THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Sunday, 21 April 2024

YOUR LIFE IS LIKE A PHOTO FRAME by Tahlia Hunter

"YOUR LIFE IS LIKE A PHOTO FRAME"
by Tahlia Hunter

Your life is like a photo frame.

As people choose to enter and exit your life,

the photo contained within the frame changes.

You may wish for a certain person from your past

to remain with you,

as you have a snapshot in your mind

of a single moment in time that you shared

that was special to you.

But you must remember

that your memory of them, while precious

is not an accurate reflection

of who they are capable of being in the present,

for if they wished to remain in your life,

they would be there.

And you must not let their presence

or absence overshadow you,

for they are not the main person in the image,

and so you may choose to let them go with love

and shift your focus from them back to you,

trusting that though the people in the photo may change,

your vision of love will always remain.

And remember that your future holds so much more than your past.

And you must not focus on what has left

but on what will take its place

and the new beautiful, positive memories

that you are yet to create

for the best is yet to come,

as no one can ever truly take away your happy ending

as it is never dependent on another person,

but on you.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

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More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Artwork by Anna Collier Artist, @annacollierart

THE MAGIC WAND WITHIN US by Tahlia Hunter

"THE MAGIC WAND WITHIN US"
by Tahlia Hunter

“There is a magical wand that lies within you

that has the power to forgive

everyone you ever encounter.

Though useless when used in anger

when used in love,

it is far more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Its magic lies in the wisdom

that when you see yourself as special

and deserving of love,

you see it in everyone you encounter,

no matter who they are or what they have done.

And the secret to forgiving someone

lies in understanding

that the loving version of them

is the true version.

And those who are most difficult to love

are oftentimes those who need it most

as they have forgotten who they are.

And if you can find love for their higher self,

remembering the truth of who they are,

then you will no longer feel pain.

And once you have healed,

the story of how they hurt you

will simply be replaced by the wisdom

that both you and them are loved.

And though they must still face the consequences of their actions

and may never be allowed back into your life,

you deserve to move forward in peace

and experience every joy that life has to offer.

And though you may feel grief or anger now,

you may trust

that once you have let yourself fully process it,

the pain you once felt will be a mere memory

and will eventually be transmuted back to love.

And you may choose to take only the love and the wisdom from your past forward with you

and all else to let go.

This is how you forgive someone:

When you think of them,

simply speak to them, within your mind,

“I love you. I bless you. I send you love.”

Over and again in your mind,

enough times for it to bring you peace.

And then feel that love within you,

until all that is left is love.

And because time doesn’t exist,

even if they have exited your life,

one day they will get to hear what you said

and feel that love you sent them energetically

and be touched by your forgiveness.

This is how

centuries of hatred have been forgotten,

in the love of a second."

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

Sometimes people don't like to hear the truth

"Sometimes people don't like to hear the truth" (author unknown)

I remember when I first starting digging into food and specifically how food is grown. What I found was that much of our modern diet, from the grocery store anyway, comes from the equivalent of an agricultural grow op. Fruits and vegetables grown and bred to be shipped across the world and to appear pretty, not be healthy.

What's happened as a result has been devastating to our food systems and resulted in subsequent sweeping food insecurity across the Western world.. The fruits and veg our grand parents ate growing up aren't what we eat now! There's a reason many of us are constantly seeking a snack or needing an afternoon bump to keep us feeling full. Our food just isn't as nutritionally dense as it used it be.

I hate saying that any fresh fruit and veg are "bad" but the fact of the matter is that our food is quantifiable LESS nutritionally dense than it was years ago. We're not getting the micro and phytonutrients that our bodies need - yes, believe it or not, you need more than macros: carbs, protein, and fat..

Unfortunately, what we're seeing simultaneously as our food system has degraded is a rise in corporate greed that's putting an even greater barrier (in some stores literal barriers, i think you know who I'm taking about...

) between people and proper nutrition. And it's no secret that price plays a huge role as well, when a box of Kraft Dinner is the same price or a fraction of the price of a single fruit or veg something is terribly wrong.

But what's the answer? If the problem is systemic it means we need an overhaul and some people are doing just that.. Overhauling the system. If every, and I mean EVERY, community had a small farm or small gardens that we all shared with a community greenhouse how quickly could we eliminate the need for much of our imported foods from around the world? How quickly could be eliminate greedy grocery stores?

Sure we might need to ACTUALLY eat with the seasons - shocking I know! (yes that means no citrus and strawberries in December, if you're from our neck of the woods anyway!). But if people learn food preservation (freezing and canning) and how to store food like in a root cellar, again, like our grand parents did, we'll be one step closer to food sovereignty here in the west.

https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/over-the-garden-fence-with-daisy-mae.html

Saturday, 20 April 2024

THE INVISIBLE CROWN by Tahlia Hunter

"THE INVISIBLE CROWN"
by Tahlia Hunter

“Sometimes you forget who you are.

But then your crown reminds you

of who you have always been

and who you will remain forever.

The invisible crown

that you have worn since birth

that proclaims that there is more to you

than this human experience.

There is nothing that exists outside of yourself

that can make you more lovable

than who you were born as,

as you are whole and complete

and all you wish to ever be or become,

you already are.

That no matter how someone may treat you,

you possess the same worth and perfection as before,

as your value is inherent and priceless.

And every single challenge or obstacle you have encountered

you have made it through,

for nothing can ever defeat you

at the level of your soul.

And so, whatever feelings or opinions

you receive from yourself or others

that do not reflect the truth of who you are

you may release with love.

It is easy in this life

to forget who you are

and where you came from.

And so, each time you glimpse this crown,

may you always remember.

And by wearing your crown with pride,

may you inspire others to see their own crown

and remember the truth of who they are.”

*****

Words by Tahlia Hunter

https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Lucy Campbell

THE CLIMB by Becky Hemsley

"THE CLIMB"
by Becky Hemsley

They say that when you’re broken

This is how the light gets in

But what if all the cracks

Are letting out the light within?

They say it makes you stronger

But at first it makes you weak

The way you face the mountain base

Before you reach the peak

They say to break is brave

And yet your mind is full of dread

You’re not overwhelmed by courage

But by helplessness instead

But admitting you are breaking

Is far braver than you know

And remember, from the bottom

There is just one way to go

See, I think they mean it isn’t just

That breaking makes you strong

But the way you use the embers

Of your will to carry on

It’s triumph over trauma

And it’s healing after hurt

It’s rising from the ashes

With a new-found sense of worth

So find yourself a candle

And allow its tiny spark

To ignite you back to life

And put the fire back in your heart

And grant yourself compassion

For the times that you feel weak

Just rest until you’re strong enough

To get back on your feet

Yes, I know that when you’re broken

You have only threads of hope

But tie them to the mountain

Like your personal safety rope

Then gather at the bottom

With the summit high above

Then take a breath and take a step

The only way is up

******

Becky Hemsley 2021

Beautiful artwork by @ottokim on Instagram

'The Climb' is from my second collection:

https://a.co/d/gzBzdtW

The Mother Watch by Edgar Albert Guest

"The Mother Watch" by Edgar Albert Guest 20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were all in bed;

On party nights till we came home she often sat and read,

We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,

How much the mother worried when we children were away.

We only knew she never slept when we were out at night,

And that she waited just to know that we'd come home all right.

Why, sometimes when we'd stayed away till one or two or three,

It seemed to us that mother heard the turning of the key;

For always when we stepped inside she'd call and we'd reply,

But we were all too young back then to understand just why.

Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,

For mother couldn't sleep until she'd kissed us all good night.

She had to know that we were safe before she went to rest;

She seemed to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.

And often she said: "When you are grown to women and men,

Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night through; I may be different then."

And so it seemed that night and day we knew a mother's care ---

That always when we got back home we'd find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were called to gather round her bed:

"The children all are with you now," the kindly doctor said.

And in her eyes there gleamed again the old-time tender light

That told she had been waiting just to know we were all right.

She smiled the old-familiar smile, and prayed to God to keep

Us safe from harm throughout the years, and then she went to sleep.

******** By Edgar Albert Guest

20 August 1881 - 5 August 1959

Image Credit: Mary Benke Fine Art

Via Tipp Town

I WILL CARRY YOU by Joanne Boyle

"I WILL CARRY YOU"
by Joanne Boyle

I will carry you on my shoulders,

put your troubles on my back.

I will show you how to find

all the reasons that you lack.

I shall take you to the moon,

hide you amidst the clouds.

I shall keep your secret safe,

away from all the crowds.

I will show you where the stars live,

I'll even give you one,

I will guide you through the mist,

give you strength to carry on.

I will let you meet the angels,

introduce them all to you.

I shall then send you back,

because life wants you too

*****

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD

"SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS ISN'T TOO OLD" (author unknown)

Oak trees are one of the planet's oldest and most widespread trees and a crucial source of raw materials. The live oak (Quercus) is a unique species because it remains green and “live” throughout the winter. Early humans used live oak trees to build homes, create tools, and construct ships. Today, people use live oak wood in furniture, flooring materials, and cosmetic creams.

A mature live oak tree can reach around 148 feet (45 m), whereas a typical oak tree averages 60 feet (18.5 m). The mighty tree’s crown is symmetrical, rounded, and dense. The leaves grow thickly and provide a shady haven. One mature, leafy tree can produce as much oxygen in a season as ten people can inhale in a year. We are thankful for these magnificent trees.

You may see an oak tree and think nothing of it, but your view may change after learning some of its beneficial features. We are amazed that live oaks can live up to 1,000 years. Scientists don’t consider them old until they reach the age of 700. Until that age, they continue to grow and produce acorns to multiply offspring. One live oak produces about ten million acorns during its lifetime. Each acorn contains a seed enclosed in a tough shell. Besides being a seed, the oak’s acorns are a primary food source for many birds, squirrels, mice, rats, deer, pigs, and bears.

The live oak is among the most important species in many forests, woodlands, and other ecosystems. These hardy trees survive even the harshest environmental conditions and provide shelter and food for many organisms. The tannic acid in the tree’s leaves and bark protects it from fungi and insects. The thick main stems store water for use during dry periods. Most live oaks have thick bark to protect them from fire. They are beautiful additions to the ecosystems that God has created.