Archive | August 2014

Dependence!

Aug31

Dependence is not a dirty word!
Independence is not the be-all and end-all!

We live in a fragmented world
The nuclear family has taken the place
Of the extended family
The elderly are placed in ‘homes’
Children leave the nest and sometimes
Settle in other cities and countries and
Their children grow up
Without the love and attention of their grandparents

Our communities are fragmented too
Neighbours talk to neighbours
But only sometimes
Neighbours help neighbours
But only sometimes

We have forgotten how to ask for help
Thinking we should be able to manage on our own
Thinking that asking for help is a sign of weakness
A sign of lack of independence

Not realising that when we ask someone for help
They can come to us for help when they need it
Not realising that when we ask someone for help
It’s a gift to them as well
We are giving them an opportunity to be of service
And that intimate friendships are based on mutual support
And mutual assistance

We have forgotten that it’s through mutual support
That we can accomplish great things
We value independence and have forgotten
How dependent we are on each other!

For me, it’s good-bye to independence
Hello to mutual support and intimate friendships!
Good-bye to trying to do everything on my own
Hello to building a support network!
Good bye to going it alone
Hello to reaching out and drawing others
Into the circle of my friends!
Good bye to loneliness
Hello to building community!
Good bye to fear
Hello to hope!

Together we are stronger!
Together we are happier!
Together we can accomplish more!

Lida Berghuis
August 31st, 2014

If that’s OK…

Aug30

When I arrive in the spirit world
I’d like to hang out with Rumi
Said a friend of mine…
Pick his brain for a while
Bask in his wisdom
Ask a few question and
Just hang out!

When I arrive in the spirit world
I’d like to hang out with Khanum, said I
Thank her for her guidance when I needed it most
Show her my gratitude for being frank with me
And telling me things I sometimes did not want to hear
Or was not aware of

Thank her for her visits to my dreams
When the days were dark
Thank her for opening my heart to poetry
Thank her for showing me the value of art and creativity
Thank her for being there when things did not make sense
When I needed hope, and encouragement
When I needed to know someone was looking out for me

Each dream of her was like a beacon of light
Each one a jewel in the night
Her warm embrace
Her beautiful eyes
Her words of wisdom
These are the things that sustained me
I can never thank her enough

So, dear Khanum
I’d like to hang out with you for a little while
If that’s OK
when I come to the spirit world!

Lida Berghuis
August 28th, 2014

*Khanum refers to Ruhhiyih Khanum or Mary Maxwell

On the lookout for beauty

Aug28

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On the lookout for beauty
Something to cheer my soul
Because doesn’t beauty do that so well?

A beautiful melody
A beautiful arrangement of flowers
A beautiful piece of art
A beautiful poem
A beautiful song!

All these cheer my soul
Bring me to a place of calm
I can leave my worries behind along with
My to-do list, my obligations, my responsibilities
All these can wait for a few moments as I breathe in
Deeply the fragrance of beauty

The challenges of life are many
And in the end, one of the things that sustains me
Is beauty!
In a world full of trials
Where sadness and sorrow can’t be avoided
Where we are tested each day
Where disappointment is inevitable…
Art and beauty provide a balm
A reason to go on and
To celebrate life and love

Lida Berghuis
August 3rd, 2014

Joy and sorrow!

Aug24

Is this a world of joy or a world of sorrow?
Sorrows for sure!
Because our human condition necessitates it
Without the fire of trials we can’t be purified!

Joy also!
Because too much sorrow would drown us
In its continuous downpour

Joy is a necessity
A respite
A healing balm
An oasis in the desert of life

Sorrows have their purpose though
They will be the bringers of joy
In time, sorrow begets joy, eternal joy!

Lida Berghuis
August 23rd, 2014

The wise guest arrives

Aug24

There is a time when we are ready to ‘hear’ something
Before that, what we are told goes in one ear and out the other

The home has to be prepared and cleaned
Before the guest with the message arrives

Cleaning takes time
Creating order and beauty in the house takes effort and thought

But when the home has been made ready
It attracts the wise guest in no time

Lida Berghuis
August 22nd, 2014

Silenced?

Aug22

She was silenced …
Or was she?
Her words will enchant us for years to come
How can one silence a trumpet blast?
How can one hide the sun?

She had to wear a veil and speak from behind a curtain
But even though her physical beauty was lost to others
Her inner beauty was evident in her precious, gem-like words

She could not travel alone
But travel she did
Far and wide
How can a tornado be bottled?
How can a raging river be stopped?

She had no say in who she would marry
But she did not stay in the confines of the home
With the one she did not choose or love

She was not supposed to lead
A woman’s place was at home, not in mosks and schools
But she broke those rules too
Thousands of men and women were devoted to her and
Hung on her every word

Her courage and strength and her fearless temperament
Were her shield
Her conviction, her guide
At a time when women
Were not supposed to be seen or heard
In a culture that did not value women
She broke the mould and cried out!

Her gifts were other-worldy
Her dreams, her guide
Her heart was set on freeing women from bondage
Her inspiration, the Word of God!
Don’t, can’t and it has not been done
Had no effect on this spiritual giant of our time!

Lida Berghuis
August 22nd, 2014

The 100th time…

Aug19

Why do I sometimes not listen to my body
And slow down?
Maybe it’s because I’m too stubborn
Too darn stubborn for my own good!

Maybe it’s because slowing down doesn’t seem fun
And I think I want to be ‘productive’!

Maybe it’s because I don’t realise that
The crash is around the corner!

Maybe it’s because slowing down is hard!

Maybe going fast is addictive
Maybe slowing down seems boring
Maybe I’m impatient
Maybe I have trouble sitting still
Maybe my mind goes into over-drive
Maybe … all of the above!

But maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself
Change takes time
And as long as I’m striving, it’s all fine

Maybe I will eventually learn to slow down…
Maybe the hundredth time is the charm!

Lida Berghuis
August 18th, 2014

The slow lane…

Aug18

If you can go 70 miles an hour all the time
Please do!
Don’t mind me in the slow lane!

I’ve gotten to know myself
I’m a sprinter
For a while I can enjoy the fast lane
And then I need to take a break

I used to push myself too much a lot of the time
Not listen to the “I’m tired” signals!
Compare myself to others all the time
Crash and burn after a while

And truth be told
Sometimes, I still do!

But I try to pace myself
No, I won’t be everywhere all the time
I need time to reflect as well
I need time to write and process my thoughts

So, it will be the slow lane sometimes
The no-rush lane
The smell-the-roses lane
The relax and play lane

So my mind and body can recuperate
And get ready for the fast lane!

Lida Berghuis
August 9th, 2014
Green Acre

Trouble maker!

Aug17

I thought I was done with breaking the rules
Questioning the norms
Walking down the unbeaten path

I thought those times were over
And I had settled down
Mellowed out

But my nature has not changed
I will never be one to conform!
I won’t be the one who draws within the lines
Follows instructions
Lives the ordinary life!

There are consequences to being different, of course
People will talk
Heads will turn
Whispers can be heard

One can’t stand out and not be noticed
One can’t be loud and not attract attention
One can’t be outside the box and in the box at once!

Here I go again
Marching to the beat of my own drum
Challenging traditional thought
Doing what has not been done!

And where would the fun be
In being ordinary
Doing what is expected
Filling the mould

Change comes from daring to be different
Trying something new
And it seems that’s the path I’ve chosen to live
With the consequences that follow!

Lida Berghuis
August 9th, 2014
Green Acre

Road trip

Aug16

The journey of life is not a smooth road trip
Detours seem to sneak up on us everywhere
Bumps appear all along the way
Sometimes all our energy goes into climbing a hill
That does not seem to end
Sometimes we find ourselves careening down a hill
At breakneck speed

Perhaps one of the hardest things in life
Is to find balance
To know when to slow down
When to keep going despite bad weather
And how long to drive before coming to a stop

Finding balance requires getting to know oneself
One’s limits
One’s strengths
One’s gifts

It requires audacity to be different
To stand out
It requires the courage of one’s convictions
When others think we are wrong
It requires wisdom that comes
From facing the challenges of life

Finding balance is a life-long quest
And like many other things in life
It’s about the journey and not the destination

Lida Berghuis
August 11th, 2014
Green Acre