Archives

Self care

Aug29

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We are the best advocates for ourselves

At the end of the day we are responsible

To take care of our physical and mental health

This taking care takes different shapes for different people

Some like to pamper themselves with a massage

Some like to shop

Some like to go for a walk in nature

Some like to hang out with a friend

Whatever that self care looks like for you

Please put it on our to-do list

And not at the bottom of the list

Where it goes most of the time

Take that needed activity and move it to the top of the list

You will be glad you did

I still have to remind myself to not make excuses

For foregoing my care routine

I can get swept up in other people’s needs

I can say I’ll do one day without it

But each time I take the time to care for myself

I feel happy I did

Self care is essential not optional

Others will also benefit from a happier you

August 29th, 2022

Physical pain

Aug23

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Pain,  pain, pain

Pain that does not go away

Tylenol and Oxycodone are not enough

Though they do take off the edge

The best remedy is distraction

With a movie

Or chatting with a friend

Physical pain is better than the emotional one though

That pain has no immediate remedy

Distraction works sometimes

But I prefer physical pain

My spirit is still strong

My attitude positive

These days will pass

And what will remain is a faint memory of pain

August 13th, 2022

3 days after surgery

21 days

Aug20

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His last time on WhatsApp was

2022-07-30, 4:15 pm Montreal time

21 days have gone by and his fate is not clear yet

His family knows little of what’s going on 

His friends worry for him daily

How will the authorities collect

Evidence of espionage when there is none?

Another arrest!

Was ten years in prison not enough?

And for crimes he did not commit?

For loving humanity?

For serving his community?

I talked to him the day before he was arrested

He was well

He was thankful

He was jovial as usual

We pray for him 

For fortitude and strength

Qualities he has in abundance already

I know he welcomes this sacrifice 

As he did the previous ones

I know he is grateful to stand up 

For what he believes in

I know he is victorious 

Whether in captivity or freedom

August 20th, 2022

For my dear friend, Afif Naimi

Cancer surviver

Aug20

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Cancer survivor is a heavy title to bear 

Cancer can be dangerous 

Surviving it is good however

But I think there is still a stigma that goes along with cancer

If not, we would talk about it more than we do

It’s kept hush hush most of the time

You hear years later that someone had cancer

And you never found out

Of course, it’s not something to advertise

But talking about it reduces the stigma

And increases awareness for others as well 

So, I’m a cancer survivor 

Healed and happy to live life as before

But perhaps it won’t be exactly as before

The scars will fade but won’t go away

And the checkups will continue regularly

But that’s a good thing

Like anything else in life 

Our experiences can be bearers of gifts

Depending on how we view them

And I’m grateful to be on the path of healing

With the support of my friends and family

August 19th, 2021

Showered with love

Aug9

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As I read the messages of love from my friends
My eyes tear up
So much kindness and care is evident in them

Messages from my classmates around the world
Messages from my friends in Montreal
Messages and calls from my family

Nothing can go wrong with so much love
I believe in the power of prayer and positive thoughts
I believe in their role in healing

If anything, this experience has shown me how much I’m loved
If anything, I can see more clearly the goodness
In everyone’s heart

August 9th, 2022

The day before my operation for breast cancer

What keeps you going?

Aug6


9E0B931C-6141-49EE-9408-29B540072B31What keeps you going in the face of injustice?

My spirituality he said

I believe in karma

That we reap what we sow

That there will be justice in the end

What keeps you going, he asked

Hope that the future will be brighter 

That what we do to better the world matters

What keeps you going, he asked

Love for my fellow man

Belief in goodness and truthfulness 

That living a virtuous life is important 

No matter what life throws at you 

What keeps you going, he asked

Faith in a higher power, he said 

August 4th 2022

 

Dedicated to my dear friend Afif Naimi who was recently arrested in Iran because he is a Baha’i 

The samurai

Jun6
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A samurai

Proud and strong 

On a background of mustard and grey

The sweater I knitted for Albert, oh so many years ago

In those times

I had the patience to follow a knitting guide

Row by row, colour by colour

Sometimes only knitting one row or two

I don’t remember how long it took me

To finish this project

But it probably took months

And when it was ready

Albert wore it gratefully

It now sits in our closet

A relic of the past 

But when I think of all the time and effort

That went into making this gift of love

I feel proud

June 6th, 2022

Laughter is a balm

Jun5

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In my Youtube feed

Comedy and tragedy reside side by side

In a world full of sorrow and struggle

Comedians try to make us laugh

And forget our worries for a while

Should I laugh?

Should I sigh?

Should I cry?

Can I be aware of the challenges and laugh at the same time?

Laughter and joy are necessary at all times

The reason we laugh is not because we are

Oblivious of the urgent problems around us

Laughter is a balm

June 5th, 2022

Focus on the light

Jun2

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There is pain in the world

There is hurt in the world

There is injustice as plain as daylight to see

There is corruption in the world

There is thirst for power

There is dishonesty

And amid this darkness

What is one to do?

Focus on the light!

Focus on doing what is right

Bring a little joy into someone’s day

Be of service, be honest

Feeling overwhelmed with darkness has no result

Focus on the light

Focus on the light

Lend a hand to someone else

Assuage someone else’s pain

In our world, darkness and light co-exist

Focus on the light

Darkness will one day be gone

June 2nd, 2022

Being 58

May20

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58 is a good year!

And what is a good year?

A year when creativity thrives

A year when growth occurs

A year of joyful times and challenging times

A year of time spent with family and friends

A year of writing and bringing writing projects to fruition

A year of seeing my children living their lives as young adults

Finding their places in society

And serving their community

A year of travel

And seeing old friends from Iran

Another year of filling my journals

Writing poetry

And sharing them with my friends

The years go by one by one

And 58 will be a great year!

May 18th, 2022