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

Scars

Aug30

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A scar is a symbol of a battle fought and won

It’s a reminder of one’s strength 

And the ability to stand the trials of life

It may not be beautiful at first sight

A sign of imperfection one may think

But life is full of tests and trials

And imperfection is part of life

A perfect body has no story to tell

A perfect body has not faced challenges

As time goes on we each accumulate our scars

Better that they be physical scars and not emotional ones

August 30th, 2022

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

The new normal

Aug28

 

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Things are going back to normal

The new normal

I have four scars of various sizes

I still get tired easily

But I can shower like I used to

I can do the things I want to do

Surgery is definitely a shock to the system

It’s not like another day at the doctor’s office

It takes time to recuperate

And my body will not look the same

But that is a minor detail

Because what makes me me is not my body

What makes me me doesn’t bear the new scars

I feel good

I feel optimistic

And I’m grateful for all the love and attention

I get from my friends and family

I welcome the new normal

I’m thrilled about the advances in medicine

I’m lucky to live where I do

And have the friends that I have

August 28th, 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