The fire has died
And all I’m left with are the ashes
The grey remains of what once was
A silver powder, which will disappear with the slightest breeze
The earth is spinning
And I’m standing still not moving
The shadow of the person I used to be
A distant image is the life I had once desired for myself
The future is uncertain
And I have no remedy
The days seem bleaker with every passing month
A tragedy of loneliness too dark to describe too real to endure
A few months ago I chose to quit my job for a better opportunity. Unfortunately, that opportunity didn’t work out and I ended up being unemployed instead. For months I regretted my decision, convincing myself that I shouldn’t have taken the risk, that I was fine where I was.
My choice was based on a foundation of stress, so maybe if I had pushed through it the result would have been different. But the truth is you can’t undo life-altering choices, because they are what make your life. The small daily unconscious choices, along with the monumental decisions, they make up the days we spend on this Earth. Sounds obvious doesn’t it. Yet quite often we forget the reasons behind our choices, because we’re blind to the effects they will have on our future.
Back to my example. At first I perceived my unemployment as a failure, but now I realize that it has been a true blessing. During this free time, unburdened by the stress of a full-time position, I was able to relax. I dedicated time to my hobbies, took care of my health, engaged in new activities, met different people and gained some perspective. In the end, it was my choice that brought me to where I am today and for the first time in almost a decade, I can honestly say I understand what it means to be calm.
Fear is a warning A signal to stop and think Reassess your life A strong stabbing pain Ordering intervention Growing over time Indecisiveness A paralysing feeling Hiding true meaning Trusting your instinct Will kill the horror within Prisoner released
(Tuesday 12th July – Monday 18th July)
This week’s theme is Modernity. Choose an element of modern life or modern art to inspire this week’s poem or short story.
(Tuesday 21st June – Monday 27th June)
This week’s theme is Burning Out. How do people one burn out? Why do people lose their desires, ambitions and dreams? Have they lost hope? How do they deal with it? Write a poem or short story interpreting this theme.
A long forest path
Frequented by many creatures
Woodland and urban
Their lives intertwine
As the path leads to many trails
Grounded on this Earth
In this empty room
With empty cupboards
And bare walls
Is an empty person
With an empty heart
And little future
In this uncertain future
With little hope
Is the path of life you need to take
Today I was thinking about the difference between being liberal and being liberated. Intense concepts to tackle this early in the morning, but seriously I had nothing better to do so my mind simply wandered off. Thus, I came to the following conclusion: liberalism is a belief system, a philosophy and a political view. Liberated, on the other hand, is a life style. Aren’t they in a way synonymous, you might ask? My answer is no.
A liberal view of life refers to what you believe in in terms of norms and values; the anti-conservative. That doesn’t necessarily mean you strictly abide by said rules and values in your everyday life. After all, fear can be a particularly strong emotion, and conformity a desirable uncomplicated goal. Liberation, however, is for the strong of heart and will, the fearless and the visionary. For one to become liberated he/she has to have the courage to say fuck you.
Fuck you to personal fears, fuck you to political oppression and fuck you to societal expectations. By stripping away all that is not yours; all that which you don’t believe in, and therefore deem unnecessary, only then will you become liberated.
“Freedom means you are unobstructed in living your life as you choose. Anything less is a form of slavery.” – Wayne Dyer
It seems simple enough to claim not to give a damn about all which was stated above. However the reality is, in fact, not simple at all. Because in order to unshackle yourself from the oppressive forces which are dictating your life, you have to have a goal of what you will do once they are gone and how. Otherwise, you will find that you are enslaved by an even stronger force: uncertainty.
To those who wish to be liberated I say; do that which scares you until it scares you no more. Draw the path you wish to lead, and follow it no matter the consequences. And know that this life will only come once, so make the most of it because for some it is much shorter than for others.
Reality flash
When dancing in the surreal
It passes quickly
In a world of dreams
Away from supposed truths
Floating towards life
In response to the Daily Post’s prompt “Quote Me”
Do you have a favorite quote that you return to again and again? What is it, and why does it move you?
This particular phrase has always stuck with me, because of how much it highlights the similarities between two acts fueled by passion. While war is inherently destructive and formidable, love too has often had the same effect. With love sometimes being a common motive for war, and therefore aiding in such destruction. But as a whole, I’m attracted to the initial juxtaposition that forces one to delve deeper in order to understand the similarities between two seemingly opposing concepts.
– William Shakespeare (Julius Caesar)
I love this quote because it sends a very clear message that is often forgotten. One needs to seize life’s chances when they come by, because what may seem like an obstacle can actually be an opportunity in disguise.
An Artist at Heart 