If you were to wander past many war graves, you would find this phrase on each tombstone, but why? Influential and eccentric author of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, lost his son John in the First World War and offered his services to what became known as The War Graves Commission. Despite having an eclectic […]
At its simplest, life is one entry and one exit! Whether or not the exit leads to a permanent exile depends on whether there has been a second entry – some will understand this but it will be explained later for anyone who is puzzled by it.
Exile can be understood in various ways but essentially it means to be thrown out, ejected, banished or disconnected.
This looks to be a psychotic crab with an identity crisis! Have you ever struggled with an inner anguish? Such an internal storm may be invisible to those outside or there may be tell-tale signs in one’s behaviour. When extreme, it is a dangerous state making a person vulnerable to feelings of worthlessness, self-harming and even suicide. There are so many causes – gender confusion, guilt, insecurity, sexual ethics and bereavement to name a few. It could also be around money issues, breakdown in relationships or a sense of inadequacy. There are more people suffering this inner pain than we like to admit – it is likely that there are those around you carrying this heavy load unbeknown to others. Perhaps you are suffering or have suffered in this way?
Cement is not meant to be walked in! However, these steps and pawprints reflect the love and faithfulness of this dog for its master which is saved for posterity! In the old carol about Good King Wenceslas, we see the monarch and his page stepping out in harsh cold weather to show kindness to a household in poverty. They set out together to take food, wine and logs for a poor man. The King makes it easier for his servant in making a safe way through the thick snow:
There is no doubt that we can sometimes feel wretched – if only we hadn’t done that thing, had that thought or said those words. It can be tough to reconcile how you’d prefer to behave with what you find yourself being tempted to do, as if there’s an inner battle. When we slip up, that’s when regret, guilt and inner condemnation pour in and wretchedness ensues as we hang our heads in shame.
How many Biology terms do you recall from school lessons? How about Symbiosis, Commensalism and Parasitism?! Symbiosis describes a close and long-term relationship between different species. Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is not affected, with examples such as barnacles and birds nesting in tree hollows. Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which the parasitic species benefits while the host species is harmed. This is less pleasant but obvious examples are mosquitos, fleas, aphids and tapeworms! Whilst not such an extreme example of parasitism, ivy does use the structure of a tree or bush to support its growth, subsequent domination and eventual destruction of its host plant. If this ivy is not dealt with, it will destroy this vine meaning there will be no more lovely fruit. Addictions act just like this.
Can it be a choice? Is Plato right to say, ‘Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety’?
If it’s that simple, why do so many suffer with it?
