Tag: Balance

Be careful what you wish for

Barbed Wire Sunset

Anger that cannot be expressed in words of single syllables

Spoken with such venom as to frighten e’en the brave

Words, frustration-born and vicious, defamation in their wake

To punish those whose motives are only true and just

Speech that tolerates no mercy with honour cast aside

Respect a mere illusion the upright to deride

Assassinate the character of those who came to help

Creating phantom sickness to cover true intent

Wild accusations flying ‘gainst those who came to rescue

Whose only “crime” is caring, who saved you from yourself

A soap box, neatly positioned to spout specious arguments

Before so-called friends, while victims stay publicly silent,

Protecting the integrity of those dishonouring them

And of those who would suffer most

And why?

Perhaps a need to justify a conscience seared with sin

Perhaps because of jealousy barely hidden deep within

Perhaps because of knowing the ignored advice was wise

Perhaps because the innocent are unable to defend themselves

Brazen conduct masquerades as indignation

Against the protectors of future generations

A challenge thrown down to those who turn the other cheek

Be careful what you wish for, oh would-be assassin

You might just get it

And who will you hide behind, then?

Losing Everything

Way Marker, St. Illtyd’s Way, Aberdare

I watched as a pigeon landed nearby with a piece of bread, far too big to eat. He started to wrestle with it, his beak shaking it about trying to break it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

All this activity did not go unnoticed. Another pigeon saw the commotion and flew in to investigate. Seeing such a grand feast, he challenged for possession.

The defendant dropped the bread and stood his ground. But the challenger was intent on getting the prize. He moved in, aggressively. A fight ensued, with both pigeons slugging it out, beak to beak. No quarter was asked, and no quarter was given.

The two antagonists kept up the fracas for a short while, making lots of movement and a great deal of loud noise.

But the fight was being observed from on high. At the opportune moment, a seagull swooped in, his great beak aiming at the target. He landed, gulped the bread down, and left, just as quickly as he had appeared; all in one smooth movement.

The antagonists looked on, stunned, and went on their way, hungry.

Watching this drama unfold, I realised that whenever we focus on our disagreements, we lose sight of the bigger picture.

And we risk losing everything.

No reading regrets

Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why?

There may have been books that I started and couldn’t be bothered to finish. Bit I don’t regret any of them.

Well, there was one

I started reading a sample but it wasn’t the sort of book that I like to read. So, I didn’t get the full version. The fact that it turned into a well-known, successful movie is irrelevant. It wasn’t for me. I don’t regret reading some of the sample, and I don’t regret not reading the rest.

The reality is that most of the time, reading the blurb on the back cover will tell you if you’re going to like the book or not. Went would you read something that isn’t your style? Weird.

But what did you learn?

The other aspect of this is what we learn. There’s something to learn from anything you read.

For example, with the sample that I mentioned earlier I learned that I didn’t want to read that book.

It’s also true to say that we often have to read material that we wouldn’t normally choose to. School is a good example of this. We may, far example, not like history. But we read the material even if it’s just to pass the exams. And yet we then refet to that material throughout our lives, in various ways, even if it’s just helping our own children.

No reading regrets

So, do I regret reading any books? No, not at all. They all have something to teach us. We just have to find out what that lesson is.

Each day is precious

If you could relive one year of your life, which one would it be?

This is an impossible choice.

Every year has its good points and every year has its bad points. And reliving them wouldn’t change a thing.

Each day in each year is precious. They shape us, they change us, and they leave us alone. They give us experiences, whether good or bad. And yet, good or bad, they are precious.

Each day so far has made us what we are. And that’s precious. We are what we are because of each and every one of those days.

I wouldn’t want to relive any day, let alone any year. It might change my view of that day, or that year. And maybe then, I wouldn’t be the person I am. And maybe then, I wouldn’t want to relive that year.

No. It’s an impossible choice. Because every day is precious.