Scars

We all carry them, even landscapes – scars.  Sometimes they are exposed and we try to hide them. Sometimes they cannot be hidden.  Sometimes they are hidden from plain view but they can be detected if you look carefully.  Every scar has a cause from injury that was either intended or unintended and has made a lasting impact – only time will tell if it was for better or worse.  Apart from the more obvious visual physical scars, there are often internal scars due to the behaviour of others, our own personal choices or from apparently random events.  Although these may be unseen, they are nonetheless real and can be perceived in a person’s changed behaviour, confidence and even faith. Do you carry either visible or invisible scars?  Have you caused scars in others?  The walkers in this coastal path have mainly been oblivious to the scars that their feet have been making in the landscape as they have enjoyed the walk – is it possible that you have done the same?

  • ‘I am a human being, with feelings and emotions and scars and flaws, just like anyone else’ – Josh Gordon
  • ‘Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars’ – Khalil Gibran

Escapism

Fantasy has never been more popular.  Every time a person buys a lottery ticket, there is a fantasy behind it – houses, cars, holidays, retirement and lifestyle. Have you ever pondered what you would do if you had hit the jackpot? In October 2018, an anonymous winner in South Carolina scooped $1537 million. In 2019, sales of lotteries in America alone reached $91.32 billion, up from $85.59 billion in 2018.   This represents a 1 in 300,000 chance of winning which is higher than the EuroMillions Lottery ratio of 1 in 45 million!  Gambling does not make long term winners – studies show those winning will often lose what they have won within 10 years as well as gaining many worries and a possible addiction along the way. This cruise ship looks idyllic but eventually all passengers return to face the realities in their home port!

  • ‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality’ – Freddie Mercury