Tag: seeing things differently

A New Environment

I watched a YouTube video recently. It was about a Betta fish – had no idea there was such a thing by the way – that was about to die and was rescued! Yes, it was about this fish. Now, as for me and where I am from, you eat fish no questions asked. Therefore, to rescue a fish would be seen as a very strange thing indeed!

The video begins with the rescuer of said fish giving an account of her first meeting with this very lucky-still-to-be-alive fish, which was not very good, “he was very pale and very skinny, he was missing his entire tail, it had completely rotted off”. What immediately came to mind was that a fisherman encountering such a harrowing sight would just throw the poor fellow back into the water and deem it a waste of time.

However, one man’s trash is most certainly another man’s treasure. Sparing no expense, because she could, she transferred him to a hospital tank – again a new bit of information here that I never knew! So, she ‘transplanted’ it to a new home and over time with love, food and care the sickly fish recovered. The once sickly pale and emaciated fish was replaced by one of the most beautiful fish I had ever seen, wearing a beautiful and vibrant salsa dress- well that is how the fins looked to me! The point is, in this new environment with better treatment the betta fish flourished and surprised even the owner.

That takes me to my current thought. In the wrong environment we too may find our lights dimmed, our potential stifled and our very lives slowly seeping away into the cracks of despair. There comes a time when a change of environment can do a world of good. There are some who stay too long at a rest stop and forget that they are on a journey. Maybe, just maybe from time to time we have to access our current situation, transplant ourselves somewhere else if we want to flourish and reach our full potential.

I Want To

I want To

I want to write about soaring through the air
landing here there and everyhere
I want to grab my dreams
and ride them reel by real.
I want to stand on the shoulder of God
and think it not odd
to feel Him nod,
"Yes my child you did it!"
I want to untie all the lies
that have kept me from my flight
to spread my wings.
I want to show my muscles
so you can say,
"look at her
tough
humble
beautiful,
don't mess with her!"
I want to gather to myself
all manuscripts collecting dust on my shelf
and travel through their pages.
I want so much
just beyond my fingertips

A Lazy Afternoon

A Lazy Afternoon

I sit at ease
alert to all that is at play.
The bees are busy beesing
as a lizard jumps from tree to tree.
In the distance music feeds the soul
and a way off a broom 
sweeps your troubles away.
Then, a laugh here
a slap there
reminds you to keep in line,
while ants continue their march
to ensure life is lived.

To revive those who drift off
a sharp crow or two
attacks the unsuspecting victims.
Now giant towers roam the sky
serenaded by swirling birds
offer the promise of much needed purification,
while the breeze strokes every inch of skin
it can reach
whispering sweet lullabies. 

Nothing is out of step
each occupies its space fully
part of life's tapestry,
on this lazy afternoon.

Stop Being Led

I have stopped to contemplate how I have been led over the years. In many ways, I have allowed myself to be led by the whims and experiments of others. Led by people who come with absolute truths that later they discard as fraudulent. Then what does that make them?

I have seen many who seemed to have it together and thought, “if only I can be like them”. Then, to see them crying, ugly tears confessing that the mask that was the image they had created, had cracked and splintered – was a fascinating horror.” How could it be that you were not what you seemed?” Unconscionable! Right?

I have witnessed many fabled fixtures, lowly men and women, that we never thought we would be without, disappear. They grew tired of playing with us and felt like moving on. But still, we sit transfixed, confused by sudden abandonment. They will never return and so we must find someone else to follow.

Then of course we have to consider that we have often left it up to others to tell us where to go, how to think, eat, wear our hair and what to do.

We are in so many ways led but we never knew. We have always felt we were independent, but if we are really honest then we would come to see how much of what we do have been based on looking, listening to or wanting to be someone else. It may be embarrassing to admit, after all, we thought we were different. But we have allowed ourselves to be led.

Though it may be a scary thought for many, how about we remove the leash and travel a path designed for each of us?

Not Your Story

Not Your Story

If only 
is not your story
it belongs to your enemy-
enemy of progress.
Give it back
and don't look
back
to be attacked
by the fear of your fearlessness.
If only
was created 
by the trap
of those who told you,
you could not.
Do not listen,
they lie
to control
your narrative.
Take back your brush
with your blood, sweat and tears
and use them to paint your true colours...