Tag Archive | friendship

fifty

Jul1

IMG_0353

We were fifteen
The cream of the crop
From all over Iran
Wide eyed and ready to take on the world

Idealism was the order of the day
Most things seemed possible at the time
Yet we had a lot to learn

Now, we’re fifty
Time has passed
We have scattered all over Iran
All over the world
No longer naive, we have experienced life
We have experienced love and heartache

Perhaps we now know the value of
Friendship more
Won’t take it for granted, if we once did

Each of us has forged a path
Done wonderful things
Challenges have been there too
But that’s where friendship comes in

Now our messages criss-cross the world
Weaving a web of love as they do
Perhaps a love exists that didn’t exist before
Living life has taught us this

We were fifteen, and now we’re fifty
My dear friends, it couldn’t be better than this!

Lida Berghuis
June 30th, 2015

What can I say?

Jun28

What can I say?

What can I write about the one who has sacrificed
His freedom for love?
What can I say about the one who can still laugh
Despite these trials?
What can I say about the one whose patience
Is being tested by love?

It seems like we are sometimes punished for love
“the watchman is running after us”
and all seems lost

But if we see the end in the beginning
We will see the light that emanates from this sacrifice
A light so bright
That it illumines the path for the rest of us

Deeds not words are needed today
His deeds an example for all of us
Kindness like honey drips from his every word
The scent of humility wafts gently toward us

What can I say about the one who has sacrificed
His freedom for love?
You inspire us and you make us proud!
Your friendship rejuvenates us and
We honor you for your sacrifice!

Lida Berghuis
June 27th, 2015

For Afif Naimi

We prescribe a friend

Feb24

“For sadness, we prescribe a friend”*
For despair, we prescribe a friend
A friend
One who listens with care
A friend
One who does not compare
A friend
One who is always there

For disappointments, we prescribe a friend
For crises in life, we prescribe a friend
A friend
One with open arms
A friend
With whom you can laugh and cry
A friend
One who loves you for who you are

For sorrow, we prescribe a friend
For heartache, we prescribe a friend
A friend
A solace in time of need
A friend
One who brings you cheer
A friend
All that you need!

*quote by Rumi”

The person I’ve become

Jan16

The person I’ve become
Is more authentic, more real!
I don’t wear a mask as much
I confide in my friends

The person I’ve become
Knows her limits better
I don’t compare myself to others as much
I’ve learned to say no more often
I’ve learned to ask for what I need

The person I’ve become
Takes more responsibility
Feels more empowered to create change
To change myself
My thoughts
And therefore my actions and feelings

The person I’ve become
Sees challenges as an integral part of life
Not to run from
But to learn from

The person I’ve become
Takes care of herself
Without self care, one can’t help others
One burns out!

The person I’ve become
Sees interdependence as essential
Life is not meant to be lived in a solitary way
We need each other’s help
We need to build deep, authentic friendships and
Call on each other when we need support and help

The person I’ve become
Knows there is more to learn
There is always room for improvement
Ways to do things better
New ways of thought
Deeper understanding

The person I’ve become
Is more thankful
Seeing good in all that comes my way
The person I’ve become
Tries not to take simple things for granted!

Lida Berghuis
January 15th, 2015

One drop of kindness

Nov10

“One drop of kindness makes the ocean sweet”

Kindness is love
Kindness is being other-oriented
Kindness is gentleness
Kindness is the warmth of someone’s heart

Kindness requires effort
Requires that we pay attention to someone else
Kindness is the absence of ego, being self-centred

Kindness is encouraging words that bring others joy

Kindness says I see you
I care for you
Kindness says I’ll make time for you!

Kindness gives comfort
Kindness listens with care
Kindness is silent when someone makes a mistake
Kindness does not judge, does not compare

Kindness brings joy
Kindness makes one smile
Kindness is a balm for an injured heart!

Lida Berghuis
November 10th, 2014

*-Rumi

The ocean of life…

Sep12

I see the ocean of life
Sometimes calm
Sometimes tumultuous
Sometimes wild

But life goes on
Despite the ups and downs
Despite the storms that come
Despite the times that we think we will not survive

We are resilient
We will survive!
The ocean will return to calm
And we’ll be so glad we persevered
Didn’t give up

The ocean of life
Beautiful!
Dangerous!
Deceivingly serene at times!
Unnervingly turbulent at times!

But life goes on
Despite the changes and chances
Despite the sorrows and challenges
Despite the periods of grief that seem to not want to end

Hope and faith
Friendship and love
These are the things that help us navigate the ocean of life

Lida Berghuis
September 11th, 2014
Inspired by a composition by Leon Alatif

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

The climb…

Jul31

This world is like a mountain we have to climb
Challenges are there
Our strength and perseverance is tested
But each height we reach is breathtaking

What can make this climb more manageable?
The support of friends
Someone to cheer us on
To walk along side us
A shoulder to cry on when things get tough
A friend to lean on when our strength wanes

And sometimes we’re the one who does the cheering up
The one who others can lean on
The strong one, for the moment…

Lida Berghuis
July 26th, 2014
Montreal Youth Conference

Tea time!

Jul5

What is it about drinking tea that is so soothing?
Especially when drunk in the company of a friend?
Is it the aroma of a lovely tea chosen with care?
Is it the warmth of tea felt all inside as one drinks it?
Is it the conversation that one can’t rush?
All of the above perhaps and much more!

Tea brings people together in a beautiful way
It’s a binding agent!
It communicates love!
It says I have time to make you some tea and
Sit and drink it with you as we chat!
It means I’m giving you attention
I’m happy to serve you

For all these things, offering someone tea
Is one of the loveliest things one can do!

Also, this tradition runs in my veins as a Persian girl
Offering tea, one of the first things one does when friends come over
It’s a warm welcome, a warm hug in liquid form!

Lida Berghuis
July 4th, 2014
Tea room in Hudson!