Poems & Perceptions
Hedonism: The ancient Greek word for ‘pleasure’. It is widely believed that the Greek philosopher Socrates started this idea by introducing ethical hedonism to people. Pleasure at the highest good surpassing any pain they were feeling. It was and still is a way of life and its devotees have nothing to feel bad about.
© Michelle Sotiriou 2014
“Happiness is unrepentant pleasure”.
Socrates
Born
Conceived with love, you are born once more
Eyes wide open, opal gems ready to explore
Misty in sight, grip like a vice
You are born of wonder and delight.
Rosebud lips, pouting from the start
Angelic when dreaming in a world apart
To breathe small breaths your chest fills, fresh air
New life in a re-born soul who will dare.
Feeling your way new textures, soft skin
First smile to the angel in your first dream
Aroma is the sweetest, of all things new
Enveloped in the arms of a love, so true.
© Michelle Sotiriou 2014
Watching epic films is one of my favourite things to do. No matter how long ago they were made they still grab my attention, popcorn at the ready and cosy blanket are a god send for a well-earned cinematic experience in the comfort of my home. Tucked up on my sofa I watched King of Kings, a biblical story of Jesus. Not the best film ever made but this story always grabs my attention and I notice new things which have me comparing life then to the life we live now.
As I watched this man go from town to town, village to village and tax man to prostitute it struck me how many followers grew and walked with him when all he had to wear was a plain and unfashionable piece of cloth on his strong back. Today, anyone dressed in that fashion would be locked up or looked down upon. The message being heard now by fans, followers and the lost is wear Gucci, Tom Ford and all will be well in their world but are they misleading themselves?
It helps to talk about these things when drawing my own conclusions and a close friend pointed out that musicians and politicians use, as Jesus did, words to bring things to light and convey what you are going or have gone through which is why they have a fan base and loyal constituents. I agree with him, however, there are those which are hailed not for the words they preach but for how they have made a quick buck.
An example of this are the Kardashians. Loved, admired and set on a pedestal by girls all over the world. Real people, with real problems, heartache and issues; we can all relate to the Kardashians but the flip side is that girls also want what they have. As I see it, there are three options to achieve Kardashian status in our world, work harder than you are already, credit cards and if you are patient, work with your partner for these material things. It seems that many of these ‘stars’ have it all but they didn’t get it over night.
The message from Jesus and many other religious figures and gurus is clear, love yourself and others. Perhaps these material things are a substitute until love is found? A momentary feeling that is based more on lust than love but ultimately fashions change and you will continue the search for love in every fashion house as the seasons pass. In my experience, finding what I love to do has made me happier than any garment my money can buy; I love nice things and jackets to keep me warm are my weakness but loving what I do each day keeps out the cold.
© Michelle Sotiriou 2014
“But as an adult working in the fashion industry, I struggle with materialism. And I’m one of the least materialistic people that exist, because material possessions don’t mean much to me. They’re beautiful, I enjoy them, they can enhance your life to a certain degree, but they’re ultimately not important”.
Tom Ford
Some people strive to better themselves, some will strive to live a peaceful existence, some strive to create a better world for others bringing education to children who have never seen a page from a book, clean water to those who drink from contaminated streams and hope; hope born in an unselfish way and delivered by a complete stranger.
However, there is a large proportion of the world facing a very different problem; I will go as far as to say that it has become the most worrying epidemic of our time. Attention Seeking! It has spread like a virus that is impossible to contain and the effects are felt by many; so many suffer because others suffer, that’s a lot of sufferers.
We can only guess at the reasons for the attention certain people seek and psychologists have concluded in some cases, the following: Childhood neglect from a parent or carer, lack of self-worth usually brought on by being told you’re not good enough and a trauma which is an emotional response to an act that came without warning, flicking a switch in your brain that changes your once recognizable persona inevitably leading to a change in how people see and react to you.
However, not all attention seekers have such deep-rooted issues. Being spoiled as a child and getting your own way is a burden for the unsuspecting adults they meet as they endeavor to ‘grow up’ not having the foresight to see that a meaningful relationship calls for making each other happy, not just themselves. Too consumed with what they want, they don’t know any better and are are only concerned with what works for them; blind to the feelings and needs of another.
If you have patience an inquisitive and open mind you can recognize that something is not quite right but that patience can wear very thin especially when you are being taken for granted and used. Tactical methods are used to tap into your good nature by attention seekers and you begin to endure something that you won’t have time for if it carries on.
Personally, I went through years of being held to emotional ransom. I believed that I was needed as a source of strength and support and also believed this because I knew their history. I was so wrong. Tactical strategies were used by them, not to grow and be at peace but to hinder me, unable to create a life worth living for themselves they decided to hinder mine in the most malicious and evil way possible.
The emotions I felt when I finally realized that their motives where underhand and devious were mixed. The knife in my back may as well have been placed in my heart but the feeling of pulling it out when the penny finally dropped was a relief. No amount of attention seeking, no matter the reasons will ever give anyone the right to take you down because that’s where they are.
The tactics used are laughable, pitiful and for a vast amount of people dangerous. It’s sad to me that they resort to these unimaginable measures but the real sadness is that of the ones whose naturally abundant strength, heart and confidence is worn down because of it.
© Michelle Sotiriou 2014
She Be Fierce 