Tag Archive | culture

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Oct20

A trip away from home gave me a new perspective

A trip to the other side of the world brought me closer to my home

We take so much for granted and I’m no exception 

It’s hard to know what you have till it’s gone

Montreal may have long brutal winters

Lots of potholes and unending construction

But it’s the city of culture

In Montreal, all races and nationalities live side by side

Our lives are made richer this way

There is much variety and

We’re exposed to different perspectives and ideas

Montreal is a city of art, music, theatre and sports

It’s the city of writers and poets

It’s a place one can be inspired and thrive

It took me going to a land far off

To appreciate what I have at home

To appreciate friendships I’ve made over the years

Having lived in Montreal for seventeen years 

This is the place I call home now

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October 14th, 2108

In common

Apr3

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People are fascinating
We are all so different and yet the same
We have similar needs
But fulfill them in different ways
In the end, we all want to be loved and valued
We hope to contribute somehow to the society we live in
We want to be seen and heard
We want to have true friends in our lives
We want to learn and discover and fulfill our potential
These needs transcend Nationality, race and culture
These needs are human needs
Common to us all

April 2nd 2018

Collage of me 2

Nov21

We search for our identities
Especially when we are transplants in society
We try to find out how we fit into the world
To what cultural group we belong
What values we espouse
And how other people see us

What if such a rigid identity is not to be found
We are all born with intrinsic personalities and abilities
After that, our experiences, our education
And our efforts make us who we are

Our ‘self’ is fluid
It changes as we learn and grow
Our experiences shape us
And this will continue all our lives

I find this liberating
Because now I don’t have to find out
Where I fit in, to which group I belong
Who accepts me and who does not

I am unique
As everyone else is
I am who I am because of the places
I have lived
The languages I’ve learned
The books I’ve read
The people I’ve met and befriended
Where I was born factors into this too
It’s one of the many things that makes me me!

I am Eastern
I am Western
I am Persian
I am Canadian
I value art and poetry
I value friends and family
I value honesty, compassion and equality

I’m an adventurer
I am a rebel of sorts
I am curious
I want to learn
I live and write in English
More than in my mother tongue
But there is no discrepancy in all this
They all make up the collage of me

November 11th, 2016

To be an immigrant

May2

 
Imagine having a thousand ideas
But being unable to express them
At least not eloquently

Imagine looking for words and stammering
Each time you want to communicate with someone

Imagine having to start your life over again
But with new rules and different road signs

Imagine having a career but
Having to put it on hold or abandon it for a while

This is how immigrants feel
They feel fortunate to live in freedom
But there is a price to pay
After all, nothing is free in life

Imagine being stuck between
The culture of your parents and your friends

Imagine living under a lot of new rules
Some of them not so obvious

Imagine competing with those for whom
Your new language is their mother tongue

Imagine seeing your friends do things
That you are not allowed

There are the challenges of children and teens
Who immigrate

Most of these issues gradually get resolved
Going through these challenges is an education in itself

But let’s give immigrants the respect they deserve
They literally start their lives all over again
May 1st, 2016

Reflections on identity…

Dec1

I’m a Persian girl who grew up in Canada
Married a Dutchman and lives in Quebec now!
Where should I start?
I guess at the beginning…

My Persian heritage has shaped me
It has given me the gift of poetry, hospitality
And strong family ties

My Canadian upbringing
Has given me the gift of religious freedom
Our best attempts at equality of women and men
And freedom to be me
Not what others expect me to be!

My association with the Dutch
Has given me the gift of authenticity
Artistic expression, music and love!

My time in Quebec has given me
My passion for poetry, exploration of the arts
Self discovery and growth!

I’m happy to be all of the above
And I’m thankful for each!

It hasn’t always been east to navigate
Different cultures and try to figure out
Where I belong
But I’m in a good place now
Not hesitant to acknowledge my heritage
Not worried that I don’t fit in
Not confused about where home is

As they say
Home is where the heart is
And perhaps I’ve had many homes
This is the kind of world we live in
Things are not black or white
But all the colours in between

Lida Berghuis
December 1st, 2014

New Beginnings…

Jul15

To new beginnings
New associations
Renewed camaraderie
Building on what has been!

Each day brings new opportunities
To leave the past behind
To strengthen bonds
To build new ones!

To family unity
To being supportive
To building together
What can’t be built alone!

To being open-minded
Seeing only the good
Revising old assumptions
Being a student in the school of life!

To rediscovering one’s culture
celebrating all that’s good
Bringing people together
No matter from what clime!

July 15th, 2014
Lida Berghuis