Not a Duck!

Have you ever heard the saying 'If it looks like a duck, swims like, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck!'?

 

This popped into my head when I was thinking about disabilities that are not easy to recognise. The key word in this saying is 'like', if you look 'like' the average person you are more likely to have your needs overlooked, and have to ask for what you need, or worse not be believed after you have explained, or have to give evidence that you need supports. Advocacy and asking for things can be exhausting.

 

As someone with less recognisable differences, I know this to be true. Not everyone is the same. There are so many conditions that are not easy to see, but are there, nevertheless. It is sometimes nice not to have to explain and be seen as disabled (less bullying and discrimination when I graduated high school- no more 'trolly girl'). For we that don't always show symptoms we question 'do I need this? Am I disabled enough? Surely other people need this more...?' When I look in the mirror I see a young woman that 'looks like' a 'normal' person. It's taken me a long time to say, wait a sec... I'm not and that's okay. I am learning to see me as me and what I can do not what everyone else can do. 

 

I have some things that are different, that have made me strong, and unique and more interesting. I'm colourful. When I think about it so is each duck. We all have different shades, and we need to be able to let them shine, and feel safe enough to do so. Be honest with one another and letting each other see that all of us, including the murky colours. All of us have challenges and last year that became more obvious than ever. We are all of us multicoloured. Let's work together.

Life is more fun when we can all shine. 

Panther of the Night

There is something about the evening that seals the events of the day.

Something in the air, coolly caressing ones mind and body.

Something that provokes nostalgic tendencies.

Something that persuades one to indulge in fantasies and misgivings

(these becoming increasingly vivid as the night progresses).

Something that urgers, coaxes, and convinces one to

submit, forget, lose oneself amongst its untamed and secretive grasp.

These imaginings are so insistent that one simply must, must, yield.

Obey, the soft, gentle, velvet voice of the night.

Listen, to the mournful moaning of the wind.

Rest, in the warmth and fortification of the sheets and blankets,

allowing them to enfold one.

We, who do not bend our thoughts upon the night,

see it not as the dark and dangerous panther.

Even if we do consider such a beast it is as one

behind the bars of shelter as it is and may ever be.

But some see this animal face to face.

Have little protection against its tormenting talons.

They do not have the bars of four walls and such warmth as we.

For they are in the cage with the Panther, they are its prey.

They take cover within the shadows and stones,

that manifest in the formation of newspapers and underneath  shop fronts.

But these are not sufficient to survive such a predator.

Sooner rather than later the Panther prowls and strikes.

They are consumed.

Will one ever have compassion upon these victims?

Of course one will!

Now what will one gain?

Ants...

Why are ants perceived as being worthless?

When you inquire into their ways you can see that

they have a significant role in the Lord's creation.

We swish ants that aggravate us with a great degree of indifference.

Then we may even begin to recite statements,

inculcated within us from an early age.

However, it is not solely ants that we regard in such a manner.

But a variety of other intricately and uniquely made

animals and insects in his creation.

If you take a moment to reflect, within nature

there are all varieties of marvellous creatures to be seen.

Some of which are the small flying insects of bright

colours and shades,

of which it is difficult for one to remember their numerous names.

Let us recall to ourselves as we reflect upon these things,

the words from that beloved hymn;

'All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.'

The Symphony of Rain

I like to listen to the gentle rain.

As it descends, accompanied by its soothing sound,

its delicate droplets separate and crack upon the Autumn leaves.

If you really listen to it, you can soon isolate the individual sound of each one.

They all seem the same, and then you concentrate and you realise...

each one warrants an almost imperceptibly different sound.

If you listen carefully, you may begin to entertain the idea that

the rain is a musical symphony, and that each droplet, is an instrument in the orchestra.

And then you may start to inquire of yourself, the question;

"if the rain is a symphony, than who is the conductor of such an orchestra?"

And then;

"what other symphonies in nature does he also conduct so dexterously?"

Perhaps all we need to do, is be the audience, and listen...