I’m having a freakily bleak day…and was on the verge of freaking out. What with the weather, the time of year, the long, cold, dark nights, the timely pronouncement that the most depressing day of the year is scheduled for Monday, I was on edge. I’ve had a litter of last minute cancellations and negativity from other quarters, and some harsh and unkind judgements, all of which has added to the challenge.
As if I needed any more reasons to feel miserable, this idea that feelings are dictated by a date isn’t helpful. Momentarily, it left me thinking I have no choice but to be down, and then feeling guilty because those who suffer with depression have it trivialised by such silly speculation.
And then, this appeared, as if by magic and it has lifted my spirits soaring again. So…if by any chance you too are caught up in the notion of psychological formulas, and being stuck with them, read this beautiful poem by Becky Hemsley ‘Talking to the Wild’ and remember where your power lies.
She sat at the back and they said she was shy,
She led from the front and they hated her pride,
They asked her advice and then questioned her guidance,
They branded her loud, then were shocked by her silence,
When she shared no ambition they said it was sad,
So she told them her dreams and they said she was mad,
They told her they’d listen, then covered their ears,
And gave her a hug while they laughed at her fears,
And she listened to all of it thinking she should,
Be the girl they told her to be best as she could,
But one day she asked what was best for herself,
Instead of trying to please everyone else,
So she walked to the forest and stood with the trees,
She heard the wind whisper and dance with the leaves,
She spoke to the willow, the elm and the pine,
And she told them what she’d been told time after time,
She told them she felt she was never enough,
She was either too little or far far too much,
Too loud or too quiet, too fierce or too weak,
Too wise or too foolish, too bold or too meek,
Then she found a small clearing surrounded by firs,
And she stopped…and she heard what the trees said to her,
And she sat there for hours not wanting to leave,
For the forest said nothing, it just let her breathe.’
Author : Becky Hemsley – Talking to the Wild
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