Tag Archive | Life

Vulnerability

Jan27

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Some people don’t like to share their cancer story
I understand that
It’s a personal matter
And often not easy to talk about
But for me, it has been the cause of
Connecting with old friends
And receiving a lot of support and love
It’s hard to be vulnerable
Less than perfect 
But revealing our vulnerability has many rewards
We get everyone’s love and support
And their prayers for healing
We can connect to others on a deeper level
It’s a win win in my opinion
But it took some years for me to be this open
With my challenges in life
I had to learn to trust
To know that others will only give me their unconditional love
I had to understand the value of community
Of reaching out
And I’m so grateful for all of your love




January 27th, 2023

Blessings

Jan26

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Every situation in life can bring sunshine into our lives

Even the most challenging ones

The outpourings of love I receive continuously is a gift

I keep receiving because of my cancer experience

Talking to friends I haven’t talked to for years

Feeling blessed for having so many good friends

Being comforted and strengthened by their kind words

Receiving their prayers and well wishes

I’m not saying it’s all fun and games

Of course there are difficult times

Of course it was a shock 

Chemo is no walk in the park

Surgery involves pain and a slow recovery

But when all is said and done

Any difficult situation brings with it gifts as well

And the best gift I have received so far

Is the onrushing deluge of the love of my friends 

January 26th, 2023

On my mother’s back

Nov12

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I am the baby on my mother’s back

I still sport a baby-do

My mother is a proud African woman

She feels secure and self-assured

She carries me on her back and a bowl on her head

She can do many things at once

She holds her head up 

As if saying, I’ve got this baby

Stay close to me and I will take care of you 

The world can be a scary place sometimes

But It it full of loving people too 

We rely on the goodness of others

We rely on the spirit of our ancestors

And we take one strong step after another 

On this journey called life

It is OK to be scared sometimes

It is OK to feel pain and sorrow

Those things are part of life too

But for now, I’m here for you 

To help you and support you and love you

At the beginning of your journey when you need my strength 

November 10th, 2022

Love is what life is about

Oct29

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Love is what life is about

The encouraging words of a friend

A thoughtful gift sent in times of illness

A phone call to see how you are

And even though these things happen sometimes

During challenging times

The love one feels 

Makes one feel alive

And cheers one’s soul

Love is what life is about 

October 29th, 2022

Woman

Oct1

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Woman, life, freedom

Zan, zendegi, azadi

The cry of not only women

But also men who support them

Because lifting up women

Will lift up society, which includes men

Women are centre stage

Women lead

And when women lead

Things are bound to change

Their passion, their conviction

The wrongs they have suffered

Have fanned the flames 

Flames that are spreading like wild fire

And burning the structures that have 

Tried to keep them in their place

October 1st, 2022

Crossroads of change

Jan28

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At the cross roads of change

Scary times

Exciting times

Anxiety provoking times

Constructive times

Change is never easy

It upsets the exciting order

It makes us uncomfortable

But change is necessary for growth

And growth is often painful

With open eyes

And an open heart

On can proceed on the path of life

And from time to time

Move to a different highway

Toward one’s destination

January 28th, 2022

Ambiguity

Jan22

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Is there a right answer?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no

There are many roads that lead to Rome

Should I be worried about taking the wrong path?

I used to

But now I know any road I take

I’ll manage to make it work

Or else I’ll chose another path

Are there precise answers?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no

What works for you won’t work for me

What’s perfect for you won’t suit me

Are there answers to all questions?

I don’t think so

Somethings will remain a mystery

I’ve come to terms with not knowing

I can live my life despite it

We need to manage our expectations

We need to come to terms with ambiguity

Some questions have many answers

Some questions have no answers

But questions will always be with us

And the need to know and understand 

January 22nd, 2021

Success

Dec16

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Success is in achieving one’s goals

It’s not living our lives based on what is expected of us

Or what society dictates

The goals we set are meaningful to us

They are usually based on what our talents are

What’s important to us

What we’re passionate about

We don’t have similar goals

We are all different people with different aspirations

I set some goals for myself early in life

Some other goals evolved along the way

I’ve been working towards achieving them

My goals may be unconventional

Unusual and not the norm

But they are my goals

They bring me pleasure 

And give my life meaning

I’m learning to be content with my chosen path

December 16th, 2020

Soul work

Aug31

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When we say music nourishes my soul

What do you think that soul is?

When we say may his soul Rest In Peace

Where do you think his soul is?

 

Soul in intangible 

Can’t be measured or seen

Soul is mysterious 

Can’t be comprehended easily

But soul is essential 

Soul is vital

 

Our soul is what creates

What solves problems

Our soul is what dreams

What creates magic

Our soul is responsible for all the good we do

Joy is a quality of our soul

 

I think we should pay more attention to our souls

Contemplate what nourishes them and helps them grow

Because I hear our soul is eternal 

And as such, our efforts will be worthwhile 

 

August 30th, 2020

Our group

Aug10

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Why do I spend so much of my time 

With my friends around the world

On our WhatsApp group or on Zoom?

Why do I try to read every post?

Why have I done that for the past five years without fail?

OK, during two trips I was delinquent 

There is a bond that connects us that goes far back in time

New bonds have been created in recent years

The space in which we meet is a positive one

With words of wisdom

With poetry and song

With artistic photographs

With chit chat of good friends

With laughter and joy

Why would I not want to go back?

 

In this world full of challenges

We need these kind of spaces

Safe spaces

Kind spaces

Happy spaces

Where we can express ourselves

Widen our horizons

Learn new things

Or simply be with our friends

 

So much love and effort 

Has been put in this space over the years

It’s like a building that has been built

A fortress

A fortress to keep us safe during difficult times

This fortress is made of love

 

August 9th, 2020

 

ps: This group of friends is made of over one hundred classmates who went to high school together is the late 1970’s in Iran. Now, we live all over the world, spending time together in the virtual world, as well as coming together in person.