mental health – She Be Fierce

English Words With Greek Origins ~ ‘Angel’

April 9, 2021July 21, 2021 shebfierce

Meaning: “Messenger”

Angel is derived from the Greek word ‘Angelos’ – Believed to be a messenger of God offering comfort to those in need. A spiritual being watching over us.

Spiritual moments are not easily recognized by everyone. Maybe it is because mortals are more logical in their thinking or perhaps fear of the unknown restricts their supernatural sight? As a teenager and in my early twenties, I put logic above all other forms of thinking and believed that if you cannot see something it could never have existed.

There are so many varied stages to life that at some point you will have no choice but to question the logic behind it and with an open mind, eventually, you realize that there is more going on than the information written in textbooks or the findings of the most noted scientists of our time. Scientists whose theories and inventions have changed the way we communicate, travel, work and save countless lives.

There are, however, some things that a scientist cannot explain. Wearing a black scarf, I noticed out of the corner of my eye something white. I thought it was the annoying white label that I try my best to tuck in – not an easy task. It was in fact, something that I was not expecting to see – a white feather.

A scientist might ask me if I had been visiting a menagerie or if I have a cockatoo at home. They would be the logical answers but I have no bird in my house and haven’t been to the zoo in a while. The only answer existing in my mind now, a mind that is not scared of acknowledging spiritual forms, is that it was a sign from my Guardian Angel – I believe we all have one (maybe more)

This is not the first visit tap on the door I have had from mine and they usually find ways to ‘sit on my shoulder’ when my mind is overthinking and swamped with a worry or two. The beauty of Guardian Angels is that they do not have favourites. Skin colour, status, faith and religious beliefs play no part in their mission to guide and protect us.

Adopting solitude as our only friend and safety net is inevitable for most of us at some point in our lives but this self-preserving choice makes it almost impossible to express our thoughts and feelings verbally. Who is there to hear them? The good news is that they are being heard!

Not only are the wings of these Guardian Angels strong enough to find their way to you but they can also hear the voice that no one else knows exists.

alive, be you, life, Life Lessons, love, Poetry

She Be a Poet ~ Hand on Heart

March 21, 2021February 25, 2023 shebfierce

How do you sing a love song,
when the words are hard to hear?
Long are the hours in winter,
a lonely sofa and ice-cold beer.

It’s all good, that’s what people say,
a statement that hides sad truths.
I plead with fictional characters,
assailants jumping from roof to roof!

Lives and lies entwine, lovers fooled,
twisting over tight shoulders to be heard.
Crippling imagination, mind, allow me to be,
out of gas, I’ll walk now, keep on moving to be free.

Undaunted, deep-rooted will resides,
solar plexus awakens; senses alert.
Intuition transpires; my heart in warm hands,
guiding me truly when no one else can.

life

She Be a Poet ~ Healing Hands

February 27, 2021February 25, 2023 shebfierce

By artist: WanJin Gim thisiscolossal.com

The days are so uncertain, yet, I am excited for what is to come,

Fingertips no longer sore, blistered and bloodied; trying to hold on.

Dramatic states passed before, there isn’t much that can shock,

I tread softly now, soles of my feet crushed velvet, barefoot, no socks.

I just stopped reaching, Carpal Tunnel took its toll,

Repetitive, negative syndrome, disabling beast, way out of control.

Fired shots from narcissists, I dodged their repellent game,

They tried and failed pathetically, altruism, they missed their aim.

life

Give Me a Word, Any Word & I Will Show You The Root of That Word is Greek ~ ‘Agoraphobia’

February 13, 2021February 22, 2021 shebfierce

Photo Credit: www.layersofred.com ‘Girl at The Window’

Meaning: Fear of going outside and being in public places or of being in a situation from which it might be difficult to escape or in which help might not be available.

Agoraphobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Agora’ – Agora were central public spaces found in the city-states of Ancient Greece.

The Athenian Agora, in particular, lies beneath the northern slope of the famous and still standing today Acropolis. It is there that Athenians of Ancient Greece assembled to discuss business and affairs of the state by democratic thinking individuals of all ages and class. It was also a melting pot for the arts in all its forms from acting, singing and listening to the notable philosophers of the day. It truly was a place to hang out for everyone.

Sounds right up my street! Meeting friends, listening to the coolest new sounds, talking freely in the open about life, love, why some relationships turn sour and how other couples seem to have the whole work-life, love-life and having a life balance completely down! I can even see a dancefloor at the very core of this welcoming scene inviting everyone to express their souls through dance and movement whilst being enveloped by the whisperings of mythology and great meaning.

Normally, I would be totally down for going out, excited that I would enjoy some sort of memorable experience (within reason and standards) however, something in me has changed over the last few years and I must admit that I find this change exhausting. There was a time when I would arrive and swing the doors wide open, announcing my arrival with confidence and courage; I cannot remember the last time I did that. It is the intimate social gatherings I am nervous about and I hold my hands up to say that for anyone reading this who has sent me an invite and I didn’t show, I know that I have let you down and for that, I am so sorry.

When I think of the times I have missed out on, the opportunity to make more laugh out loud memories with my friends, meet new acquaintances and connect with the world at large; a new world at that. I find every reason not to go unless I have a wingman waiting for me at the door or I am going with a group of friends or family. I ask questions of myself all the time to get to the bottom of my debilitating behaviours. I do recognise that protecting myself is at the heart of this anxiety, the irrational fear that I am not safe and if I do not have a safety net arranged or waiting, panic and paranoia move in for the night.

I can see my ancestors right now, high up on Mountain Olympus debating how the Agora that brought so much joy, freedom and evolution, is now out of rational reach for so many. There are varying levels of Agoraphobia with symptoms depending on individual experience and whilst we find physical connections a strain, we can reach out to one another from behind our laptops and smartphones. This is not a long-term solution, but it is a step taken. A virtual Agora if you will, where we can debate and discuss how we can kick Agoraphobia’s butt – democratically of course!