..

"It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed,

Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.

When they arrived at dry land,

The elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"

"It was Time," Knowledge answered.

"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?

"Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is.

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Where Does a Samurai's Greatness Come From?

"Where Does a Samurai's Greatness Come From?"

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled among the rolling hills of ancient Japan, there lived a curious young boy named Takeshi. Takeshi idolized his father, Kenzo, a renowned samurai known for his valour and wisdom. One day, Takeshi gathered the courage to approach his father and asked, "Father, how can I become a great samurai like you?"

Kenzo, with a warm smile, beckoned his son to sit beside him under the shade of a cherry blossom tree. He spoke, "Takeshi, the path of a great samurai is not about seeking greatness for its own sake. It is about living with unwavering dedication to your ideals, and being willing to sacrifice yourself for noble causes. Remember this, my son."

Takeshi, eager to learn, listened intently as his father shared tales of his own journey. Kenzo recounted a story of a time when he had to protect their village from marauding bandits. He said, "I did not set out to be great that day, Takeshi. I set out to protect what I held dear, our home and our people. It was the duty of a samurai."

Over the years, Takeshi learned not only the art of the sword but also the values his father instilled in him: honour, courage, and selflessness. He practiced diligently and embraced the philosophy that his father had shared. He found opportunities to help others in his village, defending them from injustice, and being a pillar of support.

As Takeshi grew older, his reputation as a noble and skilled samurai spread far and wide. People came to admire him, not for his greatness, but for his unwavering commitment to his ideals and his readiness to protect the weak. Takeshi had become a true embodiment of the samurai code.

One day, the village faced a grave crisis when a powerful warlord threatened to invade. Takeshi, without hesitation, gathered the villagers, rallying them to defend their home. It was a fierce battle, but Takeshi's unwavering resolve and the unity of the villagers prevailed. The warlord retreated, defeated.

Takeshi had not sought greatness, but it had found him through his dedication to noble ideals. He had lived his life as his father had advised, with purpose, honour, and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. And in doing so, he had become a great samurai, not in name, but in the hearts of those he had protected and inspired.

Takeshi's story, passed down through generations, served as a reminder that true greatness isn't achieved by seeking personal glory, but by living a life aligned with one's ideals and being ready to selflessly serve others when duty calls.

If you love Samurai culture and Japanese traditions, don't forget to follow our Fan page and visit samuraicrafts.com. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing our love of these timeless cultural treasures!

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PEOPLE WITH GOOD HEART

"PEOPLE WITH GOOD HEART"

(author unknown)

Here's the thing about people with good hearts.

They give you excuses when you don't explain yourself.

They accept apologies you don't give them, even though you should.

They see the best in you when you don't need them to.

At worst they lift you up, even if it means putting their own priorities aside.

The words "too busy" does not exist in their vocabulary.

They make time even when you don't.

And you wonder why they are the most sensitive people.

You wonder why they're the most caring people.

You wonder why they are willing to give so much, without expecting anything in return.

You wonder why their existence is not so essential to your well-being.

It's because they don't let you work hard for the attention they give you.

They accept the love they think they've earned, and you think they're entitled too.

Let me tell you something.

Fear the day when a good heart gives up on you.

Our skies don't become grey out of nowhere.

Our sunshine does not allow darkness to take over for no reason.

A good heart does not turn cold, unless it's been treated with coldness for a while.

HAVE A GOOD HEART AND BE GOOD TO OTHERS

IF IT DOESNT PAY TODAY, IT WILL SURELY PAY TOMORROW

MAY YOUR DAY BE BLESSED

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COME WALK WITH ME by Joanne Boyle

"COME WALK WITH ME"
by Joanne Boyle

Come walk with me,

and let me lead the way,

to a brighter tomorrow,

because of today.

Come walk with me,

leave moments past,

build your strengths

from weakness casts.

Come walk with me,

as I take the lead,

let me be the example,

from which you feed.

Come walk with me,

there's no need to hide,

and when you are ready,

walk by my side.

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

Art by Steffi Krenzek

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IN THE LAST QUARTER OF LIFE

"IN THE LAST QUARTER OF LIFE" (author unknown)

A lot of us are in the last quarter of life and I share without politics, religion, race cards. Just gentle thoughts:

You know, time has a way of catching you off-guard about how quickly it travels.

It feels like just yesterday that I was young and ready to start adult-life. And in a way it feels like eons ago, and I wonder where the years have gone.

I know I lived them all.

I remember all my hopes and dreams. I remember the plans I made.

And suddenly, here I am in the last quarter.

How did I get here so fast?

Where have the years gone and where did my youth go?

I can recall looking at older people, thinking how long it will take for me to get where they are. That I am still in my youth, that I have many years ahead. At that time I could not even think of being where I am now.

And yet, here I am.

My friends are retired, they all have grey hair, they move much slower than they did and when I look at them, I see older people. Some are in a better and some a worse condition than me. But I see the big difference. They are no longer the youthful, carefree, full-of-life friends.

Just like me, age shows. And we are now the older people we used to look at and thought it was still a long way off.

I find that these days, taking a shower takes its toll on my breath and energy levels. And an afternoon nap is not just a treat, it’s become a necessity. And if I don’t, I find myself sleeping in the same chair I started reading or watching television in.

Now I have entered this new season of my life, totally unprepared for the discomfort, aches and pains, loss of energy and strength and ability to do what I could, yet sometimes didn’t. At least I know that, even though I am in the last quarter and I have no idea how long this quarter will be, when my time on earth is over, a new adventure awaits too.

Yes, I do have things I wish I I had never done. Yet so thankful for those I did. It is all in a lifetime.

And if you are not in the last quarter yet, I want to remind you that it comes faster than you could anticipate. Do the things you still want to do as soon as possible. Do not procrastinate. Life runs on fast legs.

Do today what you can.

There is no promise that we will all see the seasons of life. Live for today. For now.

Say the words to the ones you love. Often.

Hopefully some will appreciate the things you did for them. And if they don’t, it is also okay.

Life is truly a gift. Just be happy. It is after all your choice.

And remember that health is a treasure, not wealth, gold and silver, property or your bank balance.

You may think that going out is the best, but believe me – coming home is better.

You may forget names and that is okay, because some have already forgotten that they knew you.

The things you cared about previously, you may lose interest in.

If you fall asleep in your favourite chair, stay there.

Growing older is wonderful. It is comfortable. It is loaded with memories that you never grow tired of. It is an absolute treasure.

Look after yourself.

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A HEART ON NY SLEEVE by Joanne Boyle

"A HEART ON NY SLEEVE"
by Joanne Boyle

I think back to the years,

when I was just small,

and how upon deaf ears,

your words would fall.

With my heart on my sleeve,

for all to see,

you would tell me of those,

who'd try to hurt me.

The years passed by,

and my sleeves, they grew,

but what I found,

was my heart did too.

I juggled emotions.

I danced up and down,

hurting inside,

whilst playing the clown.

Like a pack of cards,

without any spades,

I was many colours,

with shadowed shades.

Through troubled times,

and times for giving,

I gave hope to death,

through the living.

A heart on my sleeve,

for all to see,

doesn't mean,

you can hurt me.

Joanne Boyle https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle Art by Steffi Krenzek

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Friday 3 November 2023

NOT EVERY by Tahlia Hunter

"NOT EVERY"
by Tahlia Hunter

Sometimes we love

And our hearts are broken

We dream

And our hopes are shattered

We wish

And our desires are unfulfilled

We give freely

And are left empty-handed

And we care for others

And aren’t loved in return

And those who we once most admired and valued

Do not reciprocate our affection.

Sometimes we undergo a process of loss and heartbreak

And are left feeling broken

And lacking hope

As we fail to realise

That we are not destined to remain stuck in this cycle indefinitely

And that in life

Whoever lets go of us

Leads us home

Whoever rejects us

Empowers us to embrace ourselves fully

And someone’s lack of love for us

Is ultimately a reflection of them rather than us.

And we feel most hurt

Not when we are rejected

But when we reject ourselves

We feel most sad

Not when others upset us

But when we seek happiness in sources that are unable to provide it and are left feeling let down

And we feel most alone

When we are strangers to ourselves

And so in order to find peace in our surroundings

We must first find peace within

In order to find joy outside of ourselves

We must first experience joy internally

In order to feel fully accepted

We must first learn to fully accept ourselves

And not every race is worth running

Not every battle is worth fighting

Not every adventure is worth embarking upon

And not every relationship is worth pursuing

And rejection is simply redirection

Allowing us to become more in touch with ourselves

And more awakened to our own self-acceptance and self-love.

Words by Tahlia Hunter https://www.facebook.com/shelovesboldly

Artwork by Lucy Campbell

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Fate's Embrace

"Fate's Embrace"

(author unknown)

Once in a small town, there lived a girl named Emma. She had a heart full of dreams and a smile that could light up even the gloomiest day. Emma believed in something magical, something called fate.

One sunny afternoon, as Emma strolled through the town square, she bumped into a young man named Jack. His eyes sparkled like the stars, and he had a kind, warm heart. Jack believed in fate too, just like Emma.

From that moment, their lives intertwined. They spent days exploring the town, laughing and sharing stories. They discovered they both loved painting, so they decided to create something beautiful together.

Under the shade of an old oak tree, they set up their canvas and let their brushes dance. Emma's strokes were like gentle whispers, and Jack's were bold and full of life. Together, they painted a world that felt like a dream.

As days turned into weeks, Emma and Jack's friendship grew stronger. They shared their hopes, fears, and even their dreams of traveling the world. They knew, deep down, that fate had brought them together for a reason.

One starry night, as they sat on the grass and gazed at the night sky, Jack said, "Emma, do you believe that sometimes, fate brings two people together to create something beautiful?"

Emma smiled, her eyes twinkling like the stars. "Yes, Jack. I believe that with all my heart."

With those words, Jack took Emma's hand in his. It felt like their hearts were speaking a language only they could understand. It was as if fate itself had gently guided their hands together.

From that moment on, Emma and Jack's bond grew even deeper. They became inseparable, facing life's ups and downs hand in hand. They travelled the world, painting the beauty they discovered, and leaving a trail of inspiration wherever they went.

As years passed, Emma and Jack returned to their small town, where their story had begun. They stood under the same old oak tree where they had painted their first masterpiece. It felt like fate had come full circle.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with a profound understanding. They knew that their love and friendship were something special, something that only comes along once in a lifetime.

And so, under the twinkling stars and the rustling leaves, Emma and Jack embraced their destiny. They knew that fate had woven their lives together, and they were grateful for every moment they had shared.

For Emma and Jack, fate was not just a word. It was the gentle hand that had guided them to each other, creating a love story that was as beautiful as any masterpiece they had ever painted.

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