lessons – ramblrWrites.com

Those Whom I love…

¹⁹Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3: 19-20

Today I am feeling a little reflective, because there are many more things that I am yet to learn. There are many things that happen that can teach us so much more than we think we know. When I was younger and read the book of Revelation, I thought it really likely for me to get the fire and the brimstone (I was a difficult child, always being beaten it seems for doing the wrong things). I have always found reading the book of Revelation a bit depressing. However, I now find comfort in Revelation 3: 19-20. Even in the disappointments and difficulties we face, God still loves us; even when we do not love The Almighty the way we should. When we need help, there is no need to call one any source except our Creator as He says, “Here I am at the door knocking!” All we need to do is to invite Him in and let Him do the rest. The truth of God’s goodness is only in the spiritual and divine and not in the physical world, which requires us to make ample space in our lives to receive the truth of God.

The book of Revelation is not just about retribution but is the evidence of the hope that we have in Christ. It is a reflection of God’s love, a love that prompts the Holy Spirit to challenge us to see beyond the worldly trappings to our real purpose here on earth.

Nothing goes to waste on the journey of life. Both good and bad experiences shape your mind and heart for what is to come. Leon Brown

Maybe if we stopped thinking in negative terms, then the things we see as bad or hard would not consume our lives and become true. If we take the time to process each experience, then maybe they could be teachable moments that ensure growth and not stagnation. Every experience matters, no matter how hard it was to live through, they happen because they are suppose to but they do not have to happen again and again, so we can call it deja-vu. A lesson never disappears unless you have learned it. Consider that the next time you question, “why me”. Learning lessons mean accepting them when they happen and it may mean forgiving yourself for not being smart enough in the first place to know or do better.

You cannot travel back in time to fix your mistakes, but you can learn from them and forgive yourself for not knowing better. Leon Brown

For me, Revelation is not about the judgement as much as it is about the mercy, about finding the truth and living by it. Finding the truth never happens unless you learn some difficult lessons.It is never enough to accept what was as what is and it is never justified to stay within the confines of the box. God does not require perfection but a heart that is willing to learn the lessons that matter most, based on His divine will.

Macro Photography of Brown and White Bird on Spike Branch

Are You A Boxer?

Many will say that Boxer in, Animal Farm by George Orwell, has many admirable qualities that we aspire to have. He is loyal, kind-hearted, hard-working and always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty – an enigma for too many of us. It is also important to mention that the story also acts as a political allegory about revolution and power and those impacted by such events. Specifically, it’s an allegory of the Russian Revolution from 1917-1923. This revolution has been described as a violent one (Bloody Sunday Massacre of 1905), which saw the end of imperial rule and the beginning of Communist rule and the formation of the soviet union.

What starts off in Animal Farm as a successful uprising and promise of a better future losses momentum with the replacement of the old, (Old Major), with the new (Napoleon and his minions). Things quickly go sour as the pigs, in a position of power, manipulate the legacy of Old Major (Animalism), to control the other animals, while solidifying their power and wealth.

And this is where we bring in Boxer…

Image result for allegory meaning in animal farm

I was talking to a friend of mine about working hard at whatever we do, and he mentioned Boxer; ” yuh remember what happened to Boxer, from Animal Farm? Dem tun him inna glue!”

Yes Boxer played a vital role in the development of the farm in its new era. His indomitable spirit inspired the other animals when their fortunes changed and he worked relentlessly for the good of the farm. But at what cost?

Instead of receiving trophies, incentives and other accolades for his effort, and retiring in bliss, he is sold off to be made into glue when he is of no more use! His worth? Whiskey for Napoleon and the other pigs! All that he receives is the title of hard worker, “he was a true hard worker”. He was loyal to a fault and though he was the strongest animal on the farm, he used his strength to serve those who exploited him and not to improve the conditions of the other animals facing the same exploitation. The worse part was that when something went wrong he always blamed himself and vowed to work harder. He had become too use to taking orders, to trying to get things right and always being obedient and never disobedient.

Sometimes we think we are acting independently and never realize that we have been programmed to follow a path created for us; the mind has been programmed.

So, the lasting image of Boxer is his effort to make the mill:

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To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch, his breath coming fast, the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground, and his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration…

Then again, it could be for me the most tragic scene in the book. This is when Boxer taken away to be slaughtered; for Boxer it is the last time we will see or hear him…

…Although the animals warn him, it is too late. Boxer is already loaded into and locked in the truck for the glue factory. His strength is compromised by his failing health. His desperation is apparent by the sound of “tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van, but he is too weak to break free.

There are many lesson here:

Be careful who you trust they may take advantage of you!
Never follow anyone blindly, even your friends.
Even the best of us can be controlled and manipulated if we let it happen to us.
Know your worth and never compromise.
Make your own path and lead the way.
Make your dreams a reality and don’t die on someone else’s
Be the best you can be but never be someone’s ladder.
Know and embrace your limitations and never see them as a negative but as a reminder that you will never be unemployed because you’re always working on yourself!

And many more if we think hard enough.

I read Animal Farm when I was fourteen years old and I was so inspired by the revolution carried by the animals, brought to tears by the sacrifice and ill-treatment of Boxer and the other animals. Saddened by the anti-climatic nature of the revolution’s aftermath, especially after Old Major’s death. Angered by the greedy, heartless and corrupt pigs – a suitable animal for such a role! And the really sad truth that there are people who lie, deceive and undermine those who for whatever reason find themselves at a disadvantage. Also, there are many who trust too much, give too much and receive very little or nothing in return, just like Boxer. Their lives become tragic.

Although Boxer had the ability to be an inspiring hero, in this story he is a tragic- hero figure; one to be pitied and pointed at,

“that is what not to do!”

Life teaches hard lessons, never be too gullible to learn them, and learn them well.

You Will Learn!

When people Show you who they are. Why don’t you believe them?
Maya Angelou

Bigger Than You.

Just Listen

Why are you mad?

why are you getting heated?

This was never about you

why are you waiting?

Standing there by yourself

No one told you to

No one expected that of you.

I’m lazy

So what?

This ain’t about you.

you’re scared?

I frighten you?

Miss

Who told you it was your fear to carry?

Why are you still here?

I thought you left

A long time ago.

Okay stay there.

Wait.

Stand there.

Expect more than you were promised.

If you want to wait

for the hundredth time

that’s your problem.

The poem above sums up the idea of how misguided we can be – more often than not. we project our secret hopes, desires and wishes on people and white wash their true character. We blame others for our unhappiness and disappointments. Personally, I believe that this is too much power to give another person over your live. Yet we continuously do so, needing to learn the lesson over and over – but never benefiting from it.

It’s dangerous to depend on others to make you happy and to make life worthwhile. The danger lies in the fact that you can actually create that person from your imagination and place this ideal in front of who they truly are. it is dangerous when you blindly follow that image to the detriment of your own peace of mind and even life! We feel compelled to give others the benefit of the doubt, even if it kills us. Quite literally. It becomes dangerous when we see the person for who they are but still insist on perusing that image. However, at this point it is no longer their problem, but solely ours.

Having faith and trusting in people is good. But this does not mean that we should abandon all common sense. There is something also very narcissistic in expecting others to be a certain way, the way you envision, “just for me“. In thinking that we have that special something that will compel them to believe that what has been working for them, is of no more value to them. The person who proclaims him or herself as being something specific, means that they genuinely believe it. It means that they accept and will always strive to be that way, no matter what others may say or think. It is not just that the person has a warped notion of self, but that they have self-determined who they are.

Believe them, do not make any excuse for them. Accept that not everyone will be the way you want them to be. Their words and actions are powerful because it shapes who they are. Accept that they sincerely know more about who they are, enough to clearly express it. Believe in their words and take comfort in their actions. And if it does not align with your vision, move along and be content in your disappointment.

	Simone on The Runaway
	Chloe on The Runaway
	Simone on The Cornerstone
	Karen on The Cornerstone
	Simone on Mighty One