SLEEP ON IT: Boundaries

Boundaries according to Oxford Languages as googled states that it is a line that marks the limits of an area. It is a limit of a subject or sphere of activity.

– At home while growing up, our mother used to remind us to be respectful of our elders. We were taught not to answer back when we were reprimanded. I, particularly, was not allowed to argue or answer back when my elder brother or sister corrected me. Sad truth was that at times when I thought I was right, I needed to zip my mouth for fear that I would be on the hot seat. Modesty aside, my elders are all gone without a memory of my answering back in the heat of their disappointments in whatever I did which were not alligned with GMRC.

– In the duration of my teen years, I was the silent creature inside the house. Like a mouse, I was even afraid to squeak for I might hear the harsh side comments coming from the man of the house. His hatred towards me bore a deep crevice in my soul that even the short, high pitched sound inside me never had a chance to succeed to surface. The borderline between us was so inpenetrable no matter how hard I tried to get through. Sad that it may seem, there are some lines too hard to cross!

– Nevertheless, a few years before he crossed the bridge, he finally saw a light coming from my existence, hence, he had extinquished a bit of acknowledgement of my presence. The pain, however; I pray will evaporate like smoke and never to bother me as age is already trying to overtake!

– As parents, the boundaries some of us set are too thick that children cannot comprehend nor penetrate. When children stray, the blame mostly lie on their shoulders while adults forget to examine the flaws along the way and or even refuse to accept the missing ingredient that is compassion, moreover the lack of understanding as well as quality time that should have been poured to strenghten the ties between parents and offsprings should be must haves, too.

Literally, what we perceive is the images set before us either by nature or manmade. What we cannot appreciate is that under our noses. There are people in our lives who are less valued but they are just there waiting to be seen and be heard. What we give our second look to are those strangers we meet casually sparing thoughts of wonder to fill the feathers in their cups while those who love us live in hunger for the wonder of appreciation.

Talking of limitations, luck in most cases is not in my side. My experiences have always manifested this very gruelling pinch for each time, I am in a happy state or even in a laughing mode, night does not fall without me falling into tears. I always had to pay for the joy that passes in my direction. In conclusion, I do believe that not all happy times stay. for mine is always shaped momentarily! Well, I still walk with a smile in my heart despite the limp for nobody will ever defend me except myself! There might be a smirk now and then, however; it fades as I wave it away with a pat on my shoulder!

It is not honorable to speak ill of the dead, nevertheless, what that so-called high school friend whom I thought was one with a good heart has ruined my name with gusto!

Dante Alighieri in The Divine Comedy has reserved the hottest place in hell for men who in the moral crisis has done nothing. This time that ignoramus of an ex-buddy had done a damage so irreparable for the print he left is indelible in the heart and the mind of the man in the house! Worst the forner had expired without giving me a chance to defend myself. That smile is still vivid in my eyes without knowing what was hiding behind it!

What I realize now is the flow of past memories coming back to life as I grow in age. Like, mother while she was still with us, the many historical events in her storybook were all related to us especially, the many people she came across with. It was refreshing to note that she has lived a very engaging and exciting world filled with so many trimmings that lasted until her demise.

Now, comes my turn to relive the different hues, dark or light and even glaring which took center stage in my living. What matters most is the joy of not forgetting!

Desiderata taught me not to compare myself with others for bitterness may set in, yet some people we know really had to slap us on the face by showing how they see us in comparable to the ones they fancy! Oh, Yes! Athough, it is best not to mind what people say that are negatives, human as we are, we can still feel the spear splitting our hearts into two!

My elder sister used to stress, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, while words could not harm me”. Physically, yes, but the mar the harsh words make remain! Permanent footprints, indeed!

May our tongues be tamed as not to cause trauma to another! Let us check the kind of boundaries we build that others may live peacefully!

’til next ish… SHALOM* (MLP)