Words Have Impact

 

I heard a word thrown out upon the wind.

‘Spaz’. I took a breath.

Thinking… there’s that word.

After all the strives we’re made…

Still… this man talking to his partner pushing a stroller…

uses this expression… flipping it out into the world.

Using it to complain about a mistake that was made.

 

Why?

 

Perhaps he does not know what it means.

As a person who is part of the disabled community…

I do.

Trauma, advocacy, hospital visits, fighting for acceptance, and being so very, very tired.

And that is just one word.

There are so many other triggering words.

Be careful what you say.

Listen and be open to change.

As ‘Too Peas in a Podcast’ say:

‘Know better, do better’.

 

 

 

"Sorry"

 

“Sorry” used too little…

“Sorry” I am upset and showing it.

“Sorry” I bumped into you, in your way.

Women (and others) do these apologies a lot.

 

“Sorry” too little used…

“Sorry” It was my fault; how can I help?

“Sorry” I will try to do better and need some help.

Men (and others) could do this more.

 

“Sorry” can mean so many things.

“Sorry” has a reason behind it.

“Sorry” is used when quite a lot or little is felt.

Every person, whoever they are, can rethink the use of this word.  

Ode to Recyled Reading

Dedication:

To the second hand bookshop in Epping, Sydney.

Empty.
Where do in find the words?
Is the smell still there?

If we where to gather all the memories of  people who have lingered...
Could we recreate you? No.
But we can lament as one.

I remember reading, traveling, and seeing little notes.
Oh, let us adventure and benefit from the tales of others.
All that is left is the clock, telling the time we forgot.

In our hearts and in our shelves we will keep.
Just like the little treasures placed upon the wall.
For now is the time for us to share your story.

Be Wary Of Words

Words.

They can be innocent, soothing, hasty,

harmless, reckless, and perplexing all at the same time,

and even within the same breath.

We speak abruptly, and with careful consideration.

Both of which have consequences.

For with a word you can change a mind, wound a soul, and warm a heart.

All this is done with tools of communication - the spoken and written.

Indeed it was once observed that we use our tongues

to both praise our Lord and curse our fellow man.

Words are used by different people to achieve two very different purposes.

Some, use words to deliberately cause humiliation and hurt to those around them.

Others use this gift of vocabulary to build people up.

Remember, that the words that we use

to belittle or to encourage

come from the same mouth.

One made by our loving Father in heaven.

Formed that we too, might impart

to others our thoughts and emotions.

So be wary of the words that you chose.

Use the unique gift of speech wisely.

For some, sadly, do not possess such a privilege.

Faces

What is a face?

It is a place where a range of expressions is portrayed

and by which many of their owners are betrayed.

It is avowed by the general populace that faces are worn only by those

through whose blood pulsates.

I however entertain a different belief...

For I am certain that such faces are not alone possessed by those afore mentioned.

Countenances are common amongst numerous subjects of the natural kingdom;

over which Christ rules and shall not forsake.

When one perceives those occupants of the courtroom of creation,

identifying the individual designs of their demeanours

one cannot disengage from the inspection of such shapes that form them.

The knobs in the trees, the indentations within the rock, the upturned petals of the flowers,

the ripples of the sun-lit water, and the soft curves of the clouds.

The faces of the natural world surround us day by day.

All we need to do is turn our own around and look.

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.'

Sunset

The conclusion of a day.

Its clouds signify the two manners

in which it has been spent.

The elongated, stretched clouds demonstrate to their beholder

those persons who have felt their days to be alike to such clouds.

In comparison the more condensed, small, cumulus ones

are the narrators of a day into which various things jostle to fit.

And then...

And then I observe the colours and shades of the background of these two tales.

And I am simply awestruck.

But then I see the delicate twisting of the eucalyptus trees 

upon this tranquil scene -

my breath and my words are stolen by what my vision allows me to see through my spectacles:

a spectacular scene.