“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don’t much care where.
The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.
Alice: …So long as I get somewhere.
The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.”
I recently went through a massive change, which felt like some kind of rebirth/reawakening. Initially I was not welcoming of this change in my life; it was too painful and unravelled on an exponential scale. It’s taken me a few months to realise that I don’t have to succumb to, or fight change, but instead I can ride the waves. I can allow myself to participate in change in a productive, constructive and proactive way.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of people.
The word community is bounced around a lot but community is incredibly powerful. As humans, we are social and interactive beings, regardless of whether we are introverted, extroverted, humanitarian or misanthrope individuals, the power of the people is unarguable. Much scientific research has proven time and time again, the importance of human interaction in correlation to positive and healthy growth and development. An article in the NY Times reveals:
“Touch is a means of communication so critical that its absence retards growth in infants.”
Having supportive family + friends and trustworthy professionals around me has been a constant drive and comfort through different periods in my life and all of them in their own way have played a significant role in my self-acceptance and growth.
“Enjoy the day that is good and be thankful for the days that are good. Take one day at a time. We are only passing through this life. Enjoy what you get out of it.”
“Face up to what misfortune meets you, or problem… never give up. [The] older you are, the wiser… not good to look on the past… yesterday is history, today is a blessing and tomorrow is a mystery. So deal with today. Sometimes you feel like failing or giving up but if you just wait and fight it, it does change you know…”
“Lord, look how I was down yesterday… and look how i’m happy today… that’s what it’s all about my dear. The hotter the battle the sweeter the victory… just hold on, the sun will shine again. Although the days are dark and dreary and the nights are long, the sun will shine again – it will shine again. [Do] not to expect too much in life… think about yourself and not what other people are doing or what they have. Live your life and be happy with it. Sometimes you have to try hard, try very hard, yes… [it’s] not easier when you get older but your experience from what you’ve been through [informs you]. It’s not all a bed of roses… got to take the good and the bad.” – My dear Nanna (my beautiful, trooper, octogenarian Queen Her Majesty).
Written by Paige Jackson.
Want to write a guest blog? The themes for November are ‘Journeys and Changes’. Send your blog to bradley@beatfreeks.com, or contact for more information.