Archive | September 2022

Capturing beauty

Sep16

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Sometimes I wonder at the beauty of nature

The awe-inspiring colours and contours

The mesmerizing combination of shapes and hues

From beauty we can see everyday

To beauty at the bottom of the oceans deep

The colours of the feathers of rainforest birds

The translucent creatures of the seas

The cacophony of the colours of the leaves in the fall 

The astonishing visual feasts that are sunsets 

So much beauty 

So much grace

A delight for our eyes and senses

We capture this beauty in the photos we take

Knowing that the original is even more amazing and exquisite 

September 15th, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Gita Kazerounian

Surprises

Sep15

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It can always be worse

That’s why I try to be thankful under all circumstance

Of course I could have been more vigilant 

But that kind of thinking is not helpful

What has been done is done 

Now I try to look forward 

With a positive attitude

And gratitude for the treatment that is available

I will walk this path 

Stage by stage

And arrive at the destination

I will learn the lessons I have to learn

I will be considerate of those around me

I will be appreciative of the support I get

And this path will be another one in my life

That I need to traverse

Through challenges we polish the gems we are

Through challenges we mature in this life

Life is not always easy

And it’s not meant to be

When surprises come our way

We can still control how we respond to them

How we navigate them

And how we grow in the process

September 14, 2022

The kitchen sink

Sep12

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How do I feel now that I know my treatment will be longer than expected?
Chemo, another surgery, radiation therapy and reconstruction lie ahead
It’s a long haul
I’ve ticked out all the boxes among the possible treatments
They will throw everything at it
Everything but the kitchen sink
Looking ahead, it’s a little overwhelming
But it will be one treatment at a time
With time to recuperate
I’ll be the model patient
Optimistic and positive
I have the support of my friends and family
Many prayers are being said for me
Nevertheless it takes time to process the news
It’s not what I was expecting
But I know already that life is full of surprises
And each of them can be a teacher
But challenges are challenges
And need to be navigated with care

September 12th, 2022

La beauté

Sep6

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Merveilleuse beauté
Glorieuse perfection
L’âme de l’être humain
Est le soleil par lequel son corps Se retrouve illuminé!*
Cette beauté n’est pas superficielle En fin de compte,
La beauté n’est que le reflet de l’âme Qui apparait à nos yeux !
En contemplant
Un beau collage,
Un beau visage,
Ou un beau dessin
Ce qui apparait, c’est l’âme de l’artiste, Le soleil de ses pensées
En admirant
Une œuvre d’art,
Un repas délicieux,
Un design raffiné,
Ce que j’apprécie, c’est la beauté Qui se manifeste
Dans cette œuvre
La beauté élève,
Elle inspire
Et apporte joie et plaisir
La beauté n’est que le reflet de l’âme Se manifestant dans l’œuvre d’art

Lida Berghuis 2006

Translation by Fred Vellieux

*Bahaullah,
écrits de Baha’u’llah p. 153-155

Please look for more French translations by Fred Vellieux under the menu

Feeding one’s soul

Sep2

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We can’t please other people all the time and be happy ourselves
To please someone else, we put their needs first
It’s of course OK to do that sometimes
What we want can’t always be at the top of the list
But if we do that continuously
We will be neglecting your own needs and
Resentment builds
If we value ourselves
We must look out for ourselves
Do things that bring us joy
Serve others of course
But don’t forget we are important too
When we give priority to ourselves
Others may not understand
They will want our attention
And that, they can’t temporarily have
It takes courage to do what feeds our soul
But it’s one of the most important things we need to do

September 2nd, 2022